A/N: OMG im so sorry it took so long to update. SO MUCH HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND I HAD SUCH A BLOCK! D: it sucked! But you got it now! I hope everyone enjoys :D
P.S.: The song that inspired this chapter is 'The Garden Meeting' from the Memoirs of a Geisha soundtrack. ALSO! There is a song from an old anime I used to watch that Kagome sings and UGH I love it so much.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
This chapter was edited by my beta and re-uploaded on 6/30/2018
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Chapter nine: The Garden Meeting
'No force in the world is strong enough to cause me to abandon the late Inu-No-Taisho's final command. It was his wish that I remain near the O-Oujo-sama while her safety is at risk. Every day her situation becomes more and more perilous. It is no longer a war between Ningen and Youkai, but between the good and bad forces in our world. I have seen Youkai devour one another to gain power and influence, and Ningen turn on their own just to survive. The O-Oujo-sama cannot be left so defenseless in such a hostile world. This Totosai, your humble servant and loyal vassal, respectfully declines your request to return to the Western Mountains.'
No matter how many times his eyes read the outrageous missive, Sesshoumaru could not wrap his frustrated mind around the fact that a direct order had been so callously disregarded. He was Inu-No-Taisho now, and even at such a young age he was considered one of the most powerful Youkai of their time. How dare that old crone be so insubordinate! Even though Totosai proudly held the title of being the oldest living Youkai, who happened to possess more Yoki and wisdom than any of their kind, he was still no Taisho and was expected to kneel to the commands of his sovereign Lord! Where did he get the gall to be so blatantly disrespectful?!
Piercing golden eyes were beginning to bleed red from the painful slight to his ego and dominance. Sesshoumaru, seated at the same elegant desk his father once ruled from, tore the parchment into shreds with vehemence. It was taking all his willpower and control to calm the raging desire to do the same to Totosai's body. However, doing so would only incur resentment from his fellow Taisho. Totosai was the most renowned blacksmith throughout all the four Kingdoms and his weapons were things of legend; no one wanted to be without his priceless skills during a time of war. After taking a few deep, controlled breaths through his angular nose, Sesshoumaru felt his heart slowing and the heat under his skin beginning to die down. After so many months of being on edge, of planning for this upcoming and pivotal mission, the smallest upsets these days easily triggered his temper.
The following morning, the best warriors from all four Youkai Kingdoms would mobilize into one unstoppable force. Preparations had already been made and battle plans were finalized; there was no going back. At that time, the Palace of the Ningen Kingdom would be sieged without mercy or hesitation. Their mission was firm. End the lives of every Ningen within the palace walls, be they a lowly servant or the O-Kotei himself. The four Taisho would meet on the field with their warriors, a showing of unity between the Youkai Kingdoms, before commencing a massacre of unprecedented size and brutality.
The weight of the decision fell solely on Sesshoumaru's shoulders, feeling like an unbearably heavier burden with each passing day. The first impossible decision had been where to attack first. At the Kanpeki Temple or the Royal Palace? Who had to be more urgently eliminated. The O-Kotei and O-Komon, or the O-Hime and O-Oujo? Dividing their forces between the two strongholds was out of the question, as each was defended by the most capable and deadly soldiers and warriors within the Ningen Kingdom. Their forces still greatly outnumbered the Youkai. With all eyes trained on him, waiting for decisive action, Sesshoumaru had little time to weigh his options. Unable to bring himself to deliver the command that would end Kagome's life, he opted for attacking the Palace first, thereby only delaying Kagome's trauma and ultimate sadness by a few days at the most.
The issue of Sesshoumaru's previous loyalty to the Ningen no longer came up during discussions, as he had done an effective job of squelching any notion of remaining affinity for the Higurashi family. Now that the night was upon them though, the seventeen-year-old ruler found himself doubting every choice and action made since his father's untimely death. Despite his best efforts to eradicate her from his mind and heart, the inner-beast inside Sesshoumaru refused to let go of its affections for Kagome Higurashi. Nights were plagued with bittersweet dreams of their youth and possibilities of a future that would never come to pass. Advances from female Youkai only served to annoy him, despite being urged by his pestering mother to begin seeking a mate.
"Dammit!" When a familiar and unwelcomed tightness in his chest took hold of him, Sesshoumaru let out a guttural curse as he slammed his fist into the jade surface of the floor beneath him. The force of it did not damage the antique stonework, but it did cause a tremor throughout the room that shook the flames of lanterns surrounding him. The beast was howling, scratching, and demanding satisfaction, but it was unclear exactly what would sooth its raging fire. Something compelled Sesshoumaru to rise from his seated position, an air of determination and desperation hanging heavily around his impressive form. With long, smooth strides he moved through the grandiose halls of the Western Palace, exerting his Yoki to every being within the walls to stay out of his way. There was a terrifying frustration in his expression that conveyed the seriousness of his desire to be left alone, and it was a command no Youkai would dare defy.
