Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Learning to Love	By : Ikaru Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 22062 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
Disclaimer: Me own nothing, and me make nothing from this…T.T

Well my muse has awakened enough to let me make this chapter. Hope you all enjoy!
We are getting into some of the bits I had preplanned when I first conceived this story, so with any luck my muse will be nice and not try to run away on me while I get them typed out.

Well that’s enough from me! On with the Show!
#########################

Ikaru walked down the hall to her youngest brothers’ room and knocked on the door. She entered a moment later when she heard Inuyasha yell ‘nee-san’ and caught the boy in mid leap before he could collide with the door in his excitement.

“Nee-san can I see aniki now? Can I, can I?” The pup said; barely containing his excitement.

“No Inuyasha, not now. It is necessary for aniki to remain asleep to the next few days.” Ikaru said to Inuyasha, who stilled and looked up at her with misty eyes.

“But…but nee-san…why?” He said his lower lip trembling a little as he fought back his tears. Ikaru sighed and cuddled him to her.

“The woman he brought with him is the woman he has chosen to be his mate, but you know it’s not that simple. She has to fight, and do you honestly think that aniki will allow the woman he cares for to fight; even if it is for him? He must remain asleep so she can participate in the battle and prove to everyone she is worthy of him.” Ikaru said as she rubbed gentile circles on Inuyasha’s back slowly calming him down and lulling him to sleep.

“No aniki would..no wan…her to fight…” Inuyasha mumbled as he quickly fell asleep cuddled in his sisters’ warm embrace.

“I’m amazed at how you are able to calm him down like that every time Ikaru, it is a trait I as his own mother unfortunately lack.” Izayoi whispered smiling.

“He’s just an energetic young boy, they are all like this at his age. He will grow out of it eventually. He’s your first child you learn a little more with each one. My own mother could barely handle me has a child, but Lady Serenity had had several younger siblings and thus had a great deal more experience with children than my mother.” Ikaru said smiling fondly at the boy she was currently tucking into bed.

“Then where did you acquire your skills if I may ask?” Izayoi said smiling at the tender scene before her.

“It was how Lady Serenity always got me to bed when I was so full of excitement on the first nights of my visits here before I came to live here permanently.” Ikaru said trying to mask the flash of pain that crossed her features as the memories came to the front of her mind of times filled with laughter and childish happiness.

“I’m so sorry dear I meant no harm!” Izayoi exclaimed seeing the pain her question caused Ikaru.

“It’s nothing, Lady Izayoi I have a favor to ask you.” Ikaru said, her face becoming expressionless as she pushed the memories out of her mind.

“Anything that is within my power dear, you need but ask.” Izayoi said smiling sadly.

“In two days’ time the woman that came in with Sesshoumaru and I will be participating in a mating battle. She must show everyone she is worthy to be Sesshoumaru’s mate. I plan to keep Sesshoumaru subdued with sleeping potions until the battles end, so in order to protect the girl I have chosen to keep her in my quarters until the battle, in order to prevent rumors that we are conspiring we will require chaperones while we are together. I would like for you to be our chaperone tonight if you do not have other obligations.” Ikaru said her eyes showing some of her increasing exhaustion.

“Of course not dear, I can happily do this for you. Let me tell your father and get myself a change of clothes and I will be there shortly. Oh Ikaru, what is the girls name, I rushed off earlier before I had a chance to learn it.” Izayoi said with her usual kind smile.

“Her name is Kagome, and also it may be some time before I retire for the evening, you may want to bring something to do for the evening, I will have some servants bring some futons for you and Kagome.” Ikaru said while walking toward the door, giving the soundly sleeping Inuyasha one last look over before following Izayoi out and quietly closing the door. Izayoi went down toward the chambers she shared with Inutaishio, while Ikaru headed back toward the medical wing to check up on Rin and her brother and gave the orders for the futons to some passing maids.

The medical wing was filled with cooing and fussing, and Ikaru had a sneaking suspicion as to why. Her suspicions were confirmed when she rounded the corner and most of the nurses in the medical wing, and even Hanaka herself, were doting all over little Rin who was practically glowing with happiness as she gifted everyone with her very best gaped tooth grin as she ate up the mound of food that had been placed in front of her. She even noticed a few of the injured soldiers that were currently forced to reside in the wing were slathering the little girl with genuine affection. How the humans had managed to mistreat a little girl that had the ability to melt the hearts of those around her, demon or not, was beyond her. She caught Hanaka’s attention and motioned toward the side of the wing where Sesshoumaru was being held; she disappeared from sight before Rin saw her and quickly walked over to her brother.

His nose had already mended itself, and he appeared to be resting comfortably. She smelled the faint hint of a sleeping potion lingering on him that Hanaka had somehow managed to get into him. She no doubt did it before he woke up from her little attack on his person.

