I am the Moon

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

Consequences of Mercy

I had returned to the Western Palace and my own era as quickly as possible. I made sure that everything was still the same and much to my relief it was. I was acting if I was a Kami and I did not want to change what was good and right. I wanted the fool to survive and try something different.
Before I had returned I had cleaned myself thoroughly so as not to have any scent left on me. I would fantasize about the rutting simply because it was so imprinted on my mind. Hiroto and Kazuo slept peacefully and I sighed happily. Sheng slept in our futon and I went and slid up his body. He mumbled love you in his sleep and I dipped into his mind and started planting evocative images. He moaned gently and I brushed my yoki against his and he moaned louder. I smirked as I continued to let him sleep but I began giving him feather light touches on his neck and his lower body. I was enjoying the carnal torture I was playing on my mate and he eyes snapped open; they were clouded with lust and he kissed me possessively. I had slowly learned how to keep a small part of my mind to myself with my mother's help. It was small and secluded and it was all mine. That is where I had locked my memories of Naraku and only I could access them. Sheng continued to make love to me and I gloried in the emotions.
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I relaxed in the hot spring with Akemi chatting away to me. I had fed my sons and already practiced in the dojo. I enjoyed my cousin's incessant chatter and looked up at her.
“You were supposed to be already married.” I commented.
“Hai but I broke it off.” She said surprised.
“Why would you do that?” I asked her arching my brow.
“Your father approached me on behalf of a lesser inu noble.
“Who?” I asked in shock.
“You know Yuuto?” she asked.
“That is Yuudai's younger brother. He is gorgeous.” I said pleased.
“Your father said he was infatuated with me and wished to court me. My other relationship has been non-existent.” She said quietly.
“Because of me.” I said.
“No because of me. I want to be here. I want to be inu. I see it everyday I look in the mirror and see my silver hair. My father does not understand but your family has always accepted me more so than the twins.” She said passionately.
“Well your brothers at taijiyas. I think you belong here too.” I said.
“Did you find him?” she whispered so low I barely heard her.
“Hai.” I said quietly.
“Shall we go and speak of things elsewhere?” she asked.
“Good idea.” I said getting out of the hot spring and dressing quickly.
“Meet me at the gates.” I said.
“Hai.” She said dressing quickly.
We both went and got dressed properly and met at the gates. We walked into the forest and I sat on a rock.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I went to him and I struck him and called him an idiot.” I said.
“What else Asuna.” She demanded.
“We battled a little then ended up rutting like we were starved.” I said shrugging.
“Kami. He did want you.” She said with her eyes open wide.
“Hai. It was incredible. I should not be so enthusiastic. I stole the Shikon and hid it.” I said shrugging.
“It was found at Mount Hakurei-zan, you did that?” she asked astonished.
“Hai under his nose. I wore him out. I think to defeat Naraku it would require rutting him to death.” I said smirking.
“Do we know if he survived?” she asked.
“I think we should go back to Mount Hakurei-zan and look around.” I stated.
“Would he not be furious that you betrayed him?”
“I am counting on it.” I said standing.
“Why did you try and save him again?” she asked curiously.
“Because for once in his miserable existence he was honorable and kept to his word. There was something in him worth redeeming.” I said standing.
“To the Mount then?” she said following me.
“Hai to the Mount.” I said.
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We stood again at the base of the crumbled mountain and looked around. I went back to the cave and I would still get the flashes of memory but the air was different, more sinister.
“He has been here in the past century. In fact I would say he has been here recently.” I said with my chest heaving.
The yoki was strong and familiar. I went to the hole that was hidden and looked to see if there was a note and there was. I pulled it out and it simply said Asuna. I actually cringed a little and knew he was furious. I knew he was alive because his scent was on the note itself. Akemi came to the back of the cave and I handed her the paper. She looked at it and stared at me. All of a sudden I felt a familiar menace. I handed her my fang and pushed her.
“RUN.” I hissed.
She took off and I released my Dakkasou into a whip and whirled on the youki that was fast approaching. It was not Naraku but something insidious. Out of a grayish mist appeared my nemesis that had been dogging me since Manchuria. Bai Gu Jing stepped forward and sneered at me. She was attractive in a soul sucking disgusting way.
“You did not think I would let you slip between my fingers did you pretty little inu?” she said in a manic laugh.
“I care not what you think you Netherworld wanna be.” I sneered.'
“You took him from me.” She snarled.