In his private quarters, a suite of rooms that had once been the precious retreat for his mother and father, Sesshoumaru tore through chests, drawers, and wardrobes in a fervent search for something unknown. He knew not what his beast was so desperate to find and paid no heed for the mess that his servants would have to clean later. Fine clothes were strewn across the floors, chests overturned to empty their contents, and drawers were ripped from their spaces. In the end, it seemed to have been a futile mission. Desperate to sooth the inconsolable beast who suffered the weight of his guilt, Sesshoumaru was nearly at the end of his rope when he pulled the last drawer open in the hopes that it would recognize something inside.
In the same moment of opening the wooden drawer, Sesshoumaru froze as the waft of a familiar scent bombarded his senses. This drawer had not been opened in nearly two years and the contents within it had settled, as did their scent. The motion of pulling it out effectively awoke what had been lying dormant all this time. A cloth doll, worn from the years of being cherished and handled, lay innocently at the bottom of the empty drawer. Sesshoumaru felt his senses and mind being overtaken by emotions of the past, causing his legs to buckle under the weight of impending dread and shame.
Brought to his knees in a position someone of his stature would never willingly assume, Sesshoumaru gently lifted the doll from its forgotten confines. He instantly felt his beast beginning to calm as instinct took precedent over pride. In the safety of absolute privacy, with the steadfast trust that no being would discover his most shameful and precious feelings, Sesshoumaru brought the doll into the light. His eyes expressed the turmoil and regret that words and actions could not convey, as well as shame for being the eventual cause of Kagome's greatest sorrow in life. Slowly, with a breath caught in his throat, Sesshoumaru brought the doll up to his face as he inhaled its faint but familiar scent.
Like a drug to an addict, he found it impossible to stop at just that. Caressing its soft fabric body against his cheek, Sesshoumaru shut his eyes to allow himself the reprieve of dear memories. He was transported back to the day of Kagome's departure, when his family was still intact and there was a believable hope for a shared future with her. His beast cried out as well, echoing in his mind the deepest desire to be near Kagome. Though in his mind he knew it was the worst possible idea, Sesshoumaru was a slave to his instincts that night. With the beast having taken full control now, there was no stopping it until satisfaction was met.
Under the cover of night, and with the freedom of not being accountable to anyone, Sesshoumaru raced across the massive palace gardens as he gathered his Yoki in the form of a buoyant cloud that effortlessly lifted him into the brilliant night sky. Guards and Palace staff watched curiously as their Taisho took off without warning or explanation, but they knew better than to question it and had no reason to distrust his motives. Little did they know that Sesshoumaru was indeed breaking that trust.
He traveled fast, pushing the boundaries of his still budding abilities and stamina, and camouflaged his Yoki so that his presence was undetectable to those on the ground. Using the abundance of clouds in the night sky to his advantage, Sesshoumaru flew across the Neutral Lands and breached the Ningen Kingdom's border without catching the attention of a single being, Youkai or otherwise. His beast was in control, and it had the innate knowledge gifted through a proud lineage that allowed this to happen. It paid no heed to the problems between Ningen and Youkai, or other issues at play that controlled the fate of everyone involved. On this night, all that mattered was being reunited with Kagome.
Within a few hours, just as the midnight hour struck, Sesshoumaru arrived at the bridge of the Kanpeki Temple. Slightly out of breath after having exerted so much energy, he took a moment to examine his pitch-black surroundings. None of the stone lanterns were blazing with fire to shed light upon the courtyard, and no moonlight would ever permeate the canopy of trees above him. All he had to navigate with was his superb Youkai vision and hearing, which were more than enough to find his way to Kagome. Her scent hung in the air, but only lightly, as if it was carried by the wind from wherever she was currently located. The sounds of the rushing river that flowed under the bridge accompanied the noises of wind whistling through the forest. It was a peaceful song of nature and it calmed Sesshoumaru.
As he crossed over the wooden bridge, his black boots hardly making a sound, Sesshoumaru felt the resistance of ineffectual holy sutras trying to prevent his access to the Temple. It might have worked on lower-level Youkai, but nothing so menial would pose a threat to a being of his caliber. With a graceful stride, one likened to a stalking predator on the search for its prey, Sesshoumaru relied on his beast's heightened senses to seek and find Kagome's location. As he crossed through the empty stone courtyard and skirted the perimeter of the main Temple building, Kagome's aura became more and more pronounced. Her scent mingled with those of other Ningen, but none could compare.
