Across the Ages

Chapter Twenty Eight

Inutaisho watched the two closely over the next week. Something was wrong. Sesshoumaru was more ill tempered than usual. Ayeka far too quiet, refused to even ackowledge the handsome dog demon's existence. Gone were the gruff exchanges of verbal barbs.

He'd even witnessed one of the younger soldiers, new to the ranks and unaware of Ayeka's station take a hard beating from the little woman. Usually, Sesshoumaru managed to apprear on those unruly occasions and settled the issue with his usual cold effiency.

Inutaisho had seen him stand at the edge of the camp, watching with impassive eyes. He'd not even blinked when the demon managed to land a few solid blows on the girl. Inutaisho was about to roar for a halt to the squabble when Ayeka had landed a hard kick on the demon's jaw and sent him into a sound sleep.

During councils, she took her customary seat near his son, but her spine was so straight it might have snapped. She resolutely refused to speak unless she was personally addressed. The dog general was not a fool, and he suspected that the death of Sashimoto played at least a small part.

He spoken to Ayeka and she had assured him that while she missed the black inu that she was proud of all he had done and she was no longer grieving terribly. He could detect no lie on her and let her be. Perhaps Sesshoumaru was the problem.

Ayeka had just left the infirmary and paused in the corridor. She'd come to see the young upstart from earlier. Now, knowing who she was, he was suitably apologetic. She'd come to ascertain that his injuries were not serious. They weren't, but they might have been. She'd lost her temper and taken her aggressions out on him. That was wrong of her. Almost as wrong as him thinking her to be a worthless trespassing human.

He'd managed to bruise her ribs during the scuffle and while it was not serious, it was uncomfortable. He'd also managed to catch the corner of her lip with his long claws. Damn the agility of demons anyway. She'd bid him, a good night, assuring him that the Taisho had planned no other punishment for him other than the beating he'd already taken.

She pulled the heavy door closed, wincing at the pain in her side. She leaned against the wall to catch her breath for a moment before straightening and moving on. She smelled him before she saw him. The scent of cold winter wind and hot spice. Sesshoumaru.

He'd been lurking in the shadows and had seen her obvious discomfort. He stepped forward into the torch light. As angry as she was at him, she could not help admiring his features. The warm golden light making him seem warmer than she knew he was.

She sniffed delicately and pointed her nose in the air, sweeping past him. It was a move filled with haughty indifference and completely ruined when his hand fell to her elbow. She swung around to face him, her eyes blazing and a small hiss escaped her lips.

"How badly was the whelp injured?" he asked coolly. She tugged away from him, "Not badly, he'll be back in the barracks in half an hour." she snapped. The man would belong to Sesshoumaru, not her so she felt she should answer.

He grunted, "I might have killed him" he said in a bored tone. She cocked an eyebrow at him, "Well then you would be living up to your name". Her tone sizzled in the air like water on a hot stone. A lesser being might have flinched from it, but he was Sesshoumaru.

His eyes moved over, pausing on the small cut that graced her lip. He reached out and ran a claw over it softly. His eyes narrowing at the small damage to her. She jerked her head back as though she'd been slapped and he let his hand fall between them.

"Don't you touch me" she hissed. Her voice shivered with rage and hurt. Sesshoumaru felt both emotions roll off her like a scorching summer wind. He leaned closer to her, taking in the increased fragrance of her. She was angry yes, hurt and confused by him, but she was also aroused.

"One day you will beg me to" he promised her and then he was gone. Ayeka fumed all the way back to her rooms. What the hell was his problem anyway? How dare he touch her like he had, and then just leave. Wait, that wasn't right, how dare he touch her at all. She told herself that his touch had not affected her, that she didn't relive his caress in her dreams and when she was alone.

"Yes Ayeka, just keep telling yourself that and you will eventually start to believe that" she muttered to herself as she climbed the stairs. So lost in thought was she that she didn't notice the Taisho standing just inside a darkened doorway.


With his lips set in a grim line he sought his son. He didn't have far to go. Sesshoumaru stood on the battlements looking into the night. He seemed to belong there, among the falling flakes, the cold world of white. So like his mother.