“Why did you not just say you had rutted with him and saved us all this drama?” I snarled.
“And miss an opportunity to kill the heir to the Western Lands of Japan?” she asked stepping forward.
“Why come to this place?” I asked distracting her.
“Because you come to this place.” She said laughing again.
I arced the energy-acid whip and struck her the leg. She grabbed the wound and released her sharded glass attack. Small pieces of glass imbedded in my skin. I pulled my dirks and wished I had kept my fang. I contemplated changing form and looked around and I did not have enough room to move.
“Damn.” I muttered.
She morphed her hand into a short sword and came at me. I blocked her with my dirks and threw her back. She sliced my upper arm and I flinched in pain. I was really wishing I had kept my fang. I could not channel enough yoki through these small daggers. I grew an acid ball and threw it at her feet and acid exploded around her feet. She screamed as it burned her. There was a large rock and I willed it to me then I pushed it towards her. It smashed her in the face and I did it again followed by another acid ball that exploded and she screamed as small bits of flesh were eaten away.
“DUCK!” Akemi yelled.
I ducked and a purifying arrow sailed past my head and hit Jing through her palm. Her hand seemed to disintegrate and she screamed. She morphed her remaining hand into a glass spear and intended to impale Akemi but I jumped in the way. It went through my neck and my jugular. Akemi screamed and I lifted my claws and shoved it through her chest. I did not find her heart but I had burned a hole through her. She screamed and she withdrew quickly into her mist and disappeared. I backed up against the wall and felt my neck and looked down and saw my kimono drenched in blood. I hated her damn impalement technique because I always seemed to be on the receiving end of it. Akemi climbed down from her perch and dropped her bow and arrows. She rushed to me and ripped her own kimono and pressed it to the wound in my neck.
“It will heal but more slowly than I would like. Her wounds infect easily.” I said.
“I shall wrap the wound to keep pressure on it.” She said concerned.
“Hai and that cousin was Bai Gu Jing. She really wants to kill me and I would really like to kill her.” I said exhaling loudly.
“You showed me that note. My instincts are not as strong as yours but did I scent correctly and that was Naraku.” She said.
“Hai.”
“Does he live?” she asked looking at me.
“Hai.” I said.
“Should we leave then?” she asked very concerned.
“No. I am going to transform for the night. I can be quite intimidating in my true form.” I said heading back outside.
“Asuna are you trying to find him?” she asked scrambling after me.
“Hai.” I called over my shoulder.
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Akemi slept between my nestled up against my side She used my fur as a blanket. If Jing attacked again I was just going to eat her and be done with it. I kept up a low continuous growl that kept Akemi in dream land and me awake and thinking. I put my head between my paws. I saw a shadow moving across the entrance of the cave and I started growling louder.
-Get out of here now! - I thought to Akemi and she picked herself and ran. I stood up and stalked toward the entrance and started growling and snarling loudly. I was hoping that a ten foot plus size inu would scare whatever was in the cave. I wondered if by throwing the Shikon no Tama down the cavern I had made this place a hot bed for lesser and rogue youki. My ears perked up as I heard mumbling in the cave itself. I was going to have to change form if I was going to fit into the cavern. I willed myself to change and the pressure around me and the wind picked up and I appeared in the center in my humanoid form. I held out my hand and willed my fang to me. It came and I gripped its hilt and slowly entered the cavern again. I walked slowly and my senses were going crazy. I could swear I scented Naraku strongly. I was walking further back into the cavern then I had before. I also scented Jing which got my blood boiling. What I walked into would have shocked anyone. There was Naraku with a tentacle appendage wrapped around Jing's throat. I had been masking heavily and he did not sense me yet. I strained to listen and he was actually attempting to kill her.
“Get in line Naraku.” I said.
He looked up at me with his crimson eyes and anger and passion were reflected. He looked almost the same but harder. His hair was tied back and he had on a navy haori and hakamas. My neck was still wrapped in bandages and I moved forward.
“You ran into the wrong youki you stupid bitch.” I said slapping her.
Jing looked up at me in a rage. Her hand had not healed.
“Why are you attacking her Naraku?” I asked quietly.
“She attacked first.” He bit out.
I could tell he wanted to attack me instead and punish me but I was going to settle my score.
“Where is her heart?” I asked looking up at him.
He pointed to her breast on the left side but a little higher than expected. My Dakkasou seeped to the tips of my claws and I stared at her. Her eyes widened and I leaned in very close so that our faces nearly touched.
