Title: A twisted Fate
Genre: Romance/Humor/Adventure
Language: English
Rating: M (for future chapters, most likely a lemon later on)
Summary: Kagome is from a race of one-of-a-kind beings created by the Kami's to unite both youkai and human. Protecting herself from an attack, she is found by Sesshomaru and kidnapped. She escapes, but her twisted fate will not be so kind in letting her stay from Sesshomaru for long.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything regarding Inuyasha or any of its characters. Sole ownership belongs to its creator, Rumiko Takahashi, and whoever else has copyrighted it. That fact -- along with the fact that I have no money -- is reason enough (I hope) for no one to sue me.
'You would have thought that I'd have learned to stay with my own species by now.' thought a girl. She was dressed rather strangely considering her surroundings. Rain pelted her lithe form. She was clothed in a beautiful black silk kimono that hugged her figure, regardless of if it was raining or not. Her ebony and emerald tresses clung to her face, soaked through with rain.
She brought a hand in front of her face, palm facing her. The black rose stood stark against the pale flesh of her palm. Sigh. The mark of her kind. A clan of Demon Miko's. She was one of a handful left. Her people killed off by the greedy youkai and humans of this world. Killed off when all they wanted was to bring peace between the two species. That was of course, the reason that the Kami's had created them. Her clan, her race, her people.
But the Kami's had never suspected what the humans and youkai would do. They never thought that both races would hunt them down for being a special breed of hanyou.
But that was wrong. She is not a hanyou. She is not a youkai, but she is not a human either. She is . . . unique. As where the few remaining members of her clan.
"What have you gotten yourself into Higurashi?" she asked herself. Kagome Higurashi had just asked herself the million-dollar question. What had she gotten herself into?
It had all happened so quickly. She had been doing her daily chore of gathering herbs while the dew was still on them, when a ginormous (AN: giant + enormous ginormous) bear youkai attacked her, yelling something about a jewel. Her first thought was; what jewel? Her second was; Oh crap! There's a youkai running at me, claws out! So she did the only sensible thing that one of her kind would have done. She reached deep within my powers, and purified the youkai into a small pile of ash.
And because of that, another youkai had begun stalking her. Drawn by the amount of power that he had sensed when she fought the bear youkai. And when she let her guard down to sleep, he had kidnapped her and taken her to his palace in the Western Lan-
"Kagome! Kagome where are you?" someone called through the trees, breaking Kagome's train of thought.
"Over here Akihito!" Kagome yelled to another Demon Miko.
Akihito came running through the trees, bursting into the clearing that Kagome was standing in. "The Elder needs you." he said breathlessly.
That caught Kagome's attention. She was the youngest in her clan, the Elder never called upon the youngest. It was almost unheard of. "What does she need?" Kagome asked quietly.
"You know the Elder. She never says what the reason is, just who she needs." Akihito said.
Kagome nodded before standing up. She looked over at Akihito, her only brother left alive. He was a mirror image of her, but that was to be expected of twins. She had, as was her luck, been born thirty seconds after Akihito. Which of course, not only made her the youngest in her family, but the youngest in the clan. She only had Akihito left. Her mother and father were killed by a band of human samurai, her brothers by a nest of black cobra youkai.
"Race you back." Kagome said, getting into her sprint position.
Akihito sighed melodramatically, "Surely you must be tired of losing all the time," he said.
Kagome just laughed and took off. Akihito right behind her. They stayed at pretty much the same pace until they got right outside the village, then Akihito sped up and beat Kagome. Akihito walked Kagome to the Elder's hut, but that's where he stopped. He would have followed, but the Elder had asked for Kagome alone. And it was in one's best interest to do exactly as the Elder said.
Upon entering the Elders hut, Kagome was surprised to see that the Elder was not sitting or lying down, but was up and pacing. Something must be very, very wrong for the Elder to be up and walking around. Kagome bowed down so that her forehead touched the dirt floor. "You summoned me Elder?" she asked.
"Yes. Get up," she commanded. "You look foolish down there. I have something I need you to do."
"Elder." Kagome said. "May I ask why you need me for this? I am the youngest of the clan. Surely there is someone better suited than I."
The Elder shook her head, "I'm sorry my child, but you are the only one that is right for this."
Kagome nodded, still puzzled, "If it is not too impertinent of me, may I ask why I am the only one for this?"
"Because little one. You may be the youngest of the clan, but your spiritual powers are far greater than anyone else's. You are the best shot in the village, and the best with the sword. You are the only one qualified for this."
