Across the Ages

Sorry for the cliffies! heh heh, thanks for all the great reviews and for visiting the sessh-bot :) The next few chapters will be a little more tense and a little darker, but it'll work out... I think.


Chapter Forty-Four

Sesshoumaru could not recall the last time he'd been so angry. This was not the time for petty squabbles, they had more important things to think about right now. Damn Inuyasha for starting all this, damn that wolf for the challenge and damn his hard headed wife for taking him up on it. He growled as he walked.

Youkai law did give the wolf the right to fight for the miko, although Sesshoumaru would have preferred to punish the hanyou himself and list the reason under the heading of family matters. Ayeka had been told not to interfere, but she had. When had he lost control of the situation?

His youkai snapped around him, warning others away from the aloof demon as he moved. His inner beast demanded that he return to his mate at once and force her submission, it was that very reason that he was stalking through his camp. His efforts to reason with his primal self were doing very little good.

He found himself before Koga's tent and he lifted the flap without warning. The wolf demon spun to face him, meeting the cold golden eyes with flashing blue. He stepped back and bowed slightly. "Thank you for allowing my challenge" he said politely.

Sesshoumaru looked down his nose at him, "I do not support you wolf, but the law. If it were up to me, the miko would be remanded to my care until Inuyasha had been punished. You are no help to in this matter." he said simply. Koga felt his jaw tense. Sesshoumaru merely held his gaze, "Now, Inuyasha also is not your opponent, but my wife".

Koga shook his head, "I do not wish to fight the lady of the west" he assured the lord, "She is after all human and I imagine that you have come to remind me that if I inadvertantly harm her I will die for it". Sesshoumaru nodded, "Indeed."

Koga suddenly perked up, "I doubt it will get that far" he assured the dog. "I'll fight your brother and kill him and that will be that". Sesshoumaru looked beyond the wolf to the large map behind him. "It cannot be to the death" he said then, Koga balked but Sesshoumaru continued, "We will need the Tetsusaiga in the coming battle, just as your strength will be needed. I can afford to lose no one to such small disputes"

Koga took exception to this matter being called small but Sesshoumaru would hear none of it. "You may not slay him. This will be a battle to the first blooding" he stated with measured tones. Koga fell silent as he went on.

"I know that you want the miko, and I know that you are dear to her. But not as you wish to be. She loves him, carries his pup. Do you really think that she will love your for slaying the hanyou?" he asked. Koga grimaced at that, he made a point, a very sharp and painful point.

"If you truly care for the miko, perhaps you should consider her happiness rather than what you believe to be best for her" the dog demon commented, "And should Inuyasha falter and lose to you and you fight my wife, I suggest you be careful. Honor says that I may not stop you in the ring, but once it is over, I can have my vengeance".

Koga blinked, "You want to set the fight?". Sesshoumaru shook his head, "Not at all, I'm just giving you a few things to think about". With that he swept from the tent, leaving an uncertain wolf behind. Koga supposed he was correct. He was pissed because that dog turd got the girl he wanted. Still, you'd have to be blind not to see how much Kagome loved that hanyou.

If he took her away from him, she would not forgive him. He would lose what affection she had for him in a moment of bittersweet victory. He hung his head in near defeat. Wasn't life just peachy?

Sesshoumaru paused at the entrance to Inuyasha's tent. The scent of tears reached him and he heard the hanyou whisper comfort to his distressed mate. Sesshoumaru squared his shoulders and moved into the tent. Two sets of eyes locked on him, one of hard gold, one of watery blue.

"What do you want?" Inuyasha barked. Sesshoumaru pointed to the door, a silent command for him to go. Inuyasha growled, but his brother's growl was deeper, more menacing. With a look at Kagome and a nod from her, he stepped outside. Grumbling the whole time.

Sesshoumaru stood over the kneeling miko, his expression as usual, unreadable. He walked slowly to her and held out his hand to her. She swallowed, sniffed and slowly put her hand into his. Sesshoumaru pulled her gently to her feet and helped her sit on the wide pallet of blankets.

"He has told you?" Sesshoumaru asked. Kagome nodded, more tears building, "I don't want to be with Koga" she whispered. Sesshoumaru grunted, "So you think that he will lose?". Kagome shrugged, "Koga isn't a weak fighter and I think that they are pretty evenly matched, but this is serious, and I'm scared".

