I do not own Inuyasha.
I just came up with the story
Prologue
"No," a gentle but firm baritone rang in the small room just outside of the King's private quarters.
Dressed in crisp white hakama pants, a purple kimono and black haori, the Inu no Taisho, also known as King Taigo, sat in a large cushioned seat made of red velvet with his mokomoko draped lazily across his lap. Well over eight centuries, the demon king only looked to be in his late twenties. The Inu no Taisho easily stood near seven feet tall and was a large mass of muscle. If his size alone was not an indication of his strength, his tanned skin was covered in blue lines and swirls, including single diagonal stripes going from ear to cheek on both sides of his face, indicating his family lineage. His handsome face was hard with sharp angled cheekbones and a strong jawline. Sharp canines peaked from under his broad lips. His pointed ears angled away from his head a little and the large mass of white silk that was his hair was pulled into a tight ponytail with a blue ribbon on top of his head.
He let out an irritated growl towards his eldest son, flashing his fangs. "Sesshomaru, be reasonable. This alliance can help us greatly in our war against the Panther Kingdom.
"Father, we are not at war with the Panther Kingdom," Sesshomaru stated flatly.
The Crown Prince stood in front of his father with perfect posture and a perfectly cool face. Sesshomaru favored his father in height, they also shared the same golden eyes, but that was it. Whereas the Inu no Taisho's looks were the hard and roughened looks of masculinity, his sons were more angled and elegant looking, almost girl-like. But Prince Sesshomaru would never be mistaken for a woman, not with the hard lean muscles on his body, broad shoulders, and large hands with extended deadly claws that could slice anyone in half. He was dressed in white hakama pants as well, white kimono with a white haori patterened with red and yellow swirls, and a red obi tied around his waist, and ever so elegantly was mokomoko slungover his shoulder in such a regal fashion.
"But we will be and we need to be ready. They have more territory than us, if we ally ourselves with the South we will have more than enough soldiers ready to fight."
"So we will become allies, why must this one marry some human child?"
"The King wants to ensure his only daughter good marriage, which is understandable."
"Inuyasha would be a better match than me."
"The King wants her to marry you, the crown prince."
Sesshoumaru's nostrils flared, but only slightly indicating his anger. He did not want to marry some human child he did not even know, especially not for the sake of some political treaty that would most likely be revoked in a few years. Humans almost always went back on their word. It was in their nature.
The Inu no taisho went on talking. "If you marry the princess it will serve not only as a union between countries, but it will also show that a new era has started, where humans and demons co-exist peacefully with one another."
"That is never going to work, Father and you know it. We have been enemies with humans for mellinia, things won't change because I marry one human girl."
"We have peace with the North now because of the Lady Izayoi." The Inu no Taisho countered.
"The Lady Izayoi is from the north, where they are used to our kind and have always been peaceful neighbors. We are talking about Southerners now. It is well known that humans from the south are liars. They are decadent and have no sense of honor. They won't care that we are allied. As soon as they want more power they will try to overthrow us. They've done so before in the past. Several times."
"Which is why by marrying their princess we can ensure that they won't, so long as she is with us they would not dare lay siege on us. Even more so, once an heir is born, they will not kill their own."
It was obvious his father was not listening to anything he was saying. Sesshomaru had lost the fight before he had even entered the battle. He could stand there all day and night but he knew ultimately what he would have to do. He was going to have to marry this human girl whether he liked it or not. But he refused to make a half-breed his heir. If that meant he never touched the girl then so be it.
The thought of being married to a human made him want to cringe. It's not that he hated humans, it was just beneath him to be married to one, and to make her his queen, absolutely not. He would not sully the purity of his bloodline for some simple political contract. That's when the idea struck him.
"All right, Father. I will marry this girl." He said after a brief pause.
The Inu no Taisho's eyes widened a fraction in surprise. He hadn't expected his son to relent so easily. He was very stubborn after all. That's when he took in the heavy lidded look he was being given. There was more. Sesshoumaru never did anything without personal gain.
"What do you want?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed further. "I'll marry this girl, if you allow me to take on a first wife, of my choosing."
"That would make the human girl your concubine."
"Naturally."
