Volurin: Sorry I took so long. I have been having bad pains in my head and back leaving me unable to even go near the computer. Deepest apologies. Thanks for the reviews.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
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Shippo glared at Inuyasha's back as they walked slowly down the path through the mountains, away from Kouga's cave.
I will never forgive you for what you did to Kagome, Inuyasha. Never!
The young Kitsune sniffed and ran off ahead of the group, ignoring the shouts from Sango and Miroku. He had to get back to Kagome; after all, she was practically his mother.
"I'm coming, Kagome." he whispered, wiping away tears.
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Kagome sighed and let her muscles relax in the warm hot spring. After that little…incident with Sesshomaru she had left to gather her emotions. It wasn't like him to go and kiss someone like that! It made her stomach do little flips as to what he had said.
"I will never hurt you."
Kagome pondered that one sentence over and over again in her head. Did that mean he would be nice? No, it definitely wouldn't lead to that. She touched her lips unconsciously; she could still feel his lips against hers.
I wouldn't even think that Sesshomaru would have that kind of emotion in him to do that…oh well, oh wait!!! He's the first guy that's ever kissed me on the mouth!
Kagome cursed under her breath, knowing very well that a maid was standing outside the door.
Damn it! I think I'm beginning to like him, but…Inuyasha…
It was stupid. Utterly stupid to still like the half-breed. How many times had he betrayed her?
Kagome sighed again; it would be a long time before she ever accepted a boy into her heart again. But, the first hurdle was overcoming the last remains of the love she still held for Inuyasha. It was cruel. Sesshomaru shouldn't have said those things to her, yet she felt like weight had been lifted off of her with that outburst.
With one final sigh she got out of the spring and wrapped herself in a white towel. The maid ushered her through the hall, making her hide in dark corners when the demons came past. To see an almost naked female would certainly create problems. Muro passed. Kagome was well hidden but the tiger youkai turned his head in her direction and smirked before continuing down the hall and out of sight.
Sizuna, the maid, sighed in relief, quickly ushering Kagome into the room ahead of them and shutting the door.
"That was close, my Lady." she uttered quietly.
Kagome smiled kindly. "Please don't call me that. I know I'm Sesshomaru's soul mate but I don't have to be highly treated."
Sizuna tried to argue but gave up. "As you wish La- Kagome,"
Kagome smiled again at the female wolf-demon. "See? It's not that hard, is it?"
The door was flung open and Rin rushed in. "Lunch is ready! Lord Sesshomaru is having a few guests today!"
Kagome groaned as another maid came in, carrying a garment of red silk. Rin was wearing a cute kimono, yellow in colour with small silver flowers adorning its fabric.
"Rin you look so adorable!" Kagome squealed and bent down, hugging the little girl. Rin giggled.
"Lord Sesshomaru picked it out for me, and he picked yours out, too."
Kagome let the maids dress her into the extravagant material and as a bonus; she got her hair done, too. When she looked into the mirror she gasped. It wasn't her. The dress was a perfect fit; it revealed her shoulders and not too much cleavage but enough to make the males look. It was definitely a corset, the way the top made a V to her waist. The skirt was flared so that it hugged her legs yet still gave her enough room to walk. Running would be impossible.
I bet Sesshomaru had thought of that.
Her hair had been put into curls running right down her back with red ribbons in it to match her dress.
"Come on, Kagome!" Rin grabbed her hand enthusiastically and they hurried out of room. Kagome looked over her shoulder to the wolf Demoness. "Hey, Sizuna! Hopefully I come back alive!"
Sizuna laughed. "Just make sure if any of the males try anything that Sesshomaru can see you."
Kagome grinned at her and walked down the hall with Rin talking excitedly. The doors to the main hall opened for them and Kagome paled.
"Rin," she whispered down at the girl. "I thought you said a few people?"
This was not a few. This was more than fifty! The demons and Demonesses talked amongst themselves, laughing and gesturing to Muro and Sesshomaru who stood on the far side above the crowd next to two thrones.
The announcer besides the two girls cleared his throat. "Miss Rin and Lady Kagome." the hall turned its attention to the two entering, the voices quietened until the only sound was the tap of Kagome's heels as she walked towards the crowd. Rin ran, literally ran off ahead of her to Jaken who stood next to a wall. Kagome was left alone. Taking a deep breath she walked into the crowd that parted for her. The Demonesses whispered things to each other, shooting death looks at her. The demons eyed her curiously, some were more confident to smile at her. Others were planing something for later. Kagome had to hide the shiver that threatened to expose her.
Of all times she wished she was in Sesshomaru's arms, away from the creeps giving her desiring looks.
Sesshomaru and Muro watched her enter. The tiger youkai admired her beauty and frowned as demons gave her looks.
Sesshomaru on the other hand was preparing to kill all the males that dared look at her like that. If it weren't for keeping the peace in the land he would have rejected this ceremony in the first place! Of course, it was necessary to do so.
