A Marriage of Convenience

Chapter 1

Sesshomaru paced the floor. He had never been married off to anyone before. He was furious at the time when his mother had revealed her plan. He was even angrier now that he was getting married. He had never seen the demon before in his entire life, but had heard tale of her. Her name was Talia she was a demon of fire. In human years, she was eighteen, in demon years, she was four hundred and eighty years old. Sesshomaru was nineteen in human years, and five hundred and three in demon years. He angrily cracked his knuckles, but no one was there for him to intimidate. "Sesshomaru." Said an amused voice from the door. He spun to see his mother smiling. "Pre-wedding jitters?" she asked as he began to pace back and forth once more.

"You know I am not fond of this." He angrily snapped and continued pacing.

"My son, calm yourself. Lady Talia will be coming soon." She said. "She has persuaded me not to form the marriage bed, which is a disappointment to me. I do want grandchildren." She smiled, and looked at him calmly.

Sesshomaru looked at her. "You disgust me." He growled angrily. His white mokomoko trailing behind him, his white hair blowing.

"I prefer that you do not growl at her either. She is coming with her servants and I don't want any of them running back to her father and whining of how you mistreat her. I heard from one of her servants, that you must watch out for Rila-Tohru. He is one of her servants."

"I have no care in the matter." Sesshomaru said. "She will only be my wife. I do not intend on making her my mate." He said angrily.

Lady InuKimi stared at Sesshomaru. "You ungrateful child. I arranged this marriage so you may receive more power. Talia is a strong demon for her age, and her allies are unlimited. When she marries you, all her allies will go into your hand to control."

He could smell the aura a mile away. It slowly came closer and closer until it was in the castle. Lady InuKimi sniffed the air. "Excellent! They're here." She walked downstairs and Sesshomaru followed her slowly. He however, was not allowed in the throne room at the moment, until he was permitted to look upon the demon. It was tradition for the bride's father to present the daughter, and someone would present him. He wanted to kill Talia before the wedding, and he had every intention to. "Ah! Lord Dinahla!" cried Lady InuKimi, her voice false and sweet.

"Lady InuKimi, you are most kind to let us in your magnificent castle."

Lady InuKimi giggled, "Dinahla! You are too kind!" she gave him her hand which he kissed. She her face behind a fan.

"Lady InuKimi, shall I present my daughter to you?" asked the Dog Demon. Lady InuKimi nodded. Brought amongst the servants was a well-dressed female demon, a powerful aura pouring from her. She held her head high, her eyes were a golden sunrise color, and her hair was up, black as the nighttime sky. Lady InuKimi looked at her, then slowly circled around the demon.

Lady InuKimi nodded in approval. "Lovely, wider hips, perfect for birthing children." She commented. The demon took a small intake of breath, but continue to look unfazed by the woman circling her. "She is pale," she said then touched her cheeks. "But has the perfect amount of rose in her cheeks. She is perfect Dinahla. She will sleep at the castle for two nights before the wedding takes place. Do you wish to see Lord Sesshomaru, Dinahla?"

"No, I have already heard that he is perfect." Said Dinahla smiling. "Now I must leave my daughter into your responsibility InuKimi. Farewell, daughter." Said he then turned and left the castle. Talia continued to look unfazed. Lady InuKimi continue to watch her.

"Do you wish to see the Lord Sesshomaru?" asked InuKimi to Talia. Talia turned her head slowly and looked to the Lady InuKimi.

"Do you wish for me to see the Lord Sesshomaru?" was all that she said. InuKimi nodded, not exactly fond of getting her question responded with another question. Sesshomaru growled quietly.

"Take her to her room." InuKimi said. Talia was led past Sesshomaru who waited in the hallway. She did not even look at him. He growled angrily and even then, she did not look at him. Her many servants followed her, and only one looked at him. A demon with red eyes and black hair. A small smirk crossed his face as he looked over Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru stared at him. The servant bowed slightly, then followed the demon servants. Lady InuKimi walked over to Sesshomaru. "That was Rila-Tohru." She looked at him. "He had asked for her hand many centuries ago, but her father refused it. Rila-Tohru then begged and begged. Finally, Dinahla said that he would work two hundred years for him, then he would let Rila-Tohru have her hand. If she could not accept, he was to work for his father for the rest of his days. It would be two hundred years in two months."

