I am the Moon

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

Winter Palace: The Court of He Gang

“” talking
- Pathing

I moaned as I came to. I looked around and caught an old scent of my mate. I looked up and saw Sheng. I noticed a plain cotton yukata had been put on me. He nodded to me and I blinked my gold-brown eyes. I tried to sit up and I felt bile rise in me. I laid back and closed my eyes.
-How long ago was Katashi here? - I asked Sheng
-Two days. - He answered.
-What are you trying to keep from me? - I asked.
“Nothing my Lady.” He replied in voice.
“You lie.” I whispered.
-You forget I know you too Sheng. - I whispered in his head.
-I know you know me. There is no point in getting put out about things right now.-he assured me.
“What have you and Katashi planned for me?” I asked bitterly.
“He wants you to convalescent at the Winter Palace.” He said quietly.
“I need to be with my men.” I said anger rising in me.
“You are weak still my Lady.” He said calmly.
“It is now `my Lady'?” I asked with repressed fury.
-Asuna calm yourself! - He commanded in thought.
“I will not. When I can stand, I can wield my katana.” I said growling low and dangerous.
“I will fight you to keep you safe.” He warned me.
“You would lose.” I seethed.
“My Lady, you dealt the enemy an almost fatal blow.” He said proudly.
-It was not enough was it? - I cried in his mind.
-I am sorry for the loss of your pup. I tried to get you here in time.-he pathed.
“I will not lye around whilst someone else dies!” I thundered.
“You were injured far worse than I my Lady. We may be youki but we are not indestructible.” He said with little emotion.
-What is wrong with you? - I cried in his head.
He looked at me thoughtfully and stared at me with a little pain bared in his eyes.
“I know I was injured severely. I was there remember? I was brought up to stand with my own and my own are on a field of battle without their commander!” I sniped.
“You do not understand do you?” he asked me with a little more emotion.
“Understand what?” I whispered.
“You have become more than just foreign aid. You have become this land's lady. You have become its soul!” he said emphatically.
-I love you. Katashi loves you. We would both die before we see you harmed again! - He thought to me with passion.
-There is no room for love. - I snarled in his mind.
“I have honor and this is not it!” I cried sitting up.
I fought off pain and nausea and stood with great effort. I stared at him and to my horror I felt tears prick my eyes.
“Miko-sama would you please give the Lady and I a moment of privacy?” Sheng asked the ningen onna.
“Hai my lord.” She said bowing and leaving her hut.
-You want to substitute pain with fury. - He said as she left.
I put my hands to my temples and rubbed them.
“Get out of my head Sheng!” I snarled at him.
“I forced a bond between us; but do you truly wish to keep me shut out forever?” He asked searching my face.
“I wish for my katana and armor. I wish to be with my men in battle and I wish to have my honor.” I raged.
“You are grieving the loss of your pup; I understand that but you are a female as well as a warrior. You have the right to feel its loss.” He said compassionately.
“Do not pity me. I will not allow it!” I screamed at him.
“I would never pity you.” He replied.
“Then do as I bid you.” I roared.
“My Lady, I cannot.” He said calmly.
I closed the space between us and I beat his chest with my fists. He wrapped his arms around me and I wept. He tucked my head underneath his chin. The movement had tired me out and I sagged in his arms. Sheng knew I did not want these feelings, he knew that is why I had cut myself off from them. Mates and pups took energy and emotion that I felt that I could ill afford. I had sunk so deep and I had to claw myself out. He picked me up bridal style and laid me back down on the mat. I turned my head and stared at him.
“When are you taking me to He Gang?” I whispered.
“I want to leave when you can travel. I cannot transport myself great distances like a taiyouki.” He said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Hai. Let me sleep for awhile then you can take me to the Winter Palace.” I said in a tortured whisper.
I closed my eyes and fell into oblivion.