"Yes Elder." Kagome accepted the compliments without letting it go to her ego. She knew, as well as anyone else, that she was in fact, the best shot, and the best with the sword. 'But my spiritual powers? Surely hers are still bigger than mine.' she thought. "What must I do?" Kagome asked.
"I need you to escort someone and protect him from coming danger." the Elder told her.
"Who must I escort, Elder?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands."
Kagome's mouth hung open. Had the Elder just suggested who she thought he'd just suggested? The very youkai that had kidnapped her? "Elder. Please tell me that you are speaking of a different Sesshomaru." Kagome pleaded.
"I'm sorry, young Kagome." the Elder shook her head sadly. "I am aware of the fact that you know Lord Sesshomaru. And I am also aware of the circumstances in which you know him. Unfortunately, he has come to our village seeking aid, and it is against our laws to deny help to any. No matter who they might be. You know very well that I would have sent anyone other than you. You are so young and innocent. But Lord Sesshomaru said that this mission was of the greatest importance, and that he needed the most powerful. There is nothing I can do. He requested you, and you know as well as I that I cannot turn away such a request. I must honor a sincere request. The Kami's have dictated it."
"But Elder-" Kagome began.
"Enough." the Elder interrupted Kagome. "This is my will. Are you prepared to do as I say?"
Kagome bowed her head in defeat. "Yes Elder. I vow to help Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands until his problem has been solved. I vow my strength, spirit, bow, and sword to help him. So I vow, may my powers be stripped if I stray from my mission." Kagome recited the traditional vow, said by those sent on missions by the Elder.
"I take you by your word. May your mission be successful." the Elder said back regretfully. "Now go. You have what remains of today to be ready. I will be waiting for you at the west edge of the village at dawn to see you off."
Kagome nodded mutely, trying her best to mask her rage and indignance, and strode out of the Elder's tent. She blinked at the sudden burst of bright sunlight, the rain having finally stopped in the short time she's been in the Elder's tent, and looked around at the village. It was her home. All she'd ever known, all she'd ever wanted. Now she had to leave to help an arrogant, pompous, icy little bastard who didn't deserve to be helped.
'It figures.' Kagome thought as she slowly walked back to her hut. "I just escaped that pompous ass, and now I get to go back.' Kagome sighed as she pushed back the flap to her hut. Sniffing out the food that her brother had prepared for her.
"What troubles you little sister?" Akihito asked her.
"Nothing." Kagome lied.
"You always were a terrible liar." Akihito said, coming over to were Kagome had seated herself to hug her around the shoulders. "Now tell your big brother what has gotten you so down."
"Oh Akihito, I've been sent on a mission." Kagome wailed, beginning to sob into Akihito's sensible cotton shoulder.
"What's so bad about that?" Akihito asked. "You're forever begging me to take you with me on my missions."
"I have to protect someone that I despise." Kagome sniffled.
"And just who would that be? I don't believe I know of anyone that you despise." Akihito said teasingly.
"Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands." Kagome said
"The youkai that kidnapped you?!" Akihito demanded. "Why would the Elder have you do such a task?"
"Because," Kagome said, attempting to regain her composure. "The Elder said that he came asking for help. And the Elder said that since he thought I was the most qualified, that I would have to go and do it. You know that the Elder is bound the laws of the Kami's. "
'Has the Elder gone mad?' Akihito thought. 'Surely there is someone more qualified than my baby sister, no matter what the Kami's say. "Don't worry, Kagome. I'll straighten this out with the Elder. I'm sure she made a mistake." Akihito assured his sister.
"It's too late Akihito." Kagome said wearily. "I've already accepted the mission. My powers will be stripped if I quit now."
"Why would you accept a mission like that?" Akihito demanded. "What has gotten into you?"
"I don't know big brother." Kagome sighed, "The Elder asked me to do something, and you know just as well as I do that you can't deny a mission straight from the Elder."
Akihito opened his mouth to protest again, but Kagome beat him to it.
"Enough, Akihito." Kagome demanded, raising a hand, and sending him a flash or her ki as a warning to stop. "I'm tired, hungry, and I need to get ready for my departure tomorrow." she looked pleadingly at her big brother, "Please don't make this any worse than it already is."
Akihito clenched his jaw so hard that a muscle spasmed, but nodded anyway. 'I still don't think that this is a good idea.' he thought to her.
Kagome sighed in his mind. 'I know it isn't. But there's nothing I can do about it. So I'm just going to have to stick it out until it's over with.'