The sleek Inu-Youkai slipped around the back of the Temple where the living spaces were located, using his senses to determine which shoji door opened to Kagome's room. Soft grass crunched under each gentle footstep he took, and the billow of his silken robes mimicked the sound of the wind. Mokomoko-sama was perched atop his right shoulder and posed no incumbrance to his movement at all, despite having grown considerably larger in the recent years. As the Inu-No-Taisho passed by a large private balcony, his senses alerted him to the sudden spike in Kagome's scent that blanketed the area. With no effort whatsoever, Sesshoumaru gracefully leapt over the short railing and silently landed on the hardwood just outside the door to her private quarters. Behind the thin shoji door, he heard her even breaths. Though his face remained stoic as ever, Sesshoumaru allowed himself a moment to shut his eyes and bask in the gentle caress of Kagome's aura. It was tantalizing, electrifying, and soothing all at the same time, driving his beast mad with desire.
With slow careful movements, Sesshoumaru pushed the shoji door open in its track to allow him entrance into the dark space. His sharp, Youkai eyes instantly located her sleeping form laying on a raised futon at the center of the large room. As he crossed the tatami matted floor between them, Sesshoumaru took a moment to notice the items she continued to cherish from Youkai culture. Did that mean she still had affections for Youkai? It was this beacon of light in a dark storm of uncertainty that gave Sesshoumaru hope for a pleasant reunion with his dearly missed friend.
As he came nearer, Kagome softly moaned in her sleep as she felt his Yoki encroaching upon her. Though she didn't wake, Kagome did turn over onto her back and furrowed her dark brow as she tossed her head to the side, as if searching for something in the confines of her dreamland. Sesshoumaru observed this as he knelt beside her, his robes and Mokomoko-sama settling down on the floor around him. Kagome turned her face once more, this time towards him, and a slow smile began to curl at her pink lips.
"Sesshoumaru…" It was carried out on a breath, but unmistakable still – she had sensed the Yoki energy and recognized him. Sesshoumaru's silver brow lifted into his bangs momentarily, surprised by her acute and unexpected ability. He then began to notice the changes that had occurred in her since their parting nearly two years prior. Her face had become more angular, attractively so, and pouty lips seemed to fit perfectly in proportion to the rest of her features. Her dark lashes were thicker, longer, and tapered into a delicate fan across her cheek. Though the blankets obstructed his view of her body, Sesshoumaru could surmise that she had grown taller and that certain parts had matured.
"Kagome…" His voice, deep and rumbling with a strange serenity, was not enough to rouse Kagome from her sleep. Reaching out with his hand, Sesshoumaru brushed the knuckles of his clawed fingers against the smooth skin of her cheek. The contact was so small, but it set ablaze an intense reaction that ignited a part of Sesshoumaru he never knew existed. By the way her face leaned into his touch, and the subtle upturn of the corner of her mouth, it was evident that Kagome experienced something similarly pleasant. The risk of his sudden and unplanned visitation held no significance anymore. To Sesshoumaru, the benefits outweighed the ramifications.
"Mm… hm?" As Kagome began to stir from her peaceful sleep and opened her bleary eyes to a pitch-black room, she immediately sensed and recognized the presences kneeling beside her. "Sessh-Sesshoumaru?" Her body was quick to react as she bolted up from her laying position, but the mind was slower to process what was going on. "Is this a dream?" It was a reasonable query, because this had been a reoccurring dream for her on many nights. Kagome was not yet lucid enough to realize the immodesty of her juban or just how strangely attractive her loose hair appeared in that moment. Sesshoumaru, however, could not disagree with is inner-beast when it reacted appreciatively to the sight of her.
"This is no dream, Kagome. I had to see you." Spoken with complete honesty, Sesshoumaru had no reason to lie to her. He took her small hand in his, causing Kagome to suck in a short breath at the unexpected touch. "Are you pleased?" The notion that she might not be glad to see him dawned on Sesshoumaru, planting a seed of doubt in the back of his mind.
"Of course, I am!" Though she had to keep the volume of her words at a minimum, lest one of the others overhear them, the excitement and relief in Kagome's voice was a reassurance that he hadn't committed a grievous mistake. It was as if no time had passed since their parting. There was no awkwardness between them and Kagome had no reservations with rising to her knees so she could throw her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck.
Taken back by her eagerness and lack of hesitance, Sesshoumaru froze initially before returning the embrace. It had been nearly two years since such intimate affection had been given to him, excluding the times manipulative females had attempted to garner his attention. But in Kagome's case, it was with such genuine happiness and familiarity that nothing felt forced or contrived; it felt like coming home after being away for an eternity. Sesshoumaru and his beast acted with perfect understanding of one another as he buried his nose into the abundance of soft, black hair resting on her shoulder. Just as before, her scent was that unique pleasant compound of wisteria and fresh water. It bloomed and cascaded across his senses like the gentle caress of creek water tumbling over polished stone.