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My eyes fluttered open and the pain was not as severe. I pushed myself up into a sitting position and looked around the small hut. I stood carefully and walked forward. I knew if I had not been youki there would have been no way I would have survived the impalement. I went to the doorway and pushed aside the reed mat and stepped outside. Sheng was sitting beneath a tree with his eyes closed. His hair was loose and framed his chiseled face. I smiled to see him resting but I was curious as to how easy it would be to rouse him. I went by his side and gently shook his arm. He did not waken and I slipped into his mind.
-Wake up! - I commanded
“Damn it all I just got sleep!” he grumbled.
“You are worse than pup when you are tired.” I chided him.
“Asuna, I realize you like to compare me to a young one but I assure I am anything but.” He growled.
“I see. So now you call me by my name. You are moody.” I said sitting next to him.
“I have not slept in over five days. I normally try to go no longer than three. You needed the honorific earlier.” He said stretching.
“Well then we can leave for He Gang now.” I said annoyed.
I looked at Sheng through hooded eyes. He had on a pein-fu of cream colored cotton and a dark brown obi and a pair of geta. I was not shielding at all and he turned and stared at me. There was heat in his eyes and his lips were set in a grim line. I felt what he was experiencing and I sucked in my breath. A surge of overwhelming lust went through me and I slammed up my barriers. I stood up slowly and realized that I would not be able to effectively wield a weapon for at least a few weeks. He did not speak and neither did I. There was nothing we could say; we felt it all. I went into the hut and waited for the miko to return from gathering herbs. She returned about a half hour later with a basket on her arm.
“I see you are awake my Lady.” She said with a gentle smile.
“Miko-sama, I cannot express my gratitude enough for your care of me.” I said.
“I would do anything to help my Lord Katashi.” She said bowing.
“We will be taking our leave of you now.” I said standing and bowing to her.
I took my leave of her and joined Sheng outside. We went north toward the palace.
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Sheng had arranged for a palanquin. It was very elaborate and carried by four burly inu males. I looked at Sheng in annoyance.
“Kami this is insulting.” I muttered.
“Why is this insulting? Do you have enough yoki to transport us?” He asked.
“No I do not. I have never traveled this way. It is decadent and lazy.” I said incensed.
“You have the attitude of a noble yet you do not travel as one.” He remarked amused.
“I have abilities of a taiyouki. Why would I need this extravagance?” I said in irritation.
“You have been injured severely and you worry about the mode of transport? I might injure you further if I changed and you are still too weak to walk that far.” He pointed out.
I shot him a look as the litter was lowered. He stepped up on it and helped me up. I rolled my eyes as it was lifted and we surged forward. I stared at him and wanted to hide my shame.
“How long will this take?” I asked perturbed.
“Two days travel.” He replied with mirth.
“This amuses you?” I said narrowing my eyes.
“Hai, it does.” He smirked.
“You are used to this; you are also used to rutting with any female who would spread their legs for you. What else Sheng? Did I get it right?” I snarled in a low tone.
His eyes flashed in anger and he narrowed them.
“What I do in my spare time is none of your concern my Lady.” He hissed between clenched teeth.
“Oh. Well then tell me is Annchi expecting you to mate her? I mean you have enjoyed her have you not.” I said in a haughty manner.
“This is not a topic I will discuss with you my Lady.” He started snarling.
I was furious at his superior attitude about the litter and also a little jealous. I was angry at not being able to go back to Tianjin and I was taking it out on him.
“Did she scream your name as you took her?” I said goading him.
“Stop.” He commanded the carriers.
They stopped and lowered the vehicle and he grabbed my hand and pulled me down the steps and into the forest. I was shielded so tight he could not have even pathed to me if he tried. He whirled on me and his eyes were red.
“Why in Kami's name are you taking your anger out on me?” he growled.
“I hate this situation. You were behaving as if I were beneath you because I abhor our mode of travel.” I growled back.
“Why bring up my rutting partners; to make me lose my temper? It worked Asuna.” He said taking a step toward me.
I did not back down and he got an inch away from my face. His eyes were blazing and I continued to stare at him with contempt.
“Go ahead and lose your temper.” I dared him.
“You want to know if she screamed my name.” he said dangerously.
“Hai. Did she moan like a whore?” I hissed.