'But what if you get hurt?' he asked her.
'Then I'll heal myself.' she answered. 'Or have you forgotten that healing is what I'm good at?'
'I hadn't forgotten.' Akihito thought crossly, shoving noodles into a pot and onto the cooking fire. 'But what if you get kidnapped again?'
'First of all. Since Sesshomaru needs me, I highly doubt that he would allow me to get kidnapped again. And he wouldn't be able to kidnap me again because according to the agreements for help from out clan, he would be put to death by the Kami's if he attempted to do me harm after we had agreed to help him. You know our laws as well as I do.' Kagome told her worried brother.
Akihito was silent for a few minutes. 'I hate it when you out-logic me. I thought I was the one that was supposed to protect you.' he finally said.
'Perhaps you should consider the fact that I'm no longer a child to be coddled.' Kagome retorted playfully. 'And don't give me that "You're my little sister crap" Akihito. I know that you're my big brother, and I always will. But eventually you're going to have to let someone else protect me.'
'I am fully aware of the fact that one day you will have a mate that will protect you. But until that day, I am your sole protector.' Akihito said protectively.
'Just you?' Kagome asked, a small smile gracing her features. 'Have you forgotten the Elder and the rest of the village?'
'Of course not.' Akihito sighed. 'It's just that --'
'I know, big brother.' Kagome cut in, sighing heavily. 'Now hurry up and serve those noodles. I'm starving."
Akihito let out a short laugh as he retrieved two bowls and spooned out the noodles for the two of them. Kagome stood and got some crusty bread for them both, and they sat down to their dinner.
Kagome stood on the tallest branch that would hold her weight. She was currently in the oldest tree in their village. This tree, the Goshinboku was said to have been planted before the gods had been born into existence. Kagome had always had a certain love for this tree, it always seemed to calm her down when her thoughts were an angry storm within her mind. Just as they were this morning.
"Kagome." An elderly voice called from below.
"Coming!" She yelled back as she spied the Elder about fifty some-odd feet below her.
As was her custom, Kagome began to swing down from the branches. In what Akihito called "the stupidest and most dangerous thing I've ever seen". But for Kagome, it was nothing. She loved the wild, free-flying feeling that she got when she swung from branch to branch. Kagome has always wished that she was old enough to fly. And now, if she completed her first, true mission, the Elder would take her into a ceremony that would unleash the wings given to her kind by the gods.
"Stop daydreaming Kagome." the Elder commanded her. "Lord Sesshomaru will be here any minute."
"Yes, Elder." Kagome said obediently, bowing her head, and positioning herself beside the Elder to wait for the Ice Prince.
Sesshomaru could smell the enticing scent of the one called "Kagome". He had never really understood why he'd taken her. Perhaps it was the immense power she had unleashed. Or perhaps it was the way that she had looked at him without any fear. He would probably never know what had spurred him to make such a spontaneous decision. There are many things that Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands is, and 'spontaneous' is most definitely not one of them.
Back to the matter at hand, it seemed that Kagome and the Old One were waiting for him. That was to be expected. He was the Lord of the Western Lands, after all. Sweeping gracefully into the clearing, he stopped a foot in front of Kagome, completely ignoring the Elder.
"Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru." the Elder said anyway, ignoring the fact that she was, in fact, being ignored.
Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side, glancing quickly at the Elder. He gave a quick nod of affirmation, then returned his attention back to Kagome. Once again, she appeared to not fear him at all. As a matter of fact, the scent she was giving off suggested that she was rather pissed off.
Kagome returned his stare evenly. She wasn't scared, she was pissed. Sesshomaru wouldn't dare do anything with the Elder right next to her. She was tense though, her instincts didn't enjoy the fact that one of the most powerful youkai in the world was slightly less than a foot in front of her. Not that there was really that much that she could do about it. While she may exceed him in terms of spiritual power, she had made an oath. And if she attacked him, she would be in breach of said oath. She would lose her powers, and, depending on which Kami was watching her that day, she would either die, become a human, or become a youkai. And he would never attack her first, not even he would be arrogant, or stupid enough, to think that he could survive an onslaught from an entire village of Demon Miko's.
Kagome bowed to Sesshomaru. Not a single inch above or under protocol, and never once breaking eye contact with him. "Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru. My powers are at your disposal."
"Good. Follow me. We need to depart to my lands immediately." He said coolly.