How beautiful she looks. The dress suits her better than I had hoped.
His gaze flickered to the Lord of the North and then to The Lord of the South with his mate. The Lord of the North would be troublesome without a mate. The Taiyoukai could already see the eagerness in the young demons eyes as he looked at Kagome. It was folly. That damned snake youkai shouldn't have been given the title to lead an estate so early in his life. And now, in the ceremony they have to have every ten years, he was here, eyeing Sesshomaru's own soul mate!
His beast rose automatically and raised its hackles.
If he tries anything then we will kill him, his beast hissed.
No, that would cause the next war. Sesshomaru replied.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as she finally walked up the steps to the dais where her soul mate and his best friend stood. Muro smiled and nodded to her as she walked up the last of the steps. Kagome smiled back and stopped at Sesshomaru's side, turning to face the crowd.
Sesshomaru leant towards her and said quietly. "Do not go anywhere unaccompanied."
Kagome glanced at the crowd, understanding what he meant. "Don't worry; I wasn't even thinking about doing that."
Sesshomaru hid a smile and just before he looked back at the crowd gathered below them he added one more thing. "By the way, you look beautiful, Kagome."
The miko blushed. Sesshomaru stepped forward, the coldness in his eyes plain for all to see.
"Greetings, to you all. As is custom that we meet every ten years to renew the contract written centuries ago by our ancestors." he gestured to the ancient parchment sitting idly on a desk next to the stair case. "May all the Lords, Ladies and Warlords step forward to sign. I myself have already done so."
The talking started up again and soft music started to play. Couples that didn't need to sign the contract started to dance. Kagome gasped at how dignified the dancing was.
Sesshomaru walked down the steps and was immediately surrounded by a group of eager Demonesses. Kagome watched them, feeling something close to resentment rise up in her. The Demonesses were all very beautiful.
Muro stepped over to her and followed her gaze. "Jealously is a sin." he informed her with a small smile.
Kagome stiffened and recovered her composure. "Jealous? Who said I was jealous?"
"Emotions tend to make themselves known in a humans sent and on their features."
Kagome blushed angrily and glared at the Demoness that took Sesshomaru away to dance.
Muro patted her arm. "Do not worry. It is normal for him to dance with a few. It's common courtesy. You are inclined to do the same." he added with a slightly annoyed tone.
Kagome saw the a few individual males looking in her direction. "Uh-uh, no way! I am not going anywhere near those demons."
Muro chuckled. "Sesshomaru will come for you himself soon."
Kagome gaped at him for a minute before going down the steps as fast as her dress would allow. No way would she dance with Sesshomaru. She might do something she might regret! A demon was rapidly approaching her; before any others could he offered her his hand.
"May I have this dance?" his voice was young, yet attractive - nothing like Sesshomaru and Muro, of course. Kagome nodded and took his hand. He twirled her around for a few seconds before bringing her into his chest. Alarm bells immediately went off in her head. Too close! It wasn't necessary to be this close when dancing!
"I would never have believed you were a human." he said softly. Kagome jumped as he swung them around, getting further and further away from the crowd.
"Er…OK." she said slowly. Kagome looked for help. Muro was still standing next to the dais but he wouldn't be able to see them since this damned demon had just swung them behind a pillar!
"You are very beautiful." he whispered in an enticing tone.
Kagome couldn't help but blush, her voice quiet. "Thank you."
For a minute she thought he was going to let her go, and then he obviously changed his mind.
"Would you like to go for a walk?"
Sesshomaru's warning had left her mind completely. He wasn't doing anything yet so what was wrong with a walk?
"OK."
With an arm still around her waist, he led them out of the hall.
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Muro looked around the hall for Kagome but couldn't see her anywhere; his suspicion became clear when he noticed the Lord of the North was missing as well.
Without another thought he jumped the twelve stairs and landed next to Sesshomaru. A few Demonesses inched closer to the tiger but he bared his fangs and they skittered away.
"Muro?" Sesshomaru questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Kagome has gone. That snake must have taken her out."
For a few seconds no emotion appeared on the Taiyoukai's face, but then his eyes flashed red and he swept from the hall. Muro stayed behind to reassure the guests that nothing was wrong. Muro turned in the direction that Sesshomaru had left.
"I hope that snake knows what he's in for if he touches Kagome."
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Kagome eyed the demon cautiously as he towed her through the halls.
"Where are we going?"
Rinox, Lord of the North, looked down at her. "No where in particular."
The further they walked the more nervous Kagome got. What was she supposed to do? She couldn't do anything to one of the Lord's. But she could stall him if help was coming. By reflex she checked behind her and made a face. No one was there.
I guess they changed their minds and I'm not that important anymore.
