I do not own Inuyasha or the characters
A/N: I apologize; I still haven't gotten the angst out of my system
A/N: Update-I changed the genre since this no longer is really a tragedy...
"I adore you. Come live with me at the Western Palace."
Wonderful words, no? My only advice is to carefully consider wording before making ridiculous assumptions based on infatuation…
Only fools rush in….
Such a warm night, the humidity making my kimono stick uncomfortably to my body. Mid-summer can be dreadfully hot even in the late evening. Walking through the dense underbrush, I barely even notice the heat, easily able to ignore my discomfort. My movements are slow for there is no rush. Sure I want to race through the forest in my anticipation but I know better. After spending hours preparing for this night, I'm not about to go ruin my carefully made up appearance by stumbling over a tree root. Sango and Rin spent an hour carefully coiling my hair atop my head with artful tendrils framing my rosy face.
When the scroll arrived at the slayer village this morning I was confused. Sesshoumaru and I have been meeting in secret for quite some time now. Naraku long since defeated, Inuyasha took off for parts unknown, leaving me stuck on this side of the well. Throwing myself into helping Sango, Miroku and Kohaku rebuild the slayers village helped me cope with the abrupt loss of my family and of Inuyasha. I loved him with everything I had at the time. His sudden departure was devastating on so many levels.
Unbeknownst to me, the stoic taiyoukai had taken an interest in me toward the end of our travels together. After Naraku's defeat he brought Rin to live with us at the slayers village. He admitted his attraction to me, and we began to meet in secret twice a week, like clockwork. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with the gorgeous lord. I've been hoping for a while now that he might take our relationship to the next level. Honestly, I'm tired of always meeting in secret out in the wilderness. It would be nice to make love in a bed for once. A girl can only pick gravel, dirt and leaves from her person so many times before it simply becomes a nuisance. Perhaps two years of secrecy should have set off warning bells in my head, but it didn't. I suppose I'm naïve, too trusting.
The scroll stated in elegant calligraphy that he had something important to discuss with me. Given the formality, it could only mean one thing, right? Sango was convinced he was ready to court me, to make an honest woman of me. Rin was ecstatic that I would be her mother. Truth be told, I got caught up in their excitement, ignoring the nagging voice in the back of my head that insisted his behavior to date was suspect. I wanted to be with him, to be his mate and fill the palace with our pups.
"You look beautiful, Kagome, just like a princess," Sesshoumaru says as I enter the clearing he designated as our meeting place. I'm wearing the royal blue silk kimono he sent along with the scroll. The garment is definitely fit for royalty. Sakura blossoms are embroidered in the finest stitches along the collar and sleeves. Even the white obi is embroidered with light blue sakura blossoms.
"Thanks, I love the kimono," I reply, smiling shyly in my nervousness.
"Kagome, I adore you," he says as he gathers me in his arms, careful not to muss my hair and clothing. "Come live with me at the Western Palace." Too happy to utter a word, I simply nod, grinning happily at him. So this is why he sent such a beautiful garment, he wants me to look my best when we arrive at the palace.
"I'm so happy," I sigh into his mouth when he leans down, capturing my lips in a tender kiss.
"Let us depart," he murmurs as he kisses slowly up my jawline. "I'll fly us there on my youki cloud."
"Oh, but what about my friends? I need to say goodbye."
"Don't worry about that now," he whispers into my ear, tracing the shell with his tongue, making me quiver with desire. When he begins to nibble on my earlobe, I feel my feet leave the earth, but I'm just too aroused by his ministrations to care. Shock courses through me when my feet touch the earth again. The whole journey only took a few minutes! His power is simply amazing.
We land in a dark, deserted courtyard, entering the palace through a small side door. Again my mind tries to tell me that something isn't quite right, but I choose to ignore its constant nattering. The hallways are void of life as well, which I attribute to the late hour and not an order from the Lord. Within moments, he escorts me through a large set of double doors located at the end of a long hallway.