He grabbed my shoulders and then released them. He turned his head and sighed.
“I am not doing this. I am not participating in your temper. I owe you no explanation of my rutting habits. I have been charged with taking you to He Gang and that is what I am going to do.” He said staring at me with glacial blue eyes.
I did not waver in my glaring.
“You bound our spirits and you use the information that you know to amuse yourself. I will not have it.” I snapped.
“I was wrong. I was enraptured and let it go too far. I wanted to posses you at that moment.” He said.
“Well your amusement is over.” I said walking back toward the palanquin.
He grabbed my arm and turned me around. One hand was on the small of my back and the other was holding my chin. His lips were inches from mine. I could feel his breath and I shuddered in his arms.
“I want to touch you everywhere. I want to taste you. I want to feel your skin against mine as I make you cry out in bliss but I cannot. The closet I will be able is when my thoughts touch yours.” He said in a hoarse whisper.
“I want to push you against that tree and lift up your thigh. I want to sear you with my lips and lose myself in your wetness.” He continued in the same tone.
“Enough Sheng.” I whispered with a shaky voice.
“Do you understand now?” he said releasing me.
“Hai. We need to get to He Gang.” I said straightening my back.
“Hai we do. Can we not argue the whole way there?” he asked.
“Hai.” I replied.
We went back to the litter and continued on our way.
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We made it to He Gang in less than two days. Sheng and I had kept our conversations light. We also kept our barriers in place and stayed away from pathing. My mind wandered back to what Sheng said in the forest and I burned on the inside. Things had not gone as planned at all in Manchuria.
When we arrived at the palace I was surprised. It was influenced by the Russian onion domes and traditional Manchu architecture. It was a brilliant blue and white on the outside. The roof was also done in gold as the summer palace was. I was ushered into the palace by the servants and installed in Katashi's chambers. The room was done in brilliant blues. The furniture had been stained black. There was also a large bed instead of futon. There were tapestries of ancient inu warriors adorning the walls. The servants fussed over me and I detested it. I made up my mind to spend as much time in the dojo as possible to rebuild my strength. I sent couriers to the front lines to find out what Katashi and the army were doing. Sheng was about the palace but I did not see him alone or for long. I was angry with him again for ignoring me and acting contemptuously. Katashi was a very light hearted individual whereas Sheng was petulant and moody at times. His memories of other females were driving me mad. I knew that I had too much down time and I was obsessing again.
I was wandering the palace on my third of medical exile. I found the library and intended to learn all I could on these areas nobles. Sheng was reclining on a chaise reading. His navy blue yukata was open and his chest was visible. He also had on a pair of ku the same color as the yukata. I wore a simple silk tunic that came to my knees. The sleeves were split at the shoulder to elbow so that my upper arms were bare. The edges of the tunic were edged in the red honey comb pattern of the House of the Moon and the rest of it was white. My hair was free and hung down my back. He looked up and nodded to me and I inclined my head to him. I could see that same heat that I saw back at the village. He sat up and put down the scroll he was reading. He stood up to leave.
“Now who is running away?” I asked raising a brow.
“I am keeping temptation at bay.” He answered bluntly.
“I do not wish to be away from you like this.” I said honestly.
“It cannot be helped.” He said.
“Fine then. I think I saw a bitch down the hall. Why not go and keep yourself busy.” I said angry.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.
“Is this what you want me to do?” he asked thickly.
“I do not want you too far from me.” I said.
“You will not let me in but you want me close to you. Who are you kidding Asuna?” he said letting go of me.
I put the back of my hand against his face and rubbed his cheek.
“Let down your barriers.” I commanded quietly.
He tried to shake his head but I put my other hand to his other cheek. I let my yoki go and it flowed against his skin.
“Kami Asuna.” He groaned.
