Chronicles of the West

Chapter Seventy Three

Toga stood before his father as he prepared to leave again. "I wish to take Aislin with me" he said. Sesshoumaru lifted a brow, "I am certain you understand that I cannot allow that". Toga growled, the sound dying away as his father curled his lips slightly. A hint of fang was all it took to quell his son's tantrum.

"I will speak with Aislin and encourage her to make her choice from her many suitors" he said then. When you return you will be told of her reply". Toga stomped from his father's sight. He admitted to himself that if he took Aislin to the north with him, he'd bed her. Hell, if it hadn't been so dangerous, he might have stopped on the way.

Once mated and marked, no one could take her from him. Not Daisuke, not that blasted elk, not his great father. Of course that would bring a certain amount of shame to her. Did he really wish that to happen? No, he grumbled inwardly, he didn't. Ayeka and Aislin sat in the gardens talking when he appeared at the edge of the neatly trimmed greenery.

Aislin went to him at once, "You are leaving again" she stated. Toga nodded, "I wanted to bring you with me but your current guardian refused me" he complained. She smiled and leaned up to kiss his chin, "I shall still be here when you return" she reminded him. He grunted, "Father wants you to decide on a mate". She blinked up at him, "So soon?" she asked.

He growled at her, "I had thought the choice was made?" he stated, irritation edging his voice. Aislin hid her smile, "Well no…." she mumbled. Toga pinned her to the stone wall and fused their lips in a hard kiss that robbed her of breath and rational thought.

"Toga" his mother's voice rang out, softly chiding, "Your father will not have his ward mauled, nor will I". He broke the kiss and growled at Aislin, "Damn it woman the choice is made" he muttered at her. She managed to remain expressionless until he had strode away. Ayeka watched her son go with a small smile teasing her lips. "Did it work?" she asked when she was certain he would not hear. Aislin giggled, "Yes, I suppose it did".

----------------------------~

Sesshoumaru was in his study again, going over reports…again. He was really quite tired of that. He would much rather be fighting and killing at the moment. A good maiming might suffice. There was a knock on the door and Inuyasha strode in, "That wolf is here to see you" he said. Sesshoumaru glanced up, "I gave firm order that Adus was to remain locked in the dungeon".

Inuyasha grunted, "Wrong one. Madu wants to see you. Says it's important". Sesshoumaru pinched the bridge of his nose. Didn't he understand that Taisha was never going to have him? "Fine" he said, "Send him in so I can kick him out".

Inuyasha smirked and stepped into the hall, bellowing for said demon to get his ass in the study. Sesshoumaru felt the beginnings of a headache, already. Madu stepped inside, more than accustomed to Inuyasha's brusque ways. "My lord, I need only a moment" he said bowing to the annoyed dog.

"Get it said Madu" he urged. Aqua eyes lifted to lock with gold. "I wish a match with Elda" he said calmly. Sesshoumaru lifted one brow, "Forsaking my daughter?" he asked. Amusement played in his voice. Madu blushed red as Inuyasha's fire rat robe. "I have pursued her for nearly a century" he said with a sheepish smile, "I don't think I am what she needs… or wants".

Sesshoumaru eyed the young wolf, "The taking of a mate is serious matter Madu" he pointed out, "Once done it cannot be undone without a great deal of effort. This is not a decision you can make on a whim". Madu nodded, "I know that, and this is not a whim".

Inuyasha continued to lean against the door, "You don't have to marry her to protect her" he said, "Hell you don't have to marry her at all. She is going home and that is best". Madu eyed Sesshoumaru. "I will go with her if that is her wish, but I wish to make her my mate beforehand".

He'd given it a great deal of thought. She irritated him, mocked him, made him angry, made him smile. Somewhere along the way, he'd started to feel possessive of her. He told them that. Inuyasha laughed, "It happens when you save someone or defend them a couple of times" he said.