The Inu no Taisho stared Sesshoumaru down. It was a long hard look that was matched with a cold unyielding stare from the prince. This was a hard a tough decision to be put in. By refusing him, he would be forced to deal with his eldest son's resentment most likely for the rest of his life. Sesshoumaru was a lot like his mother, when it came to grudges, he never forgets and he never forgives. Ever. But allowing him to choose his first wife was unnerving; it had never been done before. Even his first marriage with Sesshomaru's mother was arranged. The Choosing of the future queen was a delicate a serious process, and to just hand it over to his pubescent son was insane, but still… he needed this alliance. The South had resources that they didn't have. A full naval fleet, powerful weapons, exotic animals used in battle and there were bred some of the deadliest human soldiers in the known world.
After several drawn out minutes he finally answered. "All right, but she must be of noble birth."
"Of course."
"And your mother has to approve."
"Absolutely."
"Very well. You are dismissed."
With a curt bow, Sesshoumaru exited his father's room and began to walk towards the East Wing of the castle, where his Mother's quarters were. He was walking along the covered walkway that surrounded the small garden that had been built only three centuries ago when the Queen Royale was pregnant and wanted somewhere to lounge in the cool spring and summer days. The sun was shining brightly in the sky on that warm spring morning. A cool breeze wafted in Sesshomaru's direction, causing his hair to blow around his face.
The strong scent of cherry blossoms caught his attention. He stopped walking and turned to his left where a beautiful demoness stood, among the tall flowers. Her pale skin looked even paler against the jet black hair that was in a tight braid down her back and perfect bangs cut right below her eyebrows. He face was heart shaped and she had beautiful red eyes framed by dark lashes. She had a small pixie like nose and small lips were just as red as her eyes. She wore a long bell sleeved red kimono that flared out at the bottom. A black obi was tied around her small waist.
When she sensed him and looked over and flashed her pearly teeth and small fangs happily smiling at him. She loved him, and he knew that. She had always loved him, even when they were children. She always followed him where ever he went. It used to bother him, but now he loved how she was always following after him, and looking for him so that she could follow him. He moved forward with his uncanny grace, and stopped only an inch away from her.
She bowed at the waist with her hands crossed in front of her bent waist. "Your, Highness."
"Lady Kagura," he said, before casting a quick glance around their surroundings, making sure that no one was around.
When she returned to her full height, Sesshoumaru quickly closed the distance between them and captured her lips with his. She let out a small moan as his hands came up to frame her face. She pulled back quickly, gasping. "Sesshomaru, what are you doing? If someone sees us-"
"It doesn't matter," he said softly, looking into her eyes. "It doesn't matter if they see us. We have nothing to fear."
"Maybe you don't but I do." She said taking a step back.
He took two forward and grabbed her hands. "We can be together Kagura. We can get married, my father won't disapprove. He gave me his word."
She stared him deep in the eyes. She looked puzzled at first, and then slowly a happy smile spread across her face. "Really?" She asked quietly.
"Yes. You and I are finally going to be married."
"Oh, Sesshomaru!" Without thought she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. "Oh, this is wonderful! This- this…" She released him again and stepped back gazing at him with a guarded expression. "What else?"
"What do you mean?"
She sighed heavily and cast him a heated glare, crossing her arms over her chest. "Your father hates my father. He would never let you marry anyone from my clan, specifically me. So, what brought about this sudden change of heart?"
Sesshomaru's left brow twitched only the slightest. He had always admired Kagura for her intelligence. He also could not stand her for it. It was so hard to get anything past her. He squeezed her hands gently as he lowered them.
"He's arranged for me to marry the human princess of the South."
Kagura snatched her hands from his, red eyes flashing angrily. "So I'm to be your concubine?!"
"You are to be my wife."
"But I will come second to some human!" She spat.
"Lower your voice." He caustioned.
Kagura looked down and took a moment to gather herself. She was not like Sesshomaru, in control and calm. She, being a wind sorceress, was like the wind. Changing direction, blowling as gently or as violently whenever she felt.
"I don't want to come second to anyone." She looked up at him with those beautiful ruby eyes, filled with worry and grief.
"You won't," he said. "She will be my second wife. You will be my first. I want to make you queen, not some human girl." Kagura nodded slowly. "Come we must tell me mother. I was actually on my way to her chambers looking for the both of you."
"Are you going to tell her?"
"Yes. And then we will tell my father tonight at dinner."
