Chocolate H.-D. (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} chocolate_hd) wrote,@ 2009-01-04 01:24:00 |
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[InuYasha] The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Pt.10 [R] slash
Wow, after well over a year, here's a new chapter. I apologize for the long wait, but I promise I haven't forgotten about this fic. Just don't expect regular updates every month or so.
.
.between the devil and the deep blue sea.
InuYasha. overall rated r. chapter rated pg-13. yaoi/shonen-ai. adventure/action. violence. Sesshomaru/OMC. WIP. chapter ~3400 words. | Summary: A sinister presence troubles the land, and Sesshomaru is trying to find out what or who it is. Friends and foes, old and new, cross his and his companion's (OMC) way, including InuYasha + friends and Naraku.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
*** = scene change
-I- = POV change
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,
Part Ten:
For there are Words in Silence, those you still are missin’
by Chocolate H.-D.
They would not listen,
They did not know how.
Perhaps they listen now.
- Vincent, Don McLean
***
|-- Flashback --|
“Why do you stay with them, anyway? You do have a home, don’t you?”
Anakin frowned. “My home died with my mother and brother. What are you getting at anyway?”
“Well, it’s not like you have to stay with Sesshomaru, is it?”, Kagome asked softly. “You could always go back to your home village. Or live here. I’m sure Kaede would welcome you here.”
Oh. That was what this was all about. “And why the hell would I want that, Kagome? I have a good life doing what I do. I’m feeling content. I never thought I would or could feel that way ever again. Most of it died alongside my brother a long time ago.”
Silence greeted him then, but he didn’t miss the look that passed between Sango and Kagome. It was quite pity, but it was close enough to make him want to throw up. ‘Cause it was not amied at his brother’s dead, not even him being alone, no. It was that they pitied him because he actually believed what he was telling them. About Sesshomaru, feelings and being happy. That he overlooked his flaws.
Only that he didn’t. He knew every single one of them. Up close and personal, and it still didn’t make him run screaming. Never would. But he wasn’t afraid of him. He wanted to slap them. Hard.
“Well, we thought…”
“Yeah, I can guess very well what you thought. But guess what? You thought wrong. I am where I want to be. With whom I want to be.”
“But why… would you want to be with someone like him?”, the young monk asked.
“Someone like what? Someone who actually cares if I live or die? Who looks after a little girl that makes him feel alive, even though most of the time he doesn’t even understand why? Who provides Rin and me, hell even Jaken, with protection and shelter? A home? Makes me feel alive albeit I know he could kill me as easy as it is for me to snap a thin stick? Yeah right, how could I possibly be with someone like that!”
He looked at the three friends. Anger burning like a unvisible flame right under his skin. It burned. Getting up, he went to walk out of the room before he said something he may regret later. Might.
“Wait. Anakin! Where are you going?” Kagome called after him.
Yeah, where would he go? Wasn’t that the sixty-four dollar question? He smiled. “Home.”
“What?” There was sincere confusion – and sadness, maybe? – in her voice, but he didn’t care.
He just kept on walking. There was no need to explain himself. Not to them, or to anyone else for that matter. Minus a certain youkai, but that was allright. He ignored InuYasha, sitting on the roof, ‘cause frankly, there was only so much crap he could take without snapping back and it was far too late for that.
But to his surprise, the hanyou didn’t say a word. Didn’t even make a sound. Only watching him walking away, almost looking… sad? confused? Anakin couldn’t tell. Not really. Whatever it was, though, had to wait ‘til the morning. He was tired.
|--Flashback End--|
Anakin swallowed a yawn. By kami, he really was tired, so, so tired, and walking wasn’t helping any. But staying at the village, no, that wasn’t an option. Of course they would think the youkai would keep someone as his slave or whatever, why wouldn’t they? But hello? Did he actually looked like it was such a burden to follow him around? To live by his side?
There was not a single scratch on him. Well, okay, there was, but first of all, they weren’t visible, and second of all, they weren’t the youkai’s fault. Those bruises were his own damn fault. At least in the majority of cases. None, however, of which the Lord of the Western Lands was to blame for. Not one. They could talk as much as they wanted, but in reality, they had no clue. He wasn’t even sure if--
“What are you doing out here?”