"This is your room," he says, kissing me gently before pulling away and walking to the door. "I have business to attend to. I'll be back later."
Confusion sets in. Why is he leaving me in this isolated room at the far end of the palace? Wouldn't it make more sense for me to be closer to his room, or at least in the family wing? I know there's a family wing; I've heard Rin talk about it. This room was the only one off that long, dark hallway. Strange.
Putting my doubts aside, I examine the room. Well, suite of two rooms. Nothing to complain about here. The sitting room is large with a massive stone firepit on one wall. Candles flicker from numerous candelabra on several mahogany tables. A dark blue silk divan sits in the center of the room. An enormous piece of furniture covered in a pile of pillows. A blush forms on my cheeks when it occurs to me that the divan looks like something to be used for an orgy rather than normal sitting. But it's the only piece of furniture other than the tables, so it must be an ordinary divan.
The lack of windows doesn't occur to me until I enter the bedroom. A massive window is cut into one wall of the room, the opening covered with iron bars like a prison. A prison? Why would such an elegant room have bars on the only window? Walking over to the window, I relish in the slight breeze ruffling the tendrils of my hair. The view is amazing. It should be since I remember climbing four flights of stairs to get here. My sadness at the lack of a balcony disappears when I see my bathing chamber. A large sunken bath lies in the center of the room, lotus blossoms floating lazily across the glassy surface. This must be a mess to maintain, I have to pity the poor servants responsible.
When a large yawn takes me by surprise, I realize just how exhausted I am. Crossing to the mammoth bed against the far wall, I fall down onto the plush surface. There'll be plenty of time to explore tomorrow when I can see better in the light of day. Blowing out the candles next to the bed, I climb beneath the plush white fur, curling up on my side and falling to sleep almost immediately.
Morning
Stretching lazily, I sit up in bed, wondering how long I slept. I feel so rested, ready to take on the world. My exploration of the room doesn't take long. There isn't much to see that I didn't last night. Well, other than the chest full of sheer kimonos. Fifteen of them to be exact. Nothing I would ever wear out in public, these are this era's version of lingerie. Confused, I search the rest of the suite, unable to find any other clothing than the lingerie. Surely Sesshoumaru wouldn't expect his mate to traipse around the palace showing her body to every other male.
Speaking of Sesshoumaru, where is he? When he left last night, I thought he'd be right back. Truthfully, I'm becoming a bit scared at the whole situation, the alarm bells finally going off in my head, though too late now. Perhaps I should go look for him. The lack of proper clothing was probably an oversight. Or, maybe I'm to pick out my own clothes.
As I try to open the door, I'm shocked to find it locked from the outside. He locked me in here?! Not one to give in easily, I push and pull at the door handle before giving it a good kick. The door opens revealing two very angry inuyoukai.
"What do you want, girl?" the blonde inu asks gruffly.
"I-I want to look for Sesshoumaru," I answer, trying to keep my voice from trembling.
"Lord Sesshoumaru will see you when he has time," the dark haired inu barks in annoyance. "Do not try to open this door again."
"But, why are you—"
"Enough, human, back inside or you'll face punishment." The door slams shut in my startled face. Tears form in my eyes. This is nothing like what I pictured. Why are there guards at my door? Obviously not for my protection given the nasty way they spoke to me. Willing myself not to cry, I sit on the divan. I have nothing to do but wait for Sesshoumaru. There is nothing in this room to occupy my time so I simply stare at the door while trying to keep my fear under control.
Later
When the door opens, I leap from the divan so excited to see my love. My face falls when I realize it's just a serving girl with a tray of food. At least they are planning to feed me. She crosses the room and sets the tray on the table by the divan.
"My name is Hanako, Lady Kagome," the young inu hanyou says as she bows at the waist. "I am to be your personal servant. Please drink the tea I've brought. It's an order from the Lord. You must drink a cup of this tea each morning for your health." The young girl stands and stares at me, obviously waiting for me to do something.