Aqua eyes met his stoically, "You married her" he reminded the silver eared demon. Inuyasha grumbled, "I didn't marry Sango or that damnable monk". Madu shrugged, "You married the one that mattered to you the most. That is what I plan to do as well". Sesshoumaru sighed and flexed his claws, "Madu, she may not want to be married, have you considered that?".

Madu grinned, "Doesn't matter, I can convince her. She's my woman". Inuyasha made a gagging sound behind him. "Sound like your damn pesky father" he muttered. Madu smiled at him, "I shall take that as a compliment Lord Inuyasha" turning back to Sesshoumaru he spoke again, "Will you tell her?".

The dog demon nodded, "I will see to it. If she refuses then you will let it be". Madu nodded his agreement. She wouldn't refuse him. He'd make sure of that. Plan in mind, he strolled through the halls .

----------------------------------~

Tohru sat quietly at the bedside. Days had passed and she was aware of it only for the sunlight and shadows that covered the pale face on the pillow. Her golden eyes spoke of her weariness. However, she refused to leave the sick bed for more than a handful of minutes to see to her personal needs. Sesshoumaru looked in on her often, knowing that she was far too stubborn.

Her heart ached for the tortured creature that lay so still, before her. His wounds were healed but he had not awakened yet. His dreams seemed to trouble him, as his brow furrowed from time to time and beads of sweat sat atop his brow.

She must have dozed for only a moment, for the next thing she became aware of was a soft whimpering sound. She lifted her head from her folded arms and looked on the pained face. With a soft sigh, she took up a cloth from the bedside table and submerged in lavender water, carefully wringing away the excess.

With gentle hands she bathed the sweat from his brow, and cheeks. "Shh, you are safe now" she murmured to him. Soothing words and promises that seemed to ease his inner torment. She had spent long hours speaking to him. She told him her name, and how he came to be here, about her childhood and her favorite things.

She was certain he didn't hear them, but the presence of a soft voice seemed to soothe him. So she spoke, sometimes sang. Unwilling to see anyone or anything in pain. Setting the cloth aside, she reached soft finger to him and stroked his silver hair from his brow. "I wish you would wake".

-------------------------------------------~

Taisha sat at her desk, writing missives for her father. He had a ton of servants to do it, but she was bored and needed something to do. Her thoughts were jumbled and she placed the blame solely on that damnable fox.

She pressed her fingertips to her lips, growling softly when the remembrance of his kisses caused a small tingle to spark in the pillowy flesh. She'd not joined him on patrol in several days following the last incidents. She'd half expected Toga to ask her to see to the north again, so he could focus on the coming battle. He'd not.

Kurama had been absent for the past few days. He'd looked in on the fox child creation and then had closeted himself away with her father and uncle for hours. Then he'd departed immediately after. Good riddance she groused to herself.

She set aside her father's correspondence and penned a note to Haru, asking if she might come to the west for a short time, as she was missed. Yes, Haru was good company and would no doubt talk sensibly to her friend about the odd feelings stirring within her.

-----------------------------~

Inuyasha balanced the large stack of books in his arm and made his way down the stone steps. "Taima" he called, "Are you awake?". The soft slide of slippers reached his ears, "Of course father, I felt you coming". He stepped onto the level floor of her chambers, "I brought you some books" he told her, setting them on her long desk.

She eyed the large stack and smiled, "Thank you dad". He nodded, and reached in his sleeve, "This is from your mother" he handed her a small mirror. She took it with a smile, there were tiny jeweled flowers across the back.

Inuyasha looked around carefully, "And this is from your aunt Ayeka". He grudgingly held out a well worn paperback. Taima giggled and clasped it to her chest. "Damn women and that romancy crap" he muttered, "Proper ladies don't read that stuff" he told her.

Taima leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "We all do" she reminded him. He grunted and hugged her close, "I wish you'd come aboveground". She shook her head, "This is better". Inuyasha growled, "It's like you are a prisoner here". She laughed, "Hardly. You and Sessh harp on my living conditions more than mother" she teased.

