~Chapter 4~
Knock! Knock!
Grumbling under her breath and nuzzling her face in his chest, Kagura growled. "Go away."
"Master InuTashio requests Lord Sesshoumaru's presence." Jaken, the servant and longtime retainer replied, through the thick oak door.
Feeling his chest rise, she slowly removed herself from him. Silently standing in all his glory, he slipped on his pajama pants and headed for the door. Watching as he departed, she fell back into the bed and groaned. "So much for cuddling in the morning." Rolling over and hugging his pillow, she breathed in his scent and was once more claimed by dreams.
Entering the lounging area, he gave pause.
"Come and sit with me, my son." InuTashio called, from his seat near the fire place.
Walking over and claiming the chair across from him, he eyed his sire. "You summoned this Sesshoumaru?"
Taking a deep swallow of his coffee, he placed it down on the small table between them. "It has come to my attention, that you served the princess and she is to thank for not only my life, but that of yours. Twice."
Growling, his red tinted hues narrowed. "Kagura."
"Do not be angry my son, for I demanded to know." His father calmly explained. "I wished to know how you came upon such an amount, to access what needed to be done."
"And what pry tell, needs to be accessed? For I did a service and she paid. There is no need to..."
"Byōki Suitch is forbidden, because it is said to make the individual mighty as Kami itself." Taking another sip of his beverage, he sighed. "If word gets out that she is said individual, two things can happen. She can be praised even more from her people, or shunned for thinking she is better than our Kami. And in such instances, the person is killed. Now add the fact that she saved a youkai, death is the only action that can be taken."
Relaxing into his seat, he frowned knowing where this was going. "You wish for me to remain by her side and keep her safe, father?"
InuTashio nodded. "That is the only honorable act and you know it. Have your belongs packed that you wish to take with you, along your stay within the palace. And do inform Kagura of the recent changes that are to occur, as well as her behavior I will be expecting."
Standing, he eyed his sire. "You have spoken with the princess?"
"No, but I have requested an audience alongside her for this evening. So be ready."
With holding a growl, he headed back towards his room where no doubt an angered wind youkai waited.
Watching as yet another servant left with a pink gloss on a towel, she sighed.
"It should've healed already." Miroku replied, entering.
Lowering her shirt and standing, she winced. "I agree. It may have to do with how much poison I took in." Leading him out her room and down the hall, she sighed. "Did father say who requested an audience?"
"No, but he was furious about it. Since you were summoned and he was requested not to be within the great hall." Nodding to the guards who opened the doors, he smirked. "But you know your father. He won't be ignored."
Spotting his imposing figure upon his throne glaring, Kagome followed his gaze. Finding two pairs of golden eyes staring at her, she paled. Releasing a breath, she made her way over. Taking her seat beside her father, she faced the two kneeling men.
"You requested my presence?"
Bowing, the older male who bared uncanny resemblance to her chosen champion, righted himself and gave her a dazzling smile. "I am InuTashio and Sesshoumaru's sire. I wished to give you my gratitude for all that you did, for my life would have ended if it was not for you, my princess." His calm yet demanding voice rang.
"No need to thank me. Your son is who you should thank, as I myself am very blessed for his service he dealt for me and.." Gasping, her hand jumped to her side. Blinking away the haze that slowly entered her sight, she frowned as she felt liquid upon her fingers.
"Daughter?" Kiree voiced, facing her. "What is wrong?"
Opening her mouth to reply, she spat out a mouth full of blood.
"Kagome!" Raya exclaimed rushing over. Removing the cloth she always carried in case of accidents due to her clumsy child, she dabbed her daughter's mouth.
Kneeling beside her, Miroku removed her hand and yanked her shirt open to reveal bloody bandages. "Christ!"
"How did she become wounded in the first place and..."
"You youkai lover." A cold and malice filled voice echoed, throughout the hall.
Turning, all found a smirking maid nearing.
"How dare you speak out of term to my child?" Kiree yelled, as guards stood ready for command.
Rolling her eyes, the human female frowned. "She does not deserve to hold the Hiragishi name."
"And why is that?"
"I saw her riding her youkai lover, earlier this day in the forest."
Eyes going wide, both inu's shared a look.
Shaking his head, Kiree folded his arms. "That woman you saw, was not my pure Kagome." Giving a wave of the hand, a figure stepped from the shadows. "This is who you saw."