"I feared I might never see you again. I'm so glad to know that you're alright." Her chin was resting on Sesshoumaru's broad shoulder in the juncture of his neck, while her fingers laced through his silver locks behind his back. Kagome might not have been able to see in such darkness, but she remembered everything about him with vivid clarity. Only now he felt much larger in her arms. His frame was muscular instead of lean and his voice had deepened, though not yet to the point of sounding like Touga. "Why did you risk coming to see me?" They slowly separated from their embrace and simply faced one another.
"My beast needed to be near you. All this time I have wanted to be with you, but I couldn't let myself come. He took over… though I am glad of it." It was difficult to ignore the disgusting reality of war and their belonging to opposing sides, but Sesshoumaru and Kagome both understood the sacrifices required for the betterment of their people. "Kagome, I-" What was there to say? What could he say that would be fair to her and not cause him regret later? Watching her, despite the darkness of the room, Sesshoumaru memorized her growing beauty, replayed the sound of her voice, and vowed to never forget the feel of her body against his. If this was to be their last time together, it would be imprinted in his mind for the rest of his life.
"Shou-kun, come with me to the balcony. I want to see you, but we cannot light a candle in here." Kagome, now fully awake, stood up from the comfortable futon and brushed past Sesshoumaru's kneeling form to navigate over to the low table at the left side of her room. On it was a portable lantern ready to be lit and provide light in the darkness. A half-melted candle sat at the center, it's wick burnt from the previous night's usage. Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome blindly felt for a match and rose to accompany her outside, where the wind had picked up.
Once in the relative safety of her balcony, Kagome struck the match on the wooden railing before quickly extending it into the lantern's narrow opening, holding still until the small flame spread to the candle's wick. Sesshoumaru stepped through the opened screen just as Kagome knelt to set the lantern on the short table that provided a useful surface during her time spent outside. Though the light was very dim and only radiated a short distance, it was enough to make out the familiar Youkai lowering himself to sit beside her.
"You've gotten so tall, Shou-kun. And Mokomoko-sama is so big! I think almost as long as Touga-sama's was." They were seated beside one another, with a respectable distance between them, as their ages called for a certain degree of decorum now. They were not children playing being waterfalls anymore. Kagome sat with her legs tucked beneath her, hands folded politely in her lap, and back straight as an arrow. Even while she put on such airs, Sesshoumaru could see remnants of her playful and energetic self through the way she spoke and looked at him. That smile and those eyes, so dazzling and word-stopping, continued to fan a flame of desire in him.
"I have been extensively training to reach the level of power that is required of a Taisho… Mokomoko-sama grows in proportion to that." He explained simply. Sesshoumaru sat with his knees bend under himself as well, keeping his hands pressed into the top of his thighs as it was the proper position. Once he got a better look at Kagome in the light, Sesshoumaru again found himself appraising the changes in her body. "You've grown into a beautiful woman, Kagome." It was an honest statement and Sesshoumaru had every intention of expressing how he felt for her, but the intensity of it caused her to blush and look away bashfully. She bit down on her bottom lip as a smile tugged at her mouth, and it took a few moments to quell the rapid flutter of her heart. What she couldn't control or conceal was the spike in her arousal that appealed keenly to Sesshoumaru's senses. It was uncertain and innocent, but unmistakably a reaction to his presence and words. There was a swell of manly pride coiling in Sesshoumaru's chest, and his beast preened at the idea of causing such a response in Kagome's body.
"Thank you, Sesshoumaru. I um..." Kagome had to pause as a nervous laugh bubbled up from nowhere. Her brilliant lapis eyes darted up once more, but the sight of his handsome face and intense gaze prevented Kagome from holding it. "I think you've become quite handsome as well." Though she was always forthcoming and quick to share her thoughts, this level of transparency was daunting. Sesshoumaru could tell how intimidated Kagome felt, but he considered her bashfulness endearing. Though she didn't see it, the corner of his mouth pulled back into a smug grin. Sesshoumaru shifted into a more relaxed, comfortable position that just happened to lean towards Kagome.
Kagome noticed this and felt goosebumps lifting along her arms. Now that she had gotten a good look at him, seen the man he had become, it was difficult juggling the strange and intense emotions battling inside of her mind. Sesshoumaru was not even finished growing, he still had a few years before reaching physical maturation, but was already the most beautiful creature Kagome had ever seen in her life. There was something other than his beauty that confounded her. She didn't understand sexual attraction; those kinds of feelings were still a foreign concept to her innocent and sheltered mind. Sesshoumaru however instantly recognized it from the way her arousal continued to build. It was part of his physiology to pick up on such changes and indications, as they were part of the process for discerning who would make for an agreeable mate. The fact that it was Kagome producing such amazing and tantalizing scents only drove Sesshoumaru's beast wilder with desire.
