As Death Gives Life

Chapter 24 – Moving Forward

Sesshomaru’s perfectly formed lips curled into a smug look of satisfaction. Everyone had a threshold; one simply had to reach it in order to rise above worldly bonds. The Kitsune, who was now mercifully put out of his misery, was very helpful in the end. The information that he required poured forth just as he knew it would in the end. It was ridiculous for the fox to have thought himself impervious to his methods of questioning. They always gave in. Always. It was such a shame that they could not save themselves the torment and simply hand over the required information when asked. Loyalty and pride could be very painful bed partners.

He really should have seen this attack on the North coming. It was still somewhat surprising even after hearing it directly from the source. In his mind he turned the facts over and over, meticulously sorting through the details in an attempt to understand the motive behind the attempted assassination. What could he hope to attain?

In minutes he arrived at the castle entrance where Jaken was stationed in wait. He gave the order for the kappa youkai to retrieve Lord Buhito as he strode past the toad and into the palace. He was deep in thought, still assessing the how’s and why’s of the entire sordid affair, as he silently made his way to his study. Upon entering he momentarily mourned the loss of his prized rug, which had to be thrown out after the miko soaked it.

For a brief moment, Sesshomaru allowed himself the simple luxury of remembering how the thin material of her clothing clung to her curves like a second skin. The way her dark taut nipples stood erect and firm beneath the fine white silk. She had such a petite body, so full of soft round curves that sometimes haunted his dreams. With a growl the taiyoukai felt himself growing tight and heavy with need.

It was infuriating that he suffered this private humiliation time and again from mere thoughts of Kagome. Her underlying power called to his own, dancing an electrifying performance subtly against his skin. The growing strength of her body mingled with her inborn magic was producing an alluring call to his baser instincts.

While he had always found the miko highly interesting, a perpetual anomaly, and vaguely attractive for a mortal woman, he never wanted to bed her. He enjoyed using her to taunt Inuyasha, and had even suffered to dream erotic dreams of taking her body time and again, but never had he though to actually bed the strange miko.

Sesshomaru was beginning to re-think his hard resolve to never bed a mortal female as his terrible father had done. Many decades ago he vowed to never repeat his father’s shameful mistakes, but here he stands, seriously considering doing just that.

A deep growl reverberated from his chest. It was maddening. Something about her body was changing, very subtly, and it was calling to him like a song from the heavens. The thought was more than alarming. If his theory were correct he may very well find that as her gestation period grows so will the urges of his body to take hers. It would be his downfall, no doubt.

His earlier resolve to extradite her from his castle was slowly beginning to waver. Before he had been so intent on removing her from his presence and home, but now the thought of her leaving slightly disturbed him. Just enough to question himself, which infuriated him further.

He never questioned himself. Once he made a decision, it was carried out without second thought.

Kagome. Her enormous blue eyes flashing angrily in complete disregard for her own safety called a slight smile to the corner of his masculine lips. As infuriating as she was there was just something about her that gave him complete pause.

His chaotic thoughts of the miko vixen were pushed aside with the arrival of Lord Buhito. Without hesitation Sesshomaru called for the Northern Lord to enter. Buhito took a seat across from him, and Sesshomaru caught the lecherous grin that spread over the rooster’s face. “I see it was necessary to throw out the rug. A pity, but worth it. Wouldn’t you agree?”

A low growl of warning rumbled in the taiyoukai’s chest as he regarded the rooster. He found that he did not care for the thoughts of another male looking upon Kagome with desire. It stirred his youkai blood, and his golden eyes flashed red before rapidly dissolving to their natural golden hue. The rooster seemed caught off guard for a moment, attempting to gauge the significance of his actions.

Buhito was surprised at the response he received for his harmless comment. The great taiyoukai was visibly ruffled and issuing a very clear warning to stay clear of the miko. Perhaps Sesshomaru is the father of the unborn child? It would certainly explain Sesshomaru’s uncharacteristic reaction to his small bit of humor. Either way he would be very careful from this point on in how he dealt with the miko and taiyoukai. Sesshomaru was not one to cross and live to tell the tale.

Buhito nodded his silent understanding and acceptance of the inu’s warning before turning the touchy subject to one a bit less life threatening. “Tell me Lord Sesshomaru, were you successful in your attempts to uncover the one behind the assassination attempt?”