Gasping, she took a step back. Looking from her to the quivering female who stared at her with pained eyes, a tear fell. "I thought it was you...I was told Princess Kik..."
"She is of no title any longer." His voice boomed. "The moment she decided to lay with that damn inu, she became nothing more than a whore in my eyes."
Flinching, his other daughter lowered her gaze.
Standing and holding her unsteady child in her arms, Raya narrowed her eyes. "Are you responsible for this?"
Nodding, she lowered her gaze. "I thought it was Princess Kagome in the forest, so this morning I slipped some poison in her breakfast."
Balling a fist, Kiree took a step down the dais in her direction. "You dare to kill my child... heir... to this empire? You shall pay with your life." And with that, his hand moved for his sword.
"NO!" A raspy voice sounded.
Frowning, Raya tried to usher her daughter to sit down. Shrugging out of her hold, Kagome slowly descended the steps.
"Do not kill her, father."
Stilling his hand, he eyed her. "You wish me to save this pathetic filth, who attempted to take your life for a mistaken identity?"
"Yes."
"Did I not tell you to never speak out of term to me?" Facing her, anger was seen in his brown hues. "I allowed the youkai who is not a mere two feet from you to live, do not try my patience."
Glimpsing the man beside her who returned her life to normal, she sighed. "Sesshoumaru's life was a different matter. Whereas this woman stands here from attempting to take my life, he saved it. And you gave your word to return the favor and show thanks."
"And I have."
"And by her actions, her punishment is in my hands." She replied dabbing her mouth.
Closing the distance between them and yanking the bandage off her, he ignored her wince of pain. "Your body is purifying the poison, yet your wound does not heal? How did you get that gash?"
Lowering her gaze, she turned away.
"Tell me you did not consort with a youkai and received that?" Kiree yelled, grabbing a fist full of her hair and pulling.
Blinking back tears, Kagome remained silent.
"I see." Releasing her, he took a step back. "You have everything a person could ask for or desire. Yet you stand here with a mark from a youkai and cannot admit it? This is unacceptable and..."
"She was attacked milord." Miroku stated, rushing over.
Looking from him to his daughter, he raised an eyebrow. "Is this true?"
Releasing a breath, she nodded. "Yes."
"What youkai put their hands on you?"
Chancing a glimpse in the monk's direction, he gave her a pointed look. "Mink, the uh... servant who helps in my bathing."
"The one who dared to challenge you before the court?"
She nodded.
Shaking his head, he released her hair. "I told you that youkai should've been killed for trying to attack you last month."
"Well, she did and deserves to pay for her treatment." Miroku added. "She carries a strong poison in her claws and that is what affects her purification from healing."
"Mink shall die for her actions, by your hand."
Taking a step back. Kagome shook her head. "No. I will not..."
"That was not an option." He bit out.
Flinching from his tone, she turned away. "Yes father."
"Just be grateful you did not succumb to the same fate your sister did."
Facing him, she frowned. "She lives and..."
"Because you are not the first born." Kikyou stated, walking towards her. "You see, I'm the one that is to set the example. I failed and have to live with it, but 'you' baby sister, you are the only one left to carry the Hiragishi name on. The people think I died during the raid on the palace two years ago, so they do not know about my sudden... youkai experiences. But if you do the same, it has to become public knowledge as of why." Smirking, she brushed a strand of hair out her sister's pale face. "But don't worry, you know better than that. After all, you don't want to be killed for association with a youkai, now do you?"
Taking in a shaky breath, she shook her head.
"Now, what do you wish to do with her?" Kiree demanded, as a guard forced the maid on her knees before them. "You wish her death?"
Turning and facing the crying woman, Kagme sighed. "No."
"No? What do you mean no?"
"Father, it was not her fault for trying to kill me. If we did not lie to the people of Kikyou's betrayal to the family, this would not have happened." She reasoned. "And I refuse to take her life."
"Then what shall be done to her, oh soft future ruler?" His sarcasm sounded.
Pushing the pain to the side, she shook her head. "She shall be stripped of her job and banished from these lands. And I may be a soft ruler, but I will know when to be. A kingdom is not ruled by fear, but respect and compassion for its people, father. By killing her for acting off a lie to said people, is not honorable and not something that I wish to have over my head."
Waving the guard away from the woman, Kiree kept his eyes on his daughter. "Leave and never return."