Sesshoumaru sensed his father's youkai as it drew closer. What mission would he be given he wondered? Inutaisho noticed that his child did not turn to look at him. Sesshoumaru held no fear of anything in this world, even his great and terrible sire.

"Sesshoumaru" he said by way of greeting, moving to lean against the wall. His golden eyes surveying the vastness of his lands. "Father" came the cool reply, "I imagine you have come to me with a mission." His father grunted, "No. Well, perhaps, there is a mystery in my court you see." he said casually.

Sesshoumaru, at last turned to look at him, "Mystery?" he asked. His father nodded, still staring out into the night. "Yes, a mystery. I dislike them Sesshoumaru as I know you do." This was fact, Sesshoumaru detested such things. As future ruler of these lands, he felt it his duty to know everything. And he very nearly did.

Inutaisho sighed, one of those things that he knew his son didn't approve of and leaned further on the stones. It irritated Sesshoumaru to see anything less than the utmost decorum from him. His father admitted that he took a perverse delight in ruffling the smooth fur of his son.

"Something is troubling Ayeka," he announced then, "I wish for you to discover the cause of her upset". Sesshoumaru snorted, "Be not a fool father, I have many tasks to see to that are more important than the whims of a mortal woman". Inutaisho studied the stoic profile of his child.

"Be that as it may, I wish you to do this" he pressed. Sesshoumaru waved a clawed hand at the courtyard, "Send a soldier or servant to see to it. Why must I see to this?". Inutaisho tapped a claw impatiently on the cold gray stone. "Because, of all those within these walls, you perhaps know her best".

That was also fact, but Sesshoumaru chose to ignore that. "I am not a nursemaid for a servant". Inutaisho shrugged, "No I don't suppose you are. I suppose that when Ryujoji arrives I can ask him to do this" he said lightly, indifferently.

Sesshoumaru had never liked the wolf and Inutaisho knew it all too well. "The wolves are coming here, why was I not told?" he asked. Inutaisho gave a small growl, "Because I am still lord here Sesshoumaru and you are a leader of my men" he admonished.

That would change in time, Sesshoumaru was patient enough to wait for it. "You seek an alliance with them". He stated, he did not ask. Inutaisho nodded, his long silver ponytail swaying, "Indeed, of course since his father's death Ryu has been quite busy but he did mention looking forward to seeing Ayeka".

There. The slightest flare of Sesshoumaru's nostrils. He did not seem to like this news. Inutaisho wondered what he might say when he heard the true motive behind the sudden visit. "With the war finished and victory ours, perhaps she just remains on edge. We shall have a feast during the visit, I think more lively company would do good for all of us. Good night Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru nodded as his father departed. Damn wolves. Ryujoji was a fine warrior certainly though not his equal, but then no one save his father was. He wanted to see Ayeka did he? Well that was fine too. Of course it was, Sesshoumaru told himself. He didn't care one way or the other. He would come and he would leave.

Ayeka was a servant, a human woman gifted by the gods of war to be certain but a mere mortal. He felt nothing for her. Why then did the very thought of the wolf make him grit his teeth? I don't care, I just dislike the smell of wolves. Theem being here will mean chaos and bustling in the palace, I don't like that either. That is why I am not pleased.

Ayeka was awake with the dawn. She hadn't slept well and there were a great number of things she could be doing. She pulled on her armor and headed down the wide steps to the main level. "Ayeka!" came a booming voice and she turned to face her lord at once. A small bow and a smaller smile she gave.

"Ayeka I realize that new soldiers have arrived and that you are anxious to begin training them," Inutaisho said easily, "However we do have guests arriving this evening". She blinked up at him in question, the palace had visitors often. Why was this any different?

"Be here in the great hall at sundown, the guests are also here to see you" he told her. She wondered who it might be. She nodded, "Of course I will be here as you wish my lord, may I ask who it is?" she enquired. Inutaisho clapped a firm hand on her shoulder, "Ryujoji" he replied.

Her countenance brightened. She was fond of the young wolf. He was handsome and charming. He always made her laugh. It would be good to see a friend again. Inutaisho watched the emotions play over her pretty face and chuckled, "You will be glad to see him then?" he asked. She nodded, "Of course he is a good friend" she told him.