Well, okay, maybe giving him a heart attack, but that didn’t really count. A soft breeze passed over his clothes. Anakin turned with it. “Hoping for you to find me before something else does,” he murmurs, voice nothing more than a whisper, and barely loud enough to carry over the wind. He had no doubt that he would be heard. “Or someone. I… can't stand to be with them right now.”
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment. “What did they do?” And he actually sounded… irritated? Yes, maybe that, too. “You shall answer…”
“Nothing. Nothing, really.” He shrugged. “It’s not what they did, more what they said. Or didn’t say,” he added in an afterthought, and at the look he received. As if it wasn’t cold enough already. Yikes.
“That half-breed shall learn to control his mouth before…”
Anakin shook his head. “Not him. It wasn’t him. I just passed him by when I left. He didn’t utter a word to me.” A pause. “Perhaps I’m overacting, I admit, that could very well be the case, but their words, and how they look at… it… they just make me angry.” The wind was getting stronger, but neither of them cared enough to acknowledge it. It wasn’t anything new. Not anymore.
Golden eyes stared as another minute or so went by, lacking any noise but the wind. The rustling leafs of the trees, the rustle of clothes. The softer whisper of grass in his ears. It was all so unreal. Almost… dreamlike. Sesshomaru still stared. Nothing else. Sometimes, or better said in times like this, he wished he couldn’t just sense others emotions and such, but read their minds instead. Just to know what he was thinking.
Then again, it possibly wouldn’t work on demons as powerful as Sesshomaru. With his luck? No doubt about that.
“Come with me.”
That he did. He followed the youkai to a huge, thick tree, settling himself at the base of it, back against the trunk. Anakin sat down between his legs, leaning back against the warmth soaking right through his clothes into his back. He sighed, closing his eyes. A smile crossed his face as he felt the soft fur curling around his middle, almost covering his whle upper body.
His smile turned gentle as he turned his head into the softness, rubbing his cheek against it. If he was a cat, he’d probably start to purr. Well, all right, maybe he did even if he wasn’t. Sometimes. But that was a totally different topic, and yeah, it didn’t belong here right now. Yawning, he mumbled a sleepy, “thank you”, before pressing closer into the warmth.
His hand reached for the stronger, clawed one, gripping it tightly. That was what he meant back at the village. Anakin knew he wasn’t perfect, hell, Sesshomaru was anything but, but it didn’t change the fact that Anakin cared about him. Even loved him. He was happy, and that was the point. He hadn’t been happy for a long time after his brother had died, nor had he smiled a lot since then. If at all.
Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply, listening to the oh so familiar, steady heartbeat. It always managed to lull him to sleep before and tonight was no exception.
-I-
Even after all this time it still felt strange to hold someone like this. Someone that trusted him enough to lay himself this open. He could break that fragile neck in a second and Anakin would never knew what hit him. It was… atypical to be trusted like that. Rin… Well, Rin was different. She was a child, everyone could hurt her, and to a degree that could be said for Jaken as well. But Anakin, he could defend himself.
He had seen it. Seen the human fight. He was noteworthy, Sesshomaru had to acknowledge that.
And still, he let himself be vulnerable like this in the presence of a being so much stronger, so much deadlier than he could ever be or anything he’d ever fought against. Deliberately. It was pathetic, ridiculous even. Obtuse. Only that it was… not. It was a very strange mood that settled over him, knowing a mere mortal would put his life in the hands of someone who could bring it to an end in a blink of an eye.
Very strange indeed.
When he had sensed Anakins presence, discovered his scent, he had not even thought about what he would do. Ther had been a second of doubt that he would. Which sat not well with the dog demon. His instincts were a curse and a blessing at once. The beast in him, the dog, demanded to go in search of its mate. Again. A mate Sesshomaru had not taken. This bond, it did not exist. Not between Anakin and him, nor anyone else.
The youkai in him snarled.
Anakin shivered in his sleep. Tightening his hold on the sleeping male, he started to nuzzle his cheek and neck, rubbing his nose to-- Sesshomaru froze. And frowned. What was he doing. … Sesshomaru refused to be ordered around by mere animal instincs. So why was it that his body still responded on this level?