“Do not presume to insult this Sesshomaru in such a manner bird. There is no question of my success.” Sesshomaru glared as he issued the blatant reprimand to the Northern Lord.

“Ah. Of course, Buhito smirked, how could I have forgotten your perfect record. Do forgive my temporary lax in proper respect for your accomplishments.”

Sesshomaru regarded him with a hard-pinned golden stare. “It is easy to pass judgement when you pass your unsavory tasks onto others.” How dare the rooster imply that he enjoyed the act of torturing his captives. It was neither vile nor pleasurable. It simply was. He required information from them and he did what was necessary to obtain it. No more. No less. The insolent fools had only to offer up what he requested to save themselves from torment. It was not he who was to blame for their stubborn resolve.

Sesshomaru relaxed a bit when the rooster made a visibly apologetic gesture. “The assassin named the Southern Lord as the source of his hire.” He watched the reaction of the bird, and found that it was much similar to his own; surprise, promised retribution, a lingering confusion.

“What purpose does he seek?” Buhito absently pondered aloud.

An elegant dark eyebrow arched at the comment made by Buhito. He had hoped the rooster could tell him what the Southern Lord stood to gain by the death of Buhito and his family. Now it was obvious Buhito was as perplexed by this news as he had been himself. Sesshomaru asked in his smooth velvet timber, “You do not know?”

Buhito shook his regal head slowly from side to side. “It is a mystery to me. I can not imagine what Fuskae could hope to attain by removing my house. It is most perplexing. Lord Fuskae and I have always maintained a peaceful relationship, and he has never made cause for alarm. Are you certain of the truth behind the assassins accusation?”

“There is no doubt. I detected no lie. He clearly named the South.” Again Sesshomaru fought the urge to teach the lower ranked fowl that it is not wise to question his abilities. To Sesshomaru it was a clear insult to his demonic rank. He would not be so foolish as to misplace blame when dealing with so serious a matter. Though Buhito was a powerful youkai and a formidable force during battle, Sesshomaru regarded the bird as possessing considerably lesser intelligence than himself. The fact had always grated upon his nerves whenever he was forced to discuss matters of state with the rooster.

Buhito was tossing the information about, but coming up empty. Although Fuskae was a fox youkai, a natural enemy of fowl such as himself, the two were not on bad terms. The two would never voluntarily socialize, but there had never been reason to suspect ill intentions from the mammal. In fact, they had lived side by side for centuries in peaceful contentment. It was just so strange to discover that Fuskae was indeed behind the attack on his house.

Whatever the reason, Buhito decided, it mattered not. What did matter was retribution. A swift and fierce lesson to those in the South who posed a threat to his family. “I demand his life Sesshomaru. There was no formal challenge issued making clear the intentions to call me out. You know as well as I that such a thing is the customary and honorable way of the upper level lords.”