Sesshomaru looked at his mother. "He can have her. I have no need for a demon. This Sesshomaru does not need a wife."

"No? And when mating season comes around, will you have no one to satisfy you?" InuKimi smirked at her son. "You have unwillingly entered a marriage of convenience; but it will, in the end, work to your best ability."

.

Talia sent all her servants away and then sat on her bed. This room would be hers until two months from now. Then she would possibly have to leave. Either she could leave the castle entirely, or move into the Lord's room. She shuddered at the thought. Her father had done this one purpose. He had been looking for suitors for the last five years. She had turned them all down flat because she wanted none of them. She sighed, she had heard the angry growl from the Lord. He did not want her more than she did not want him. To him, she was going to be no more than an object. A play toy. She angry clenched her hands tightly and held her breath. Slowly she counted to ten, then took a deep breath. Her head spun dizzily. Slowly she choked back tears and swallowed them. She untied her hair and it fell down loosely.

Talia hated them already. Although she was a dog demon like them, she refused to be placed in the same rank as they. 'wider hips, perfect for birthing children.' Rang through her head. Talia was there to insure an heir for Sesshomaru. Talia could smell his strong demon aura. He was very powerful. That she was sure of, although she did not yet look at him. It was tradition for him to be introduced to her, but she had said declined. She would eventually see him at the wedding, even though that was not what she wished.

There was a soft knock on the door. She sighed, not happy to be let out of her thought process. "Come in." she said.

Rila-Tohru came into the room. He looked at her then bowed. "May I wish you the best of happiness?"

"Stop it Tohru." She ordered angrily. She rested her elbow on her knee. "Why did you come here for? To taunt me?"

"Almost Talia, almost." He said smirking. He walked over to the balcony window. He opened the doors and looked out. "To think, in one month I too could have been ruling over such extensive grounds as these." He sighed and leaned on the window frame.

"They're destined to find out." She said without looking at him. He turned and looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

"They're not idiots as we had hoped. The Lady InuKimi is intelligent, and her son is even more. They're more clever than we had hoped for. What we will do, I do not know." She held onto the bed post. She slowly turned and looked at him. He walked over to her.

"I never was able to kiss you. Perhaps…perhaps I should kiss you now." He said and slowly walked over to her.

"No Tohru. If I carried your scent, they will find out for sure," she hissed. Tohru folded his arms.

"Then I must take my leave of your room." He looked at her fondly. "Goodbye Talia."

.

Talia wore a heavy robe of many colors, her hair pinned back with large golden flowers in her hair. She looked at herself. Weddings were supposed to be joyous occasions, but she could not find herself to be happy. She choked back tears as they tightened the kimono and obi to reveal her slender figure. They began to put diamonds into her hair next to the flowers. They soon powered her already flawless skin. She inhaled, finally able to pull her head up straight, and hold it high. Her pride soared, as the tears stopped threatening to fall. "This way, Lady Talia." They said and led her down a hallway. There was Lady InuKimi waiting expectantly. She beamed at the sight of her beautiful daughter in-law to be.

"You are beautiful, Talia." She said then held out her hand for her to take. "My son is inside waiting."

.

Talia was slowly walking to her room. The marriage ceremony was short, and the celebration afterwards would not be held until after the marriage bed. Although the marriage bed stood for them being finally joined together officially, they could share it together whenever they wished. Luckily, she could tell the young Lord wanted nothing to do with her. She inhaled quickly and then the tears came. Angrily she wiped the powder off of her face, and let the tears fall. She was so young for a demon. She had many years to live, and she had to waist them now with someone she did not know. The servants protested as she took the flowers out of her hair. She was about to let her hair down when they stood firm. "You mustn't take down your hair Lady Talia! You are married now." They cried out. Talia heard the words. They rang throughout her head. 'You are married now.' She clutched her ears and then fell to her knees. 'You are married now. You are married now.' The voices mocked. She swooned then fell to the ground.

.

"You said she just fainted?" asked Lady InuKimi. "What do you mean she just fainted?" demanded the dog demon. The servants recited everything that they had seen. "Get my son from his chambers."

The servants ran off to get the young Lord. He came forth and looked at her. "What do you want?" Sesshomaru asked looking at her coldly.

"Your wife is ill."

"That is none of my concern." Sesshomaru said, his tone making a hot spring turn cold.