The Queen stood proudly before them. Her long white hair was wrapped intricately in all kinds of braids arroud her head, flowing past her waist. Silver combs and berrets decorated her head with amethyst and amber stones. She wore a purple yukata beneath her white kimono with purple violets decorating the front, and purple trim along the sleeves and collar. Her pale skin almost matched the color of her kimono. Her silver eyes were aloof and calm. The blue crescent moon was the only thing that stood out on her forehead—a symbol of her birth right.
She was magnificent. She was the queen. She was everything Kagura could hope to be. She looked at her reflection in the mirror looking for any imperfections, though Kagura doubted that the word even existed for Inukimi.
"So," she began in a smooth delicate voice, "you two want to be mated."
"And marry," Sesshomaru added.
She turned to face them and glided toward them before stopping. She looked at Kagura who stood with her hees lowered respectively, hands clasped in front of her. Face slightly flushed. Inukimi could smell the fear coming from her. It was faint, but it was there. She then looked at her son. He was not afraid. He looked her square in the eye calmly with his jaw set and arms at his sides. "Leave us alone."
Sesshomaru hesitated, but only for a moment before exiting Inukimi's private chambers. Kagura followed him with her eyes until he disappeared and then looked back up at the queen.
"So. You want to be queen."
"Only with the blessings of Your Grace and his Majesty the King," Kagura said in a gentle tone that sounded more confident then she felt.
Inukimi scoffed. "You will never receive the blessing of the Inu no Taisho." Her words were cold, but not meant to hurt. It was just a fact. There was a short pause. "You know Kagura, your family has a lot of ill standing with the king. Several members of your clan have been thrown in prison and executed for treason against the King. Many would be against this marriage. How do you intend to deal with the constant distrust and loathing coming from all around you?"
Kagura swallowed. "I would be kind and show them that I am not like the others. I'm not like them." She said looking Inukimi in the eye for the first time.
"They won't believe that. They'll think it was a strategic effort by your father to place you on the throne next to Sesshomaru."
Kagura did not have an answer for that. It was true, and she knew it. Damn her blasted family and their greed for power. "I love him," she whispered gently. A silly thing to say she quickly realized, but it was all she could think to say.
"Ayame!"
The door to her private chambers opened. Her handmaid, a petite wolf demon, with auburn hair, green eyes, and peachy skin. Her kimono was a simple green and blue flower print. Her hair was in a long braid down her back. She came in front of Inukimi and bowed. "Your grace?"
"Congratulations, you are now my new maid of honor."
The young girl's eye widened then went to Kagura who had always held the title, since she began serving the queen. Kagura lifted her eyes as well. Did the queen hate her now that she wanted to marry Sesshomaru, so much that her title as Maid-of-Honor would be stripped from her?
"Thank you, your grace," Ayame bowed again.
Inukimi looked at Kagura, "Does my decision upset?" Kagura opened her mouth but did not speak. Inukimi went on, "I mean, you can keep your title, I just think it would be strange as the Crown Princess to also be Maid-of-Honor to the sovereign queen."
"So… we have your blessing?"
"Of course. But hear me well Kagura, House of Onigumo. Should I even get an inkling of suspicion that you're plotting ill will against my son, I'll kill you myself."
"Yes, your Majesty." Kagura answered gratefully.
Inukimi nodded. "Very well. Let's go. Now we have to tell this to Touga. I'm sure he'll be thrilled."
With that she left the room, Ayame following close behind her. Kagura let out a relieved breath before walking out to join Sesshomaru who was waiting.
Much to his great displeasure, the Inu no Taisho watched as his son made the greatest mistake in life he would ever make. The Onigumo girl, of all the demoness' in court it had to be her? Though he did not miss the adoring way she looked up at Sesshomaru, or the complete look of content on his son's face, as the vows were said. They did love each other. That was clear. What was also clear was the way the girl's father Naraku eyeballed her with greedy eyes.
Naraku, just the thought of his name sent tremors of rage down his spine. Standing just across from him he stood, just richly in dark navy hakama pants and a patterned kimono and haori. His inky wavy hair settled bellow his waist. His grayish skin looked almost sickly. And his slanted beady red eyes scanned the couple almost maliciously. It disturbed Inu no Taisho. He wished he could just kill the filthy spider hanyou, but how would he justify it? He couldn't, not yet.