Releasing a breath and bowing, she was seen running through the halls for the estate gates.
Snapping his fingers, a small neko was dragged within the room.
"You say you know when to be soft, so kill this youkai with no hesitation."
Gasping, Raya eyed the pair locked in a silent duel of the eyes. "This is going too far, Ki. Our daughter needs not to dirty her hands with blood."
"As a ruler, any hesitation can be her life. Think of this as another lesson, my love." He replied.
"I want nothing to do with this." Pivoting on the balls of her feet, she swiftly left.
Sighing, Kiree faced his silent child. "Kill her."
Narrowing her eyes and swiftly moving towards the growling neko, she passed a frowning Miroku. Ignoring his mumbling to not do it, she raised her hand and a blade of purification materialized. With a swift movement of her wrist, a head fell to the floor. Returning her hand to her side, the sword vanished. Facing her smirking father, she raised an eye brow. "Is that to your satisfaction, my king?" Her cold voice sounded, through the silent room.
Looking down at the blank eyes staring up at him, he gave a nod. "That was very clean and I am astounded." Tucking a lose strand of black behind her ear, he smiled. "Finish with your audience and I shall see you at dinner." Kissing her crown of hair, he searched out his angered wife.
"Leave." Kagome bit out.
Giving a bow, the guards headed for the door. Two gave pause and quickly claimed the dead body and head for the burial.
"No! They will not leave you to face these two youkai!" Kikyou yelled. "What is wrong with you? You have always had too much faith in their kind and..."
"Did you forget the inu who you took as your lover?" Kagome exclaimed. "Don't you dare sit here and lecture me on my association with a youkai, when you were disowned for yours."
Narrowing her eyes, she began to visibly shake. "That only happened once and..."
"Then you should've been discreet and not dumb enough to fuck him in the barn, when father was a yard away."
"At least I got away from him and I'm now able to speak for myself. Unlike you, Kagome. You were always his favorite and so eager to please him. You have no idea what I endured from him."
Growling, she shoved her older sister. "Favorite! That man doted on you! I was nothing but a pretty face who he was always auctioning off."
"Then why aren't you married yet?"
"I have always had a champion fight for me and you know it. After all, Inuyasha was your lover!"
Both inu men shared a look and eyed the fighting siblings.
"And the day you 'died', I became his heir and had to learn how to rule. And as for what father did to you, at least he never put his hands on you. I lost count how many times he slapped me around for speaking my mind and questioning him!"
Kikyou rolled her eyes. "I bet you deserved every minute of it, too."
Darkened hues of brown narrowed, as she lunged for her.
Catching her, Miroku frowned. "Stop this! Fighting will not solve anything." He bellowed as the struggling female in his arms began to force her way out his hold. Feeling her nails bite further in his skin and pain race up his arms, he cursed.
Smirking, Kikyou shook her head. "Look at you. You're no better than them beasts."
"Why you..."
"I will see you at dinner, dear sister." And with that, she was gone.
"Do not allow her to fire you up, my princess." The monk stated, releasing her. "Kikyou is just ashamed that she threw away all this and..."
"She can have it. I don't want it." She sourly replied, moving to her father's throne and collapsing.
"You don't surely mean that?"
"Miroku, I am the heiress to an empire that basically enslaves another race. The money, respect or should I say fear, I can do without. While she's at it, she can take all them damned etiquette lessons and fuck off for all I care." Wincing, she stared down at her side. "The only reason I put up with this, is because I have to. When Kikyou was here and the heiress, I did as I pleased. Father did not bat an eye. Hell, I kissed a youkai in front of him and he didn't even notice."
"He did, but thought you were just curious."
"You told him that?"
He nodded. "You are his youngest and he fears for you more than anything. Kikyou may be cold, but she can take care of herself and I wouldn't put nothing pass her. And he is the same way." Kneeling beside her and wiping the rivers of blood running down her side, he sighed. "You and her are total opposites and..."
"Excuse me for interrupting." InuTashio voiced. "But me and my son called this meeting, in hopes that he may become part of your royal guardship."
Taken back, she frowned. "Why... I mean, me and your son had an agreement and it's finished." Pausing, she faced the other man. "Why do you want to be one of my personal body guards?"
Lifting his head, he stared her dead in the eyes. "You did myself and my father a great deed, but what occurred what is not to be spoken, is a debt of its own. I would've died if it wasn't for you and to show my thanks, I wish to serve and protect you."