"My lady! The Lady Talia has woken." Said a servant from the bed chamber. Lady InuKimi walked into the room and looked at the demon. Sesshomaru listened from outside, his ears picking up every word.

"Talia, what happened?" she asked. "My son and I are most concerned."

"Please do not lie to me, Lady InuKimi. I heard your conversation." Said Talia. She slowly got out of bed. "I do not need your concern. It just came over me. This small spell has passed and I am fine." Lady InuKimi looked at her curiously.

"You are a strong demon."

"You have been told well." Talia said. "My pride is what strengthens me." She said and crossed the room to the window. She opened it and leaned on the door where Tohru had stood earlier. Sesshomaru heard her sigh, and growled angrily. 'This wife of mine,' he thought, 'She can hear excellently.'

"InuKimi, I wish to be left alone, if I am permitted."

"I will send in my son."

"That will not be necessary." She said quietly. InuKimi stiffened.

"You two are married." InuKimi said. She strode from the room and looked at her son. "Go in there. That is an order." Then she walked away from her son. Sesshomaru quietly walked into her room. He stared at her furious. The servants quickly walked from the room. She slowly let her hair down and inhaled the fresh air. He sat down on a chair.

"What do you want?" he asked Talia. Talia let her hair blow in the wind. She closed her eyes. He could smell a single tear run down her face. "This Sesshomaru does not like to be kept waiting. Nor do I like to repeat myself."

"I want to go home."

Sesshomaru smirked. "You are already home sick?" his lips turned into a wicked smile. "You cannot leave. Not without the Lady's permission."

"I was happy there." She said angrily. "I was loved there."

"That I am sure, is the truth." Sesshomaru replied. "I am glad that we both are aware of the circumstances. I married you because you could bring me allies from other lands, thus expanding my empire. Your intentions, however, I am not aware of."

"My intentions?" she asked still facing the blue sky. "I had no intentions." Talia sighed.

.

Sesshomaru left her room shortly after their conversation, which she was thankful for. She did not even look at him once. Tohru came into the room after Sesshomaru had left completely. He looked at her, a small pained smile on his face. "You look beautiful," he said walking toward her. He held her hands in his. "One month more of this and we'll be together. Can you wait?"

"Please Tohru, just take me away. We can run away and hide. No one will be able to find us!" she begged quietly.

"No Talia. We couldn't even if we tried. You are now his property. We were lucky enough to persuade InuKimi to wait for the marriage bed. I doubt we will be that fortunate again. The marriage is not void until you share the marriage bed."

"I hate it here Tohru! It's awful…They're so cruel to me." She closed her eyes, and he hugged her closely.

"To think…this is all that I can do to show you my affection. All that I will ever be able to show you. Yet you still love me, even though I am not allowed to prove myself."

"No Tohru! You can't do this. My scent, they will be able to smell it on you and yours on me."

"Then we must bathe after this." He whispered. She broke their embrace and looked at him. "Promise me that after the one month is up you will take me away. I had the servants spread rumors saying that we could have gotten married in two months. They don't know that it is only one month." She said.

He smiled and wiped away a tear that fell from her golden eyes. "You are so brilliant, my beautiful sweet Talia." He leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. She smiled and let his hand linger for a moment in hers, and then he ran off to bathe. She slowly walked to her bath tub and ordered it to be filled. She lowered herself into the tub and began to wash her skin with perfumes and soaps. She waited for the hot waters to calm her beating heart, but his kiss still was etched into her memory. She smiled and closed her eyes. "I will wait," she whispered.

.

The wind angrily pushed Sesshomaru around as he walked out of the castle. He sighed and waited for her to appear. Finally she did. "Kagura." He said calmly. He walked past her toward the forest.

"Sesshomaru," she said following him. "It's been long since you've came to me. How can I satisfy you this time?" she asked smirking.

"I have been thinking." He began.

"Is your wife not good enough for you?" she asked smiling, "Does she not give you what you want, like I do?" she asked smiling. They walked deep into the forest.

"Kagura," he said sharply. "Listen to what I say." He said quickly and forcefully. "I was entered into this marriage by force. This does not mean I have to agree to the terms of it. My empire is almost complete, and I will need a mate."

Kagura grinned, "So she isn't satisfying you?"

Sesshomaru looked at her. "She is a fool. She does not show anyone respect. She has never once looked at me, so I shall not look upon her. In the future, I will need an heir…" he said, "And I will not have her birth my son."

