You know, I really wanted to continue the interaction between Sesshomaru and Kagome but just had to take a break during this chapter. I still want to work out some of the dialogue they'll share with a very special OC character in the future. Hmm, maybe in the next chapter. I know, I know, OC characters are a touchy subject around these parts but I promise I'll do my best to make it work.
Also, this is officially the longest story I have attempted to write in my 15 years of pumping out poorly written fanfiction. Well, I didn't always write Inuyasha fics but I digress. I spend a lot of time reading other highly rated fanfictions and fiction in general, and man, there is just so much to improve on! I feel like this doesn't measure up. And it doesn't, at least to me. IDK, I'm just rambling now, but the point is I'm trying to best to improve with each chapter.
And I want to especially thank you for the wonderful and inspiring reviews, favorites and follows you lovely readers are leaving. Really, I appreciate it.
Sacrilege!
He couldn't think of a better word to describe the blasphemy that came from her mouth.
Sesshomaru didn't say much. Not even when she used terms he didn't understand.
Carbon dating? Scientists? Chihua…hua? Nani?!
Kagome spoke freely and uninterrupted—going on about how long dogs have walked alongside man. He was intrigued by her knowledge; how she educated him confidently, and with such conviction he could not help but consider that maybe, just maybe, there were some truth to her words.
She explained in-depth that dogs were an undeniable human 'creation' and therefore it would be impossible for his breed to exist on a whim, out of nowhere, and feelings be damned.
His face, once ever stoic tweaked with strain.
And consequently, Sesshomaru couldn't help but attempt to salvage his crumbling pride, arguing that perhaps his bloodline came from 'naturally wild' Inuyoukai—to which Kagome gave a firm no.
The wishful archaeologist even pointed out how similar his true youkai form was to established dog phenotypes. Bringing attention to traits that were the result of domestication and how those characteristics—his traits, were known as paedomorphism. As he battled internally over the meaning of 'paedomorphism,' she teased him half-heartedly, telling him how his beast reminded her of the massive—and often white furred—livestock guardian dogs who hide themselves amongst their flock, intercepting wolves and other threats. She had taken a moment to explain what paedomorphism was to the greatly offended dog, asking him what adult wolf, both demon and mortal a like had floppy ears or a long, flowy tail.
He had no answer.
But there was something that neither the girl or the demon had an answer for—how Inuyoukai came to be.
He combed through his mind for answers. Cursing himself for not paying closer attention to his elders as they relayed family history when he was a know-it-all pup. Although, now that he thought about it, his blood's origin was never explained to such an extent. From what he remembered, he was led to believe that his kind were always so, and the only reason why there weren't any other records was because they had yet to invent written word—if they did anyway.
He closed his eyes, massaging his temple as a smug Miko collected her papers. Kagome figured that he was going to need a moment, or several after their conversation spilled over into the early afternoon, so she left him to it and pulled a bottle of water from her bag.
He recovered quickly.
"Gather your belongings," he instructed rising to his feet, "We are leaving."
She choked on her water a bit. "Leaving? Where are we going?"
"To the outskirts of my kingdom."
"Your kingdom? Why?"
"To seek out answers."
"What an—you know what, never mind, but it'll take days before we get there," she complained as Sesshomaru swung around and snatched her backpack, slinging it over his shoulder.
"Indeed." He stood in front of her avoiding direct eye contact. Instead he looked in the direction that lead to his territory.
"Then what's the point? You know I'm leaving in another two days."
"We aren't going to walk, Miko, we are going to fly."
Her voice was small. "Uh, fly?"
"Yes. We should arrive before sunset."
"Okay, and uh how are we going to do this?"
"I'll have to carry you, of course," he smoothed over her mounting anxiety, suddenly looping an arm under her thighs and using his other to cradle the girl against his chest. He braced himself, preparing for flight when Kagome bucked in his grasp, tugging at his clothing.
"J-just a second," she stuttered, "Don't take off—hey! Put me down!
Puzzled, he set her back on the ground. "What is wrong?"
"I don't want you to hold me that way, it…it makes me feel uncomfortable."
"There is no reason for you to be uncomfortable."
"That's for me to decide, thank you very much."
"Why do you feel uncomfortable? Do you not trust that this Sesshomaru will transport you safely?" He felt slighted, but of course she believed he could haul her without incident. The problem was when he plucked her from her feet, pressing herself to his body without warning.
Oh, and that she liked it too, but he didn't need to know that.
"I would prefer ride on your back," she mumbled with half-truth.
"Very well," Sesshomaru acknowledged as he turned his back to her, crouching forward with upturned palms and ready to receive her. Still she faltered. Memories of Inuyasha assuming the position tormented her mind's eye so strongly that the youkai peeked over his shoulder, curious to see what now kept her.
"Hn. I will not drop you, Kagome."
His tone was like velvet.
He spoke her name with such satiny silkiness her cheeks burned red. "Right," she uttered too quickly and with regret. Feeling as though her reply lacked context.
She moseyed towards him. Placing her hands on his shoulders with care to avoid his armor. In one motion, she straddle his back as he looped his claws under her thighs, securing her lower body with a hitch that nearly sent her tumbling over.