"Hanako, why are there guards at the door and bars on the window?" I ask tentatively. Her brown eyes widen in surprise.
"You don't know?" she asks, eyeing me suspiciously. When I shake my head she looks away. "Please drink the tea, milady. I must report back to our Lord that you drank it." Now I really don't want to drink the tea, but I also can't imagine Sesshoumaru poisoning me. With a resigned sigh I down the whole cup in several gulps.
"That is really rather vile tasting," I say, grabbing at the bowl of rice on the tray, hoping to get rid of the rancid flavor.
"I'll be back this evening with dinner," Hanako says as she raps on the door, racing out the second it's opened. I guess I won't be getting three square meals here. Even prisoners in my time get three meals a day. That thought brings the tears to my eyes again. I'm a prisoner here and I don't even know why. I thought I came here to be Sesshoumaru's mate. Eating passes all too quickly and I'm once again left with nothing to do. Sitting back amid the colorful pillows, I release a heavy sigh, eyes glued to the door waiting for it to open.
There is not long to wait before a loud disturbance at the door arouses my curiosity. Creeping to the door, I lean against it, listening to the slight scuffle.
"I am the Lady of the West," a sharp female voice says haughtily. "This is my palace. If I wish to enter this room that is my business and none of your concern."
"I'm truly sorry, Lady Misumi, but Lord Sesshoumaru has forbidden you entrance to this room," one of the guards replies, sounding as if he actually is apologetic. "It is better that you go speak with him about the reason behind this order."
"I certainly will," she says in a huff. "Don't think I can't smell the human girl on the other side of that door. It seems Sesshoumaru is no better than his father in regards to human females."
Backing away from the door, my mind finally accepts the bitter truth. I'm not here to become Sesshoumaru's mate. No, I'm here as something else entirely. The door suddenly slams open, jolting me from my morose thoughts. Sesshoumaru strides into the room, a vision of masculine perfection. Without thinking, I run to him, throwing myself in his arms, sobbing into his chest. He picks me up, carrying me back to the oversized divan. Settling down among the pillows, he cradles me against his body, softly stroking my hair.
"I'm sorry if my mate upset you," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. "She can be a bit overbearing at times." I stiffen at his words.
"Your mate?" I ask, still unwilling to really believe it to be true.
"Hn, she is annoying at best," he says with an aggravated sigh. "But she is one of the last silver inu, so I agreed to the arranged mating two years ago." He says the words that break my heart with such nonchalance that I'm momentarily stunned.
"I thought," I begin, but find it hard to continue as my throat closes. "I thought you wanted me."
"I do, more than anything," he replies, still stroking my hair like I'm a pet cat. "That's why I brought you here."
"I thought you wanted me to be your mate," I whisper the words under my breath. When he starts laughing heartily at my words I can feel my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.
"Why on earth would you think that?" he asks through his amused chuckling. "I'm the Lord of the West and you're merely a human girl. You could never be the Lady of the West. Besides you can only give me hanyou brats. I could never sire a hanyou." If I thought my heart had broken before, it was nothing compared to hearing those words come from his mouth.
"You don't want children with me?" I ask in a squeaky voice, the only tone I'm able to muster through my despair.
"You are so adorable, Kagome," he says, nuzzling my head. "Truly a delight." Nice words except I was being serious.
"W-why am I here then?" I ask the dreaded question, though I already know the answer.
"You are my concubine," he answers as he looks at me as if I'm daft. "I may be forced to mate that cold fish of a woman and allow her to bear my pups, but that doesn't mean I should have to deny myself the company of the woman I desire." His lips descend on mine in a fierce kiss, though I try to push him away, I can't. I allow him to kiss me, but refuse to respond at all. It takes him much longer to notice my lack of response than it should have. "What?"