.

Talia stood on the balcony. She sighed and turned toward her bed and sat on it. "Lady Talia, Lady InuKimi wishes to see you." Talia sighed and got up. "Your hair Lady Talia!" they quickly put her hair up. Talia walked slowly down to her.

"You wished to see me?" she asked.

"Yes, I have had recent dreams. I dreamt that Sesshomaru died without producing an heir."

"What a misfortune." Said Talia.

"Dear girl, at least pretend to be interested." Lady InuKimi said slightly amused. "I see my son will have a handful with you…" Talia looked at her, her eyes wide. "Anyways, I dreamt that he died and there was no one to carry the throne after you died. I believe we should not postpone the marriage bed."

"No." Talia said immediately. "I do not know your son. He does not know me. I will not let any man who I do not know touch me."

"Then I suppose Rila-Tohru is allowed to touch you then." Lady InuKimi answered smiling. Talia looked at her.

"My lady is most cruel." Said Talia. "I am married therefore he is not allowed to touch me. I will not allow the marriage bed to be allowed so early."

"Ana, get Sesshomaru." Said Lady InuKimi. Ana the demon servant left immediately. "Talia, I wish for you to stay here and wait with me. Come child, sit beside me." She had Talia sit on a cushion next to her. Ana came back into the throne room.

"Forgive me, my lady…I cannot find the Lord anywhere in the castle."

"Sniff him out and do not return until you have found him. Then report to where he was."

.

"My Lady, Lord Sesshomaru is here." Said the servant. "He was…" she casted a nervous look at Sesshomaru.

"Speak Ana." Said Lady InuKimi.

"He—he was with the demoness Kagura." She stammered, then immediately bowed and exited. InuKimi gaped at her son.

"Sesshomaru," she began. Sesshomaru looked at her unemotionally. "You—you!" she inhaled and stopped. Sesshomaru caught sight of his wife beside his mother, her head bent, her shoulders shaking. "How could you? You have…you ungrateful…" Suddenly there was a snort, and Talia began to burst out in a fit of giggles. InuKimi looked at her shocked. "What do you think is so funny?" she demanded.

Talia continued to laugh, "It's—it's," she stopped to laugh. Sesshomaru wanted to smash her head into the ground. "I don't think we need to move the marriage bed after all," she continued to laugh. "Now we don't have to worry about an heir!" she gripped her sides and wiped away her tears of laughter.

InuKimi stared at her in disbelief. "How could you laugh at such a thing as this? A husband not submitting to his wife? Even if the demoness gets pregnant, the child could never truly have the title and everything. Do not be silly."

Talia stood, "Forgive me Lady InuKimi," her face still smiled brilliantly. "I shall retire to my room, and continue with our postponement." She walked past Sesshomaru without looking at him. When she left the room they could hear her laugh fill the silent halls. InuKimi stared at him. "What were you thinking?" she demanded. "I wish for you two to produce an heir, Sesshomaru! What you are doing is foolish, and—"

"I did not touch Kagura. We only spoke together…it was nothing more than that." He answered coldly. InuKimi looked at him suspiciously.

"Then if you did not engage in the act of sex, what were you doing with someone other than your wife? I am well aware of who this Kagura is… she is a low demon who is weak compared to all of our allies. Do you think they would want such a woman as a lady? One who can barely keep her legs together when it comes to the opposite sex?" she cried.

"Do not say that in front of me." Snapped Sesshomaru. InuKimi looked smug.

"Then care to explain what you were talking about?" she asked.

Sesshomaru looked at her, "It is none of your concern."

"It is your wife's concern,"

"She does not care." Answered Sesshomaru.

"I suppose you don't care about her either then?" she asked.

"Your words are true." Sesshomaru said.

InuKimi smirked, "Then would you care to know that Rila-Tohru has entered her bed chambers more than once. And she permitted it?" she asked.

Sesshomaru stared at her. "I can mate with whomever I please. She cannot." He walked away from InuKimi and down the hallway.

.

"My Lady! Please do not take your hair out! It is so beautiful up!"

"And it will be beautiful down." Answered she. Talia walked to the balcony and let her long black hair blow in the wind. She sat on the railing, her legs dangling dangerously over the edge.

"Lord Sesshomaru is here to see you." Said one of her servants. Talia continued to look out on the horizon. Sesshomaru walked into the room and dismissed the servants.