Chapter Six: The Council and Their Decision
The next night, the whole house was bustling about getting ready for the arrival of the council. They were due any time now. Rin and I were getting ready in Inuyasha's room, our bodies buzzing with excitement.
"So, what do you think they're like huh? Do you think they are old or young?" She asked, applying some mascara to her long dark lashes. I wasn't really sure how to answer that. I figured most vampires got turned when they were young to preserve their youth.
"Well, I think it's going to be half and half. 50% old and 50% young." I joked, doing the finishing touches on my make-up.
"Well, why don't you come and find out my love. They're here." Inuyasha said coming into the room. I felt the butterflies surface, and wished for once to be somewhere else. I wasn't sure how ready I was to meet these people. They would determine my status as Inu's mate.
"Oh my god, well, ok then, let's go." I said standing up. "You look absolutely gorgeous." he said breathlessly. I giggled softly and then kissed his nose, lacing my fingers with his. I had a tight silk black dress on that hugged all my curves. It was a long halter style with a very low v-neck cut. The dress had a slit on the right side up to my lower thigh, revealing my black stilettos that tied up my calves. Rin had on a short black leather skirt, an orange corset and orange stilettos.
We got the to the stairs and as we descended, I saw ten men in black robes, all of whom were staring at us. "You ok?" Inuyasha asked, apparently feeling my anxiety.
"Well, when you have 10 angry men all ready to suck your blood and kill you, let me know how you would feel." I finished, hearing him chuckle,
"Don't worry love, everything will be ok. Just be yourself." He said, encouraging me. I nodded, grasped his hand again, and continued my journey.
"Hello humans." one of the older men said, scowling. "Hey, care to have a better attitude?" I teased, seeing his brow furrow in anger. "Mind your tongue human or I'll cut it out." He yelled. I cringed but didn't show any fear, knowing that they would enjoy it.
"Yea, whatever, lets just get this meeting over with." I said releasing Inuyasha's hand and walking into the meeting hall. I wouldn't let these idiots know they were getting to me. I didn't care how powerful they were, I wouldn't be walked all over.
"She has quite the attitude Inuyasha, don't you think you need to fix that? Women are supposed to bow down to men, not mock them!" one of them yelled. I winced knowing I had put Inuyasha in a very bad spot.
"This is a different age Valhalley, women don't conform to men anymore." Inuyasha said, making me smile. I chuckled and waited for them to all come into the room, thankful that he was taking up for me. I put him in a very awkward position and he hadn't complained one time.
Once they were all seated, Daemon, the leader, started talking. He was an older man. Tall, very well built, long fangs, gleaming red eyes…he also had long black hair, streaked with grey roots. I wanted to seem unaffected by his presence but found it was a little hard than I originally thought.
"Let me introduce everyone," he started. "I am Daemon, this is my son Charlie, this is Cain, Laemon, Gideon, Valhalley, Zhan, Liam, Christopher, and this is Jamison. We are the council." He said, pointing to each one. I smiled and nodded sweetly, greeting each one with a courteous nod; deep down hiding my distaste.
"Well, my name is Kagome Higurashi, and this is my friend Rin." I said. Rin nodded courtly, showing no fear of these men. I was proud of her. I watched as Sesshoumaru laced his fingers through hers and smiled brightly. I wanted details.
"So you are the source of our problem eh?" Charlie said, eying me suspiciously. I remembered the warning that Ayumi had issued to me and I was starting to see her point. He radiated evil.
"Yes. Inuyasha and I are mated, and I don't intend to break that in any way. If I have to fight for it, so be it." I said, throwing him an "I dare you" look. He smirked and turned his attention to his father.
"You'll fight for it huh? Well, my daughter would be glad to fight you for Inuyasha. I have to warn you though, she is quite the dangerous one." He said, motioning towards the door. A pretty blonde girl came in and eyed me dangerously.
"That's what I'd have to fight? Oh please, bring it on Barbie." I said chuckling. Inuyasha cleared his throat, getting my attention, "She has a black belt honey. You're no match." I wanted to laugh loudly at his suggestion. Black belt meant nothing compared to us southern girls. "She has no idea what she is getting into. Us southern girls aren't that bad at fighting." I fussed, standing up.
She smirked and waved her finger, "Sit down human. In due time. Just, don't get to comfortable with her Inuyasha, before you know it, she'll be my next meal."
