Chapter 9: Does this chapter even need a title? part 1

Last time: She took it cautiously and then said, "Fine. Just as long as you promise not to play footsie with me underneath the dinner table. He looked mildly fascinated and she mentally slapped herself. Great. She should've just kept her silence. "There are certain games we can play while eating dinner? What is this 'footsie' you speak of?" he said.

'……..'



-With Kagome and Sesshomaru-

She shook her head in exasperation wishing she could just disappear. But no…he had to have a hold on her arm didn't he? Damn iron grip of his. And now they were walking towards dinner well…Sesshomaru seemed to be dragging her it seemed. Everyone demon with their damn superior demon sense of smell would be able to see the mark or at least smell Sesshomaru on her! Inuyasha would blow a gasket or two. Sango would be mad that Kagome started getting 'jiggy' with a demon. Why must she have such a big mouth? Demons took things literally, of this she knew. Of course he'd be interested to know of these future terms. And she couldn't even protest…could she? He'd bloody marked her with something like a hickey! And he walked in on her half-naked! Okay sure he owned the palace she had to give him that…but didn't he believe in privacy?

'Its for your protection. So no other demon will think about touching or coming near you.' He had said to her. Convenient excuse! "This thing'll fade and go away with time right?" Kagome asked him. He gave her a hurt look but it vanished the next second and turned to face forward again. "Hn. Yes." He said. Why would she even ask? Why didn't she want them to…

"I just wanted to know. You know, being human and all…Sango didn't exactly teach me everything." Kagome said reassuring him. She grinned evilly. He was jealous that Kagome didn't like him? Or was afraid that she would reject him? Then she had another thought. "Hey did you release Inuyasha from the dungeons yet? Will he be at dinner?"

"Yes, unfortunately the hanyou will be attending dinner. Apparently he was behaving being locked up, with having time to think things over." Sesshomaru said. But of one thing Sesshomaru was sure of, when Inuyasha saw Kagome's mark or caught his scent on her he'd blow a gasket and then Sesshomaru would gladly throw Inuyasha back in the dungeons….for an extended period this time. Kagome took all this in and then whispered, "Ne…do you think Kikyo will be there as well?"

"No. She has no desire to dine with us nor, this Sesshomaru is sorry to say, near you and your presence." He said. Kagome nodded her head. She understood clearly. Oddly, she was glad that she wouldn't have to see Kikyo while she was staying here. She was probably collecting souls. She inwardly shuddered and thought what a horrible life Kikyo had. She wasn't living nor was she dead. She was just in-between somewhere. Secretly she wanted to help Kikyo find her peace, (as well as get the rest of her (Kagome's) soul back) but she knew that it would hurt Inuyasha because Kikyo was his love. Kagome was jealous or had been, that they shared a bond…a bond that Kagome had never been able to breach or break but now she didn't even want to. Why was that?

"Kagome!" a feminine voice called from down that hall.

"Lady Kagome!"

Kagome looked up to see Sango walking up to her looking stunning in her kimono with Miroku with a look on his face that he was too stunned and enthralled by Sango's appearance that he quite forgot that he even groped her. His bossy, violent yet beautiful woman. Sesshomaru sighed. This was his alone-time with Kagome. He didn't want any company right now but the slayer and Kagome seemed to be inseparable, like sisters. He just shook his head and let them chatter about whatnot.

"Kagome you look good in that color." Sango said eyeing the dark blue kimono which had silver and lavender sakura petals with a light green obi. The obi had gold cords/tassels wrapped around it, loosely tied, easy to pull off. It was made of very fine silk, embroidered in certain areas. Heavy wool was sewn into the bottom hem so when Kagome walked it would flow behind her, giving her a graceful appearance when she walked. It definitely costed much more than what Sango was wearing. Something like that would only, should only be worn by ladies of the youkai royal family, lady of the lands, princess of the lands etc. Not even the youkai noble court could wear it. Hmm… Occasion? Sango would have to wait to find out. She narrowed her eyes as she gave Sesshomaru a side look who looked back with an innocent look that he knew nothing of what she was thinking about.

