Across the Ages

Thanks snowfall! You guys really do make me so happy.

Chapter Forty-Eight

The following days saw an increase in attacks against patrols. Sesshoumaru and Ayeka had expected that of course so it was no surprise to them. Scouts reported that regimental sized elements were gathering near the field. The actual summons would be coming soon. Per youkai law, that even Naraku was bound by, the challenge had to be given.

Sesshoumaru bided his time and waited. He did his best to stay clear of Ayeka. She, understanding his intentions was happy to use his brother as a go-between. Inuyasha didn't argue, he knew what it was like and damn it the campaign couldn't take any more problems.

It was a week later that Naraku sounded his battle cry and the armies gathered in the clash of steel and youkai. A rain of arrows pouring over the vast field, staining the grass black with blood. Soldiers fought hard and furious, unwilling to give ground.

Sesshoumaru tried to keep his wife in sight at all times but the swell of battle maneuvers prevented that. The hours wore on and both sides were taking heavy losses. Naraku had yet to show himself on the field, unlike Sesshoumaru he did not wish to fight himself if it were not needed.

Inuyasha leapt in the air, his eyes trailing over to the edge of the field. Kagome was there with Miroku. His holy shield glimmering around them, the launcher at his back. Kagome fired purifying arrows from the safety of the monk's bubble. Great streams of glowing light streaking across the sky, cutting down youkai as they approached.

Ayeka was engaged in aerial battle at the moment. It seemed that Naraku also had a female fighter, and she was not without skills. She was a kitsune, and she used her youkai infused blades with deadly precision. As the oni horses screamed in the air, their riders locked blades.

The kitsune was good, and Ayeka was tiring. Her human strength depleting. "Just give up and I'll make it quick" the kitsune growled. She had thought the human wench would be an easy kill. She'd been wrong. The woman snapped at her, "I won't be losing to a bitch like you!" Ayeka snarled.

She let the fox see her weakness, slowed her movements and let the fox draw closer. The result was a slash to her side and the impalement of the fox on her dagger. Ayeka grimaced and dragged her arm upwards to the heart of her opponent.

The kitsune's green eyes went wide and her mouth opened on a gurgling scream. In her last moments she released the green flame of foxfire and Ayeka was thrown from her mount. She plummeted toward the ground and squeezed her eyes shut. "Hey! You ought to be more careful!" came a soothing familiar voice a moment before she was jerked upwards.

Ayeka let her eyes open to see the pale golden eyes of a fox she thought long gone. "Kurama?" she whispered. He grinned before dodging a blow and flipping over, with her in his arms to land gracefully on the field. "No time to catch your breath Ayeka" he warned as the hordes pushed forward toward them.

Sesshoumaru had seen the near miss and his roar covered the entire field. Thank kami the sun was setting. The fighing would end with the setting of the sun and begin again with the dawn. That gave the armies time to collect the dead and dying. A law of war, but Sesshoumaru wasn't trusting Naraku not to attack during those times.

Ayeka was worn out and bleeding when sunset arrived. She was gasping for breath and leaning on her sword. Her limbs shaking from her exertions. She prayed the battle wouldn't last more than a few days, she wouldn't be able to keep up if it did. Not at this rate.

She lifted her eyes to the hill to see Kagome being carried away by Inuyasha. She'd expended a great deal of miko engeries today. She'd not be able to keep up either. Kurama saw her sway slightly on her feet and steadied her. She heard a soft growl and turned toward the sound.

Sesshoumaru, no longer pristine but spattered in the blood of his enemies was making his way to them. His regal bearing undiminished. He glared at Kurama. "Took your time getting here didn't you?" he asked. Kurama grunted, "I am a busy man Sesshoumaru. But I do come to my friends when they call me".

Sesshoumaru looked pointedly at the arm around his wife and Ayeka gave the fox a little squeeze before moving to stand beside her mate. "Come then, there are wounded to see to, including my wife. You can have her tents" Sesshoumaru announced.