“You see I seeked out Naraku to figure you out. You are a stupid creature. You will watch me kill you.” I whispered.
Her eyes widened in horror as I pressed my claws to where her heart was and they sank in as her flesh was being eaten away by the poison. I kept pressing until I felt her beating heart and I wrapped my poisonous claws around it and watched with intense satisfaction as it was eaten away. I let out my poison slowly so she would not die too quickly.
“This is for Sheng, my dead pup, Hideaki, and myself. Go back to which you came.” I snarled so viciously that even Naraku stared at me. I pulled my claws out and my hand was covered in blood and gore. The light slowly left Jing's eyes and I pulled her from Naraku's grasp and threw her with a sickening thud against the cavern wall.
“You are far more vicious than I ever gave you credit for.” He said to me.
“I never lied to you. I said I could be.” I said backing away from him.
“Well you are also a devious little bitch.” He said glaring at me.
“You were not listening to good sense.” I snarled.
“Did you intend to come to the past and bed me to steal the jewel?” he asked inching closer.
“I intended to keep you from killing yourself. You were being a huge moron of epic proportions. That jewel was not just cursed but turned everything it touched into monsters. You kept your word to me. My honor demanded that I try and give you a chance.” I said as I started to head back to the entrance.
“Do you have any idea how the Backlash Wave and the Bakusaiga feel as they dismember your flesh?” he asked as his crimson eyes glowed.
“You eventually found the jewel did you not?” I asked in a pissy tone.
“Hai I did. I was able to wish upon the jewel also.” He said grabbing my throat.
“Oh and what did you wish?” I asked hissing.
“To stay alive to make you feel the horrendous pain that I felt.” He snarled.
“Have you been hiding out for a century?” I asked narrowing my eyes.
“I have been healing for the past century you bitch.” He squeezed my throat harder.
“So this has become about me has it? You blame me for my father and uncle's hatred? You did that all by yourself by coveting a miko whore and trying to take what did not belong to you.” I roared.
He let go of my throat and ran his thumb over my lower lip. He pulled me to him and kissed me desperately. I knew that it had been a century for him and just days for me.
“I am going to take you now and I am not going to be gentle. I have waited a century to feel you around me again.” He whispered roughly.
He pushed me up against the cavern wall and pushed my kimono up so that is bunched around my waist. He freed himself from his hakamas quickly and pulled me down hard onto his staff. I squeezed my eyes shut at the indescribable pleasure. He thrust into me so hard that it was painful and pleasurable at the same time. My legs were wrapped around his waist tightly and I was suppressing my vocal pleasure. He was not pleased at my lack of sound and surged into me harder.
I cried out savagely and I began to moan incoherently. I held onto his shoulders and dug my claws into them. He snarled at the pain and it fueled him.
“Touch yourself.” He demanded hoarsely.
I looked at him and held his eyes and I did as he commanded. I touched my own clitoris and rubbed it in a circular motion. I did what I had not done the last encounter and my eyes bled red. Naraku looked at me and I could tell he would not last much longer. My fangs had lengthened and so had my claws. I quickened the pace of my self stimulation and I was thrashing my head side to side. I fell over the edge and came hard and I took him with me. He stayed buried in me while his heart slowed down. I brought my fingers to his mouth and he licked them clean of my essence. He withdrew and straightened his clothing and I pulled my kimono down.
“Satisfied?” I asked sarcastically.
“Were you?” he asked in retort.
“I have things that need to be done. Namely taking her body back to the West and presenting it.” I said as I went back toward Jing's body.
“That was some display back there. I knew you hated her but you impressed even me.” He said coolly.
“Where have you been?” I asked curiously.
“Different places. It takes a lot to come back together after that sort of destruction.” He snapped.
“Seek revenge and I will line up and take you on myself.” I snapped at him.
“I will seek revenge on only you. Obsession is a patient thing.” He said smoothly.
“I should know.” I mumbled.
I looked up at him and actually smiled at him. He looked confused and stared me down.
“I am pleased you survived. I know not what is in store for you but you are free from the Shikon no Tama and the undead whore.” I said.
“I do not understand you and I always understand my enemies. I will figure out your weakness.” He said with narrowed eyes.
“I am not your enemy and you are being a moron again. You are a weakness.” I said as I stared disdainfully at the body of Jing.
“Do you always talk so much?” he observed.