The guy sure had a sketchy agenda….she wondered what he was thinking about.

She'd figure it out, sooner than most. Sesshomaru thought. She'd been taught well about 'their' kind. But it would take time for her to realize that they were not the bloody vicious killers who killed for fun that she'd been taught by her villagers. He had to admit that she wasn't a foolish human as he'd first thought her to be. She had taught Kagome to be a stronger woman.

"Sango?" Kagome asked fidgeting. Sango was in deep thought and her look was directed at her Sesshomaru….wait 'her' Sesshomaru? Where the hell did that come from? Ah-HA! It was that bloody mark on her shoulder that was making her feel all fuzzy and warm about Sesshomaru. He wasn't being himself either. His beast was feeling the need to constantly watch her, be near her and that she'd meet her doom if she strayed too far from him. It was connecting them in some weird way. She wasn't sure how she felt about this. Oh no! what if he made her sit next to him, to his left? She was sure she'd die of mortification and then Inuyasha would try and kill Sesshomaru and then Inuyasha would die by Sesshomaru's hands (the castle did have a no fighting on castle grounds rule) or Sesshomaru would lock Inuyasha up in the dungeons for life and then Kagome would get upset and never want to see Sesshomaru and then he'd die of heartbreak. Yup, life wasn't looking up at the time. Dinner was sure to be interesting as she saw Inuyasha walking down the hall muttering something about stupid big brothers. She tensed and knew that Sesshomaru heard him as well. She bit her lip. Great. Inuyasha was going to die and in front of the dining room, before dinner even began.

Before she could get a word in, large doors appeared in front of her and opened slowly. Sango gave her arm a reassuring squeeze that she was here with her and Kagome nodded. She looked into the room and saw many youkai nobility, with women dressed in beautiful kimono's and jewelry that sparkled in the candlelight, from males, some who regarded her with a questioning look. Everyone knew who she was of course, the Miko of the Shikon-no-tama. She was feared, admired, hated and respected. Someone you didn't want to pick a fight with unless it was necessary. The smart ones stayed away, the foolish ones purified by her hands. It was only too fitting that their lord have her by his side. No one dared question him. Whether lover, mate, healer or the Lord's Miko it didn't matter. No one dared challenge him for her either.

-With Kagome-

Okay she could do this and she straightened her shoulders. She was Kagome Higurashi! She could handle anything life threw at her. She didn't know what the others were thinking at the minute or about her for that matter. She was having an inferiority complex here! There were so many good looking beings here and she felt out of place. Okay she'd just follow Sesshomaru's orders from now on, no matter how un-Kagome that sounded.

And indeed Sesshomaru had placed her to his left, the cocky bastard. Sango sat next to her, giving her a sense of security or the fact that Sesshomaru knew what she was thinking. She knew he hadn't forgotten about the footsie game either. Why must life be so cruel to her!?

No doubt the demons had already sensed the mark as some just accepted the fact. Some ladies of the court gave Kagome hated glares, always hoping that they'd somehow get to sink their claws, so to speak, into Sesshomaru. Some didn't even care about mating; they just wanted him, to bear him an heir and proudly say that the heir to western lands was their son and no other bitches. That chance was ruined and would be unless they found a way to get rid of this Miko for good.

Kagome was getting a bad feeling from the women seated further down and across from her but she chose to ignore it. Inuyasha who was seated next to Miroku across from her frowned as he too felt it and went on constant alert for any signs of impending danger to their pack.

Dinner was mostly silent as some ladies asked Kagome personal and rude questions which were getting glares from certain males although they didn't show it. Kagome answered some questions with grace and politeness, some beating around the bush and some leaving parts out, yet Sesshomaru could feel her anger and powers rising. He might have to hold her down lest she jump over the table and purify one of the youkai court. Something he might enjoy doing….but that was besides the point.