I was unshielded and I pressed against his conscious mind. He closed his eyes and moaned. Our power was mingling and I felt Sheng as if he was in my own body. It was pure feeling and it was like the night in Shenyang. I withdrew and I was shaking in almost pure bliss. I could not imagine what it would be like if we actually physically joined. He put his hand behind my neck and pulled me to him once more and pressed his lips to my mine. It was savage and raw. He nipped at my lips and sucked my lower one. He ran his tongue along my fangs and I opened my lips to him and he plundered my mouth. He sucked my tongue and I groaned with hunger and raw need. My hands had reached inside he yukata and splayed them across his chest. The tips of my claws dug into his flesh a bit. He groaned at the small violence and tore away from my lips. I cried out at the loss of mouth.
“I must stop.” He growled lightly.
“Please.” I whispered against his juncture of neck and shoulder.
I lapped at his pulse point and ran my tongue up his neck.
“We cannot do this. Asuna pull your beast back.” He said groaning.
“No, I cannot Sheng. Kami, I am burning.” I whispered against his flesh.
“Reign in your beast onna.” He breathed heavily.'
“You do not want us?” I asked nipping his ear lobe.
“More than I can say, you must pull in your primal self.” He commanded gently.
I ran my tongue along his lower lip and took it into my own and suckled on it. I moved my lips down his neck to his collar bone. I was nipping his skin as I went. His breathing was becoming heavier and he grabbed my shoulders and tried to gently push me away. I knew my beast had taken control but I did not try and stop it. The burning was consuming me.
“Asuna clear your mind. We cannot do this.” He said clenching his teeth and groaning.
I ran my hands across his chest and leaned my head down and took a flat nipple into my mouth. I pulled it with my teeth and nibbled on it. I could not understand how he kept his control. I pushed the yukata off his shoulders and I lifted my head and pressed my body against his. His blue eyes were bleeding red. I pulled up the hem of my tunic and reached my hand down to my center and coated a single claw with my own juices. I brought it to his mouth and traced his lips with it. He snarled viciously and took my finger into his mouth and licked it clean. He hands reached up and held the side of my head and crashed his lips against mine. I ran my claws up and down his bare back and I drew blood. Both of us were breathing heavily. Sheng ripped the front of my tunic open and bared my body. He pressed his fangs to my neck and dragged them along my flesh till my shoulder. He was almost snarling as he sucked and nipped a trail to my breasts; he brought his hands to them and cupped both globes. He used his thumb and flicked a nipple. He dropped his head and took the peak into his mouth and suckled it. My hands were shaking lightly and I brushed my thoughts and yoki against his and a guttural snarl was ripped from his chest. His hair brushed against my other nipple and I moaned. Warmth was spreading along my limbs and I was already close to completion.
“Sheng…Kami…” I cried out repeatedly.
He sat me down on the chaise and spread my legs open wide. He held onto my thighs and lowered his head and darted his tongue against my engorged clitoris; I growled my pleasure and he flicked his tongue against my clit over and over and I was shaking. He tasted my center and put his tongue inside and I cried out. He then took my clit and suckled it hard and I completely lost my mind. I shook my head side to side alternately growling and crying out. He slipped two fingers into my center and slowly removed them and quickly moved them in and out. He growled against me while he suckled me. I released more yoki and Sheng cried out against my center and I came undone. My muscles tightened around his fingers and my body shook violently from my release. He tasted my release then pressed his mouth against mine. I tasted myself on his tongue and lips. He pushed me back so that I was lying down and pressed his forehead against mine.
“Koi.” He whispered.
“I need you now.” I demanded quietly.
I untied his ku and shoved them past his hips roughly. I grasped his member firmly and stroked him back and forth. His forehead was still pressed against mine and he groaned as if he was in pain. I knew he was trying to retain control; I ran the pad of my thumb over the head of shaft and felt his own wetness. I brought my thumb to my lips and licked his essence off. He was shaking a little with strain. He thrust in my hand and I tightened my grip just a fraction and he bit back a snarl.
“Look at me.” He demanded in a whisper.
My eyes were scarlet and I stared him in the eyes.
“Your beast is still not under control.” He groaned as I pumped him faster.
“We need you.” I begged him.
I pulled my leg up and hooked it over his shoulder. I knew he could scent my essence and his eyes bled back to red. He was fighting himself and I and I guided his staff to my center.