I balled up my fists, ready to fight now. I didn't want to wait any longer. "If you are going to talk to me, at least address me yourself. I'm right here you know." I said, throwing her a bird. She hissed and I laughed, picturing her as a cat.
"Well hiss hiss to you too. Now, down to business. If I beat this, um thing, right here in the Malibu Barbie outfit. What's going to be the plan?" I asked, ignoring the hissing thing.
"I can assure you that you wont…"
"Oh hush, you may as well know your daughter is going to be dust in the wind soon. Start planning what's going to be done about it." I said, hearing Cain and Valhalley chuckle. I smiled in their direction, silently thanking them for their unspoken support. I was thankful that someone had faith in my abilities. I had to fight for what I wanted.
"Well, Inuyasha, you and your mate have three options. IF she wins against Peru…"
"Peru? Are you kidding me?" I asked, bursting into laughter. Valhalley, Cain, Gideon, and Christopher joined me, seeing how ridiculous this whole thing was. I couldn't believe they were putting me against her.
"SILENCE!" Daemon yelled, hushing us at once. I tried hard to contain the laughter, which took more than I thought it would.
"Calm down. It's just the girl thing. Peru probably thinks my name is stupid." I said, trying to hold in my laughter again.
"It matters not! You have three options that will be discussed upon her win against Peru." Daemon said as the room filled with dead silence, the weight of the situation bearing down on everyone, especially Inuyasha and I.
I looked over to my mate, seeing the fight he was having within himself. His painful expression hurting me, inside and out. I could feel the inner turmoil stirring within him. I touched his arm slightly, feeling him wrench it away. Tears were threatening to fall, but I held them back, knowing it was what these creatures wanted. I couldn't let them see how weak I felt at the moment.
"Well, so when is the fight between me and Ken…I mean Barbie and I? I'm ready to kick some stuck up candy ass!" I said, seeing her grimace. I knew I could handle her; it was only a measure of wits.
"At midnight, the fight will commence. Be ready little one, it won't be easy." Charlie said, throwing me a cool smirk, making my hatred flare. "Be ready Peru because You. Are. Dead." I said, stalking out of the room, hearing Rin following close behind me.
"Are you stupid or just plain risky? You heard Inuyasha say that she has a black belt! The only thing you have is street smarts, how are you going to beat her?" she asked, stressing already. I needed her to have more faith in my fighting abilities. I could win, I just knew it.
"I don't know." I said, going into Inuyasha's room to change. "Well you better figure it out soon." A sweet voice said behind us. I turned to see Ayumi, Koga's wife, standing in the doorway. A flood of relief filled my heart, hoping she was on my side. I didn't think I could handle someone else telling me she would kill me easily.
"Hey girl! She can't be that good!" I said jokingly, seeing her face-harden. "She beat Sango." She said quietly, stopping me in my tracks. Now I knew I was in trouble.
"Oh shit." I said, sitting down on the bed. "Yea." She said, chuckling. "Don't worry though, Sango and I are going to teach you her strategy." She said as they grabbed two swords.
"Well, let's get started." Sango said, throwing me the sword. I caught it with ease and smiled, enjoying this feeling already.
"First, never get to cocky." She said, reappearing behind me. I sidestepped her attack, surprising her.
"Oh really? I didn't know that!" I said giggling, charging at her. She smiled evilly and sidestepped me, hitting my back with the hilt of the sword, knocking me to the floor. I groaned, knowing I'd feel that later.
"Secondly, never underestimate your opponent." She said, helping me up. "You know, if you bang me up, I won't be able to fight that well." I joked, seeing her laugh. I could see how worried she was about the fight because the look in her eyes mirrored mine.
"Sorry, I just got carried away. Peru has good fighting skills but no strength what so ever. She is also very cocky and will underestimate you greatly because you're human, which will leave her open to your attacks. Always watch her, her weak point is her back. She fell down the stairs a couple of months ago and hasn't healed yet. That much I do know." Sango continued, my ears all open for once. I hadn't realized that right now, I could run and hide and never have to see Inuyasha again.
That's not true love. With our connection, I could easily find you. He said into my mind. I smirked and chuckled at the thought.
Well, you are VERY lucky I don't want to run and hide from that vampire skank. I'm ready for a fight any day. I said back to him, hearing him chuckle too. There was no way I was going to run from this. I was to involved now.
Midnight…
It was finally midnight, and our fight was being held in a small arena that was positioned in the basement of the castle. I chuckled softly as I watched Inuyasha's coven, along with my friends and the council seat themselves around the arena, all holding their breath for the outcome of this fight. I had been practicing since five, and It was finally time for me to step up to the plate and do some damage. I had to show these vampire clowns that human's weren't to be messed with.