A woman who was giving Sesshomaru a 'take me now look' earned a glare/growl from Kagome herself and a bored look from Sesshomaru. "So Lady Kagome I understand that you are after that hanyou Naraku…with all the power you possess why is it that you have not been able to capture him as of yet? Or is it that you have given yourself to…" the rude youkai lady started. Kagome's eyes flashed with anger for a second about the stupid demoness even thinking that she'd even think about getting it on with Naraku. "What are you jealous? that you want a piece of Naraku first? but you have given yourself to so many males that who would want you except for...." A male demon started. The said demoness glared at the male who was addressing her. Bastard. Always made her look bad since he never had her. Even though she was as pure since the day she was born. It was she who should be asking how many females he's been with....How dare he speak to a female of the youkai court like she was nothing but a common whore?

Kagome was about to speak but Inuyasha chose to intervene knowing it was going to hurt him in the end, but better him getting hurt than Kagome. He jumped off his seat, pointed and glared saying, "Why you #$^%^$%$# wench! How dare you ask Kagome…eh…sama such a question! She's more a respected female than you ever will be. Okay so I admit that the human wench does some qualities that cannot be changed whatsoever….huh…ah Kagome…I was only trying to help?" Inuyasha stuttered as he saw Kagome stand up and turn a reddish color. How dare he even try to fix things?

Sango sighed. This was going nowhere fast.

"INUYASHA!!!!!" It was coming. Impending doom. He flattened his ears and some youkai in the room winced at the tone and loudness of her voice. Some couldn't believe what they saw next. Of course no one knew the story of Inuyasha's necklace so they all thought this was the work of an angry powerful miko…..

"SIT!"

(BOOM!)

"SIT!"

(BOOM!)

"BAKA!"

"SIT!"

(BOOM!)

"BAKA!"

"SIIITTTTTT!"

(BIG BOOM!)

The demons in the room made a mental note never to make Kagome this mad ever again. "This Sesshomaru thought only the command 'sit' worked on the hanyou." Sango hid a laugh and said that when Kagome got this angry any word goes. The angry glare was now directed at the said, youkai lady who was the start of all this and she winced at the enraged miko who radiated power but the stubborn demoness didn't back down.

"If you ever try and say or start something like this again, I will not hesitate to purify you where you stand/sit is that clear?" Kagome said. The demoness nodded and inwardly seethed and Sesshomaru's proud look, directed at Kagome. This wasn't over yet. Kagome smiled lovingly at Sesshomaru (must have been the claiming mark.) and said, "Now where were we?" No one was paying attention to Inuyasha's fallen form. Poor guy didn't deserve it at all. Some court members excused themselves from the table and said they had other things to attend to while younger members just bolted, the thought of being purified not a very satisfying one.

"You were going to explain to this Sesshomaru what this term 'footsie' you speak of is." He said calmly. Kagome blinked. When had she agreed to that? "Don't even think about saying you aren't going to tell this Sesshomaru." He warned her.

"But its not even that important!" Kagome started. This was so embarrassing! "Okay fine." She huffed as she crossed her arms and said, "Its like when you uhm...like someone then you play with their uhmm…foot under the uhhmm…table and….uhm…" why was this so hard to explain to him? Because she liked him and wanted to play more than footsie under the table with him?

Sesshomaru nodded for her to continue both lost in their own little world as Miroku listened on. This would prove to be helpful in the future. Sango groaned. She knew the hentai was listening in…very avidly in fact. Why couldn't Kagome and Sesshomaru take this conversation to a more private location? Where certain hentai's couldn't hear them. Wait…that didn't sound right.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled jumping out from his crater.

"Hanyou do you want to go back to the dungeons?" Sesshomaru asked him in a dangerous tone. True he did send Inuyasha to the dungeons but he sent him to the better ones than the ones where a person would be chained up and tortured like corporeal punishment. Even the hanyou didn't deserve that. well Dinner had never been this entertaining before.