"How have they been treating you, Kagome? Are you happy here?" He always wondered how her life had changed since coming to the Kanpeki Temple. Kagome let out a quick breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding and offered a reassuring smile.
"I've been treated very well, Shou-kun." With her continued use of the affectionate nickname, Sesshoumaru had to swallow the saliva building up inside his mouth that came as a natural reaction of lust for the Inu-Youkai. "I have made some very good friends and learned things about my people that I had no knowledge of before…" There was a pause as she seemed conflicted about what to say next. Sesshoumaru waited patiently for her to finish the thought. "But I still dearly miss living at the Western Palace with you and Inuyasha, as well as everyone else." The melancholy tone of her voice tugged at Sesshoumaru's heartstrings, for it was a sentiment that he shared.
"I have missed your being there. Things have changed quite drastically since that time." He didn't have to elaborate on it any further. Kagome understood perfectly well what Sesshoumaru was referring to. Just then, a sudden burst of wind rushed through the area, chilling Kagome and causing a shiver to run up her spine. She was not dressed properly for the outside elements at that time of year, but Sesshoumaru wasn't about to insist she go bundle up with multitudes of layers. "Come, share my warmth." He held out his arm to her, opening a space against the right side of his body for her to occupy.
"Oh, that isn't necessary…" Kagome waved her hand dismissively and grinned a nervous smile, knowing her heart wouldn't withstand the intensity of being so near him. But one doesn't simply turn down the polite request of the Inu-No-Taisho. With a charmingly devious smile, Sesshoumaru reached across the space between them and took hold of the sash keeping Kagome's juban closed.
"I insist, Kagome," The way her name rolled off his tongue made all of Kagome's strength evaporate, and she didn't resist as he pulled her against his side. Her smaller frame was dwarfed beside him and soon Kagome was wrapped in the comforting warmth of Sesshoumaru's arm and Mokomoko-sama. Her knees were bent, but she was in a much more comfortable position sitting on her hip as her upper body leaned into him. Beneath the layers of silk Kagome could feel the definition of Sesshoumaru's musculature, and she forced herself not to imagine what he looked like underneath it all.
"Thank you, this is much better." With the awkward distance between them finally broken, all hesitation was gone as well. Letting out a content sigh, Kagome shut her eyes as she pressed her cheek into the firm chest of her Youkai companion. Idle hands became busy with brushing and petting the exquisite fur draped over her, unknowingly sending jolts of pleasure and electricity through Sesshoumaru's body as well. The treatment lulled him into an even more relaxed state, and they sat in comfortable silence for what only seemed like minutes but was nearly half an hour. Eventually, Kagome's overactive and curious mind caused her to speak up again.
"How have you been handling things, Sesshoumaru? I know that you've been made the Inu-No-Taisho. I'm so very sorry for your loss." Kagome knew the question could be upsetting for him, and she looked up to see Sesshoumaru gazing down at her with conflicted emotions in his eyes. He was reluctant to answer. "I know that when Touga-sama was killed you had to join the war against my people." Kagome turned her face away from Sesshoumaru as she pressed her cheek back against his chest. Her mysterious eyes stared at the lantern's flickering light. "In the letters that I received from Otou-san, he told me to not judge you harshly for making that decision… it was an impossible situation. I know you are only doing what is best for your family and your people."
Sesshoumaru wasn't sure how to respond so he let Kagome continue to ramble. Her arm came up to snake across his waist, a surprising gesture from the girl who had been quite shy initially. In turn, Sesshoumaru obligingly tightened his embrace around her shoulders as he leaned back against the wooden railing of the balcony.
"Your father… he still hopes for peace between Youkai and Ningen?" Sesshoumaru couldn't imagine, after what all happened, that Tora or Kagome would be so capable of compassion and understanding. She nodded against his chest.
"Yes, we both do. I don't want to live in a world where you and I are forced to be enemies." Again, her words cut deeply into the complex emotions Sesshoumaru was having to acknowledge and juggle. His guilt and shame over what was soon to occur was magnified, because he would be the direct cause of her dream dying. "What of Inuyasha? All I heard is that he left the Palace shortly after Touga-sama's death. Where is he? Is he safe?" This line of questioning was more than Sesshoumaru could bare.
"Kagome, I ask that you don't speak of him… please." It was all he could say, all that he was willing to say. Anything more than that would reveal the truth behind Inuyasha's banishment and would justifiably turn Kagome against him. Though it went against her nature to let things go, Kagome heeded Sesshoumaru's request and the two settled into the quietness of their own thoughts again. Some time went by without either of them speaking, but Sesshoumaru sensed a shift in her emotions and felt compelled to bring it up.
"Kagome? What causes you such distress?" His voice was quiet but sincere. She responded by sniffling her nose and clearing her throat before managing to speak.