I saw Ri seated on the front row near me with Sesshoumaru sitting beside her, daring anyone to try and mess with his girl. I smiled and waved, thankful for their support.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Inuyasha said, coming behind me to wrap his arms around my neck. I jumped, shocked by his presence, "You scared the crap out of me. You drive me bonkers when you do that!" I fussed, turning around in his arms.
"Kagome, if she is about to kill you then I'm stepping in. I won't stand for it." Inuyasha said defensively. "Well, don't worry Hunn, I'm going to be perfectly fine, now go and sit with your friends, they're so antsy that they are about to pop! Bye." I said starting to walk to the middle.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha said, grabbing my arm and turning me around, pulling me flush against him, "Good luck." He whispered, kissing me fully on the lips, rubbing my bite mark, sending chills throughout my body, and igniting it on fire. I broke the kiss and sighed, "Ok, afterwards, you owe me some good lovin." He chuckled loudly and smiled. "I promise." He said, slapping my butt and jumping into the stands to join his family.
I turned around as I heard the arena drop into a dead silence. Peru was walking to the middle of the arena, meeting me halfway. I put on my serious face and strolled up to her, never breaking eye contact.
"Ready to die bitch?" she said, smirking. "No I have a coven to lead with Inuyasha." I said shocking her. "Don't be so sure sweetie. I think today is a lovely day to die." I laughed. "Well, that's good because your death is about 30 seconds away." She growled loudly and balled up her fists. "Go to hell!" I chuckled, loving the way her eyes lit up in fire. Her anger was just what I wanted. The angrier she got, the more careless she became. "Save me a seat!" I said, punching her.
The arena erupted into cheers, and some of the vampires started throwing bottles onto the ground, giving me an idea.
"You're going to pay for that!" she growled, her eyes glowing red. "Yada-yada…keep on talking bitch! Actions speak louder than words!" I said, running towards a bottle that was close by. I picked it up just as Peru appeared beside me and kicked me. The move sent my body flying against a wall. It hit with a dull thud and I heard Rin and Ayumi yelling for me to get up.
Please get up love. Inuyasha said into my mind. I smiled and stood up, glaring at her. Don't worry about me, I told you I wasn't some measly little girl. I said into his mind, feeling the panic racing through his body.
"C'mon human! You talk big but you can't do anything!" she growled, racing towards me. I chuckled, placing the broken bottle in front of me.
Peru appeared in front of me and I felt the bottle embed itself in her ribs. She gasped and stepped back, and I watched as the blood ran down her body.
"Yea, I do talk big, but I also back it up." I growled, ripping the broken bottle from her body, her screams of agony ripping throughout the arena, silencing everyone. I punched her again, knocking her to the ground. I grinned wickedly, wanting to get this over with quickly.
"Get up Barbie!" I yelled, kicking her sides. I looked down to see a piece of the bottle still stuck in her right rib, the sharp end sticking halfway in and halfway out. I suddenly felt sorry for what I had done, I never wanted to truly hurt her.
"I don't want to kill you." I said seeing her smirk. "Spoken like a true human. I'm not done yet." She said ripping the broken piece out of her rib. I cringed as blood spurted out, covering the arena floor. That would have been very painful for me, but she looked like it didn't matter to her.
"Nicely done." I said, watching her stand. I acted nonchalant about it, trying to appear more courageous than I actually was.
I kicked her in the shins and ran over to where Ayumi, Sango, and Rin were seated. "Here!" Sango yelled, tossing me the sword. "Cut off her head." Ayumi yelled, her eyes turning red. I laughed at how animalistic they all were. The whole coven was enjoying this. I could even see Rin starting to enjoy it.
"Here Barbie, Barbie, Barbie! I have a new friend for you to meet!" I said, giggling at my own humor. "You be a good girl and come meet your new friend." I mocked in a baby voice. She screamed and ran towards me, her anger flaring, making all her rational thoughts flee, leaving her practically defenseless. That's what I loved most about fighting. If you got someone mad, they would mostly loose all conscious thought because they just wanted the kill.
"That's it, come on baby." I said quietly, waiting for her to get near me. I sidestepped her and knocked her to the ground, quickly cutting off her head before she could get up.
The arena went dead silent again as I dropped the sword. I turned around to face Inuyasha, seeing his eyes wide with excitement.