Sesshomaru drew in a deep breath. It was unfortunate that it had to come to this. He stood and regarded the Northern Lord. “Very well. Justice shall be yours.”

~~~***~~~

Inuyasha was lounging in his favorite spot. High in the Goshinboku tree. He was enjoying the beautiful starlit sky above and thinking about Kagome. Was she well? Had Sesshomaru been treating her properly? The more he thought about her in his brothers care the more he questioned his own intelligence. What could he have been thinking? Leaving her there with Sesshomaru, a heartless bastard, who enjoyed dealing pain and destruction. It was foolish of him to trust his half brother with his precious friend.

Kat crept through the forest, careful to move in complete silence as she stalked her prey. She had circled far in order to approach from down wind for her scent could easily give her position away. Her lithe form moved with the stealth of a sly predator as she easily maneuvered over the terrain.

‘Kami I am such a baka,’ Inuyasha confirmed angrily. He had made a grave mistake leaving Kagome with his heartless brother. He had to go back to the West and assure her safety. It was the least he could do after failing to protect her from that lecherous male, Anubis. He slipped his swords’ sheath through his sash and sat up, but suddenly he felt strange. It wasn’t a bad feeling, and he almost did not notice the subtle change. It was soft and silent, but when he realized that he had leaned back once more against the tree, Inuyasha became suspicious. He shook his head to clear his mind of the pleasant fog that settled over his thoughts. What was it that he had been doing? Everything was warm and fuzzy. His manhood throbbed with sudden urgent need.

The heavy ache of his cock brought back some semblance of clarity. He shook his head, immediately recognizing the culprit. “Damn it bitch! Stop playing your fucking games on me!” A feminine melody of laughter floated up into the night, and Inuyasha had to fight to stay pissed. “I mean it Kat! I ain’t in no mood for your bullshit!”

He blinked and she was there, crouching on the limb right in front of him. Her shimmering powder blue tresses danced gently in the light breeze. Enchanting magenta eyes were locked with his flashing amber orbs. She looked wild and free and more beautiful than anything he had ever seen. He shifted uneasily in an attempt to ease his pulsing discomfort.

“I’ve already warned you about pulling this shit on me,” Inuyasha growled.

Kat looked at him with complete innocence. The slightest hint of a smile played on her full lips. “What ever do you mean, Inuyasha? I have done nothing to harm you.”

“Bitch, you know damn well what I mean. Now stop doing what your doing!” the hanyou demanded.

The tiny smile curled her lips further while a look of pure mischief twinkled in the jewels that she called eyes. “Inuyasha, you have my word that I am no longer doing anything except sitting here.”

He could see the truth in her face and heard it in the unwavering rhythm of her beating heart. The knowledge, strangely enough, offered no comfort at all. Instead it sent his thoughts into a chaotic storm of confusion and self-doubt. Was it true then, his body’s powerful reaction to her presence was his own and not because of her stupid tricks? It was a discovery that shook him hard.

So pretty.... He couldn’t stop staring at those magical eyes. Inuyasha was sure that he looked like a stupid baka, but it didn’t really make a damn to him one little bit. He refused to look away from the sexy bitch perched sensually on the limb. Kat gracefully balanced her slender frame crouched on all fours. The profile of her perfectly formed body gave him an incredibly erotic view of her full soft, very feminine curves. The angelic face of his newest addition was tilted toward him while a teasing smile played over those incredibly kissable lips. Inuyasha released a hard breath that he didn’t even notice he was holding.

He wanted to say something, do something, but the words, the movements, would not come. Then his heart leapt into a frantic pace when the demoness flexed and turned, appearing to stalk him as a predator does its prey. Her beautiful big eyes were focused completely on his face, no, his mouth. His lips.

The first contact with her velvet softness sent a shiver of need rushing over his hard body. He moved slowly, savoring the unbelievably soft feel of her, tracing a tender path of curious enchantment. Carefully he pressed closer, testing her reaction, seeking her approval to deepen the kiss. His heart skipped a beat as he registered her faint response. More. He wanted to crush her to him, devour her alive. His body was physically possessed with restrained yearning.

In an instant she pulled away, again she held a look of confused pleading and Inuyasha felt heat pour through his body. It was down right scary the way his body reacted to her, but this was wrong. She was a member of his pack and in his care. He could not take her body in such a way and face her everyday afterward, and at the moment he wasn’t sure exactly how deep his feelings ran for Kat.

Lust was there. Inuyasha had absolutely no doubt about that at all, and if she had not been under his protection he would have fucked her brains out that night, but Kat deserved more from him. He needed time to discover exactly what he felt for her. Was there love? He didn’t really think it was love. He had loved Kikyo. This was not the same. Could it feel differently when love is directed at a different person? Damn he was confused. He hated figuring shit out. That’s why he left thinking and stuff like that to Miroku. Maybe he could ask the Monk’s advice? Hell no. Miroku would never let him live that down. No. He would have to figure this out on his own. He just needed some more time.

“Come sit with me Kat,” Inuyasha beckoned with an outstretched hand. Kat smiled warmly and crawled forward nestling into his lap. It felt good to hold her like this. It felt new and right.

~~~***~~~

Anubis bowed before the great Lord Osiris and waited until his King approved his rise. He had been thinking hard on his situation and decided that it was time for action. Thoth was right. He needed to go back to Japan and confront the problem at hand. It was dangerous for him to keep these new and unfamiliar emotions bottled up. It was imperative that he get things under control.

“Speak you peace Lord Anubis,” Osiris stated.

“My Lord, I request that you grant me reprieve from my duties for a short time. I have need to see to my chosen female,” Anubis replied.

