Here's another one :D Didn't expect to get this one typed out as fast as I did but once I started I couldn't stop. My muse was just begging to express itself. :)
One more thing I promise that the plot to the story will gradually become more and more apparent. The first couple of chapters are just meant to introduce you readers to Sesshomauru and Kagome and give you a taste of what their feelings are toward each other and this marriage will start heating up very soon I promise. ;)
I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters.
Sesshomaru's emotionless eyes stared at the servant that came to announce to him and his father that the carriage that contained his future mate had been spotted 3 miles away from the palace. He turned to face his father with only the faintest trace of annoyance upon his face. The woman had not even arrived and yet she was already becoming an annoyance and intrusion upon his life. He was in the middle of a discussion with his father, Lord InuTaisho, about plans for after her impending arrival, when the servant had arrived with this news.
"It is not too late to reconsider this arraignment between the Eastern and Western families" He remarked.
"We have spoken about this matter many times already Sesshomaru and I am not in the mood to discuss them with you again at this moment." His Father said with a look of exasperation at his son and future heir. "Besides it is far too late to go back on our word now. I actually think that this girl will be good for you." Lord InuTaisho said with a smirk.
"Hn" was Sesshomaru's unconvinced reply. "There are far more worthy full-blooded demons that would be more suitable for this Sesshomaru."
'An even more ideal future for this Sesshomaru would be to rule without a mate, only taking one when the need for an heir is necessary' thought Sesshomaru bitterly. Not only was it bad enough that he would have to burden himself down by taking a mate. But that mate would be a lowly human, a miko, but still human none- the-less. She may hail from the most powerful Priestess's and Priest's bloodlines in the Lands but that did not necessarily mean that she was worth his time and title.
Another thing Sesshomaru found irritating was that his father, being the only one having met the eastern family, spoke often of the fact that this woman was very outspoken. 'This Sesshomaru will not tolerate disobedience. She will learn very quickly that my word is the law and the way that I expect my future mate to carry herself is absolute' he thought determinedly.
While these thoughts were running through Sesshomaru's mind Lord InuTaisho was studying his son very closely. He knew that the last thing that Sesshomaru wanted to do was marry this woman, and that the only reason he had decided to go through with it was to maintain his honor and fulfill his duties as the future Lord of the Western Lands. He also knew that another reason Sesshomaru did not agree with this marriage was the fact that the girl was a human. A fact that his son never failed remark upon every time they discussed the arraigned marriage.
It was not as if InuTaisho tried to find the most disagreeable mate for Sesshomaru. He did not like irritating and making his son unhappy, if the latter was even possible, for the fun of it. There was something about the 18 year old miko of the eastern lands that made him choose her instead of all the other female demons that vied for his son's attention. Her attitude and boldness, as well as her intellect, intrigued him from the first moment he laid eyes on her. Her beauty was just a bonus.
He hoped that she would be the one to challenge and conquer his son's frozen heart. He and his mate had tried and failed for years to break through the icy façade that Sesshomaru had placed around himself and poor InuTaisho had run out of options. 'Plus, even though Sesshomaru would die before he admits it, this girl may be the only one that can match or come close to the power that Sesshomaru wields' InuTaisho thought with a devilish smirk. Sesshomaru had long surpassed his own power, which was to be expected of an heir. In truth, Lord InuTaisho was considering passing the title on to him very soon, yet another reason for this marriage.
"Are you going to just sit there smiling like a delirious old man or shall we continue our discussion of the plans for when this woman arrives?" Sesshomaru remarked irritably at his father.
"Hn." his father replied. 'You were in as deep of thought as I was' his father thought slightly incredulous of his son's remark, although he kept it hidden. It would only serve to irritate his son further. His son could not stand his sometimes "childish", as he Sesshomaru called them, actions. Just because Sesshomaru kept his feelings carefully hidden behind an icy mask did not mean that he must do the same.
"As you know the wedding will take place a week from now." His father continued. "She will reside in the guest quarters on the north wing of the palace up until the wedding. Afterwards she will be moved into your room, which you two will share together. "His father emphasized with a look that said that this was a matter not to be negotiated.
While Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed just a fraction of an inch he knew, even though he knew his father was up to something, better than to argue. He may have more power than his father, but what his father lacked in power when it came to his own, he conquered in experience. Besides, his father was still the great and powerful Taiyukai of the West and more than deserved the respect that he was given. 'I know that he is forcing me to share a room with this miko because he wants to ensure that I do not just place her on the other side of the palace and simply overlook her' Sesshomaru thought. 'As if I would stoop to such a low as to avoid a mere human woman' he inwardly declared. His inner demon was growling at the mere thought of his father even thinking of him being capable of such self-degradation.
A subtle sound at the door made both the demons look at it expectantly waiting for the servant to make his announcement. "My Lords?" the demon began "The Lady has arrived."
"Has Lady Izayoi been informed?" asked Lord InuTaisho, standing up from behind the desk he sat behind.
"Yes Lord InuTaisho." the servant replied. "She is awaiting your arrival at the front entrance."
"Very well" InuTaisho said dismissing him. "Shall we go and meet her, it's not nice to keep ladies waiting" he asked Sesshomaru. His voice laced with humor and a smile gracing his features, making ladies plural to further irritate Sesshomaru.
"Hn." Was his only reply as he turned and strode out the room with all the grace an heir of the western lands could muster. His Father following close behind him Sesshomaru could not help the small feeling of what he could only guess to be anxiousness. That was as close as he would come to claiming it to be nervousness or anticipation. 'This Sesshomaru does not feel nervousness.' He thought making sure his mask of indifference was fully and securely in place.
However, as they reached Izayoi at the door (he refused to call her Lady except when his father was around), he could not help it as the feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. 'I wonder what type of human woman could make my father chose her as this Sesshomaru's future mate' he thought temporarily letting his curiosity take forefront of his mind. He found himself growing slightly impatient to see this eastern miko, as he muttered a greeting in acknowledgement of Izayoi's timid smile towards him.
He let his Father and his mate lead the rest of the way to the door like court decorum dictated and followed silently behind. As the servants opened the door for the western family to pass through Sesshomaru thought to himself, 'We shall see just what type of woman this girl is and we shall see who has the strongest will between the two of us.' Even though he had feigned acceptance in front of his father, for he knew if he were to alert him of his intentions it would only make it even harder to accomplish what he sought, he had no plans to marry this human girl. If the miko slips up in the slightest way or gives this Sesshomaru any excuse, I shall send her back to the pitiful human family that she hails from.' He thought with a smirk that neither Izayoi nor his father witnessed.
Read and review please. Plot suggestions are more than welcome. The more reviews I get the more encouragement and confidence I will have to write,which means more chappies for you guys! :D