Chronicles of the West

Chapter Thirty Seven

Classes began for Victor, and as Satoru had hoped, the students were taken with him at once. He was calm and patient and held a deep love for his topic that ignited the fire in his students. When Victor inscribed the circle and demonstrated the uses of alchemy, the students cheered loudly.

Satoru stood at the highest level of the lecture hall, Daishi stood beside him. Her smile was brilliant, "He is amazing" she whispered. Watching Victor, she understood that she could do the same things, she'd been missing bits of the needed knowledge.

Satoru tucked his arm around her, "It is" he agreed, "I wish that you would reconsider leaving Daishi. You are not obliged to accept this match". She smiled up at her companion and friend, and rose up on tip toe even as he lowered his head for her diminutive height. She pressed a soft kiss to his bottom lip.

"You are the hero of my heart. I wish to make you proud, to show the world the strength of this house" she whispered to him. He crushed her to his chest, "You already have. Should you change your mind, flee that place and return to me, to your home" he whispered into her hair. Daishi felt the moisture prick at her eyes and nodded.

By that afternoon, the students were positively giddy with the new formulas and some were even make small progress towards the application of them. Victor happened to glance up and catch the eyes of Satoru. He smiled up at the demon and Satoru found himself smiling back.

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Silvana rolled over in her sleep, coming to half wakefulness. She bumped into a solid warmth behind her. Her nose told her that Ryu was curled around her. But he smelled…human. His breathing indicated that he was awake. "Ryu?" she whispered. He nuzzled in her hair, obviously not concerned with having been caught there, "Hn".

She stretched slightly and he drew her even closer to him, "What are you doing in here?" she asked. He groaned softly against her, inviting her to sleep again, "I couldn't sleep" he told her. He never could on his human nights. She'd seen him like this twice now. She sighed and turned to face him, "So you came here?" she asked. He nodded, his green eyes soft in the moonlight.

She smiled and tucked her head beneath his chin, slim fingers stroking through inky black hair. "I'm glad" she said with a small yawn, "You could have headed to the girls' quarters". He tightened his hold with a soft chuff if disapproval and breathed in her soft, sweet scent. Not as strong now as he'd like. She fell to her slumber moments later, her sleep no longer restless as it had been when he had crawled into her bed. He pressed a kiss to her hair and sighed, waiting for the dawn.

He'd picked through the book Victor had found and there were several things that caught his interest, however he needed Victor to explain some of it to him. Something about grounding her powers so that they remained hers and hers alone. That could work.

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Aislin lay awake staring at the ceiling. Toga was sleeping on his stomach, one powerful arm curled around her middle. His nose pressed into her hair. His breathing was deep and even and his heart beat in a gentle rhythm.

Aislin stroked his hair as she turned to stare at his beloved face. Lashes flickered and golden eyes opened to slits, "What is it?" he asked, his voice roughened by sleep. She gave him a small smile, and shook her head, "Just admiring you" she whispered teasingly.

Toga suspected that she was nervous about the journey to Japan. She'd become more familiar with the fact that unity in Satoru's halls did not extend beyond it. That humans, demons, and hanyous were enemies. He'd told her time and again that his house and that of his father was not so, but she feared. It was natural.

He lowered his chin to capture her lips, in a lazy slide of flesh. "You will cease your worries" he murmured to her. She blinked at him. Toga propped his head on his fist and stared at her, "I command it" he told her. She nodded, "I will try".

He growled his approval before catching her to him and rolling over onto his back. She sprawled across him. His large hands slid down and caressed her bare bottom, lifting her so that his sex was cuddled between her thighs. One hand slid up to tangle in the hair at her nape.

He drew her down to him, sealing his lips to hers in a sleep warmed kiss. His tongue slipping past her teeth to stroke against hers. Slowly bringing her body awake to pleasure. She felt his hardness twitch against her core and moaned softly.

Toga rocked his hips against hers, letting his hardness caress the folds of her body. She let her hands caress his face, and when he angled his hips so that his hardness struck the pearl of her passion on each movement, she tightened her thighs around him.

Soon the moisture of her core made her thighs slick and he moved more easily between them. She was whimpering at the sensations of the blunt caress against that sensitive part of her. She dragged her lips from his to pepper his throat with kisses, she nipped him lightly, playfully.

His growl erupted lowly in the dimness of the room as they moved together. Toga brought his face to her neck and laved the delicate white flesh, how he longed to bite, to mark. It was getting harder to deny himself. She stiffened against him as her release hit her. She moaned his name in a breathless voice.