"Lord Sesshomaru, a word, if I may?" The Elder put in as Sesshomaru was turning around.
Sesshomaru glared at the Elder, who didn't so much as bat an eye. "What do you want Old One?"
"I would prefer not to speak about this in front of Kagome, but since it would appear that you have no intention of moving, I suppose I must speak now." The Elder shot an apologetic look at Kagome, who looked a little miffed at almost being left out of the loop. Directing her attention back at Lord Sesshomaru, she said "I am fully aware of your past history with young Kagome, however, I, as well as her family and the rest of the village would appreciate it if she was, let us say, not confronted with the same problem as before. Since she is helping you, I would hope that you would show her a little more hospitality and concern than previously given."
The glare that Sesshomaru directed at the Elder could have incinerated even the most stubborn of youkai. "I would not sully my honor by disrespecting the pact that we have forged. Kagome will remain in my protection until her service with me has terminated. You threats hold nothing with me. Kagome will return to this village when I am finished with her."
The Elder recognized the double meaning in his words, but didn't say another word on the matter. Lord Sesshomaru would hopefully not do anything too rash. And considering the demon that we're talking about, rash is probably not going to happen.
Sesshomaru turned to Kagome, "Hurry up girl. We need to be on our way."
Kagome bit back the comment that was poised on the tip of her tongue. She would wait until she was out of hearing range of the Elder before she let loose her ire on the snooty Demon Lord.
"First things first Lord Sesshomaru. My name is not 'girl'. My name is Kagome. Ka-go-me. Get it right. It's not 'bitch', 'wench', 'girl', 'woman', or anything but Kagome. I may have to deal with you until this mission is over with, but that does not mean that you get to disrespect me." Kagome snapped at the Demon Lord's white-clad back.
Sesshomaru stopped walking, and turned around slowly. He faced Kagome and started walking towards her, stopping mere inches from her. "Now listen to me Ka-go-me. I am Lord Sesshomaru. Lord and ruler of the Western Lands. I am an inu demon of the highest rank and power. If you wish to be treated with respect, then you will show me the respect that someone of my rank and power deserves. I am not a powerless peasant. You will address me as Lord Sesshomaru, or Sesshomaru-sama. And I expect you to begin doing so now." Sesshomaru said icily.
"Well guess what, Sesshomaru-sama, when you start saying my name without that sarcastic undertone, then I will start to give you the respect you so righteously deserve." Kagome said. Her temper was starting to get the better of her, and her Ki was beginning to flare around her like a blue fire. Her azure eyes began to spark, and the wind around her began to whip.
"I will only tell you one more time Ka-go-me, I am to be respected or I will not hesitate to-"
"GIVE ME THE JEWEL!" roared the slobbering ogre that burst through the surrounding trees at Kagome.
Kagome just stared at him, "What jewel?" she asked right before he grabbed her in his massive fist. "Hey! Let me go!" she yelled at him as he began to shake her back and forth as if trying to shake something out of her.
Sesshomaru felt his anger mounting. This arrogant son-of-an-ogre had just burst through the clearing and he never even glanced at him. He went straight for that girl. Not even that, but that ogre interrupted his yelling. No one interrupts the Great Lord Sesshomaru when he's yelling. So Sesshomaru did what he does best, he summoned his acid whip and cut the ogre in half.
Kagome, of course, is still being held fast in the ogres giant fist as it falls the fifteen feet to the ground. Seeing as how her arms were still pinned within the bests fist's, all she could do was glare daggers at Sesshomaru while she gathered up the energy needed to disintegrate her confines, and get that nasty ogre-blood stench off of her.
That being done, she stood to brush off the ash that used to be the ogre, and continue to glare daggers at the silver-haired jerk standing in front of her. "Listen up 'cause I'm only want to say this once." she told the demon haughtily, " I'm here because you needed help, not the other way around. Now I suggest that we just agree to hate each other so we can hurry up and get this over with so we no longer have to suffer each other's presence."
After a few moments of silence from the Western Lord, Sesshomaru gave Kagome a curt nod and an even colder "Agreed" before walking straight to Kagome and grabbing her by the waist to pull her flush against him. "Hold on." he said without even bothering to look down at her.
"What are you talking about?" Kagome managed to get out before she was suddenly catapulted hundreds of feet into the air, forcing her to grab ahold of the irritating demon lord to prevent herself from falling like a rock to the very solid ground beneath her. "Where are we going?" she asked Sesshomaru after taking a few minutes to get used to the height.
"To my castle." he replied.