Shaking his head, he swallowed a sigh. His thoghts were running in circles, no need to confuse himself further over something trivial like… this. Whatever this was. Oh, but you know that, don’t you? Heh. This position, however, reminded him of something. A night, so much like this and still it seemed so long ago.
|-- Flashback --|
It was a very pleasant night, not warm, but not too chilly either. He cared not either way, but Rin as well as Anakin had mentioned it several times this night. The latter was absent at the moment. Gone to take a walk in the woods, or walking his dog. Taking towel with him. Sesshomaru smirked. It had been an excuse, of course. Anakin had been eyeing the well every since they decided to rest here for the night.
Rin had taken a liking to this place, just like her ‘big brother’, as she tended to call the older male from time to time. It was, the youkai had to admit, an extraordinary place. The blue band of a calm but huge stream making its way through a deep green meadow, colorful flowers all around. In their back, the deep forest and above them, the bright moon and the stars. Beautiful. There was no other way to describe it, but this.
Silently, his eyes turned to the double headed dragon, now even the bearer of a name. Ah-Un, Rin had named them. The young girl in question was currently curled up against the beast’s side, sleeping calmly. What a difference to a few hours earlier, when she had been playing in the water with Shadow and Anakin. Not that he bothered to voice his opinion, but he had to agree that it was good to see her laughing and joking. Anakin and the dog were apparently good for her.
Plus, they were two additional pairs of eyes when it came to battles. And occasionally even more of use than his devoted but hopelessly pompous servant, otherwise known as Jaken. Albeit youkai. Which was, in fact, troublesome.
Then there was that pendant Anakin was wearing.
It helped to protect the girl more than once, an moreso Anakin himself. did though without his order. Even Jaken seemed to be… relieved to have someone to assist him in his guard of the human girl. No surprise there. Jaken always had been somewhat of a coward. Loyal to the extrem, but a coward. Not that it bothered Sesshomaru. It was barely… an observation.
All of the sudden, his thoghts wandered back to the hot spring. A bath would surely sooth his troubled mind. That bastard Naraku was starting to get on his nerves. Gravely so. Anakin would be there, but. Making up his mind, he turned and walked away from the camp.
Not looking up, he said, “Jaken. Watch Rin.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the small toad youkai turned toward him. Big eyes glowing in the dark. “My lord?”
“I will take a walk.”, he informed his servant. “I shall return soon.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
That he did. As he walked on, he caught the scent of the male human and his dog. And water. And almost groaned in disdain at the thought; a dog owned by a human. Than again, the dog was just that, a dog and not a inu youkai. Or even a half-breed. Following their scent, he found them moments later.
He had been right after all. Anakin was taking a bath. “…k at me like that! If you don’t want to be here, fine! Leave me and return to the campside!”, he heard Anakin say.
He sounded rather…amused? Obviously the boy had to be talking to his dog, for the reason that there was no one else around. Humans were very strange. He heard water splashing, almost at the same time the dog barked, followed by a chuckle from Anakin and another bark, this time more pitiful. Anakin laughed outright after that. A sound that made him frown in disdain.
“Oh come on! Don’t be a wuss, it’s only water you know!”
Sesshomaru had to suppress a smile of his own as soon as he got sight of them. Anakin was seated at the edge of the well, his head turned away watching his dog. Shadow was standing a a few paces away, looking at his master like he was mortally offended. The impression he gave was piteous. Anakin only flicked water at him again, and the damn dog stepped back even further. Pathetic…
“Oh for crying out loud!”, Anakin exclaimed, laughing. “You are an even a bigger coward than Jaken! At least that toad doesn’t run away from water.”
Now that seemed not to sit well with the mutt. Shadow narrowed his eyes, glaring at Anakin as he took a few steps closer towards the water. Never did his eyes leave Anakin. Or more precisely, Anakin’s hands. Sesshomaru let his eyes wander around. The boy’s clothes lay close to where his head emerged from the water, the faint moonlight causing his pale skin - the little that was visible - to glow. His hair moist from the mist gathering around.
He looked… beautiful. Something in him stired at the picture infront of him, and he wondered how the rest of him would look not covered in robes. It was as if his demonic side reacted to his thoughts, waking a sense of lust that burned from the inside. Before it could get too far, the dogs ears suddenly perked up and he turned around sniffing the air. So he had been detected after all. Ah, very well then.