Rinox turned and went down a corridor that Kagome hadn't seen before and walked into a room. It was at the opposite end of the castle. The room was old and grimy with dust and spider webs littering the floor. Old pieces of furniture were covered by white blankets turned brown by the amount of dust and dirt. Kagome now realized what he was intending and hit herself three times on the head, cursing.
"How could I have been so stupid!" she hissed to herself and he stared at her with an amused expression.
"So, you're Sesshomaru's soul mate?"
"That is Lord Sesshomaru to you, snake, and yes, I am," she growled. He had no right! He may be a Lord but he sure was an ass!
Rinox glared at her and hit her across the face. The force of the impact sent her staggering back; she touched her cheek and pulled her hand back to see blood. He had used his claws to make three painful marks.
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Sesshomaru hurried down the hallways, past servants that cowered back in fear. He could smell the youkai and Kagome. He followed the sent to the oldest part of the castle and rocked back on his heels as he smelt blood - her blood. His eyes flashed red and he raced down the hallway, sliding to a halt at the door and jumped up, smashing it to pieces with a well aimed quick in the centre. Rinox swung around, his eyes going wide with fear as he saw the Taiyoukai in the door way. Kagome gaped at Sesshomaru as he ran his gold eyes over her and spotted the claw marks. A low growl rumbled in his chest and he approached the young Lord. The snake youkai stepped away.
"You're a disgrace to the demon population." Rinox was stalling, but he had a point. Sesshomaru was doing what Inuyasha used to before he lost both Kagome and Kikyo. The Taiyoukai was harbouring feelings for a human and that was a disgrace to demons.
"You dare to accuse me of that? I do not care for this mortal," his voice was cold and his eyes gave away nothing. "What annoys me is that you dare to dishonour a guest in my own home."
Rinox knew the fight was lost and lowered his eyes to the floor, showing that he was backing down to the older demon. The snake youkai departed out of the room, very quickly. Kagome had tears in her eyes. How could Sesshomaru be so cruel? One minute he liked her then the next he hated her?
I can't afford to let my heart be broke again. I can't.
Kagome strode forward, the tears sliding down her cheeks. Sesshomaru stared at her as she stalked past him and out of the room, heading left, to go outside. Sesshomaru appeared in front of her and she stopped. Her expression was blank but the tears in her eyes explained to the demon that she was upset for some reason that he did not understand.
"Kagome, why do you cry?" he raised an eyebrow.
Kagome's eyes glittered with more tears and she angrily wiped them away with the back of her hand.
"'I don't not care for this mortal?'" she quoted sourly, and stepped past him as he paused in thought.
I can't believe it. I'm falling in love with Sesshomaru yet he's already hurting me!
She could hear Sesshomaru walking behind her and she started to jog. She ripped the hem of her dress and started to run. She kicked her heels off and went out of the castle.
Kagome stopped in the garden and sat down underneath the gazebo, letting the tears fall. No one cared about her. Sesshomaru had said he would never hurt her but he just did.
I should never have gone with him, but what of the prophecy? It doesn't matter; as long as I remain alive it can be forestalled.
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Sesshomaru followed her scent; it led him to the garden where he saw her sitting at the gazebo. Her lovely dress was ruined. The Taiyoukai smelt something else in her scent that he had never liked. Despair. She was despairing for what he had said about her? Sesshomaru snorted.
How immature she is being. She should know that I…I…have no feelings for her…
Don't lie to yourself, his beast hissed at him; you know you care about her. You've just got to get past your pride and admit it.
No.
But you already have by saying that you would never hurt her.
That is an entirely different subject.
No it isn't.
Yes it is, now leave me be.
Oh am I annoying you already.
No, I'm just in no mood for you. You're wrong.
Listen to yourself, you may not believe it but you love her, if you're not careful she will leave you and go back to that half-breed.
SILENECE!
Sesshomaru shook himself angrily and proceeded over to the gazebo.
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Kagome sighed shakily and jumped as his deep voice drifted into the gazebo. "There is no need to despair."
Kagome looked across at him, where he was standing idly under the shade of the gazebo. She glared at him and he narrowed his eyes in return.
So a glaring contest is it? They both thought.
They continued to glare at each other before Kagome got slightly intimidated and dropped her eyes to the floor.
"Sesshomaru-"
He fought back the urge to correct her.
"-sometimes you have to watch what you say to people. You hurt me, I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but you hurt me."
Sesshomaru's eyes glinted with some understanding and he went over and sat by her. "It was unintentional."
Kagome's features brightened as he looked away from her.
"Really? Do I get an apology?"
The Taiyoukai looked back at her, his eyes hard and she received her answer. Kagome folded her arms stubbornly and turned away from him.
"Very well then, consider yourself ignored."
I can't wait to see him work his way out of this one.
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Volurin: Isn't Kagome just the cruelest? Lol. Ok, I'm being stupid. Tell me if you liked it and let me know if there are any spelling errors. I hate those things.
See you next chapter.