"No I don't want to go." Inuyasha said his tone softening a little bit but now he sounded like a child saying something like he 'didn't want to eat his vegetables' or something along those lines.

Miroku sighed and then said, "Inuyasha my friend why must you be so annoying and aggravate your brother?" He looked up at the hanyou who sat back down on his chair and looked away. The world was coming to end, of this he was sure of! Why was everyone acting up? He didn't do anything at all! He just saved Kagome from embarrassment and Sesshomaru from killing someone.

He got up and stalked out of the dining room not bothering to be polite and say if he could be excused as to leave the table. But then again, he hadn't learned all manners of the court and he did sleep in a tree….so could you really blame him? Kagome sighed and stared at his retreating back.

"I have lost my appetite. If I may be excused?" Miroku said and Sesshomaru just nodded as he watched Miroku walk out of the hall. If he was hungry he knew where the kitchens were. He'd make sure to tell the women in the kitchen beforehand, that he was a hentai and to be wary of him. And also they weren't allowed to kill him since he was a guest in the palace. The room was suddenly silent and a bowls of rice, chicken, sushi and other good things was placed in front of Kagome. Well at least he remembered that she ate cooked food. That was a good sign that he cared for her well being and cared about what she did/didn't eat and if it was healthy for her.

She was hoping that Sesshomaru had forgotten about the term 'footsie' but alas it was not meant to be. Damn. She told him quietly and he was fascinated, and of course he didn't show it. He had always thought that everything needed a purpose/a reason but Kagome told him that this footsie was just something that a couple would do for fun and show that they cared or liked each other.

After dinner, Kagome and Sesshomaru walked out the hall together, servants bowing as they passed by. Kagome didn't think she deserved such praise as though she was the lady of the lands and blushed but Sesshomaru paid them no heed. Kagome's eyebrow twitched. Oh yes, how could she have forgotten? It must be very difficult to live a royal life in a palace with people waiting on you all the time.

-Inuyasha-

He couldn't believe that Sesshomaru had the gall to tell him that he'd send him back to the dungeons as he stared at a painting on the wall. He paced in the room he was given as a knock sounded on his door. He sighed and opened the door to reveal Miroku giving him an exasperated look.

"Inuyasha my friend." He said and Inuyasha let him in and shut the door behind him.

"What is it?" he said in an irritated voice. He did something right this time and he still had to be the one to pay for it! He should just leave this place once and for all. Kikyo. Where was she? He hadn't seen her in a while. Did Kagome succeed in killing her and taking her soul back? But Kagome wasn't like that. She would give Kikyo the benefit of doubt even if it caused her pain. Kagome was just kind like that and it drove him nuts. Why was Kagome so nice to everyone? And to top it all off he'd seen his bastard brother's courting/claiming mark on her. Grr…it was so damn pathetic. It was wrong! He punched a pillow violently as Miroku just shook his head.

He was concerned for his friend. True, he wasn't interested in Kagome like that anymore but he still cared for her well being. Like a brother would and Sesshomaru was on the do-not list.

Sango was walking down the hall in silence as she heard Miroku talking to Inuyasha. Well it sounded more like Inuyasha hitting things and Miroku sighing. It wasn't like him to try and help Inuyasha out but then again, he was wise and very kind should the situation arise. She wanted to speak to Kagome but she was probably busy with Sesshomaru right now and she smiled inwardly.

-Demoness-

That wench who thought she could be or play the lady of the west would pay dearly, famous miko or no famous miko. Sesshomaru was hers and hers only! Who was this HUMAN who thought she could just waltz in and take what should have been hers? How no why would Sesshomaru notice that human more than a pretty demoness like her? Was she not pretty enough for him? Was he not impressed by her beautiful jewels to add to her looks?