Ah, that was the crux. A good friend. Her very words told him volumes. He merely smiled and dismissed her to her duties. He watched her greet one of her men at the large double doors. She laughed wryly and slung an arm about the man. Easy companionship, yes she'd found that here in his palace. She'd found some happiness in the den of a demon.

He wondered if perhaps she might have found something else as well. A way beneath the ice that cloaked Sesshoumaru? His mother had not been so cold. Not really. She was not a trusting person, and she showed little emotion to those outside of the palace. She had held a fire much like Ayeka's. She had been a fighter too. She'd fought him, he had the scars to remember her by.

The servants were hanging the paper lanterns across the palace, making the fortress more festive to the eye. Already meat was roasting, though not too much, they were demons after all. Nothing beat a good bloody steak. Ayeka also enjoyed them.

Ayeka drilled hard with her men until late afternoon. She called a halt to the practices and headed for the palace. She had time to bathe and dress. It would be so good to see him. To her left a flash of white drew her attention. Sesshoumaru was engrossed in blade training. A dozen youkai surrounded him and he fought them all off in a matter of minutes.

"Impressive isn't he?" came the awed voice of a young recruit. She nodded, of course he was impressive. Impressively prick-like but she kept that to herself. She turned on her heel and stomped up the steps. She bustled about her room, gathering her bathing supplies and hurried into the bathing chamber.

She scrubbed the day's exertions from her flesh. Scrubbed until her flesh turned pink. She poured a small amount of scented oil into her palm and worked it into her flesh. She was about to rise from the hot water when a light knock drew her attention. "Enter!" she bellowed across the large chamber, drawing a long sheet around herself.

A maid entered. "Ah Mido, hello" Ayeka called to the butterfly youkai. The woman bowed, a sweet smile on her face. "I am sorry to bother you General Ayeka, but I wanted to tell you that the Taisho has sent you a new set of robes for the feast" she said brightly.

Ayeka nodded, "I'll be sure to thank him. What do they look like?" she asked. Mido was curious by nature and she and Ayeka had become fast friends. Of course Mido peeked, "Well they are lovely. A light green, cream color and dove gray with silver stitching and a silver obi. They are soft subdued colors but they will look lovely on you" the butterfly gushed. Ayeka laughed at the pink haired woman. "Thanks Mido" she laughed and she stepped from the bath.

An hour later, Ayeka was dressed, her long crimson curls pulled up from her nape secured with sparkling silver sticks. She refused to wear the heavy make up that court women seemed to like. She did let Mido apply some khol over her eyelid and a light shimmery gloss to her lips.

Then as was her right and priviledge she strapped her katana to her hip and left the room. She would have liked to wear her armor, but this was a social occasion. She made her way down the steps to find Inutaisho awaiting his guests. Sentries had reported they had entered the courtyard already.

"You look lovely" Inutaisho commented on seeing her. A pretty blush kissed her cheeks, "Thank you and thank you for the new robes, they are lovely" she replied. He chuffed softly. Sesshoumaru arrived a scant second before the door swung open.

The last trailing fingers of light seeped through the door with the wolves' arrival. Ryu stood at the threshold. He was tall, leanly muscled, with bright silver eyes and long black hair. "Welcome Ryu, it's been too long" Inutaisho said. The wolf bowed low before him, "This wolf is glad to see you my friend".

Silver eyes lit on the red haired woman. "Ayeka, you have been well?" he asked kindly. She smiled and he opened his arms to her. She was hugging him in an instant. He laughed at her affection and spun her off the floor. "Oh Ryu!" she laughed out, "I am so glad to see you!"

He squeezed her once more and set her on her feet. "You will have to tell me all your adventures" he commanded and she nodded. She stepped back as he eyed Sesshoumaru. "Dog prince" he said. Sesshoumaru lifted his chin, "Wolf prince" he replied.

Inutaisho looped his arm through Ayeka's, "Well now that the hellos have been said, lets drink. There is much to talk about" he said. Ayeka peered over her shoulder at the two younger demons who followed behind. The soft warning growls were not unheard by her.