You did it my love. He whispered into my mind, his words flowing sweetly, exciting me. "YAY!" Sango yelled, jumping down to embrace me as the arena erupted into shouts of joy again, filling me with pride.
A few minutes later, the council adjourned to the meeting hall, Inuyasha and I also following, praying for a miracle.
"We need to talk after this." I said receiving a concerned yet fearful look from him.
…
When we entered the room, I smiled triumphantly, proud of myself for once in a long time. "Congratulations Kagome on your win over Peru. I am sad to see her go, but it was a fair fight and you were the victor." Cain said shaking my hand. I smiled and thanked him, seeing the other members smile and nod to me.
Daemon, however, was consumed by his anger, and I stepped behind Inuyasha, fearing he might strike. "You have three options here Inuyasha." He hissed, his eyes blazing red.
"One, you turn her. I will not have a human leading our coven."
"But…"
"TWO! Miss Kagome, we can magically break you and Inuyasha's bond, send you and your friends, on your way, and out of ALL our lives."
"BUT…"
"Three…" he said, sighing, "Inuyasha, you can step down from your position and stay with your mate. The only rules to that would be for you to move out of the mansion. You would be disowned by the coven." Daemon said, wiping his forehead with a white cloth.
He turned his blood red eyes over to me, glaring, "You have two hours to decide. Make it quick." He said through gritted teeth. I looked to Inuyasha, panic racing through me. How could I decide this in just two hours? This was a life changing decision, one that couldn't be taken lightly.
"Two hours…" I whispered. I looked around the room seeing everyone's eyes on me, and I tried to look strong as my world started closing in.
((Inuyasha Pov…))
I could sense Kagome's distress, and uneasiness with the outcome of this whole situation. I felt awful for having to put her in this tough spot, but she didn't really make matters better either. I had already ruled out her leaving, my mate was in no way going to be touched and unbound to me, by magic. Magic had never done any good to our kind; it had only made matters worse.
"Inuyasha? You there?" I heard her soft voice say. I looked down to see her tear stained eyes staring up at me, apprehension seeping from her veins.
"Sorry. What were you saying?" I asked, my body becoming edgy with each word we spoke. "Well, since you ruled out me leaving, I have no other choice but to be turned. I can't let you step down from your position as leader. Your friends and family need you, I need you, so there is no other way. This has to be it." She said, trying to be brave. Her fear though was so strong, it scared me.
"It's your choice Kagome. You don't have to do anything you don't want to." I said, anger flashing through her eyes. "I don't want to make this decision! Why can't I just be who I am? I don't understand any of this!" she fussed, tears falling from her sweet eyes again. I pulled her into my arms and held her, whispering encouraging words to her, letting her know that everything would be all right. I knew at that moment, what had to be done.
Two Hours Later…
When the council adjourned again in the meeting room, Kagome grasped my hand and laced her fingers with mine. Both of her hands were trembling in fright, still not knowing whether she was making the right decision or not.
"Have you made your decision?" Daemon asked, fury still burning deep within him. "Yes." She said bravely, not showing them any sign of weakness.
"And…" he said. She hesitated and looked up to me, tears now showing again, "I'm going to step down from my position as leader." I said, seeing her eyes go wide with surprise. Her tears starting to fall freely, a huge weight lifted from her. She hugged me, pleased with my answer.
"But Inuyasha…"
"No Daemon, I care about my mate deeply. I won't have her unbound from me and I won't make her into something she doesn't want to be. I will not force her to become one of us until she is ready." I said, hearing her gasp.
"Inuyasha…what about…"
"I'm nothing without you near me." I told her, trying to soothe my own anger.
"Thank you." She whispered, laying her head down on my shoulder. I smiled and put my arm around her, hugging her tighter to me. I had to make "Well, if that is your decision Inuyasha, then we respect it." Daemon said, smiling evilly.
"Yes. But, we aren't moving out of the house. The coven has convened and they agree that it will be ok." I said, seeing his smile diminish, his lips tightening.
"I will let it slide for now. We will decide who the new leader will be in a week. Until then, you may stay. The coven will have to petition everyone in the house along with the council." He finished.
I nodded, grabbed Kagome's hand and walked out, feeling proud of the selfless decision I had just made. It was for the best right now. Even though I wanted nothing but to have her as my mate, my childe…I knew I couldn't force her to do anything she wasn't ready for. All I want is her happiness, and if I have to wait for mine…then I don't mind, especially if it's all for her.