"I don't want to be your concubine," I manage to blurt out through lips numb from his punishing kiss.
"You've been my concubine for two years!" he bites back obviously frustrated with my response. "Why would that change now that I've given you this posh life?"
"I didn't know I was the other woman," I cry in outrage. "I thought we were…I don't know…maybe courting."
"You are not this stupid, Kagome," he says bitterly. "Only a harlot has sex with a man she isn't mated to. We had sexual relations every week for two years. Why would you ever think I saw you as anything other than my concubine?"
"Your whore!"
"Your words, not mine," he replies stoically. "A concubine holds an honored position in youkai society. You should be proud that someone such as I would want a human such as yourself." Each word is like a dagger to my heart. While I was spending our time together falling in love, he was merely releasing sexual tension. While I imagined a future surrounded by our pups, he imagined me imprisoned in a gilded cage, ready for his sexual pleasure at his beckon call.
"You know how much I love children," I manage to say through my tears. "How can you expect me to never have any of my own?"
"Form a bond with my mate and she will allow you to help raise our pups," he replies as if that's the most logical thing in the world. Perhaps it is to him. "You will never have a pup with me. I will not sire a hanyou, so don't even think about not drinking that tea each day."
"The tea is a contraceptive?"
"Yes, and if I find out you are not drinking it, you will be punished," he says as he rises from the divan and crosses to the door. "You are not allowed out of these rooms. Ever. It is for your protection as well as my mate's peace of mind. Enjoy yourself, I'll be back in a few days." He walks out the door before I can even respond to his last words. A few days? I have to be alone in here for days?!
Running to the bedroom, I throw myself at the window, gripping the warm iron bars in my fists. "No!" I cry out, pulling on the bars with every ounce of my strength. They don't even budge, not that I expected them to. With a harsh sob, I fall across the downy bed as the tears course down my cheeks in rivulets.
My mind finally comprehends the true severity of my situation. It presses down on my chest like a lead weight, making it difficult to breathe. I will spend the rest of my life a prisoner in the Western Palace. A plaything, a sex toy for Lord Sesshoumaru. My dreams of a loving spouse, children, grandchildren…all gone.
Perhaps if I can get a message to Sango, she could…No she would only die in her attempt to save me from a fate I embraced with both arms. How could I have been so naïve? Something snaps and I run to the double doors, banging for the guards.
"What do you want now, girl?" the inu guard growls menacingly.
"Let me out of here!" I cry in panic. "I just want to go home! Please!" The dark haired guard smacks me across the face with his open hand.
"Quiet, human," he orders as he pushes me back into the room before slamming the door shut. Stunned, I stare at the door, my fingers wiping at the blood trickling down my chin. It's several moments before the dizziness passes enough that I can walk into the bathing chamber to clean the blood from my face.
So I truly am merely a captive in a plush prison cell…
Five Years Later
The sound of children laughing wakens me, and I race from my bed to the window to catch sight of the pups tumbling and playing in the garden. Every morning I sit for hours simply watching the beautiful silver inu pups play. I've learned how to lose myself in the fantasy that they are mine and I'm out there with them, playing and laughing…so very happy. As always Hanako eventually arrives, spoiling my wonderful fantasy.
"Where's the tea, Hanako?" I ask as hope soars within my chest. After all these years has Sesshoumaru changed his mind about a hanyou child?
"It is no longer needed, my lady."
Her response fills me with cheer. I was so afraid that she simply forgot it this morning. But it appears that my nightly prayers to the kami have been answered. Sesshoumaru wants to sire a pup with me!
"The healer said that you're infertile now so we don't need to worry about any unfortunate accidents." She leaves the room completely oblivious to my torment. My last light of hope dashed. Without eating, I cross to the window to resume my silent vigil on the pups below. Though I feel the tears trickle down my cheeks, I can't bring myself to care anymore. They dry unnoticed as I lose myself in my fantasy world once again.