“Your brother is still as difficult as ever to get to take his medicine.” Hanaka said as she rounded the corner to stand next to Ikaru.

“Yet you still managed to get it down him.” Ikaru said with a chuckle.

“Yes and look at what he did to me even in his sleep.” Hanaka said raising the sleeve of her kimono to show a bloodied bandage on her forearm. “He nearly took my arm off!”

“Well you know how he is. You and I have both sported scars at one point or another from trying to get him to take his medicine. Speaking of Hanaka, we need to dose him with something that will keep him out for at least three days. Do you have something that could do it…preferable in one dose?” Ikaru asked, giving the fuming woman a soft chuckle that caused her to become even more flustered.

“Of course I have something, but it will take a large amount of it, are you up for it milady? You look rather tired yourself, has the potion I made for you not been working?” Hanaka asked calming immediately, concern lacing her voice.

“Only occasionally Hanaka, the night terrors still come with unfortunate regularity, and from the way I am feeling about now I doubt the potion will help me this night.” Ikaru said her face betraying her knowledge of what was to come.

“Oh you poor thing, I thought for certain it would work!” Hanaka said laying a comforting hand on Ikaru’s folded arms.

“Hanaka please don’t worry yourself over it, for the moment we must focus on getting the sleeping potion into Sesshoumaru, preferable without the child hearing us.” Ikaru said her eyebrows knitting together in thought.

“Well princess you think about that and I will get the potion ready.” Hanaka said as she walked away. Ikaru could hear several bottles clicking together and a few minutes later she returned with a large vile full of an oddly colored concoction.

“This will knock him out for the time you need, but I warn you, I have been told it has a particularly foul taste.” Hanaka said her eyes holding a bit of humor in them, obviously remembering the poor soul she used as a guinea pig for the potion.

“As long as it works Hanaka. Let us get this over with.” Ikaru sighed as she and Hanaka tied down Sesshoumaru with the strongest bindings they had available to them. Once they had him as secure as he could be, Ikaru climbed on top of him and straddled his waist. Her kimono sat at her hips indecently showing her hip bindings, but she ignored it and ordered Hanaka to hand her the large uncorked vile.

Ikaru was the only one to ever successfully force medicine down Sesshoumaru’s throat with any regularity. She was counting on her skills immensely when she got a whiff of the vile liquid she was about to force him to drink. Refusing to waste any more time she pinched Sesshoumaru’s nose and gripped him tightly with her thighs. When he gasped for air she quickly poured a quarter of the vile into his mouth. Fast as lightning she passed the vile back to Hanaka and forced his mouth closed. He tossed violently trying to get the liquid out of his mouth, she managed to hold his nose closed and jaw closed while she used her tail to rub his throat. It took a tense few minutes but he eventually swallowed it to be able to breathe. Both Ikaru and Hanaka breathed a sigh of relief before they steeled themselves for round two. It took six more tries to get the entire contents of the vile into Sesshoumaru. Ikaru had been thrown off him twice, and both had narrowly avoided being bitten multiple times.

Job accomplished, Ikaru set her kimono to rights, and straightened out her hair. Looking at Sesshoumaru, she noticed his body relaxing as the potion took effect; his disheveled appearance would be cleaned up shortly by the nurses.

Once Ikaru felt she had her appearance presentable again she and Hanaka shared a knowing smile as Ikaru went around the corner to collect her charge.

“Well little one, I see you are working your magic on my staff. Alright everyone back to work!” Ikaru barked; the nurses scattered giggling the whole way. They all knew that the princess was only play gruff. The soldiers that had been in the mix of the nurses quickly hobbled back to their respective cots, she may have been playing at being gruff with the nurses, but she could very well be gruff with them for real. Rin sat there silently laughing at all the commotion; she smiled happily at Ikaru and eagerly reached up showing her eagerness to be picked up. Ikaru smiled kindly to the child and obliged her request.

“Well little one I think you have had a very full day and it is time for you to go to bed. Shall we get you back to your mother? Hanaka meet me in my study shortly.” Ikaru ordered as she walked out of the medical wing, smirking as Rin tried to crawl over her shoulder waving good bye to everyone. A chorus of ‘Farewell little lady!’ followed her down the hall.

Once the medical wing was out of sight Rin settled down comfortably in Ikarus’ arms and yawned. Ikaru smirked and began working her magic on the tired child, and in the blink of an eye she was fast asleep. Ikaru arrived in front of her doors a few moments later, and quietly slipped inside.

Ikaru saw that Kagome had been changed into one of her spare sleeping kimono and was already tucked into her futon. Lady Izayoi’s futon was set up beside Kagome’s and she was quietly doing her needlework while humming a soft tune. Ikaru padded silently over to Kagome’s side and un-tucked her just enough to slip Rin in beside her and tucked them both back in securely. The child instantly cuddled into Kagome’s side and Kagome curled protectively around her. Ikaru smiled at the sight.