Sesshoumaru stared at the wall before him, "If I tell you not to worry will you obey?" he asked. She wiped at her eyes and peered up at him. What was he trying to say? "I will worry about the fight" she told him. He did something she did not expect then. He looked down at her, a small smile touching his lips. "My wife has made herself your champion. If Inuyasha is hurt she will fight for him"

Kagome's eyes widened. The demon lord went on. "It will be a fight to the first blood. No death. I cannot afford to lose fighters over this. I have spoken to Koga in hopes that he will see that you wish to be exactly where you are. With Inuyasha. You must tell no one of this"

She nodded, a warmth moving into her heart. He'd done that? Suddenly, he stood and she stood with him. His eyes moved to her still flat stomach and he hesitantly reached a clawed hand toward it. He glanced up at her, "May I?". She nodded, and felt his large elegant hand curve over her womb. A strange pulse moved through her and she stared up at him. He seemed lost in thought, as though considering something.

Gracefully, he sank to his knees before her, eyes fixed on her womb. Kagome had never seen him act this way. He was almost... tender. He sniffed at her stomach and she forced herself to stay still. Softly, he growled against her clothing. Her insides pulsed again as though responding to the sound.

He made a small sound that she couldn't even describe and suddenly she felt so peaceful and calm. Her hand fell to his head and he looked up at her. "You are talking to the baby aren't you?" she asked. He nodded, "The child is not hanyou, and understands the old inuyoukai words" he whispered.

She looked puzzled over his words, he smiled, a small smile. "Kagome your child is full blood" he told her. Her hand swept over her womb, full blooded demon? How could that be? As though reading her thoughts Sesshoumaru answered her, "You are a miko, and while the father in only hanyou, his demon blood is strong. Your holy powers allow this child to become one or the other. It seems she wishes to be a demon".

Kagome gasped, "She?" Sesshoumaru nodded and inhaled deeply, "Yes, a daughter. Inuyasha could have told you that". He stood up then, satisfied that the miko was soothed. "Why are you allowing the challenge?" she blurted out. The taller demon did not look at her when he spoke, "Youkai law states that during times of hardship or danger a male may not pup his mate. It put the female and the pup at greater risk and provides a shining target to the enemies of the male. Inuyasha has broken this sacred law and he must be punished. The challenge will provide him the beating he so richly deserves"

Kagome stiffened. Sesshoumaru peered over his shoulder at her, "Have no fear miko, regardless of what anyone else may lose tomorrow, you will remain the mate of my brother". Then he was gone and Kagome sank back to the pallet. What did he mean? Who else stood to lose? She was having a full blooded baby girl. She found herself hoping she'd be half as pretty as her strange uncle.

Inuyasha leaned against a nearby tree, eyeing his brother critically. He'd heard most of the exchange. His question was why? If Sesshoumaru was that pissed off and the law was so damned important to him, then why was he intervening? Why did he feel the need? Inuyasha could take that sissy wolf any day.

Sesshoumaru paused near his brother and cut his eyes to the side, "I suppose I should congratulate you on your daughter. It seems that you have managed to produce a full inyoukai". Inuyasha wasn't feeling very compassionate at the moment. "Keh. Looks like I can do something you can't".

Sesshoumaru stiffened at his words. No, he couldn't produce full youkai children. His mate was human and not a miko. He would sire hanyou's on her. It seemed suddenly that the roles were reversed. Inuyasha with his mixed blood had effectively preserved the pristine bloodline and he would be the one to give half breeds to the world.

Sesshoumaru growled at him. Inuyasha cocked his head, a knowing light in his eyes. "I wonder... will you hate them like you hate me? They will be half breeds after all, like me, hell they will probably look like me. If that ain't a kick in the ass". Sesshoumaru would not answer him and walked away, his brother's voice reached him then, "I guess you'll know when you've made them".

The anger he'd been trying to dampen flared to life again as he ignored his brother. He stalked back to his tent. He threw the flap aside and entered to see his wife, sitting in the corner. She kept her eyes on him as he moved around the tent shedding armor and weapons.

Ayeka could feel his angry youkai swirling around him. Years seemed to peel away and she recalled the words of Kurama. "Never try to back a dog into a corner". She'd done that, she admitted it. He'd given her orders and she'd not obeyed. Hell, she might as well have painted a sign on her forehead to taunt him and paraded around naked with it.

He'd been gone for over an hour. What had he been doing, she wondered. Killing things? Shredding trees? Putting up the whipping post? He was unreachable to her now. His rimmed with a little pink as he glared at her from time to time.