“Pretty much all the time. I am a future lord after all.” I said grabbing Jing by the hair.
He stared at me as I dragged the dead body behind me. I turned my head and nodded to him.
“You realize your problems are just beginning and that is not even including my influence.” He stated sardonically.
“I always have problems Naraku. I deal with them as they come. I imagine I will see you around somewhere. Next time it will be to kill me no doubt.” I said walking away.
“No doubt.” He murmured.
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I had dragged the slut's body behind me all the way to the West. Akemi was disgusted and kept quiet. We made it to the gates and I called for them to open. Once inside I slid her body into the court yard. I had Jaken get my father, mother, and mate. I sat down about twenty feet from the cursed body and my family showed themselves. Sheng's jaw had dropped and my father looked very pleased. Mother stared at me and smiled.
“I stopped her heart.” I said getting up.
Yuudai and some other warriors had come also and cheered me on.
“Burn her body. I do not want it to stink up the palace.” I ordered.
“Hai my lady!” Yuudai said enthusiastically.
I trudged up the steps to where my family stood and bowed to them. Akemi had followed but kept quiet which was unusual for her. I grabbed her hand and dragged her behind me.
“We are tired and I we are going to clean up. See you in the Great Hall!” I called over my shoulder.
Augusta looked at her mate. Sesshomaru looked pleased and disturbed at the same time.
“You are concerned.” She said.
“You are not? She brings the dead body of Jing here and offers up no explanation. Akemi looked as if she was going to be sick.” He observed.
“Akemi is also a quarter youki my love. Her instincts are not the same as Asuna. Asuna will also explain when we eat dinner. She pathed that to me.” Augusta said looking up at her mate.
Sheng moved over to the Lord and Lady of the West and bowed respectfully.
“She wanted me to tell you she is sorry for running off.” Sheng said with a small smile.
“My daughter speaks to all but this Sesshomaru.” He said annoyed.
“She cannot path to you as well as she can to us. Quit being annoyed by that. Come the smell is awful.” Augusta said moving back into the castle.
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“Akemi talk to me.” I said as we were in the hot spring.
“I have just never been around a dead body that long. It did not bother you?” she asked in a small voice.
“Why should it? Akemi, I killed her. She tried to kill us first.” I said.
“I know. I have never killed anything Asuna. I am neither a full blooded ningen nor youki. It can be disconcerting to be giddy and guilty at the same time.” She offered.
I looked at her thoughtfully and nodded. I compared her feelings to Naraku. His original letter had spoken volumes. I never had the nagging doubts and humanity of the ningen mind.
“I am sorry you saw me in a different light cousin. I am a killer at times, I will not deny that. I will say that I never kill without purpose or in defense of my family.” I stated.
“I know that Suna. You have included me in a world where I truly do not belong.” She said sadly.
“You would not be happy amongst the ningen cousin. You may have spiritual powers but you also have youki abilities too. You will learn to be happy here. The West is the best for those of mixed heritage.” I said.
“Hai I know you are right. Do you think you did the wrong thing saving him?” she asked.
I leveled a stare and nodded yes. He would be confused for awhile but the one thing I was certain of was that Naraku would make a name and a place for himself.
I looked up as I felt Sheng's presence against my conscious.
“My mate wishes to speak with me.” I said getting out and putting on a yukata.
“You must be careful cousin; we have both been playing with fire.”
“Very good advice, I will be sure to heed it.” I said.
I left the hot spring and met Sheng in our chambers. He looked elated and angry at the same time.
“You are both pleased and displeased she is dead.” I stated.
“I am displeased that I did not get a chance to inflict some damage on her myself.” He growled.
“It just happened.” I pulled away the yukata to reveal the almost healed wound at my jugular.
“You could have been killed.” He seethed.
“No this time I was quite safe. I am a little worse for wear but my little cousin has a surprising amount of spiritual powers.” I said smirking.
“Jing got purified too?” he asked almost giddy.
“Hai. She died in a very painful manner.” I replied.
“I just wish I had been there.” He said morosely.
“Sheng, I will see to it that you are sent out on patrols and such. Kami, join me at times. I get sick of sitting in the palace all day.” I said touching his cheek.
“That would be fabulous. I am not opposed to a certain luxury of life but all the time is suffocating.” He said kissing me.
“You wish to get out and hunt and change to your true form.” I said smiling.
“Hai. Do you not?” he asked.
“Hai. How are the pups? I need to see them.” I said changing the subject.