Beside Naraku was his son, Byakuya, Kagura's twin borther. He looked a great deal like his sister – girlish. Thick black hair, ruby red eyes, red lips, all against pale skin with strong angled features. Physically both took after their deceased mother, Kikyo. She was a wind spirit, forced to marry Naraku as soon as she reached an appropriate age. Inu no Taisho remembered her well. His Inuyasha had taken a liking to her and was more than distraught to find out about her death. She died giving birth to her twins. Kagura inherited her powers, but none of Naraku's, Byakuya inherited only a few of hers but mostly took after his father.
The inu no Taisho looked over at his hanyou son who stood beside him. Dressed in the house colors of white and purple, he was his spitting image; take away a foot in height, the stripes on his face, and the white ears perched at the top of his head. Nevertheless he stood proudly by his father. Next to him was his mother, his second wife, the Lady Izayoi. Beautiful. As she stood a foot shorter than her son. Black hair fell gently around her shoulders and her violet eyes warm with happiness. Her pale lips curled into a smile. Covered in a heavy purple robe over her white kimono, her right hand rested pleasantly on top of her full belly. There was another pup on the way and she was more than happy.
He then looked at his first wife who stood on his other side, only a few inches shorter than him. Dressed impeccably in lilac. She watched the ceremony calmly. Her eyes displayed no emotion what's so ever. That's where Sesshomaru got it from. She felt his eyes on her and gave him a quick look before turning her attention back to the ceremony.
The bride and the groom drank ceremonial sake and the ceremony was concluded. Cheers could be heard filling the halls. Sesshomaru and his new bride walked down the aisle followed by the royal household and then the Onigumo house, then everyone else. The feast that followed was filled with music and laughter. Sesshomaru watched from his seat as kagura danced with her brother for a few songs, watching her intently. He would never dance, she knew that, so intead she danced by herself, with her brother, with her friends. She danced and laughed. She was so happy and that pleased him. He did take notice that he had not seen one particular person since. The ceremony. With quick eyes he looked around the room, until he saw a pair of golden eyes pearing out from the darkness of the overhead canopy.
He inclined his head to his father in respect and thanks. A gesture he knew the elder demon did not miss. Sesshomaru then rose and walked over to Kagura in the center of the room. Everyone cleared a path for him bowing. Byakuya released his sister respectively and bowed to his prince. Kagura was spinning and instantly came to a graceful stop in front of her new husband. She smiled and couldn't help the blush that coated her cheeks. Sesshomaru offered his arm and she took it. With that they exited the room.
The Inu no Taisho watched calmly then shifted his gaze to everyone else. That's when his ears picked up on gentle footsteps and nose caught the sweet scent of honey and milk.
"Inukimi," he breathed.
She approached and stood beside him. A few moments passed and they did not speak. Finally he asked, "What do you think?"
"The girl is innocent enough. She's not like them."
"He will try to use her."
"Of course who wouldn't. They're now a aprt of the royal family. Practically catupolted to the throne."
"Why did you give your blessing?"
"What good would have come of me saying no. He already resents you, I can't have him resenting me as well. Unlike you, he is the only son I have."
He looked at her, ebating on whether to retort to her jab. Instead he asked, "What should we do?"
"Protect her," she stated flatly. "Protect Kagura, like you protected me… like you protected her…" She looked down in the room. He followed her gaze and watched as Izayoi rose and said her goodbyes, leaving for her chambers. She was no doubt expecting him there that night but… He spared a glance at Inukimi. She was beautiful. Ethereal. He missed being intimate with her. "I'll leave you now."
She turned to leave. He caught her hand. When she turned to face him with a questioning look. He kissed her palm and then the back of it. "Will you wait for me tonight?"
She smiled at him sweetly, and brought her other hand up to cup his cheek. She leaned in, as if to kiss him, and placed her lips at his right ear. Ever so gently she whispered, "I stopped waiting on you years ago." With that she walked away, leaving him alone, not once looking back.
Inu no Taisho sighed casting one more quick glance down at the festivities below. His only remaining family member being Inuyasha who was still eating. He chuckled lightly before leaving the balcony to go join his second wife in her bedchamber.
Thanks for reading. Please Review and tell me what you think!