She paced her room as she glared into the fireplace. How would she get rid of this human without Sesshomaru knowledge? True, she didn't know who exactly who this Miko was but it didn't matter. All that mattered was Sesshomaru. 'I hate her!' she seethed as she threw a glass into the fireplace, which instantly shattered. She wasn't afraid of the 'Great Miko's purifying abilities' as everyone was praising her.

"Hanabi why are you not asleep yet?" a voice called from behind her door. She opened her door to reveal her older brother, Hiroshi. She ran a hand through her dark green hair and smiled.

"I was just thinking big brother. Goodnight." She said. He nodded and walked further down the hall. His sister was thinking, cooking up some sort of scheme and it didn't sit well with him. Their family was from the youkai court but there was always a certain possibility that they could displease the lord and Hanabi was a bad apple, so to speak. He'd have to keep an eye on her. She hated humans and Lady Kagome was not only human but a powerful Miko and who had a monk and a demon slayer at her disposal. Not to mention Sesshomaru… to who it seemed that he'd do anything to protect her. Hanabi would be so dead and he didn't want his little sister to die because of her foolishness. She could mate someone else and bear someone else's heir. She didn't need Sesshomaru. With that thought he walked into his room and shut the door behind him.

-Inuyasha and Miroku-

"I'm going to my room now. Don't do anything stupid." Miroku said and caught Inuyasha's glare.

"GAH! for once I try and do something good in life and people are nagging me, angry and sending me off to the dungeons!" Inuyasha said and stalked further into the room not bothering to look at Miroku when he shook his head and left. He ran into Sango outside in the hall and gave her a small smile.

"Lady Sango. Out for a midnight stroll? I should accompany you because you could fall into danger so I will come and protect you." He decided for her. Sango rolled her eyes at him.

"The only danger around here is you monk."

"My dear and lovely Sango! I am deeply wounded!" he said in a mock hurt voice.

"And besides I was only going to my room." she said ignoring the fact that he had been 'deeply wounded'

"Fine. Stubborn woman. I shall escort you there." He said. She nodded and the both walked together down the hall in silence. Then Sango said something completely random which elicited a perverted chuckle from Miroku.

"I wonder what Kagome is up to?" Sango said.

-Kagome and Sesshomaru- (his room)

"Are you being completely serious?!" Kagome said as she gave him a stare, arms crossed. He nodded at her. She gave him an unhappy frown and sat on the bed. "I WILL NOT! I REFUSE! YOU….!!! I can't even say the word." she pointed at him like it was all his fault and sagged her shoulders.

"Kagome." He said.

"Don't you 'Kagome' me! I thought even you were above that!" she said. Sesshomaru said nothing. Why would she make such a big deal out of this? He had offered a second option but nooo…the onna (woman) wasn't even happy then! Were the future woman this hard to please?

"I don't like you." Kagome said hoping he'd get her point.

"This Sesshomaru is aware of that." He said. He was tired. This was getting old. He was bored. He'd rather be doing other things right now. Not arguing with the woman over something that wasn't important. Especially right now. He should've just threatened her and made his own decision. It was always easier that way. But no, he just had to be the gentleman and let her decide didn't he? huh? Then he heard yelling from outside his chambers.

-Inuyasha-

"Who decided this again?! Was it that bastard brother of mine? I did nothing wrong! I'm telling you!" as he struggled with the guard who was trying to get a hold of his arms. The guard was getting irritated. Why was royalty so annoying? He needed a new job.

"WHY MUST EVERYONE ALWAYS SEND ME OFF TO THE DUNGEONS?!!! I DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!"

'………………..'

"Sesshomaru..." Kagome said in a warning voice.

"It was not this Sesshomaru who decided to send the hanyou away Kagome." he said. She still looked at him like she didn't believe his words and he shrugged like 'what did he care.'


Lady Nefertiti: chapter 9.

Inuyasha: "You get a kick out of sending me to the dungeons don't you?"

Lady Nefertiti: (trying to plead her case) "Uhm....well at least Sesshomaru isn't trying to hurt or kill you right?!"

Inuyasha: True.

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