“What is it Shadow?”, Anakin asked as he, too, turned to look around.
“It is not wise to be out here all by yourself at this time of night. Unguarded,” he spoke coldly as he stepped out of his hiding place.
Anakin’s head snapped around so fast, the youkai actually marveled at the fact that it did not snap. “I’ve got Shadow, my lord,” he replied calmly. He seemed to relax now that he knew who the new presence was.
He snorted. “Do you honestly believe he could protect you from being killed? Than you are more foolish than this Sesshomaru thought.”
Anakin smiled. “Nope. But he would safe my dignity and stall whoever came to kill me until I get my clothes back on so I won’t die stark-naked, you know.”
A flood of very sensual images flashed right before his eyes, and the demon in him roared in arousal. No, no, he had to keep himself in control.
“Don’t mind me, my lord. I am merely joking. Was there something you wanted?”
“I… wanted to take a bath.”
Anakin frowned then it turned into a smile. “I see. I will get dressed and leave you to it, then.”
He was about to stand, but that was not what he desired right now! The youkai in him disagreed. “Do not bother, boy. You may stay were you are.” Sesshomaru could smell his confusion, but at last he did what he was told. Keeping himself under the water. That, indeed suited the demonic lord just fine, for he did not know if he could control his animalistic urges.
He had already known that the human was attractive. Most of whom had met the male, had eyed him with lust. Covered him with looks so disgusting, the youkai lord despised it with a vengeance. Those who ever had the nerve to make a move on him, Sesshomaru had seen to introduce them to their boundaries. And what happened if they ever crossed those line. After Sesshomaru had stated one example, none had dared to try and deceive him again. Human and youkai alike.
Disposing of his armor, he’s reminded of how… ineffective it was, how tiring, to do this with one arm. Damn you, InuYasha. It was just then that he, too, remembered his hair. It was… more than taxing to dry it after it got it wet, more so, if he was, indeed, not back at the Palace. He still wanted to take a bath, yet--
A soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts. And very successfully at that. “May I assist in braiding your hair?”
“You… know how to?”
“Yes, my lord. I used to help to braid my mother’s hair sometimes.”
Ah yes. Turning to face the human, he watched for any sign of… he did not know for what exactly, but there was not sign of disgust there, of pity, du to his lacking a second arm. Or… something. That, in the end, was why he agreed to let the boy assist him. Anakin had nimble fingers, finishing quickly without a word. The youkai had to force himself to keep his eyes of the beautiful naked youth when he was done, returning to the cool of the water.
Only when he heard the splash of water did he ventured to turn around, disposing of the last of his clothes. Anakin was leaning on his arms, his back to the youkai, as he stepped into the water. The boy, once more, was splashing water at his dog. Sesshomaru had to hold back a threatening smirk watching the dog shy away from it. As if the animal sensed his amusement, he turned his eyes on the youkai, glowering slightly.
Anakin turned with him, grinning. “He almost drowned in a tube as a pup,” he explained. “It was a plague to get him clean after that.”
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment, then, “He did enture into the stream.”
“Yes. It’s just closed pots, and, therefore, wells like this too. Not that he would leave me here, mind you, but I like to tease him about it none the less.” The dog barked from afar. “Yes, Shadow, I know,” he called, chuckling. “But it’s still funny.” A soft whine, then the pet went to lie down. Ignroring them. Anakin did the same, sighing and closing his eyes.
Sesshomaru took the change to study his companion more closely. The black hair almost vanished against the nightly darkness, bringing out how pale the skin actually was. It all but glowed under the sparse light of the moon. Like… snow. The urge to touch the soft, pale canvas grew more and more urgent, the ragent passion under his skin burnt like fire. Like a flame, even the cool waters of the well could not quench.
“My lord?”
The soft spoken voice shook him out of his lust entranced trance. Hardening the grasp on his resolve, he pushed the heat away from his body. “It… does not concern you.”, he spoke, not really knowing why he was explaining himself. To a human after all, he thought appalled.
The boy smiled at him. “Please do not misunderstand me, my lord, but I think that yes, it does concern me.” A telling pause. “Or rather it does… my body. Does it not?”
