Across the Ages

Chapter Thirty Eight

Nearly four days had passed since Inuyasha and Ayeka returned through the now shattered mirror. Sesshoumaru had growled something fierce and tore into Inuyasha flaying him verbally. He knew that his brother was not really to blame but he himself felt damn useless and that was not acceptable.

Ayeka had not really woken in all that time. Sesshoumaru made certain that her wounds were clean, licking them several times a day. He needed her whole for heaven's sake. They had a war to fight. He'd investigated the boxes and bags she'd returned with. Since he didn't know what it was, he left it alone, mostly.

When he wasn't barking orders up and down his corridors, he was planning his attacks, or caring for his stubborn to her very soul wife. More than anything he wanted her to wake up so he could yell at her, hold her, yell some more. A most irrational thought indeed.

It was still early in the night, when Ayeka whimpered in her sleep. Sesshoumar sat up and leaned over her. Her eyes moved under her lids indicating dreams. Tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. What was she seeing he wondered. Her heart beat increased and he waited for her to wake.

Ayeka slowly became aware of the world around her. First was the warmth around her, and then the pain in her shoulder, a constant burning ache. Not that bad really, just present. She forced her eyes open slowly, shutting them against the soft lantern light. Swallowing, she tried again.

Sesshoumaru peered down into green eyes clouded with sleep and unshed tears. "Are you in pain Ayeka?" he asked softly. She turned her head to see him better, and slowly her vision snapped into focus to reveal the wonderous being beside her.

"No" she croaked, her voice harsh from lack of use and restrained tears. He searched her eyes, "A bad dream then?". She tried to sit up, wanting to be closer to him. She winced at the jolt to her shoulder. Sesshoumaru helped her up and let her lean against him.

"Tell me" he coaxed. She sniffled, "I was dreaming of the..past" she whispered. He waited, had she dreamt of the wars, the killing? "I was dreaming of the night you made me choose," she said then, "When you told me the names of our children and then I threw them away!"

Wanting to calm her quickly, he wrapped his arms around her and made soothing sounds against her hair, "You didn't throw them away Ayeka," he assured her, "When Naraku is defeated, I shall give you as many pups as you want of me". She cried and he knew she cried for lost years and unborn children that might have been grown and had their own by now.

He growled softly to her, licking away tears and nosing in her hair until her sobs subsided and only the occasion sniffle remained. She rested against him, rubbing her cheek against his chest. Wishing that she'd not done so much. Without a word, he rose and lifted her in his arms. Her body was tense and stiff and he carried her to the bath.

Ayeka almost moaned with contentment as the water slowly closed over her. The warmth eased the aches of her body and soothed the shivers that seemed to cling to her. She was still as her mate slowly washed her, his hands moving in soothing sweeping caresses as though she were a frightened mare.

He bid her hold her breath and she did as he pushed her slowly beneath the water and then brought her back up and soaped her hair. He hated the scent of tears on her. She closed her eyes as he stroked his claws through the fiery skeins of her hair, letting the shining strands float around her.

"How long have I been sleeping?" she rasped. Sesshoumaru didn't pause in his actions as he rinsed the lather from her hair, "Almost four days" he replied. Ayeka's eyes shot wide, "Fo-four days?!" she sputtered. He nodded moving to stand before her. His eyes told her that he was not happy with her and she was in for it.

"Four days" he repeated, "I have paced and worried and cared for you. I do hope that your precious weaponry was worth what it very nearly cost you, cost both of us" he growled at her. She gulped, and met his gaze resolutely, "It was. Victory is the only option. That is the path of supreme conquest" she reminded him.

"Which I walk as lord of the west" he snarled at her, "My wife does not". Ayeka didn't have the energy to fight with him, but she was onery enough to try. "Have you more than one?" she asked. He blinked in slight confusion, "More than one what?" he demanded. She lifted one red brow, "Wife" she bit out.

His eyes tinged pink for a moment, "Of course not, gods help me if I did have more than of you" She growled at him,"Well then MY LORD apparently your wife does walk that path" she snapped at him. Sesshoumaru promised himself that when she was well, he'd take her over his knee and paddle some sense into the daft woman before him.

"You try my patience Ayeka" he warned her. She smiled, "Well at least I am good for something" she muttered. He roared then , patience gone. Ayeka was suprised to hear that sound erupt from him and she tried to back away but his hand snaked out to drag her back. "You will go nowhere until I say wench" he rasped out.

She was angry herself now, and opened her mouth to give him a scathing set down. He lifted on finger before her face, "Do not woman, do not push me further!". He'd rarely shouted at her and she did not like it. When tears rose in her eyes, he snapped again, "And no crying!"

She swallowed and blinked rapidly until the tears no longer threatened to fall. She watched him closely. Sesshoumaru fought very hard for control. His beast was in an uproar because his bitch was not submitting and he was trying to repress the urge to make her.

When he was certain that the red had gone from his eyes, he spoke again. "The mirror, Ayeka why?" he asked. A million and one reasons popped into her mind but she knew when to bullshit and when to shoot straight. "To keep them safe" she whispered. He growled again, "Even though they might have killed you, or Inuyasha?" he demanded. She nodded, "Even then."

He grunted, "You have denied me my right as your mate to exact vengeance" he told her quietly, "This is not done". She looked at the water as though it might offer her some help. It didn't and she hated it for it."That world is not what you know Sesshoumaru" she said softly, "They have ways to kill you, yes even you despite your great power. Even a youkai falls from bullets if hit in the right place. If they didn't kill you , they'd lock you away like some animal to test and torment. I do not want that world for you" she admitted.