"I don't think this is going to work," she said righting herself by fisting the collar of his robes. "These spikes are in the way."
"Lean onto my right shoulder and wrap your arm around my neck," he instructed. "Grab what you can with your left."
"Okay, so you're saying I should wrap my arm around your…neck—"
"Miko."
"Right," she jittered.
Her shaky arm wrapped itself around his neck and in response his mokomoko slithered down to her other, giving Kagome something else to hold onto. "Okay, I'm rea-deeee!"
He offered no warning as he sprang into the air.
OoOoOoOoO
"Ryukasai-sama is greatly displeased with you, Yutan."
Yutan scoffed. A knowing grin fanned across his face. He had his reasons for splitting from the group assigned to the western border, selfish, but worthy reasons nonetheless. Sure that his king would understand and see the value in his subjects for taking the initiative.
"Why do you smile? Do you not understand the severity of his ire? Already there are rumors of him wanting your head."
"Mind yours, Rai," Yutan dismissed with a flick of his reptilian hand.
She sighed. "Fine. He awaits."
Their claw-steps rapped and echoed down the corridor, distorted and hazy due to the intense heat, and approaching ever closer to Ryukasai's chamber. The castle's décor bordered on apocalyptic, its brimstone structure complimented by magma that flowed intricately through highways carved into the walls, which in return lit up the castle with an eerie fire-orange hue. Rai struggled to control the nervousness that ebbed from her in waves. Worry she felt for Yutan. Especially these days. She didn't consider him a friend per say, rather a brother in servitude, and naturally some degree of comradery came with that.
Ryukasai grows more powerful with each day, the change becoming more obvious every time he beckons. What information could withdraw the desire for his head? No doubt it would have to be profound because nothing short of a miracle would influence otherwise.
Yutan pulled the heavy door open and entered his master's room with confidence as an anxious Rai followed. His toothy smile disappeared. Immediately he understood the fear that radiated from his escort, his own dread now swirling and intermingling with hers.
It sat upon his shoulders writhing and quivering with power. Incandescent blue seeped from behind resting lids, watching without seeing and dominating his laughably feeble youki from its dormant state. He slammed his forehead to the floor, bowing in terror in front his lord with unquestionable submission and shuddering unconsciously.
"Leave us, Rai," the master ordered. The command was music to her ears. She snatched the door shut on her way out, leaving Yutan to answer to the alpha.
Donning a particularly lavish red kimono with shimmering cranes embroidered on the cloth, Ryukasai rose from his throne and ambled towards his groveling inferior. His hair, glossy and lengthy, flowed freely alongside his temples, resting on his shoulders; the remaining sat atop his perfect human head, gathered in a bun, and held in place by a gold dragon shaped ornament. In the middle of his forehead, a symbol, a dancing flame which tended to gleam in the subtlest of light. All of his person appeared to be human—save for the claws that replaced fingernails.
He wore a chilling, inappropriate grin, ever delighted and beaming it at his subject.
"Yutan…how you disappoint me," he crooned.
"M'lord, I—"
"Shut your muzzle," Ryukasai interrupted, "The party assigned to the Western lands told me you abandoned them, is this true?"
"It is," Yutan replied speaking to the floor.
"Raise your head," he practically sang and holding up his lethal hands, "I want to stare into your eyes as I squeeze the life out of you."
"M-master—"
"Although," he wondered out loud, tapping his cheek with a pointed digit, "I'd love to hear what was worth betraying me for." A serpentine head jerked up, eyes as wide as silted pupils could allow in the lambently lit chamber.
"Betray you, Ryukasai-sama? I'd rather die," Yutan proclaimed, righting himself to his knees. "M'lord, I saw an opportunity to acquire valuable information about the Western ruler."
Ryukasai's face brightened with pure glee, "Yutan, are you saying I don't have to drive my hand into your skull and pull out its contents?"
The dragon flinched at the sensation of his stomach lurching. "Aye, that's exactly what I'm saying."
"Wonderful! Sim-ply won-der-ful!" He tuned, walking over to his writing table to retrieve a scroll, the scroll that Rai had delivered while Yutan was still at large. Ryukasai threw it and gestured at the lizard, willing him to stand. The retainer dipped his head and stood, unrolling the scroll and quickly going over the brief summaries of each kingdom. He frowned as he read over the 'known' details of his assigned land.
"I cannot speak for what is written about the Eastern and Southern regions, but I assure you, Ryukasai-sama, what is written about the West is incorrect."
"Hmm? What makes you so sure?"
"Because I battled with the hanyou, Inuyasha, and he is not the ruler of the West. He told me himself that his half-brother is the rightful heir."
Ryukasai's face contorted, easing from skeptical to astonishment and then finally settling on excitement. "My darling, Yutan, do you realize what you have done?"
It was a miracle.
His subject, once cowering and close to begging for his life now stood tall and confident again—in the most respectful way that he muster, of course. "What have I done, M'lord?" His self-satisfied voice was raspy and guttural—a stark contrast to the grandiloquent smoothness of Ryukasai's.
"You've managed to salvage your own life."
"I am forever grateful for the opportunity." He replied with another bow.
"His name. What is the name of the true heir?"
"Sesshomaru."