"I was thinking of the last time we were together. In the fields beyond the Palace." Her voice trembled with the threat of tears to come. "I had such hopes for our future, of returning to the Palace and becoming your mate…" The first tear spilled over the brim of Kagome's eyelid, quickly followed in succession by a many more. They left wet trails on her flushed cheeks as she tried to stop them from falling. "In two days, I will be fourteen and no longer a child. My father has already decided on an arranged marriage with one of the sons from a very important family. I'm to marry him at the end of the War."
Kagome choked on a sob with those final words, as this was the first time she openly acknowledged her fears about being sent to marry a stranger once the war came to its end. Sesshoumaru was torn over the revelation; half of him was just as upset over the idea of her marrying a stranger, and the other half was glad to know she still had such deep feelings towards him. As her small body was wracked with sobs, Sesshoumaru gently pulled Kagome into the hollow of his folded legs and cradled her like the precious gift she was to him. One hand remained firm around her waist, while the other cupped the back of her head as she wept into his shoulder. Every part of his heart begged him to take her away from all the pain and uncertainty of their lives, or to at least warn her of the impending demise of her family and the future of her people, but duty and obligation to his own kin prevented him from doing it. Instead, Sesshoumaru spoke into her ear with the greatest tenderness he was capable of showing, hoping that one final honest declaration of his feelings would be enough to calm her.
"Kagome, forget about what will or won't happen. None of us have the luxury of worrying about tomorrow." Sesshoumaru moved his hand from the back of Kagome's head towards the delicate curve of her jaw, then gently inclined it so that she was forced to meet his eyes and see just how desperately he desired the same things as her. "Only think of tonight… and what can happen before the Sun comes up."
Kagome was overcome by the intensity of the moment and willingly threw herself into the unknown void, letting go of the concerns and fears that plagued her everyday life. Both she and Sesshoumaru closed the distance between them, meeting halfway in a kiss that stole her breath in an instant. Sesshoumaru reveled in the way her full lips cushioned against his finer mouth, molding against him with sweet perfection. Both he and Kagome shut their eyes as their mouths locked in a kiss that would have to last a lifetime. In it, Sesshoumaru expressed his undying guilt and sorrow over the betrayal he would commit the following morning. But young and innocent Kagome only felt passion and love behind the fervency of his kiss.
They didn't take it further than that. There was no need to. Kagome was still a child in many regards, and Sesshoumaru's beast was satisfied with the level of intimacy they had reached. Instead, after tears were dried and nerves soothed, Sesshoumaru and Kagome spent their remaining hours just speaking about whatever came to mind. She told him about her new friendships, especially with Shiori, and how the other girls had introduced new customs and practices that were native to the Ningen Kingdom. In turn, Sesshoumaru explained the duties and challenges of his new role as Inu-No-Taisho, and that he was glad to be growing strong enough to earn the respect of his brethren. They effortlessly avoided awkward subjects and were even comfortable enough to laugh and joke with one another about fond memories.
"Kagome, sing for me… I would happily hear it again." Sesshoumaru's eyes were closed in utter bliss, due to Mokomoko-sama being stretched across Kagome's body as her nimble hands brushed through its soft fur. There was very little time left before the sun peaked over the horizon, ending their night of perfect escape. Kagome's eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but she refused to fall asleep and cut the moment short.
"I really enjoy this certain song that I learned during my music lessons. I'm not skilled with the shamisen but the instructor told me that I can at least sing well." There was a slight proudness in the smile that curled on her lips. As Kagome recalled the melody and lyrics, she let her head fall back to rest against Sesshoumaru's chest. The candle had flickered out nearly an hour ago, but Kagome knew that she was entirely safe and wanted when Sesshoumaru was near.
"The way that you embrace me with your strong and powerful arms…Your haunting words keep me close to everything about you." By the way her voice tremored slight, it was obvious that Kagome felt anxious about performing the song for Sesshoumaru. Even if it wasn't perfectly executed, he relished in the sound of her voice. "Romantic in ways that almost tear upon my heart…I Can't let you go… Don't you know I am a captive in your gentle hands… A prisoner of your soulful eyes, your special smile…We'll never part… If the morning sun should free me… It really wouldn't let me go… I'd still be caught inside your love, can't rise above, the chains of your heart."
Even though she had to be quiet as she sang, barely above a normal speaking level, Kagome elegantly carried the song on her fair voice. It was a beautiful, simple tune with very concise words meant only for Sesshoumaru to hear. He listened intently, glad to be lulled into a blissful waking dream of sharing a life with the young woman in his arms. But as the song ended, punctuated by a soft yawn, Sesshoumaru knew that what he wanted would have to remain in the confines of his mind.