- TBC
Wow, after well over a year, here's a new chapter. I apologize for the long wait, but I promise I haven't forgotten about this fic. Just don't expect regular updates every month or so.
.
.between the devil and the deep blue sea.
InuYasha. overall rated r. chapter rated pg-13. yaoi/shonen-ai. adventure/action. violence. Sesshomaru/OMC. WIP. chapter ~3400 words. | Summary: A sinister presence troubles the land, and Sesshomaru is trying to find out what or who it is. Friends and foes, old and new, cross his and his companion's (OMC) way, including InuYasha + friends and Naraku.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
*** = scene change
-I- = POV change
Part Ten:
For there are Words in Silence, those you still are missin’
by Chocolate H.-D.
They would not listen,
They did not know how.
Perhaps they listen now.
- Vincent, Don McLean
|-- Flashback --|
“Why do you stay with them, anyway? You do have a home, don’t you?”
Anakin frowned. “My home died with my mother and brother. What are you getting at anyway?”
“Well, it’s not like you have to stay with Sesshomaru, is it?”, Kagome asked softly. “You could always go back to your home village. Or live here. I’m sure Kaede would welcome you here.”
Oh. That was what this was all about. “And why the hell would I want that, Kagome? I have a good life doing what I do. I’m feeling content. I never thought I would or could feel that way ever again. Most of it died alongside my brother a long time ago.”
Silence greeted him then, but he didn’t miss the look that passed between Sango and Kagome. It was quite pity, but it was close enough to make him want to throw up. ‘Cause it was not amied at his brother’s dead, not even him being alone, no. It was that they pitied him because he actually believed what he was telling them. About Sesshomaru, feelings and being happy. That he overlooked his flaws.
Only that he didn’t. He knew every single one of them. Up close and personal, and it still didn’t make him run screaming. Never would. But he wasn’t afraid of him. He wanted to slap them. Hard.
“Well, we thought…”
“Yeah, I can guess very well what you thought. But guess what? You thought wrong. I am where I want to be. With whom I want to be.”
“But why… would you want to be with someone like him?”, the young monk asked.
“Someone like what? Someone who actually cares if I live or die? Who looks after a little girl that makes him feel alive, even though most of the time he doesn’t even understand why? Who provides Rin and me, hell even Jaken, with protection and shelter? A home? Makes me feel alive albeit I know he could kill me as easy as it is for me to snap a thin stick? Yeah right, how could I possibly be with someone like that!”
He looked at the three friends. Anger burning like a unvisible flame right under his skin. It burned. Getting up, he went to walk out of the room before he said something he may regret later. Might.
“Wait. Anakin! Where are you going?” Kagome called after him.
Yeah, where would he go? Wasn’t that the sixty-four dollar question? He smiled. “Home.”
“What?” There was sincere confusion – and sadness, maybe? – in her voice, but he didn’t care.
He just kept on walking. There was no need to explain himself. Not to them, or to anyone else for that matter. Minus a certain youkai, but that was allright. He ignored InuYasha, sitting on the roof, ‘cause frankly, there was only so much crap he could take without snapping back and it was far too late for that.
But to his surprise, the hanyou didn’t say a word. Didn’t even make a sound. Only watching him walking away, almost looking… sad? confused? Anakin couldn’t tell. Not really. Whatever it was, though, had to wait ‘til the morning. He was tired.
|--Flashback End--|
Anakin swallowed a yawn. By kami, he really was tired, so, so tired, and walking wasn’t helping any. But staying at the village, no, that wasn’t an option. Of course they would think the youkai would keep someone as his slave or whatever, why wouldn’t they? But hello? Did he actually looked like it was such a burden to follow him around? To live by his side?
There was not a single scratch on him. Well, okay, there was, but first of all, they weren’t visible, and second of all, they weren’t the youkai’s fault. Those bruises were his own damn fault. At least in the majority of cases. None, however, of which the Lord of the Western Lands was to blame for. Not one. They could talk as much as they wanted, but in reality, they had no clue. He wasn’t even sure if--
“What are you doing out here?”