"You don't need to. I couldn't have you die, after what you done. And to have you risk your life for me time and time again, is not a way to live and..."
"This is of honor." Sesshoumaru boldly stated. "I am to have honor no matter what and the act you done will not to be taken lightly. We made a business deal and it was up held. My survival was not included, so now I give you my life. I am yours to command and will die protecting you, my princess."
Gasping, she shot Miroku a look.
"He will be commissioned under you, not your father. Lord Kiree will have no say in the matter. Who you wish to protect you, is your decision."
Nodding, she stood. "Then I thank you, for I have many who attempt to take my life as you just witnessed. This job may seem easy, but I will tell you now... I have a hot temper and am known to cause my guards distress some may say, over my safety by things I do. And as an added bonus, I do give my personal guards free roam for anything basically. Come to me and I will see if I can make it happen, as long as it is in good means and not to subject pain on others. The pay is doubled and I will see that you and your family is well off and seen to."
"That is sufficient."
Studying him, she raised an eyebrow. "Since you will have to live within the palace, you wish your future mate to live along you, correct?"
Eyes hardening, he gave a nod.
"Then I will tell you now, there will be drama."
Frowning, InuTashio eyed her. "And why is that? Is this stemming from her attack upon you that day?"
Shaking her head, she sighed. "No. I understand why she did so and hold no ill feelings for her, but I cannot say the same for her. There is always conflict, because the guard must attend to his mistress whenever and at times during attacks, that youkai is putting their life on the line. Their mate is of course worried, but jealousy is among it. Trust and a relationship will be built between us and from what I saw and judging off that, I know she will act out. I know this and I have dealt with it in the past, as well as seen it. Personally, I will forgive her only once if she dares to do something to my person, but after that, I will not hesitate to defend myself. You must know this and understand it, because I will kill to live. As you know, I am a powerful miko and what you seen that day, was nothing. My spiritual powers can even rival Midoriko, for she is of my bloodline. I am not telling you this to come off as if I will attack her, but if she does so to me, she will not walk away." Seeing the anger in his eyes, she took another route.
"Sesshoumaru, I am not prejudice against your kind and I know a lot of your traditions and such. I would never put your chosen in danger and I will respect her as if she is a relative. Because I know in inu custom, we all would be considered a pack. And a pack must stand together and not fight among themselves. There is an alpha and I know that you see yourself as that and I won't take that away, but even in a pack, the alpha shall be questioned for certain actions. This is one of them and I wish for us to start off on good terms. Sure I know that it will be rocky at first, but all pack members must adjust and learn to cohabitate with each other. All I ask is time and forgive what may occur at first."
Relaxing his jaw, he nodded. "When do you wish for me and Kagura to return to the palace?"
"Tonight. I will have Miroku call." Turning, she gave the monk a look and the doors opened. Soon the room was flooded by guards.
"You are not faring well, princess." A tall and blue eyed male replied, rushing over. "Do you need help to your room?"
Smiling, she waved him off. "No and we best not. I do not wish to cause you distress from Ayame." She replied, as she gave the two inu's a nod and passed them.
"She knows that you are my mistress and..."
"Your mate does not want another female's scent on her man, Kouga. So let it go."
Sighing and shaking his head, he followed her out the room.
"The wolf is another personal guard?" InuTashio asked.
Nodding, Miroku gathered all the scraps of bloody clothes.
"How long has he been so?"
"One year and it has been nothing but trouble." Standing, he tossed them in the trash. "His mate Ayame detests the princess and when she first arrived, she attempted to kill her."
"What happened?"
Folding his arms, he looked towards the fire place. "Let's just say, his mate knows to not mess with the princess when she is cooking." Giving a bow of the head, he swiftly left.
Frowning, he faced his son. "You best keep in mind what she spoke and tell Kagura. She is fierce and I admire her, but that jealousy streak she has must end. I see trouble brewing, but she won't come out the victor." Patting his son's back, he turned on his heels.
Growling and taking in what both his father and the human stated, he felt a headache arriving. Yet no matter what, he couldn't help feel anxious to get this 'rocky' part over with. Hell, dealing with his future mate was one thing, add Princess Kagome he knew his somewhat manageable life would never be the same again.
Okay, I know I kind of threw a lot in this chapter, but tell me what you think and if you have questions, message me.