"Thank you, I will cherish that forever." His low voice rumbled as it ghosted by her ear, causing Kagome to shiver with delight. Sesshoumaru chuckled at her reaction, then frowned mournfully as he pressed his cheek to her soft temple. "I have to go." The amusement in his voice was gone, replaced with anguish and reluctance. Kagome's own smile crumbled into a sorrowful expression as she pressed her back into his chest.
"I understand…we can't stay like this forever." Though every desire in their bodies rallied against it, Sesshoumaru and Kagome both rose to their feet as they prepared themselves to part again. Once the warmth of his proximity fell away, Kagome felt a painful sting of longing as the wind swept around her slight form. She knew that Sesshoumaru was still near, but in the darkness it was impossible to see him at all. "Shou-kun?" There was a hint of panic in her voice, intensified by a painful tightening in her throat as emotions became overwhelming. "Wait, do not leave me." She begged and blindly reached for him without avail. He had gone already, taking to the skies under the cover of a cloudy night. As Kagome blindly stumbled about in an attempt to grasp him one last time, tears sprang free and scalded her chilled face.
"I wasn't-…I'm not ready…" Unable to allow herself the satisfaction of calling out to him, Kagome was left holding her mouth shut as she wept quietly to herself. No one could know what had occurred that night, turning it into a bittersweet and precious secret for the rest of her days.
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OoO~OoO
When the sun finally broke over the peak of Mt. Fuji, Sesshoumaru was still traveling fast and hard to the location he knew the other Taisho's would be waiting. It was the morning of their planned massacre and the combined forces of elite Youkai warriors were determined to carry out the mission of eradicating the Ningen Palace of every occupant inside. It was an ambush, a complete blindside that would leave a scar on the ancestral memories of Humankind for centuries to come. This was the tipping point and at its center stood Sesshoumaru.
"Ah! Sesshoumaru-sama! You finally decide to join us." The three other Taisho were gathered inside a large tent made of heavy cloth that'd been dyed a bright red, surrounded by comforts not often found on the battleground. They were just miles away from the Palace and it would take only minutes for the first wave of Youkai warriors to blindside the unsuspecting Ningen forces that surrounded it. If all went as planned, the entire coupe was expected to be over before mid-day. Sesshoumaru had just descended from the sky and stepped down from his Yoki cloud when one of the Lords spotted him. He was clearly fatigued and looked incredibly unkempt from the dishevelment of his hair and robes, but it was of no consequence.
"We worried that you might not come. What kept you?" The eldest Taisho, the one least trusting of Sesshoumaru's loyalty to their cause, mused as he sipped from his ceramic cup. They were sharing bottles of exquisite sake, surrounded by beautiful young females that stroked their egos and made the time pass by pleasantly. Sesshoumaru stepped into the tent, clearly stuck in a sense of turmoil, and garnering the attention of the other Taisho when they caught his scent.
"You reek of Ningen! What have you done? Where have you been!?" In a matter of a second, Sesshoumaru was surrounded by three disgruntled Youkai lords, each invading his personal space as they sampled his tainted scent. Relying on his natural stoicism, Sesshoumaru didn't give them the satisfaction of an answer or proof of his fear.
"We must call off the mission. There is a better way to subdue them than resorting to this." It was a weak argument, one that Sesshoumaru was not yet wise enough to explain or defend, but he couldn't sit idle without trying at least once to stop it from happening. This sent his allies into an uproar and their Yoki flared with egregious rage, causing the female companions to smartly flee from the tent.
"You are a weak-minded pup!" One of them barked madly, getting near Sesshoumaru's face as he towered over him. Still, Sesshoumaru kept his chin high, shoulders squared, and eyes vacant of emotion; he would not buckle under their intimidation tactics so easily.
"These are the animals responsible for the late Inu-No-Taisho's death. You would let them live!? Do you have any honor? Or are you plagued by the same perverse affection for Ningen as he was?" This caused Sesshoumaru to cut his fierce eyes at the belligerent Taisho. Having his father's name dragged through the mud was not something Sesshoumaru would ever oblige. However, he had nothing to retort with. He remained bitterly silent, knowing that there was nothing to be said that could sway their minds.
"You want to keep those Ningen alive? Hm?" He dangerously locked eyes with Sesshoumaru and allowed their foreheads to graze with challenging intent, egging the youngest Taisho to throw the first attack. It almost made the seventeen-year-old ruler submit. "Then you will have to kill your own kin in order to do so. Will you do that? Strike down one of ours to keep one of theirs alive?" Sesshoumaru felt himself being torn between two opposing forces, and his resolve began to crack under the pressure. All that he'd achieved to secure a respected place among the other Taisho had been undone, and now he was little more than a traitor to their cause. He could not justify killing Youkai to save Ningen life, even if it meant that Kagome would suffer for it. Sesshoumaru bowed his head in defeat and reluctantly turned his face to the side, exposing his neck to the livid Taisho that surrounded him.