Well, okay, maybe giving him a heart attack, but that didn’t really count. A soft breeze passed over his clothes. Anakin turned with it. “Hoping for you to find me before something else does,” he murmurs, voice nothing more than a whisper, and barely loud enough to carry over the wind. He had no doubt that he would be heard. “Or someone. I… can't stand to be with them right now.”
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment. “What did they do?” And he actually sounded… irritated? Yes, maybe that, too. “You shall answer…”
“Nothing. Nothing, really.” He shrugged. “It’s not what they did, more what they said. Or didn’t say,” he added in an afterthought, and at the look he received. As if it wasn’t cold enough already. Yikes.
“That half-breed shall learn to control his mouth before…”
Anakin shook his head. “Not him. It wasn’t him. I just passed him by when I left. He didn’t utter a word to me.” A pause. “Perhaps I’m overacting, I admit, that could very well be the case, but their words, and how they look at… it… they just make me angry.” The wind was getting stronger, but neither of them cared enough to acknowledge it. It wasn’t anything new. Not anymore.
Golden eyes stared as another minute or so went by, lacking any noise but the wind. The rustling leafs of the trees, the rustle of clothes. The softer whisper of grass in his ears. It was all so unreal. Almost… dreamlike. Sesshomaru still stared. Nothing else. Sometimes, or better said in times like this, he wished he couldn’t just sense others emotions and such, but read their minds instead. Just to know what he was thinking.
Then again, it possibly wouldn’t work on demons as powerful as Sesshomaru. With his luck? No doubt about that.
“Come with me.”
That he did. He followed the youkai to a huge, thick tree, settling himself at the base of it, back against the trunk. Anakin sat down between his legs, leaning back against the warmth soaking right through his clothes into his back. He sighed, closing his eyes. A smile crossed his face as he felt the soft fur curling around his middle, almost covering his whle upper body.
His smile turned gentle as he turned his head into the softness, rubbing his cheek against it. If he was a cat, he’d probably start to purr. Well, all right, maybe he did even if he wasn’t. Sometimes. But that was a totally different topic, and yeah, it didn’t belong here right now. Yawning, he mumbled a sleepy, “thank you”, before pressing closer into the warmth.
His hand reached for the stronger, clawed one, gripping it tightly. That was what he meant back at the village. Anakin knew he wasn’t perfect, hell, Sesshomaru was anything but, but it didn’t change the fact that Anakin cared about him. Even loved him. He was happy, and that was the point. He hadn’t been happy for a long time after his brother had died, nor had he smiled a lot since then. If at all.
Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply, listening to the oh so familiar, steady heartbeat. It always managed to lull him to sleep before and tonight was no exception.
-I-
Even after all this time it still felt strange to hold someone like this. Someone that trusted him enough to lay himself this open. He could break that fragile neck in a second and Anakin would never knew what hit him. It was… atypical to be trusted like that. Rin… Well, Rin was different. She was a child, everyone could hurt her, and to a degree that could be said for Jaken as well. But Anakin, he could defend himself.
He had seen it. Seen the human fight. He was noteworthy, Sesshomaru had to acknowledge that.
And still, he let himself be vulnerable like this in the presence of a being so much stronger, so much deadlier than he could ever be or anything he’d ever fought against. Deliberately. It was pathetic, ridiculous even. Obtuse. Only that it was… not. It was a very strange mood that settled over him, knowing a mere mortal would put his life in the hands of someone who could bring it to an end in a blink of an eye.
Very strange indeed.
When he had sensed Anakins presence, discovered his scent, he had not even thought about what he would do. Ther had been a second of doubt that he would. Which sat not well with the dog demon. His instincts were a curse and a blessing at once. The beast in him, the dog, demanded to go in search of its mate. Again. A mate Sesshomaru had not taken. This bond, it did not exist. Not between Anakin and him, nor anyone else.
The youkai in him snarled.
Anakin shivered in his sleep. Tightening his hold on the sleeping male, he started to nuzzle his cheek and neck, rubbing his nose to-- Sesshomaru froze. And frowned. What was he doing. … Sesshomaru refused to be ordered around by mere animal instincs. So why was it that his body still responded on this level?