She refused to cry, to be sorry. She'd done what he should have and stood by the couple. But then, she was only human after all, she carried that taint that would never be seen as anything less than abject weakness in his eyes. "Come here" he ordered, his voice ragged and rough.

Ayeka rose and moved towards him, her eyes on the carpet beneath her feet. She didn't want to look at him, to look would mean to see and to see would mean to want. He was wearing his hakamas only. His pale, sculpted chest bared to her view. He noticed that she wasn't viewing much.

She stood an arms length away from him, her thin sleeping robe doing nothing to hide her charms from him. "Closer" he growled. She stood toe to toe with him. Staring at the ground was no longer an option, as it revealed the growing bulge in his pants.

She looked to the side. Sesshoumaru growled in annoyance. She was his, it was a simple matter that she should obey him. Why did she seem to be the only one who didn't see that? "Look at me" his voice was clipped, angry. Take her, his beast snapped, she is the bitch, we are the alpha, she must submit!

She met his narrowed golden eyes with wide green. A fang peeked over his lip at her. His claws, longer and sharper traced over her face a moment later. "Once again you have acted rashly and made the situation worse by not waiting for my judgement" he growled.

She tried to pull away from him, but his grip tightened and she felt his claw cut the tender flesh beneath her chin. A discreet cough at the entrance drew his attention. A servant had brought food for Ayeka. He snapped that they could leave it on the nearby table.

Ayeka stood still as he moved away from her. He was struggling to control his beast. she wasn't helping matters. Her defiant nature and scent of arousal made him grit his teeth. He motioned to the food, "Eat your dinner". She crossed her arms, believing the danger to be over.

"No." she said. Effectively irritating him once more. He growled in warning. "I am warning you woman, do not tempt me further". She grunted at him. "Where did you go?" she asked. He lifted a brow, "I am not obligated to answer you" he told her. Her green eyes narrowed.

"Eat" he commanded again, waving toward the plate. She clenched her fists at her sides. "I am on obligated to obey" she retorted. In a whirl of silk and hair, the plate flew across the room and she was facing a very pissed off Sesshoumaru. Pinned against the support pole of the tent and her livid mate in all his red-eyed glory.

"You are obligated to obey" he pointed out, "You are my mate, my wife and subject to my whims". She shook her head, but he reached out and tangled his claws in her long hair. He held her head still as he leaned forward, baring his fangs in a threatening manner.

Ayeka struggled until she felt those ivory points press against her throat. A silent warning. She held herself still and silent, her heart pounding a furious tattoo against her ribs. For the first time, in a long time, she was truly afraid of him. He could smell it on her.

She turned her head away as he sniffed along the column of her throat. He dragged his claws down the front of her robe, leaving tatters of the garment that slipped from her to land noiselessly on the floor. She gazed up at him and shook her head at him. Would be force her submission this way?

He growled at her and she ceased her movements, suddenly not wanting to anger him. It was too late for that she mused. She had no doubt that the calm collected lord of the west was gone. No, now she was held by his beast and he wasn't going to let her go with a spanking a warning.

She gulped as his claws clicked together, the small sound grating on her anxious ears. He lapped at his mating mark and her eyes flew open. He raised his head to watch her for a moment, she was shaking in his grasp, unsure of what he would do next.

Sesshoumaru merely sat back and let his beast go. He wasn't very concerned about her being seriously injured, she had to learn this lesson if they were to successfully go on. Once the war was over her role would change drastically.

The beast nipped at her shoulder making her gasp, then the action was soothed with his tongue. His clawed hands cupped her breasts, pinching the nipples, tugging until she, against her will, moaned to him. The beast smirked. Her arousal was growing.

She turned her head to the side, her eyes squeezing closed. He pressed his forehead to hers, making her look at him. Red eyes and growls met her as his hand swept lower to test the moisture at her core. The beast was pleased to find the hairless lips slick with want.

"You are my bitch. You will submit to me, you will obey" he rasped at her. She shook her head again and he all but tossed her to the pallet. She scrambled to her knees trying to evade him. He was on her in a moment. His claws digging into her hips as he pressed himself against her back.

"You will say it" he growled. "I won't!" she cried out, wanting her tender lover back now, but highly aroused by the beast behind her. Sesshoumaru snarled loudly, his claws reaching up to sweep her hair aside. Before she could struggle his fangs were imbedded deep in her flesh, reopening the mating mark.

Tears spilled over her cheeks as he gripped her. "Please" she whispered. He growled loudly at her. She felt the thick head of him brush over her folds and against her pearl. She wanted that even though she should be fighting. Sesshoumaru held her tightly in his jaws as he shoved himself into her wet heat.