His followed soon after and he held her tightly against him, wanting more than anything to spill his seed within her body. To possess her in every way. To have her let him, wholeheartedly. He kissed her again, a tender brush of lips, a trace of his tongue against hers.

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Daishi stood at the tall window of her room, staring out at the waning moon. She'd be leaving soon. These walls that she had helped to build, that she had called home for so very long. No other place would ever ease her heart as this place did. She felt the prick behind her eyes and shut her eyes, willing the tears away. "It won't work" Shippo told her, he'd silently slipped into her room, framed in the doorway. She'd caught his scent a moment before he spoke.

She took a deep breath, not looking at him as she fought for control. "What won't?" she asked. She heard her door close and she felt the moment of uncertainty. "Acting like it doesn’t hurt. Like you aren't aching inside and frightened" he said softly, making no move toward her. Satoru remained the only male besides Kurama that she was completely comfortable with.

She opened her eyes to look out the window, sucking in a breath and letting it out. Fully controlled now. "Fine Shippo, I'm afraid, and it hurts to leave everything I love behind. There. Are you satisfied?" she snapped at him.

He slowly walked towards her, "I understand that. I expect it, I just wish you wouldn't hide it". She turned to face him fully, her small body pressed against the stone ledge of her window. "You have friends here that love you, we would never hurt you, nor do we wish you to hurt yourself" he soothed.

His soft, almost inaudible rumbling floated through the room. Her stance relaxed slightly at the sound. "What do you want?" she asked in a whisper. He was a close enough now to touch her, but he didn't. He merely stared down at her with sparkling green eyes, filled with care and concern.

"I want you to let it all out. Everything" he told her. She blinked up at him. She had no intention of doing any such thing. But his gaze held her, compelled her and she was tired of carrying the weight of her worries.

"I have been dead to them, living here in this place. Satoru is all I have ever aspired to be. Strong and proud and kind. Seeing people for the souls they are, not the blood that runs through them. Not seeing victims as tainted beings, worth death alone. In this place, I am that. Out there, I don't know if I can be" she admitted.

Shippo stood silent, as her emotional floodgates opened and her many fears poured out from her. Her voice pitched so lowly that he leaned closer to hear. "I can't be going toward anything good. What manner of man wishes a soiled wife?" she asked him.

"This one" he said simply, reaching out to trace a claw over her cheek, "For this wife is not soiled". She drew back from him, "Stop it Shippo" she admonished, "You must not say such things". He let his hand drop, "And why not?" he wanted to know.

She turned her back on him, seeking solace in the chilled panes of glass, "Because it cannot be. My family has arranged the match and there it is. Please…. Do not make it harder" she whispered. Shippo stepped closer to her back, staring out at the moon. "Only because nothing better has come along" he told her with confidence, "They would easily turn aside such a match for to ally with the west"

She glared up at him, "That isn't fair" she bit out, "Not to anyone concerned. Not to your house, for my clan is not strong and they are unworthy of you. Not for you because you do not wish a wife and not for me because I cannot be what you want!"

He growled down at her, "And tell me Daishi" he said, "How the hell do you know what I want?". She blinked and opened her mouth to respond, there were any number of reasons she could give him. He snarled at her, and she fell wide eyed and silent.

"You know nothing of what I want, or what I need woman. But you will, because you will be mine and that is the end of this discussion" his voice was downright mean. Daishi looked up at him in wonder, before those mint eyes narrowed and she stomped firmly on his foot.

Shippo jumped back, staring at her in shock. "You attacked me?" he asked incredulously, not caring that it was sorry attack at best, childish. She was capable of much worse. She fisted her hands on her hips, "You were dominating me!" she snapped back.

Shippo's eyes went wide, "You daft woman I'm the male" he pointed out. She growled at him, "And that makes it just fine?" she demanded, slowly stalking towards him. Shippo seemed unaware that he was giving ground and she was backing him right out of her room.

"I'm not some bitch to do what I am told" she shot at him. His red brow raised, "Oh really? And what do you call marrying the coyote then?" he snarled back. She stiffened, "I call it an option" she said coolly. "I'm an option" Shippo all but shouted, pointing his thumb to his chest. She grunted, "No. You're just an ass". Shippo realized he was in the hall when she slammed the door in his face.

Shippo thumped his fist on the wood and growled at her, before stalking off toward his own room. He passed the library seeing the golden glow of lamplight within. He poked his head in to find Victor pouring over texts and speaking in soft tones to Satoru. They were deeply engrossed in whatever they were doing.