-Do this. Make us one…Please. - I pleaded within his mind.
He plunged into me and I cried out.
“No shielding.” I managed.
He nodded his agreement, unable to speak. He rolled his hips forward and I gasped. He pulled all the way back then surged forward. I mewled in rapture. He took my hands into his and tightened his grip when he thrust and rolled his hips; I met each thrust with one of my own.
-Release your yoki. - I pleaded silently.
He released his again and I gasped loudly. My claws had dug into the back of Sheng's hands and I felt blood and arched my back. He gnashed his teeth and held back a guttural snarl. My skin was electrified and he and I were sharing everything in the coupling. I bared my neck on instinct and he pressed his mouth to my pulse point but kept himself from following the urge. He thrust harder and faster; pushing us closer to the edge. He pulled a hand free and reached down and very lightly stroked my swollen nub and I started to scream. He covered my mouth with his and my body spasmed and clenched his member. He continued to thrust till he went rigid and I felt him release his seed. He lifted his head and snarled as he released. I wrapped my legs around his waist to keep him seated within me. He collapsed against me; breathing raggedly.
“Kami forgive me.” He whispered.
I arched under him as my body experienced aftershocks and his body jerked with mine. I could not speak and I felt lethargy overcome my limbs. I knew instinctively his own limbs were leaden.
-Koi, I will need to leave your body at some point.-he thought sleepily.
-Not yet. - I whispered through our bond.
“I might have to transport us out of here.” I said aloud.
“I could sleep for a week.” He mumbled.
“You can do that.” I said with a ghost of a smile.
“You did not shred my clothes, I will slip out and get you a yukata.” He said.
“I have to release you first.” I said coyly.
He groaned as I moved under him and I continued my torturous movements.
“You are going to make me work more?” he asked joking but then groaned.
“Hai. I will make you work for my favor.” I said as bliss overcame me.
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Sheng and I started our cycle of ignoring each other all over again. I could feel his overwhelming guilt but I refused to see it as anything but an intense rut that I got out of my system. I would have been lying if the thought of Sheng rutting with another bitch did not appall me. I could live with myself.
My injuries were almost completely healed and I had a large circular scar of pink. I began practicing in earnest in the dojo and found an unforeseen side effect of the coupling. I was able to realize my blade's full potential by channeling both Sheng's and my yoki. I had accidentally destroyed half of the dojo by releasing my pent up feelings and the fang responded by letting loose a fury of power. Sheng and some servants had come running in at the ruckus and I stood there completely pleased for my efforts.
I had spent two and half weeks at the Winter Palace and decided to return to Katashi and our combined armies. I had received word that the siege was going well and in our favor. There had not been a word from Bai Gu Jing but I knew she would resurface.
I was dressing for battle when I felt Sheng's presence behind me in my chambers. I turned and leveled a stare.
“You are leaving then?” he asked in his petulant way.
“Hai. I have languished enough. I want to thank you for binding us. I can now unleash my fang's true power.” I said coldly.
“I love Katashi as my brother and I gave in to my base desires.” He said morosely.
“I love him too; but I was there and I will not act as if it was something to be ashamed. Like I said Sheng, I thank you. I now have the power to defeat my enemies.” I said with as much disdain as I could.
“We are no longer able to shield from one another. That is part of the reason for my absence.” He said in anger.
“I already know that. I also know how much you loathe the both of us right now. Take your self recrimination and shove it to the depths of hell.” I growled at him.
“You feel what I am feeling yet you act as though this is nothing.” He said anguished.
“You forget I am from Japan. Lords are allowed concubines and lovers. This is nothing to be ashamed. Of course I will refrain from being around you. I would not want to interfere in your self torture. I am for the battle front; are you coming with me or will you travel at your own pace?” I said emotionless.
He felt my anger and there was no point in relaying it in words.
“I will come with you.” He said.
“Good then. I travel by my yoki cloud.” I said.
He and I said nothing as I produced my yoki cloud and traveled to Tianjin and my revenge.