“I have a few more things to take care of then I will return, please watch over them until then.” Ikaru said barely above a whisper. Izayoi smiled and motioned for her to go on. Ikaru nodded and silently padded out of the room again.

Ikaru leaned against the wall in the hall panting heavily as a wave of dizziness overtook her. Her exhaustion was becoming a problem. She shook her head managing to pull herself together and headed to her office where, thankfully, Hanaka was waiting.

“What of the status of the child’s health.” Ikaru said cutting right to the point as she took her seat at the desk full of paperwork opposite Hanaka.

“The little one will be fine provided we get her on a proper diet immediately. She will have to drink a cup of my special tea before and after each meal to help her absorb more nutrients until her body has had a chance to build up some reserves. Her feet are already well on their way to healing. The young woman and your brother did a good job providing first aid to them until she got to me. As for her voice, it too should return in time, I will prescribe her a special tea that will help to sooth her throat and aid it in healing. For at least a week the child should be on liquid and very soft foods to give her throat a chance to heal. Though I hate to condemn a little one with such a healthy appetite to such things, it will give her the time she needs to heal.” Hanaka said rubbing her face tiredly; their rumble with Sesshoumaru had tired her out.

“What of her virtue?” Ikaru said, she hated to bring it up but it would be invaluable to the child in her future.

“She is untouched. Her body, other than being far too skinny, and her damaged feet, merely has a few scrapes and bruises that will heal in a few days…come to think of it I’m afraid I will have to sentence the child to bed rest as well until her feet have had time to heal.” Hanaka said cringing at the thought of trying to keep that little ball of energy in bed.

“Fine order whatever you feel you need to, I want the child’s health to improve as soon as possible. Also in two days time I want you to be prepared to care for her mother and myself. There will be a mating battle occurring that day and I have a feeling we will both be in need of your services that day.” Ikaru said eyeing Hanaka with tired eyes.

“Very well milady, I appreciate the forewarning. Now I know why you wanted Sesshoumaru to be knocked out for three days. This will give you and the other woman time to recover a little before you have to face his temper.” Hanaka chuckled.

“Yes I have a feeling it will not be enough time though. He will be highly upset with me for multiple things. Come to think of it, the day he wakes up you better be prepared for a surprise visit from me, and have your bandages ready.” Ikaru chuckled humorlessly.

“Yes ma’am, I’ll have a few nurses on standby both days as well.” Hanaka laughed loudly.

“You will likely have great need of them.” Ikaru chuckled with her.

“Well milady it has been a long day for all of us, I believe we should both head to bed. I wish you sweet dreams for once princess. Kami knows you deserve a break from the night terrors.” Hanaka patted Ikaru’s folded hands, gave her a motherly smile, and left Ikaru to her thoughts.

“Thank you Hanaka, though your wish is wasted on me.” Ikaru whispered as she watched Hanaka walk out. Ikaru only sat alone in her office for a few moments before she decided she needed some air and left to take a walk outside. The nights were turning colder, but Ikaru loved it. The stars always were so much brighter on the cold nights of fall and winter. She inhaled the crisp fall air and admired the moon already high in the sky. Her feet led her to the hill she often trained her soldiers on. For once she didn’t feel the need to train with one of her soldiers here, she simply wanted to sit and enjoy the view.

She sat at the top of the hill, pulling her knees up to her chin, wrapped her tail around herself, and looked up into the endless sky full of twinkling stars. The moon shone down on her causing her hair to shine with a silver halo. Her forest green kimono complimented the brightness of her moonlit hair, and Lady Serenity’s hair comb twinkled merrily in the moonlight, the dark green ribbon surrounding it even shone with an unearthly glow. For the first time that day Ikaru felt a sense of ease enter her body. She relaxed and enjoyed the feeling. As usual, the feeling wasn’t to last as a few minutes later she heard the snap of a twig not far from where she sat.

“You can come out I will not harm you.” Ikaru said with a sigh, stretching out her legs.

“My deepest apologies milady, I did not mean to disturb you.” Heero said, revealing himself from the shadows. He was coming to the hill as he had been doing for the past few weeks to train with Ikaru; he stopped when he saw her sitting there at the top of the hill oblivious to the world around her, surrounded by an unearthly glow, and looking truly at peace. Like a fool he got caught up in the moment and managed to break a twig, thus breaking the spell surrounding the princess. As he approached her he noticed the fatigue in her features, something she never showed to anyone. This caused him to become very worried.