He moved to leave them when Satoru spoke up, "Do try not to rile her too much, she has been known to knock doors down in moments of temper…my own included" he said and then added almost as an afterthought, "Oh and she has a good solid punch. Mind the legs"

Shippo growled at the inu's vast amusement, "You know little brother, you can be a real pain in my ass" he barked. Satoru nodded and smirked before turning back to his studies. Shippo sulked from the room. Victor watched him go through his spectacles, "I hope that they work out a solution" he ventured.

Satoru flipped a page, "Oh they have. Shippo will win the argument but Daishi will win the war". His tone was casual, unconcerned as if this was the way of things. Victor blinked, "Are you certain, I do believe she called him.." He blurted out. Satoru nodded, "Yes, an ass. Well, Daishi has always been quite adept at calling things as she sees them" his tone was breezy.

Victor went back to his book. Several minutes passed in silence, before Satoru spoke again. "Your teaching" he said. Victor sat bolt upright, "Is it lacking sir?" he asked. Satoru chuckled, "No, not at all. It was everything I had ever hoped for. Although I imagine that your hall will be filled to capacity soon" he warned.

Victor smiled, "I hope so" he said happily, "I do like to teach". Satoru nodded, studying the human from beneath his lashes, "Well then, I suppose that is most fortunate for us both". Victor blushed, flattered at the attention of the demon.

Satoru caught the slight scent of arousal coming from the man and stood abruptly, "I have other business to attend to. Good night" he said. Victor watched him sweep from the room, wondering if he'd done anything wrong.

The demon shut the door to his chamber and leaned against it. Taking a deep cleansing breath. It didn't matter, Victor's unique scent lingered in his clothes, even his hair. It affected him, and not just physically. It had been a decade since he'd felt anything of that magnitude. He ached to touch, to feel. Desire was returning to him and that was not allowed.

Lifting his golden eyes he stared guiltily across the distance. Striding slowly across the room, he traced his fingers over an intricately engraved blade that hung on the far wall. His touch was longing, almost loving against the cool steel. "Forgive me Reny" he whispered, "Forgive me for feeling anything but the despair, I deserve"


Chapter Thirty Eight

The following weeks progressed and preparations for departure were made. Satoru insisted on sending Daishi with the proper dowry. She had denied the need to which of course he'd responded that in all the years she'd been his companion it was only fitting to provide for her.

She'd sadly watched the wagon be packed. She preferred to go as she was empty handed and empty inside. Silvana sought to soothe her and Aislin kept her company. Ryu pulled Victor away when his busy schedule allowed it to research what he'd found in the book. It was looking more promising.

Toga sent word to Taisha that he would depart for Japan within the week. He likewise sent letters to his father and mother. In them he insisted that he had something of great value he wished to entrust to their safekeeping for a short time.

He'd not spoke to Aislin of it yet. He intended her to become his father's ward and then she would be introduced to court. She would have the chance to meet others and mingle. He would of course stand among the suitors, confident that she would choose him, but should she select another their worth would be proven before the youkai court.

He felt that was the best and most fair solution as to her future. She would have a list of suitors to choose from, of that he was certain. He'd of course refrain from killing them on the spot. He wanted to do this correctly, for her sake. He would simply explain that this was how things were done here and it was for the best. Aislin was reasonable after all…well most of the time.

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Sesshoumaru stared at the message from his son. "Ayeka" he said quietly, his voice a deep almost thunderous sound in the silence of the room. She jumped, dropping her book, "Don't DO that!" she snapped. He arched a brow as she bent to retrieve her book.

"What is it?" she asked, once her heart ceased galloping in her chest. He smirked at her flustered reaction. "Toga is coming home" he said then. Her eyes lit up and she smiled, coming to lean over his shoulder in an attempt to read the message.

Sesshoumaru held it further before him, until his wife was all but draped over him. He turned his head and caught her glare. "Tsk tsk woman, throwing yourself at me so" he chided, before catching her lips in a kiss and hauling her over his shoulder and into his lap.

"Based on the date of this message I should say he'd be here within two weeks time. He did mention an errand to see to beforehand" he told her, nuzzling her temple. "Overbearing dog" she muttered, still miffed from his handling of her person. He rubbed his nose against hers, "You like it".

Ayeka stood and made a face at him to which he arched his brow and looked at her as though he thought she'd lost her mind. "He won’t be here for very long. I take it from his words that he is leaving something in my care before heading t the north to relieve his sister of duties he should have been seeing too" Sesshoumaru continued.

Ayeka nodded, "And Ryu?" she asked softly. Sesshoumaru caught her small hand in his own, "He is with Toga, and Shippo, and Kurama" he said, "Along with some new friends and his ward of course". She nodded, happy to know that her absent children were coming home.