Osiris made no reply for several moments. Anubis had just recently returned from the Earth’s surface and was successful in all that he had endeavored to accomplish. He sighed deeply. It was as he feared. This was exactly why he had been hesitant to grant Anubis his previous request. Gods were not meant to mix with mortals. It was not the way of things. Un-natural acts always ended in chaos.

The King of the Underworld regarded his underling with growing concern. It was now clear that the InuGod was experiencing new emotions wrought by his act of mortal coupling. He had two choices. He could put an end to this now and forbid Anubis to return to the lands of his chosen female. Unfortunately that may only serve to foster the chaotic emotions already growing in the inu. It would, however, put an end to this nonsense. The other option would be to grant him the time requested, which could also serve to thicken the growing ties to the mortal world. ‘Hm... how shall I proceed?’ Osiris silently pondered.

Osiris decided that more information was required. “Tell me of your reasons to return.”

Anubis inwardly groaned. He was hoping to avoid delving too deeply into his personal affairs with the King. It was hard to describe something that was still confusing to himself. “My Lord, it has come to my attention that the demon lord with whom I have placed my female for protection is... becoming too close to her.” Said aloud it sounded ridiculous even to himself. How would Osiris respond?

Osiris held in the chuckle that formed upon hearing the admission from Anubis. Ah... things were becoming much clearer now. Anubis was learning the painful lesson of jealousy. He almost felt pity for the InuGod for jealousy was a harsh emotion indeed. It was going to be a hard road ahead for Anubis.

Osiris knew well of such emotions, and jealousy could turn very ugly. He had experienced a harsh death at the hands of his own brother over just such an emotion. Had his beloved Isis not found him, and his great and powerful Father Re not felt pity for her grief, he would still be scattered in pieces across all of Egypt.

He would have to deal with this situation using a delicate hand. Anubis was a titan of power and could wreak much havoc upon the Earth if unstable. Perhaps it would be best to let Anubis approach the demon and voice his displeasure. The life of one mortal woman and one demon male was of no real consequence to the overall scheme of things. “You may return for one full day to set things right. I expect you to resolve this issue quickly and efficiently Anubis, but take care how you deal with your woman. She carries a powerful offspring in her belly, and will be the one to raise it. It may be unwise to make an enemy of one such as she.”

Anubis bowed respectfully. “Your infinite wisdom will be considered. I am indebted to you, my lord, for granting my request.”

Osiris waved one hand carelessly. “Be gone with you. I will expect your return in one day.”

~~~***~~~

In the South of Japan Lady Kiyori, the long time mate of Lord Fuskae, escaped the prying eyes of her family and household servants. In her hand she held a tightly bound message that was hastily passed to her by a trusted servant. Her heart was pounding. It had to be word from Tsuneharu.

It had been many days since she had heard from her beloved. Not since he sent word of his failed attempt to kill that wretched bird and his equally wretched family. That discovery sent an instantaneous rush of fury coursing through her body, but it had disolved quickly when she realized the implications of his failure. Her anger turned to worry. Worry that her deadly fox lover would be caught.

How could this be happening? She had planned every detail to perfection, yet still the assassination attempt had gone awry. Damn. Now she had to worry about the life of her lover as well as her own. If it were somehow discovered that Tsuneharu was tied to her she would not live to see the dawn. Her own mate would sentence her to death for her involvement. How had this gotten so out of hand?!

Once assured of her privacy Kiyori ripped the tie away and unrolled the fragile paper. Her heart momentarily ceased to beat. With shaking hands she gripped the message as her body began to shake, sinking slowly down to the floor. Tears welled in her eyes.

Her Tsuneharu was dead.

The letter was brief, stating only the facts. Cold and impersonal. Assassin captured by West. Tortured by Western Lord for information then slain. Nothing more. Kiyori shredded the message. Her heart felt as if it would burst from the grief.

Tsuneharu was her happiness. Her only reprieve from this mundane existence. Her Lord mate was a useless male. Weak. Too weak to control his own household. Too weak to control her. She hated weakness. Fuskae did not even have the courage to confront her about her long time affair with Tsuneharu, instead leaving her to her choice of sexual partner. Fuskae disgusted her.

Lady Kiyori pulled her hands to her face and wept for her lost lover and her own crumbling life.