Shaking his head, he swallowed a sigh. His thoghts were running in circles, no need to confuse himself further over something trivial like… this. Whatever this was. Oh, but you know that, don’t you? Heh. This position, however, reminded him of something. A night, so much like this and still it seemed so long ago.
|-- Flashback --|
It was a very pleasant night, not warm, but not too chilly either. He cared not either way, but Rin as well as Anakin had mentioned it several times this night. The latter was absent at the moment. Gone to take a walk in the woods, or walking his dog. Taking towel with him. Sesshomaru smirked. It had been an excuse, of course. Anakin had been eyeing the well every since they decided to rest here for the night.
Rin had taken a liking to this place, just like her ‘big brother’, as she tended to call the older male from time to time. It was, the youkai had to admit, an extraordinary place. The blue band of a calm but huge stream making its way through a deep green meadow, colorful flowers all around. In their back, the deep forest and above them, the bright moon and the stars. Beautiful. There was no other way to describe it, but this.
Silently, his eyes turned to the double headed dragon, now even the bearer of a name. Ah-Un, Rin had named them. The young girl in question was currently curled up against the beast’s side, sleeping calmly. What a difference to a few hours earlier, when she had been playing in the water with Shadow and Anakin. Not that he bothered to voice his opinion, but he had to agree that it was good to see her laughing and joking. Anakin and the dog were apparently good for her.
Plus, they were two additional pairs of eyes when it came to battles. And occasionally even more of use than his devoted but hopelessly pompous servant, otherwise known as Jaken. Albeit youkai. Which was, in fact, troublesome.
Then there was that pendant Anakin was wearing.
It helped to protect the girl more than once, an moreso Anakin himself. did though without his order. Even Jaken seemed to be… relieved to have someone to assist him in his guard of the human girl. No surprise there. Jaken always had been somewhat of a coward. Loyal to the extrem, but a coward. Not that it bothered Sesshomaru. It was barely… an observation.
All of the sudden, his thoghts wandered back to the hot spring. A bath would surely sooth his troubled mind. That bastard Naraku was starting to get on his nerves. Gravely so. Anakin would be there, but. Making up his mind, he turned and walked away from the camp.
Not looking up, he said, “Jaken. Watch Rin.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the small toad youkai turned toward him. Big eyes glowing in the dark. “My lord?”
“I will take a walk.”, he informed his servant. “I shall return soon.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
That he did. As he walked on, he caught the scent of the male human and his dog. And water. And almost groaned in disdain at the thought; a dog owned by a human. Than again, the dog was just that, a dog and not a inu youkai. Or even a half-breed. Following their scent, he found them moments later.
He had been right after all. Anakin was taking a bath. “…k at me like that! If you don’t want to be here, fine! Leave me and return to the campside!”, he heard Anakin say.
He sounded rather…amused? Obviously the boy had to be talking to his dog, for the reason that there was no one else around. Humans were very strange. He heard water splashing, almost at the same time the dog barked, followed by a chuckle from Anakin and another bark, this time more pitiful. Anakin laughed outright after that. A sound that made him frown in disdain.
“Oh come on! Don’t be a wuss, it’s only water you know!”
Sesshomaru had to suppress a smile of his own as soon as he got sight of them. Anakin was seated at the edge of the well, his head turned away watching his dog. Shadow was standing a a few paces away, looking at his master like he was mortally offended. The impression he gave was piteous. Anakin only flicked water at him again, and the damn dog stepped back even further. Pathetic…
“Oh for crying out loud!”, Anakin exclaimed, laughing. “You are an even a bigger coward than Jaken! At least that toad doesn’t run away from water.”
Now that seemed not to sit well with the mutt. Shadow narrowed his eyes, glaring at Anakin as he took a few steps closer towards the water. Never did his eyes leave Anakin. Or more precisely, Anakin’s hands. Sesshomaru let his eyes wander around. The boy’s clothes lay close to where his head emerged from the water, the faint moonlight causing his pale skin - the little that was visible - to glow. His hair moist from the mist gathering around.
He looked… beautiful. Something in him stired at the picture infront of him, and he wondered how the rest of him would look not covered in robes. It was as if his demonic side reacted to his thoughts, waking a sense of lust that burned from the inside. Before it could get too far, the dogs ears suddenly perked up and he turned around sniffing the air. So he had been detected after all. Ah, very well then.