Inuyasha sighed, she was almost normal today. Carefree and without pain. He preferred to see her this way. It was hard for him to suppress his emotions for her sake. He did his best and allowed only calmness and his love to radiate. Kagome didn't manage as well and her visits rarely lasted longer than a few minutes. It pained her that she pained her child.

Taima. Inuyasha loved all of his children equally. He would not allow preference to show. He knew what perceived favoritism could do to siblings. He would not allow that happen to his family. As Taima had grown older, her strengths and weakness had manifested themselves.

She'd been found curled in a ball beneath the garden hedges, holding her head and whimpering at the light. Her siblings and mother had panicked at seeing her in such a state and their emotions had compounded her pain.

In the end, Sesshoumaru had entered the gardens sensing the turmoil. He'd sent the others away and slowly knelt beside the pup. She had been mute with pain, nothing more than tears and whimpers rising from her.

He'd seen the way she shielded her eyes and carefully, he'd dropped his fur over her, shielding her from the light and gathered her in his arms. His calm aura soothed her and soon she ceased her tears, clinging to him like a lifeline.

Sesshoumaru had slowly put the pieces together as they walked to his study. He ordered the heavy drapes drawn and they be left alone. He'd rumbled softly to her for long minutes and when she could speak to him, he asked what hurt her.

"The light is too bright" she whispered, "It hurts my eyes and everyone was so scared and upset and I felt it. I couldn't breathe, I felt that pain from them" she whispered. Sesshoumaru had contained his surprise, "And do you feel pain now?" he asked.

Taima shook her head, "You don't give off feeling, you are calm like a very still lake" she told him. He nodded, and together they tested the limits of her tolerance. There wasn't much. In the end, she'd asked to be given a room below ground, so that the light and the feelings of others would not reach her with intensity.

Inuyasha had returned from patrol to hear the news an listened as Sesshoumaru explained her desires to him. He had been adamant that she would not live in some tomb under the palace, she was a princess, not a prisoner. Sesshoumaru felt the same way, however her comfort and well being drove him to support her requests.

The healers had visited her and deemed that to be the most comfortable course of action. Sesshoumaru had sealed off an area in the dungeons, rebuilding it and making it habitable for her. In the early years she left her rooms at nightfall and would walk the gardens with him.

In time, however she'd shortened those walks, until she did not leave those rooms and only a select few could enter. She preferred her painless solitude and when the pain did come, she did not wish anyone to witness it. So far Sesshoumaru had been there each time and she'd burned him with purification.

Inuyasha felt her bed dip as she sat beside him, "You know that I am different" she told him. He glared over at her, "Hey kid, I am the dad and it's me who's supposed to be doin the comforting all right?". She'd smiled and let him hold her, at least until his sadness began to rise in him. "Your emotions are growing" she told him softly, the signal that he should go.

He rose and kissed her brow, "We love you Taima" he told her. She smiled, "I know. I love you too dad, all of you, very much".

------------------------------------------~

Elda was packing her trunks along with her maids. She was nearly done. Her heart was heavy, she was a woman shamed and unwanted. Her brother was to fight Toga in the morning. She had no doubts that the powerful dog would win. She was barely escaping this place with her life. It would be all too easy for her to be condemned as he had.

The knock at her door came as a surprise to her, the command to see the lord even more so. She blinked down at the repugnant green toad with bulbous eyes. He could never grow on her, she'd decided that. With a sigh, she'd followed Jaken to the study. "He will see you now" he told her in that grating voice.

Elda entered quietly, bowing to the lord behind the desk. "You asked for me my lord?" she called softly. He grunted, her face was nearly completely healed. They'd not known until the healers examined her thoroughly just how damaged she was. Shattered cheekbone, body more blue than pink. "You know the wolf Madu. What are your thoughts on him?" he asked without preamble. She blinked, what was this about?