She turned to glare up at him but he simply lifted her in his arms and began walking back towards camp. Ayeka chuckled against his throat. "What amuses you?" he asked. She peered up at him through exhausted eyes, "Very subtle dear. Very subtle" she teased. He shrugged and she layed her head back on his shoulder.

"How badly are you hurt?" he asked then. The scent of her blood teasing his nostrils. "Not too badly, more tired and sore than anything" she replied, "How about you?". He grunted, "This Sesshoumaru is not easily wounded" he replied.

She closed her eyes, lulled by his warmth and his smooth gait. "Ayeka, must you cuddle me right now?" he asked. She blinked at him in confusion. "I am covered in blood and entrails" he reminded her with a smile. She leaned up to place a kiss on a clean spot on his cheek. "Mmm, me too" she sighed. He chuckled at her words.

Kurama's ears had caught every word and he bit back a small smile. She seemed happy now. That was amazing considering that the last time he'd seen her was a few hundred years ago. He knew she'd run, everyone did really. What amazed him was that Sesshoumaru would allow her to return after such a vicious slap to his pride. More amazing, was that knowing him as she did, she had returned him.

Sesshoumaru barked for soldiers to procure his wife's clothing and needed personal affects from her tents. Then he took her to the stream, where a dozen others were also bathing. It was a part of military life but he still refused to let them see her and so he wandered further downstream.

Finding an area that he deemed private enough, he helped her out of her clothes. Ayeka peered down at the wound at her side. It would heal, it still bled, though not heavily. She suspected the bath would change that however. A soldier called from a discreet distance. He had soaps and clothing for them.

Sesshoumaru went and took them from him, issuing orders as he went. He then shed his own clothing and waded into the cool water. In a short time they were both clean and fresh. No sweat, no enemy blood. Ayeka had been correct, her wound began to bleed anew.

Sesshoumaru knelt to look at it. "It's not deep" he told her. She already knew that though. She giggled when his long tongue moved out to lap at it. He drew back to look up at her. "Sorry," she murmured, "It tickled". He shook his head and continued his minstrations. She wasn't helping, shifting around as she was. When he was certain the bleeding had been staunched, he stood.

Shrugging into his clothing, he watched her tie the last of her own in place. She looked up to see him staring and blushed. "What?" she asked. He stepped closer, his arms sliding around to draw her against him. Her weariness apparent to him. "I'm glad your heat has ended. I've missed sleeping beside you" he admitted.

Ayeka wanted to go and check on Kagome and the others, he wouldn't hear of it. "I'll see to them," he told her as he settled her against the pillows of the large cot they would share. She nodded and he smoothed her hair on her brow. She tugged at his fluff and with a sigh he let her have it. Then he went and fulfilled his promise.

When he returned, Ayeka was fast asleep. She was perfect, he thought. His perfect woman was currently drooling on his pelt like a babe. The indiginities the sign of his rank suffered from her. He reached over to tug it away from her but her little fists tightened on it. He chuckled softly at that.

The warm velvety sound rousing her from sleep. She blinked up at him, with bleary eyes. Still quite befuddled by sleep. "How's Gome?" she asked around a yawn. He slid into the bed beside her. "She's fine. Go to sleep" he replied. Her answer was to do just that, half sitting up.

Sesshoumaru managed to get her down on her back and covered once more and slung his arm around her middle, drawing her back into the warmth and security of his body. The miko was just as exhausted and he'd agreed with Inuyasha that Kagome could not continue like this without risking herself and the pup. No, the miko would remain guarded at camp. For at least a few days to regain her strength. Ayeka could keep her company. He imagined she'd spit fire for it.

He didn't entertain thoughts for very long however, as sleep overcame him as well. His sleep was much lighter than hers of course and his sense remained alert, scanning for dangers to his exhausted mate. Tomorrow would be soon enough to deal with the fox.