“What is it Shadow?”, Anakin asked as he, too, turned to look around.
“It is not wise to be out here all by yourself at this time of night. Unguarded,” he spoke coldly as he stepped out of his hiding place.
Anakin’s head snapped around so fast, the youkai actually marveled at the fact that it did not snap. “I’ve got Shadow, my lord,” he replied calmly. He seemed to relax now that he knew who the new presence was.
He snorted. “Do you honestly believe he could protect you from being killed? Than you are more foolish than this Sesshomaru thought.”
Anakin smiled. “Nope. But he would safe my dignity and stall whoever came to kill me until I get my clothes back on so I won’t die stark-naked, you know.”
A flood of very sensual images flashed right before his eyes, and the demon in him roared in arousal. No, no, he had to keep himself in control.
“Don’t mind me, my lord. I am merely joking. Was there something you wanted?”
“I… wanted to take a bath.”
Anakin frowned then it turned into a smile. “I see. I will get dressed and leave you to it, then.”
He was about to stand, but that was not what he desired right now! The youkai in him disagreed. “Do not bother, boy. You may stay were you are.” Sesshomaru could smell his confusion, but at last he did what he was told. Keeping himself under the water. That, indeed suited the demonic lord just fine, for he did not know if he could control his animalistic urges.
He had already known that the human was attractive. Most of whom had met the male, had eyed him with lust. Covered him with looks so disgusting, the youkai lord despised it with a vengeance. Those who ever had the nerve to make a move on him, Sesshomaru had seen to introduce them to their boundaries. And what happened if they ever crossed those line. After Sesshomaru had stated one example, none had dared to try and deceive him again. Human and youkai alike.
Disposing of his armor, he’s reminded of how… ineffective it was, how tiring, to do this with one arm. Damn you, InuYasha. It was just then that he, too, remembered his hair. It was… more than taxing to dry it after it got it wet, more so, if he was, indeed, not back at the Palace. He still wanted to take a bath, yet--
A soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts. And very successfully at that. “May I assist in braiding your hair?”
“You… know how to?”
“Yes, my lord. I used to help to braid my mother’s hair sometimes.”
Ah yes. Turning to face the human, he watched for any sign of… he did not know for what exactly, but there was not sign of disgust there, of pity, du to his lacking a second arm. Or… something. That, in the end, was why he agreed to let the boy assist him. Anakin had nimble fingers, finishing quickly without a word. The youkai had to force himself to keep his eyes of the beautiful naked youth when he was done, returning to the cool of the water.
Only when he heard the splash of water did he ventured to turn around, disposing of the last of his clothes. Anakin was leaning on his arms, his back to the youkai, as he stepped into the water. The boy, once more, was splashing water at his dog. Sesshomaru had to hold back a threatening smirk watching the dog shy away from it. As if the animal sensed his amusement, he turned his eyes on the youkai, glowering slightly.
Anakin turned with him, grinning. “He almost drowned in a tube as a pup,” he explained. “It was a plague to get him clean after that.”
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment, then, “He did enture into the stream.”
“Yes. It’s just closed pots, and, therefore, wells like this too. Not that he would leave me here, mind you, but I like to tease him about it none the less.” The dog barked from afar. “Yes, Shadow, I know,” he called, chuckling. “But it’s still funny.” A soft whine, then the pet went to lie down. Ignroring them. Anakin did the same, sighing and closing his eyes.
Sesshomaru took the change to study his companion more closely. The black hair almost vanished against the nightly darkness, bringing out how pale the skin actually was. It all but glowed under the sparse light of the moon. Like… snow. The urge to touch the soft, pale canvas grew more and more urgent, the ragent passion under his skin burnt like fire. Like a flame, even the cool waters of the well could not quench.
“My lord?”
The soft spoken voice shook him out of his lust entranced trance. Hardening the grasp on his resolve, he pushed the heat away from his body. “It… does not concern you.”, he spoke, not really knowing why he was explaining himself. To a human after all, he thought appalled.
The boy smiled at him. “Please do not misunderstand me, my lord, but I think that yes, it does concern me.” A telling pause. “Or rather it does… my body. Does it not?”
- TBC