“They sleep. They both have changed form on accident. They are beautiful.” He said with pride.
I grinned up at him at the mention of them changing to their inu selves. That proved that they would be powerful youki in the future. I walked into their room and they were sleeping, one was humanoid and the other inu. I covered my mouth so as not to wake them. I stroked Kazuo's ear. He was in inu form and he whined in his sleep. I brushed a little hair off of Hiroto's brow. I looked up at Sheng and smiled at our offspring.
I looked up at Mayu who kept vigil over the pups. I motioned for her to follow me.
“I will feed the pups their next feeding. Bring them to me in the Great Hall.” I instructed.
“Hai my Lady.” She bowed.
“Thank you for all you do Mayu.” I said.
“Hai my Lady. We are proud of your for bringing down that despicable creature.” She said proudly.
“I am proud to have done it.” I said bowing to my faithful servant and long time friend.
Sheng followed me to the Great Hall and I seated myself near my father. Osamu, Youshiro, Akemi, and Sheng sat further down the long table. My mother sat next to my father on his right. Lord Sesshomaru stared at me and waited patiently for an explanation. I stood and bowed to my family.
“Akemi and I have been tracing our father's steps of the past. We had hit upon an idea of writing a very specific history of the Inu no Taisho's sons. We ran into Jing at Mount Hakurei-zan almost four days ago. She attacked and there was no alternative but to defend us. Akemi has shown great strides in her spiritual power and together we defeated Jing.” I said looking around.
“You have been writing a history?” my father asked surprised.
“Hence my strange questions my Lord.” I said.
Akemi looked strangely happy at my “recounting” events. I assumed it was the credit I gave her that she deserved.
“Interesting.” My father said dispassionately.
“I will have the manuscript ready very soon. I want to make sure that the little ones never forget from whence they came.” I said.
My father nodded his approval and seemed almost proud. He looked at Akemi and seemed to see her in a new light.
“Yuuto has asked to meet with Inuyasha, niece.” Sesshomaru said raising a brow.
Akemi blushed to the roots of her silver hair and nodded to her uncle. Augusta looked proud and the evening meal was one of merriment.
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I was lying under a sakura tree in the garden and my mother came and sat by my side.
-Your father is most pleased at your endeavors. He also thrilled that you defeated Jing.” She pathed.
-I am relieved that she is gone. Although I think problems are now going to start with Katashi. His enemy has been slain. Did you know that Jing killed his father? He must have either been drunk off of sake or she had disguised herself in order for him to have rutted with her. - I thought.
-You are dwelling daughter.-
-Am I? I love him still mother. His crime was that he did not tell me he already sired a pup. I know he knew. He is almost four hundred; I mean how could he have not? - I pondered.
-If you had been some lesser noble then his carelessness could have been overlooked Asuna. You are the daughter of the most powerful youki in Asia and probably the world. You are not just nobody. Your offspring could and should take precedent. The fact that he has a pup from previous relations would have dishonored your pups born to him. You know all this and that is why you dissolved your union. - She thought back.
-If I had been anyone else then none of this would have mattered. - I thought bitterly.
-You are not just anybody Asuna, I am sorry that this grieves you. You do us honor and I know your father is proud to call you his heir. - She said in mind.
-I have not always honored or made you proud. - I thought guilty.
-You try and do what is right. This I know, no matter what it is. - She replied.
-Hai I do. - I acknowledged.
-There will probably be some fall from the Manchu Lord but we will see to it. I mean you took his advisor as your mate, which must sting his pride. - She thought.
-Sheng's mother was a taiyouki herself, I mean it was not beneath me to mate him. - I thought fiercely.
-Does Sheng know all this? - She asked.
-He does not remember. Katashi will want revenge. I know he still must think that the pups are his. - I mentally cringed.
-Your father wrote to him that they were not. It was mentioned that you and Sheng had fallen under some kind of spell or such. He was creative with the explanation. - She thought with mirth.
-Father did that? - I asked surprised.
-He and I had both a bit too much sake that night. Do not mention I told you. He cannot appear as though he has any fun. - She thought but smiled wickedly.
I laughed out loud and my mother patted my hand. Naraku was right when he said that my problems were just beginning. I did not need him to tell me that but it just compounded the fact that he was right. I had no idea what I was going to do or not do about him. I would get within a few feet of him and my brain turned to mush. I had been honest when I had declared him a weakness. Now I had to figure out how to turn him into strength.