He regarded her carefully. "You were worried for this Sesshoumaru?" he asked. She nodded, "And for Inuyasha. That world is not for you". He sighed, "You understand that I WILL live in that world one day" he reminded her. She nodded, "But you will have centuries to adapt".

Point taken he helped her out of the tub and began to dry her, "You will do no training for at least a week, you are confined to our rooms and will rest. No drills, nothing, until I deem that your strength has returned" he told her. She made to argue but a wave of fatigue hit her and she nodded numbly, she'd argue later.

Once she was settled back in bed, Sesshoumaru began to sort through the items she'd returned with. Those things she called weapons were placed near the door, he'd move them in the morning. Then came the heavy bags she'd insisted on bringing. She was more than willing to go through them.

The gifts he set aside, promising that she could give them out herself tomorrow. He noticed she'd even thought of little Rin, there were hair ornaments, a bright pink coat that looked to have fur on it. When he sniffed he could not tell what animal it had come from. What the hell animal was vibrant pink?

He was curious about his gifts, mostly the one in the small pink box that she insisted he must wait for. Miroku and Inuyasha had similar gifts, he supposed he'd ask them what they were. Cheating? Maybe. effective? Very. She pulled the small discman to her and he watched as she inserted small tubes into it and then a shiny disc.

His keen ears caught sound a moment later and he tensed. She would have laughed if she wasn't worried he'd kill it. She took his hand, and slowly took the earphones from her ears. "Come here, it won't harm you" she promised. Slowly he leaned toward her and she slipped the curved object into his ear.

Then she slowly turned up the volume and watched his face. His eyes widened and then he took the player from her hands and studied it carefully. "What is this?" he demanded. She smiled, "In my time that is music, we call it techno" she explained. "This is much too fast" he insisted. She laughed, "We dance to that, when I am well I will show you". He nodded, "You would dance for me?"

She smiled, a sweetly seductive smile, "Oh I'd dance for you" she assured him. He pointed at his foot which was tapping of it's own accord, "I can't keep still" he told her with a frown, she laughed at him, "That's it, it means your hooked. Look I have speakers too".

He watched as she connected thin wires and then the music filled the room. He liked this music thing very much. The activities of the night caught up with her fast and Ayeka drifted back into sleep. Sesshoumaru fiddled with the cd player for a few minutes more. She'd brought back an assortment of the disc things. He'd hear them all later.

When Ayeka woke the next morning, he was already dressed, slipping his swords into his sash. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked up at him. He stood glaring down at the bed. What was the matter with him? "I meant what I said Ayeka," he reminded her, "You will remain in bed until I say otherwise. I will allow you to bathe and move around this chamber but nothing more and no strenuous activities. Kagome will be here in a few minutes to see you".

She grunted, pushing hair from her face. "Fine". He nodded stiffly and turned on his heel leaving her alone. She got up and put a heavier robe on, brushing her hair and securing it at her nape. She supposed that Kagome wanted to chew her out for putting Inuyasha in danger. She didn't blame her, she'd want to.

Kagome knocked just a minute later and came in with Sango in tow. Ayeka looked at her uncertainly but then Kagome's face brightened and she smiled, "I'm so glad that you are ok" she told Ayeka. Ayeka looked at the blankets, "I'm very sorry Kagome, that I took him with me and put him in danger" she whispered. Kagome sat down beside her and covered her hand. "I was upset and first, worried mostly, but I know why you took him and he isn't hurt. I just wish you would have talked to me first".

Ayeka nodded. Never again would she risk another like that. For the next hour Kagome and Sango and the children visited with her. Kagome and Sango were thrilled with the gifts she brought them and Rin and Shippo were munching happily on the sweets she'd given them. She'd brought them each several large boxes of crayons and paper.

She gave the girls the pink boxes and made sure that they understood that they were for Inuyasha and Miroku. They agreed to give them to the men when they saw them. They were extremely curious as to what they were. "Just tell them that these are their gifts and that they have to make you wear them" she said mysteriously. Kagome was well aware that they came from her favorite lingerie shop, but she couldn't imagine what they might hold.

Servants brought her light meals through the day, mostly rice porridge, broths, and small amounts of meat and vegetables. Nothing too heavy for her stomach. Ayeka ate in silence, wondering when her stubborn to his very soul mate would reappear.

Inuyasha came to see her just before dinner. "Inuyasha" she said smiling at him. "I came to see how you were feeling" he told her. She patted the bed and he came to sit beside her. "I'm sorry Inuyasha" she said, "I shouldn't have taken you with me". He shrugged, "Keh. How would you have carried all that stuff then? Besides, I got to eat some good food and watch the TV." he replied.

She nodded. She understood that this was his own way of comforting her guilty heart. "Kagome says that you gave my gift to her, but I can't have it until after dinner. You mind telling me what's going on?" he asked. Ayeka laughed and shook her head, "Not on your life mister. Trust me I think you'll really like it" she told him. He 'keh'd' in his usual manner and then Ayeka leaned forward and hugged him.

He was slightly surprised by the action but then his arms wound around her gently and hugged her back. This was how Sesshoumaru found them. "Inuyasha, don't you have enough women in your own pack to maul?" he asked from the door. His tone was cool and bored. Inuyasha released her and stood, "I'll see you tomorrow Ayeka" he told her. She smiled and waved as he pushed past his brother and growled.

Sesshoumaru stepped inside the door and motioned a servant to come in. She carried a tray from the kitchens. She arranged the tray across Ayeka's lap. She picked at her food. Not really hungry, she'd been eating small amounts throughout the day after all. He noticed her lack of appetite but said nothing, he'd gotten reports about her eating throughout the day.

He helped her bathe again and she went to bed early. He was content to hold her while she slept. Her wounds were improving and for that he was glad. He suspected that she'd be more difficult the next few days. He would be prepared for it.