Kagome blushed and laughed at the little girl. "She's right, you know." A familiar voice said and she turned to look. Gasping she smiled and ran to him, giving him a hug.
"Koga! I didn't know you would be here! I guess you could say the same for me!" She laughed and he smiled, nodding but not letting his hands leave her waist. "How have you been? How are the others?"
He laughed as she bombarded him with questions and everyone around watched in amusement as the girl seemed to spring to life the moment Koga had come into view. They all wondered how they had met or how they knew each other. "Of course I am here. This was supposed to be held at my place, actually, but Lord Sesshomaru requested that it be here. He said there were, eh, important matters which he could not leave for. Now I think I know what those are."
Kagome blushed hard and looked upset. "Why does everyone assume that!" Koga couldn't help but laugh again. He shook his head and pulled her closer.
"Don't worry Kagome. When this is over you can come home with me if you'd like. You are my woman, after all." That got some attention. Especially of a certain western lord. This was new information, indeed. Kagome had not mentioned that there was a claim on her. She had not mentioned that she would have duties of a mate to attend to over Rin. That bothered him.
Why is the ultimate question.
He stepped over to the two, watching as Kagome tried her best to push Koga away from her. Reaching out he grasped her arm and yanked her away in one swift motion, effectively putting her behind him.
She inhaled sharply, shocked, and spun around with the momentum to face his back. "Don't jerk me around like that! I'm not your property, you know!"
His back when rigid and she could hear Koga snickering from beyond. With a slight growl Kagome stepped to the side of Sesshomaru and pointed an accusing finger at the wolf. "I'm not yours either!" With complete exasperation Kagome thrust her hands into the air and marched off to get Rin. "Men! Annoying! Arrogant! Assuming! Argh!"
The Northern and Southern Lords looked very amused from the sidelines. "It appears that neither of these young men will have a chance now." One of them, nobody knew which, said. They both laughed and walked up to the other lords. Koga nodded to them both respectfully but Sesshomaru was still silent. He hadn't said anything to anybody or done anything since he had yanked Kagome from Koga.
That was what had done it. He had seen what she had done to herself. Her face was painted in such a way that made her appear glowing with life. The golden colored kimono she wore was layered with black and cream kimonos below it in such a fashion that she appeared to be a goddess. And her hair was wavy now. Not the unruly waves that she normally had. It was curled in a ringlet style and poured down her shoulders.
He had upset her and she had reacted by coming back in full force and style. And he was speechless.
Without saying a word he turned and went back to his study to mull over his most recent thoughts and feelings. He had learned a lot about Kagome over the past few weeks but he was only beginning to realize the depth of her person.
InuYasha grumbled to himself. They wouldn't leave him alone and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why they felt he had to do this. Adjusting his clothes he ran a hand through his hair and checked his reflection in the water. They had made him bathe.
Annoying.
He had received an invitation to one of those quarterly meetings of the court. He always got one. Well, if they could find him or if he wasn't frozen to a tree, that is. This year it was going to be held in the West.
They weren't far from there. Only a little over half a day's trek. Everyone insisted that they go. He had an invitation! It was the perfect way to see Kagome! Sure, he'd love to go see her, but he was really afraid of the others.
Courtiers were not friendly. He tried to explain this to the group but they continued to pressure him. So, that night, they all bathed and prepared for the day to come. They would start in the morning and then trek with as few breaks as possible.
Estimation said that they would be there by mid evening, just after the party began. So they figured Kagome should be alone by then.
Little did they know.
Koga frowned. Something was wrong with this. Sesshomaru seemed awfully possessive of Kagome and really moody. Everyone seemed to be under the impression that Kagome and Sesshomaru had some sort of tension going on, specifically of the sexual nature. It was completely stupid, in his mind.
Kagome would never go for Sesshomaru and vice versa. They were too different. Besides, they didn't know each other! Somewhere in the back of his head a voice was telling him that he didn't really know her either but he ignored it.
The announcer hit his staff on the ground twice, creating a hush as he called out the newcomer. What he said would send the entire court into a frenzy. "Announcing! Lord InuYasha, second born son of the western house!" He did not announce the others.
InuYasha stepped into the room, practically being shoved by the others. Koga glared at him and bared his teeth. "Finally decided to show up, eh, dog breath?" Some of the audience snickered until they heard a woman scream.
"InuYasha!" Kagome cried out to him and ran, pushing past the others and hiking up her skirts on her way across the room. The boy's ears twitched atop his head, trying to find the direction the girl was in so that he could run to her.
She pushed through the crowed and pounced on him, laughing in complete glee. "InuYasha! I missed you so much!" He laughed, also, and hugged her before setting her on her own two feet.
"Lady Kagome! You look breathtaking!" Miroku stood to the side of Sango with Shippo on his shoulders, admiring the view of her. Sango nodded. "Yeah, that toad really does have an eye for material. I was wondering why he was asking for your figures and favorite colors."
Kagome blushed at that thought but soon it faded and she held her arms up, awaiting the little kitsune. He did not fail her and jumped into her arms, burying his head within her hair. "Kagome! Why couldn't I come to stay with you Kagome! You're so much softer than InuYasha."
Everyone laughed at the kit's comment. The laughter quickly died down, however. The announcer had again hit the ground with his staff. Dinner had been served. Kagome and the others began talking animatedly as they followed the others to the dining room.
However, when they reached the doorway they were stopped. A young boy came up to Kagome and bowed low, then took her hand and led her away without another word. Obviously, seating was arranged. Kagome frowned and looked back at her friends, waving slightly. Soon she found herself sitting on a pillow next to a traditional table. Across from her sat Rin and she smiled at the child. Next to Rin's left sat the Lord of the North and then Aya. Next to Kagome on the right sat the Lord of the South and then Makoto.
None of this surprised her. But when Sesshomaru came to sit next to her left at the end of the table was when Kagome realized something had to be horribly wrong with this picture.
He turned his amber gaze onto her and gave her a look that said: Be polite, be obedient, and be quiet. Or else. It also was soft, though, as if he were begging her to be on her best behavior as he knew she could. Somehow, he was trying to win her good graces back.
Kagome looked away, down at her empty plate, at Rin, anywhere but at him and those eyes. He sensed her discomfort and frowned slightly. Turning to gesture to the boy who had led her here he whispered something to the boy and then nodded.
The boy walked up to Kagome and took her hand, leading her away. She soon found herself seated next to InuYasha and Sango, all the way at the other end of the table.
She blushed slightly and looked back at her plate, a little ashamed. He had now completely embarrassed himself for her own comfort. Everyone would wonder why the lady who he had chosen for his dinner company was moved to sit at the end of the table.
Looking down at the table she saw him, talking to someone, and then he glanced at her for a moment. She smiled and wordlessly thanked him before turning to Sango to discuss what was now dubbed the "Jaken's Clothing Spree" experience.
It seemed that nobody but Sesshomaru knew. Kagome was not afraid of him in the least. She was terrified.