"He is very kind and noble" she said carefully. Sesshoumaru remained passive as always, "He wishes your hand" he told her, "You will decide and provide me an answer before dinner. Is this acceptable?". She was stunned to say the least.

Her mouth opened then closed without making a sound. "Do you intend to gape all day?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. She shook her head, jarring herself back to reality. "I ……I will consider it….my lord" she stammered. Sesshoumaru steepled his fingers. He knew full well that he was intimidating to her, not that he cared at the moment. He was trying to get this done quickly. "Are you opposed to being mated?" he asked.

She blinked and blushed, "Er…. no, I suppose not" she blurted out, "Why does he ask?". She glanced up, mortified that she would question such a powerful lord. He grunted, "His reasons are his own, I suggest you ask him".

She nodded, her heart beating a thousand times too fast. She vaguely heard her dismissal and somehow managed to make her body function enough to make it into the hall. The study door was closed with a resounding click and she felt air move slowly back into her lungs. What was he thinking?

She suddenly wanted to beat the handsome wolf to a mewling pulp. How dare he put her in this situation. Backed into a corner and she was leaving for Kami's sake! She growled, and turned her attention to finding said male.

-----------------------------------------~

Saio nearly sighed with relief when the western palace came into view. Her body was weary and her heart in pieces. She'd left her best friend, more than that, she'd left her behind to die alone. Gathering her energy she raced through the treetops. Eager now to see this done, the sooner she told what she knew, the sooner she could rest…and grieve.

She'd encountered several would be attackers in her flight back to the west. They lacked the skill needed to take her, but she had been injured. Her ribs felt broken and each breath lanced through her like fireborn pain. She wouldn't be able to keep this pace much longer.

-------------------------~

Darkness, he was so tired of the damn darkness and the scent of this place. The scent of old death and waiting pain assaulted his nose. Adus tugged against his shackles again, for the millionth time and still, it accomplished nothing.

He hated this. Being trapped with no options. Hated is almost as much as he'd come to hate the dog lords. Every last one of them. His pride chafed, and he had no desire to die anytime soon. He wanted out of here, he wanted his vengeance and he wanted that damn fox that had denied him.

"You can have all of these things" came a voice from the shadows. He blinked, straining to catch a scent. Nothing. He must be going mad, hearing things now in the heavy silence. "Great" he muttered. Long minutes passed in resolute silence and he let his eyes drift closed.

"Adus" came the voice again, and he pretended he didn't hear it. Silence reigned again. "I suppose you wish to die here at the hands of that dog. Giving up so easily then?". That voice, that mocking voice…why did it seem familiar to him?

'Who's there?" he demanded into the darkness. Mocking laughter, "No one" it replied, "No one is here". He growled, his eyes searching for his visitor. Suddenly it struck him and his eyes went wide, yellow orbs the size of saucers.

"I know you" he breathed. A low chuckle, almost indulgent. "Clever wolf. You have failed to bring me that which I want" the voice said. Adus lifted his hands, "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little tied up with matters at hand" he grumbled.

"Tomorrow" the voice said, "You will be led to fight the dog". Adus growled, "I'll kill him" he snapped. Again, a low chuckle, "No. If you remain you will die at his hand and my plans will be delayed. I can't have that. You will meet him in the ring, and while you are the distraction we will see to the loose ends. Then you shall be rescued from this place".

Adus blinked, rescued? "No one can get past the barrier" he pointed out. Sesshoumaru was far too clever to leave himself open. The voice that sounded like Alastair and yet was not laughed again, "Lord Sesshoumaru is expecting a most important visitor to arrive tomorrow, based on his movements, his arrival will coincide nicely with your little sparring match".

Adus pondered that, "So when he drops the barriers to allow this one entrance…" he mused. The once Alastair chuckled, "Clever clever little wolf". Then Adus felt the absence of that being and he was alone. His mind ticking furiously. The window of opportunity was small indeed, little room for mistakes. His only chance. He'd take it.