A/N: Will you be interested in a 'chapter' with the character list? I mean I don't plan to do this story a political intrigue drama to the extent where you'll have to literally make a map of ties between characters, but there will be quite a handful of non canon people running around.
This chapter will be cut in a few pieces, so I'll be adding 'part' to the title. Sorry for that, I just don't want to dump at you a 5k-words long chapter while the rest of them don't reach 2k.
Afternoon Blood. Pt 1
Kazubana followed Lady Kimiko like a lost puppy. A few ladies joined the inu lady's group. Kazu found herself surrounded by fair women of various species of youkai, all dressed in colorful kimono's. As they were following Lady Kimiko to the training grounds she found herself walking beside a short female with white curly hair and dressed in pale violet kimono. When the woman noticed Kazu looking at her she offered a polite smile. While Lady Kimiko and her son were akitas this woman was of a smaller breed of inu youkai.
"It's not the right time for proper introductions, but I'm Gin." she introduced herself. "I'm responsible for the finances of the realm, so I'll greatly appreciate if you don't request too costly things."
"Gin!"exclaimed a lady behind her in a mixture of shock and amusement. "Don't talk like that to our new friend," Kazu looked her way and saw a young tanuki with brown hair tied in a bun on top of her head. She wore green kimono with a pink flower pattern. "Hello, Lady Kazubana. It's nice to see that there's a lady in the West that somehow weaseled her way in the lord's heart!"
"And how is your comment better, Lady Saki?" the inu laughed and gestured to Kazubana, who was blushing and trying to form a reply. The tanuki just giggled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, ladies," Kazu finally managed to string some words together. "Please, don't think that I hold sway over the lord. And I won't be a bother," she glanced at the inu, who gave a nod.
"A reasonable young lady who can hold our lord in the palace for a longer while would be a nice change," she said. The rest of the women were smiling and Kazu felt a bit less tense surrounded by them, even if she felt embarrassed by the two who actually talked to her.
As they were talking the silver inu led the whole group through various passages and corridors before exiting the palace and walking across a yard that led to a small gate guarded by two dog youkai. Outside the gate was a big field covered by sand and thin grass. The area was full of people, even more than the throne room before. Kazu supposed they all were here to witness the Inu no Taisho's fights. There was no other option, despite being chosen by the ruler the Great General had to face challenges.
People were standing or sitting on the ground or pillows supplied by their servants. A few mats were spread in the shadow of one of a few trees growing on the border of the field and Lady Kimiko led her host there. There were whispers as they went, Kazu heard once more some people turning their attention her way, but she felt more comfortable with it now. She barely knew the women around her, but for some reason the presence of Lady Kimiko helped, despite the fact that since the events in the throne room she didn't look at her. She still wasn't sure what to think about being labeled by the color of her robe.
There was an air of curiosity and anticipation filling the field. Soft wind brought scents of the near forest and chased away the heat of the midday sun. As the whole group got seated around Lady Kimiko a new couple approached them, causing a wave of new whispers, more shocked than excited this time. Kazu lifted her head and gasped.
Lord Sesshomaru stopped in front of his mother. At his side was a human. A miko dressed in white and red, but lacking the infamous weapon of her calling. Kazu realized she knew this female and a little smile appeared on her lips. Back then the human had been kind to her and Kazu knew that she wasn't one of those mikos hating all youkai.
"I see that nothing changed with you," Lady Kimiko said to her son. "You lead a human again. I supposed you don't plan to eat this one either?"
"No. This is Kagome," the daiyoukai said. "This one requires you to watch over her."
"Hey, don't make it out like I'm helpless," the human pouted and then bowed politely to the seated and stunned youkai ladies. One couldn't not notice the ease she was at while addressing the great lord. "Hello."
"My lord..." started one of the older females.
"This one can assure you that Kagome won't harm any of you. Unless you try to harm her or what's her to protect," the daiyoukai's gaze swept across the faces of the women and lingered on Kazu's and the wind youkai felt a bit too warm, despite the tree shade and the soft breeze. The lord turned to the human again. "Be seated, it's going to start soon. Remember to remain passive."
"Okay," Kagome smiled and sat beside Kazubana. Her reiki was wrapped tightly around her, obviously in an attempt not to aggravate the youkai surrounding her. Kazubana dared to smile at her and got a smile in return. "I know you, but I don't remember your name..."
"I'm Kazubana," Kazu bowed her head a bit, aware that they were now observed by quite a few people. The human's appearance was still debated by the crowd. Kazu guessed that since the daiyoukai had brought her there and because she was calm and keeping her reiki low, most of the youkai were less afraid, even if still suspicious of her.
"Ah, Kazubana," Kagome nodded. "It's nice to see you again and see that you're alright."
"May I inquire why are you here, lady miko?" asked Gin from Kazu's other side.
"On behalf of my mate and the request of Lord Sesshomaru," the miko replied and cast a glance towards the daiyoukai, now seated on a mat and surrounded by important looking people a bit away from their spot. She looked anxious, but doing her best to appear calm.
"Does it mean your mate is the chosen Inu no Taisho?" asked an older kitsune lady.
"Yeah," Kagome nodded with a wide smile.
A few minutes passed and the shock of seeing a miko among the ladies wore off a bit, since the priestess wasn't acting in a hostile way. Kazubana was talking to Seki, Gin and Kagome and enjoying the wind and the sense of freedom.
Suddenly a call of a dragon could be heard and a two headed dragon landed in the middle of the empty space meant for the battle. A man - or rather a hanyou - jumped off of their back and patted the creature.
"Ah-Un?" Kagome blinked and when she saw Kazu's curious gaze, she elaborated. "Ah-Un is Lord Sesshomaru's steed."
As soon as the dragon was gone again and the hanyou started to walk towards the daiyoukai the gathered youkai started to talk, some pretty loudly, asking what was the meaning of the half-breed's presence there. As he neared the mats Kazu could see the familiar face of the hanyou, scowling at the daiyoukai, his hands hidden in his sleeves.
"He looks..." Lady Kimiko whispered, stunned. "He looks so much..."
"He's mine," Kagome said in a warning tone. The silver inu glanced her way. "I'll fight for him."
"I see," the noble lady said quietly and Kagome gave a small nod. Everyone who heard this quiet exchange was staring at them two. Kazu knew that the miko and the hanyou shared a deep bond, she had witnessed their affectionate love before, in the teahouse, but the comment of the silver inu she didn't understand fully, she got even more confused when saw the look of nostalgia in her eyes.
Meanwhile the hanyou stopped walking and glared at the youkai lords and inhabitants of the palace, who were all more than eager to know why the lowly creature was brought in front of them by Ah-Un.
"You're late," Lord Sesshomaru's voice was calm as even, but for some reason it silenced everyone in an instant.
"You could tell your stupid guards about me, you asshole," was the hanyou's reply. The silence grew heavy with shock and Kazu couldn't it, she herself held her breath as well. How could a hanyou speak like this to the daiyoukai's face. And the more surprising fact was that the acid whip didn't snap to remove his head. Kagome just quietly facepalmed.