“Milady are you feeling alright, you look quite fatigued.” Heero asked

“I will be fine Heero, I apologize you wasted your time, I will not be training with you for the next few nights. Some matters have come up that require my full attention.” Ikaru said fighting her drowsiness.

“Yes milady, the battle with Lady Kurumi this afternoon made that abundantly clear. The woman who entered with the prince, if I may be so bold as to ask, who was she?” Heero asked

“For heaven’s sakes Heero sit down, there is no reason for you to remain standing, it only irritates me.” Ikaru grumbled at him. He quickly took the seat she offered beside her. When he was seated she decided to continue. “Her name is Kagome, and she is trying to become my brothers’ mate by our laws. The battle in two days will determine whether she succeeds in that endeavor or not. The truly ironic thing about all of this is that my brother will fight for her regardless if she wins or not. She is his chosen one.”

“Chosen one?” Heero looked slightly confused, he knew what that phrase meant normally but the way she had said it implied she meant it to mean something more.

“Soul mates.” Ikaru said, a small smile curved her lips as she looked up toward the moon.

“How can you be so sure?” He said, not bothering to disguise his shocked look.

“I believe they are.” Ikaru said with a shrug.

“Milady, may I ask why you believe this, and above that why you choose to share it with me?” Heero was enjoying her being so open with him, but it was unheard of for her to be like this. He worried she may be ill; it was no secret that she had been handling the duties of her brother as well as her own. That resulted in her receiving even less sleep than usual and she looked as if hadn’t slept at all for over a week.

“You are right it is strange, perhaps I am just overly tired, now that my brother is home it seems my lack of sleep of late is catching up to me with a vengeance.” She said with a yawn. “It truly does not matter the knowledge will be wide spread soon enough.”

“Not the knowledge about them being soul mates.” Heero said.

“No, but anyone who cares to look closely enough will see it.” Ikaru said fighting to keep her eyes open.

“Milady I believe you are the only one able notice something so subtle…perhaps I should escort you back to your chambers before you spend the night on this hill.” Heero said standing up and offering her his hand. He was shocked when she actually took it and allowed him to help her up.

“That is a kind thought, but I believe will be fine. Thank you Heero.” She smiled tiredly at him. As she walked by him she patted his shoulder and continued on down the hill.

“Milady?” When she paused and looked back at him he continued. “I wish you a good rest milady, and I will keep what you have told me to myself, you have my word.” He said bowing to her.

“I know Heero, I would not have said anything if I thought otherwise.” Ikaru said smirking, and then she bowed her head to him before once again beginning her journey back to her bed chambers.

Heero stood on the hill and watched her until she was out of sight. When he was certain she was safely inside the palace walls he began going through his warm up routine. His mind was in another place as his body went through the familiar routine. He couldn’t help thinking about how tired she had looked, not just physically but mentally as well. He worried about her when it came time for the battle, would she have enough time to recover? Demons didn’t require rest every night, most only did it for routine, but he could not recall her taking any time to rest at all, and he had seen her almost every night for a month and he knew her nights did not end with training him.

When he realized he had gone through his routine three times he decided to give it up for the night as he was far too distracted to continue. He stretched out one last time then headed for the bunk house to settle in for the night.

Back in the palace, Ikaru successfully made it back to her chambers. The sight that greeted her was a dozing Izayoi and a still soundly asleep mother and daughter. Ikaru padded silently by them and entered her bed chamber. It took her no time to strip herself of the kimono leaving her in nothing but her chest bindings and hip bindings. She took the ribbon out of her hair and gingerly laid the comb on the dresser beside the ribbon pressing a kiss to it before walking over to her bed. Normally she would remove all of the bindings and change into a sleeping kimono, but tonight she just didn’t care. As was her routine, she grabbed one of the small vials containing Hanaka’s potion to keep the night terrors away on the stand by her bed and upended it. Coughing a little at the bitter taste, she pulled the covers back and slipped between the sheets. She looked around at the four poster bed she was laying in and the few but comfortable furnishings surrounding her. Moonlight streamed in the window, and it was this that Ikaru focused on when exhaustion finally claimed her and swept her away.

What she didn’t see was the moonlight begin to get brighter or the glowing figure with a large set of glistening white wings appear and walk over to her and press a weightless kiss to her forehead.

“For the next three nights this spell will last and no night terrors will come to pass. Sleep well fair princess and this night dream of nothing but sweetest of memories.” Ericka whispered into the darkness before vanishing like she was never there.

And for the first time since she had come to live in the west permanently the princess slept soundly through the remainder of the night, a soft smile lighting her features as she dreamed the sweetest of dreams.

################

Alrighty folks I think this is a good place to end this, so what do you think huh…huh?

Questions Comments? Leave me a review and I’ll try to get back with you on them.

Later all!!
- 22
- 23
- 24
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Learning to Love