Ayeka grunted at the harsh entry of her body. His fangs slipped from her flesh as he began to thrust. Hard and punishing, and hitting all the right places. She whimpered beneath him and he snarled at her, "Submit. Say it". She wouldn't.

He grabbed a fistful of her hair and drew her head back, making her back arch taking more of him inside. "You will submit to me bitch". She cried out, her desire flaring dangerously. She was close to her breaking point he knew, his beast could feel her body giving to him, even if her mind defied him. It was not enough, she would give him all.

Ayeka yelped when he shoved her cheek to the pallet and his thick length pressed to those impossibly deep depths. She was balled up beneath the powerful youkai thrusting himself so fully into her. "Say. it" he growled out. She whimpered instead, feeling the coil tighten within her.

His clawed hand pressed beneath her to brush her pearl. She moaned loudly and he smirked. He teased her to the painful edge of want and gave her nothing. He used her body roughly, taking pleasure and giving her just enough to keep her begging.

He would not allow her to orgasm until she said those words he most wanted to hear. Ayeka clutched the coverlet beneath her, tears rolled down her cheeks, her voice was hoarse with her guttural cries. It would be so easy to give him what he wanted and then he'd give her what she so desperately needed. Her pride would not budge however.

Sesshoumaru felt her body tighten painfully around him as it begged for his help. He wanted to give it to her, wanted her to cry out his name in the exultation of her release. However, if she didn't submit, he would leave her hanging on that painful edge.

His own release close at hand, he growled down at her, "Submit!". Ayeka sealed her fate when she cried out hoarsely, "NO!". Sesshoumaru snarled and emptied himself into her, his chest pressing against her back. Ayeka could hardly believe that he would punish her this way. She'd never been touched by him and not been satisfied and he'd made sure she was left wanting this time.

Sesshoumaru shifted behind her, sliding from her trembling body. His jaw clenched, he'd never done such a thing. He wanted to shake her until she gave into him and then he wanted to love her properly. To give her the blissful release he'd always allowed her. His pride would not let him. She'd be given release when she submitted to him.

He grabbed his clothing and tugged it on. She hadn't moved from her position on the pallet. Without a word to her, he turned and left. Ayeka felt so cold in that moment. Her body aching, craving his touch again, his seed trickling from her.

With tears in her eyes, she pushed herself off the bed, and moved to the basin of water. She washed him from her flesh, tears slipping down her face as she did so. Trying to clean his seed from her proved painful. Her body was still highly aroused, resulting in pained whimpers when she touched herself.

She considered taking matters into her own hands but that wouldn't be a good idea. Besides, she couldn't bear the touch of cool water against herself, direct touches were unthinkable at the moment. She bathed and dressed. Looking back at the bed, she took a shuddering breath.

She could go after him, if she found him, told him she did submit, he'd bring her back here and make the aching need go away. "Screw it" she muttered darkly. How dare he use her body against her. She peeked outside the tent. A passing soldier bowed to her, "Fetch Captain Yamataki at once" she ordered. He bowed and sped to see her will done.

A short while later the captain knelt before her outside the tent. "Order the men to erect my tent" she told him, "I'll be keeping my own quarters this campaign" she told him. His nod was all she saw and then she went back to the pallet. Her own heat would be coming on her soon, it was best all around if she stayed away from him.

Sesshoumaru wandered around his camp, and bathed in the steam. He was furious with his wife and furious with himself. Damn it, couldn't things be easy for once? He should go back and soothe her but that would undermine the authority she'd just been shown.

He finally made his way to his tent. He pushed open the flap, expecting to see his upset wife glaring at him or maybe she'd be sleeping. Instead he saw her Captain standing there. His wife was not present. "What are you doing here Yamataki?" he growled.

The captain bowed, "My lord, General Ayeka has asked me to relay her message to you". Sesshoumaru arched a brow and the younger demon continued, "She has taken to her own tents for the campaign. She bids you good night". Sesshoumaru growled, "You may go" he snapped.

The soldier bowed and left his angry lord. So, she'd taken to her own quarters. So be it, she could try and avoid him, but that would not work. He growled as he moved to his pallet and settled himself to read reports. She should have been here with him.

A faint scent drew his attention then, the faintest glimmer of..... impending heat. Clinging to his coverlet. Was that why she had left? She worried he would make the same mistake as Inuyasha? SO many things to think about, so many questions and not enough answers. Did she regret becoming his mate?