"I relent… signal the attack."
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It was very early in the morning when the first wave of Youkai warriors infiltrated the Palace. The protective forces that were meant to stave off attacks had already been defeated. Perimeter scouts and skilled archers were killed first, eliminating the threat of one triggering an alarm. Then the Youkai brazenly slipped past the gates and used their inhuman abilities to silently cut down servants where they stood. A young woman was tending to the chickens, hunched over beside the wooden coop as she retrieved fresh eggs from the nests inside, when a swift strike to the back of her neck rendered her lifeless in seconds. With a severed spinal cord and blood spilling out fast, she was dead before her body even hit the ground, eyes open and watching as others were put down with just as much indiscriminate cruelty. No one could defend themselves, or run and cry for help, leaving those inside the Palace unaware of their own impending deaths.
Tora was secluded to himself inside his private office, reading over the most recent letter he had received from Kagome. In it she spoke of her lessons, friendships, and of her longing to see him again. The disheartened father wanted to write back, but it was too late to send a message telling her that they would be reunited soon and that the marriage proposal had been rescinded. He was being sent away, forced to abandon his childhood home and the cornerstone of their Kingdom. The title of O-Komon had been stripped and there was no place for Tora, or Kagome, at the Palace. Neither of them could claim their rights and titles as members of the Royal family anymore.
The previous day had been filled with dissention and arguments amongst the military officials, high-ranking citizens, and Royal family; Tora was at the apex of the discord. His sympathies for Youkai and desire for a peaceful resolution had begun falling on deaf ears, and his own brother refused to defend him against the slanderous accusations being made by members of the court. Some accused him of being possessed or seduced by the Youkai he had spent so much time with and claimed that he no longer cared for the wellbeing of his own people. There were even allegations made that Kagome was the repulsive offspring of a Youkai-Ningen coupling, dragging sweet Shima's name through the mud. None of it was true, but it did nothing to help the public opinion of Tora Higurashi.
He was being exiled from the Kingdom, forced to reside in the dangerous Neutral Lands for the rest of his days with the constant dangers of being attacked by bandits and Youkai alike. Kagome was to be expelled from the Kanpeki Temple as well, leaving her no choice but to find a new life of her own in a hostile world. A tear rolled down Tora's nose as he mourned over the total failure of his life's endeavors, as well as the loss his daughter would suffer due to his actions. Someone mentioned that suicide was the most honorable option since death would be a kinder fate than exile. Little did he know that just outside his room, Youkai were about to commence slaughtering without digression or mercy. Going room by room, no Ningen life was left unextinguished. Women were raped as their blood flowed from wounds along the throat or stomach, children were eaten alive in front of their mothers and fathers, and men were forced to watch it all unfold before their own lives were brutally taken.
Eventually the chaos reached everyone's awareness, and all available soldiers were sent to protect the O-Kotei and O-Kogo. Tora ran through the halls with his sword in hand and balked at the sight of such carnage and bloodshed. No one seemed to notice the O-Komon as he avoided detection from the Youkai, mostly because they were busy reveling in the enjoyment of spilling human blood. He was determined to get to the stables and mount any horse that could carry him away before any Youkai struck him down. He planned on riding to the Kanpeki Temple to steel Kagome and himself away somewhere safe, not that there were any safe places remaining for them to find. But all hope for that happening was dashed once Tora arrived at the stables. It was apparent that most horses had already been mounted and were carrying other advantageous Ningen to safety, the rest lay dead in pools of their own blood. Out of breath and gasping for air, Tora was covered in sweat and other people's blood after having tripped over their bodies. The air was thick with the putrid scent of death, and their cries for mercy grew faint as more and more were slaughtered in the name of revenge.
Bracing himself against a wooden post, Tora's sharp mind continued to think of a possible escape. His heart was pounding so loudly in his ears that he didn't hear the Youkai approaching him from behind. He was defenseless and unprepared, and yet that was a far better way to die than expecting it to come. As he prepared to turn back from the stable, a sudden force jolted his body that caused him to freeze. A confused expression flitted over Tora's handsome face, followed then by a pained look as he gazed down at his aching chest. A bloody arm emerged from the center of his ribcage and clutched in its hand was his heart, torn from inside his body.
"The Koshitsu Nyotei sends her regards…" It was a female's voice, deep with hatred and sick satisfaction as she spoke into Tora's ear. He could only manage a strange, gurgling sound as blood flooded his lungs and throat. The Youkai dropped the heart to the ground, where it landed between his feet, and then effortlessly yanked her arm free. Life had already left Tora's eyes when his body collapsed on itself, crumbling to the ground in an undignified heap, and it was there he remained as the rest of his family and people were brought to their own ends.
Updated 4.5.19