Chapter Twelve

The next morning Kagome tried to behave as if they were a normal newly wed couple. Sesshoumaru appreciated the attempt, especially since it was successful. The servants never suspected anything from the way Kagome blushed at Sesshoumaru when she caught his eye or from how her hands trembled as she tended to him. As for himself; he was familiar with the deception of intimacy. No others needed to know the source of his bride's nervousness had more to do with their fight than being a new bride.

The weeks flowed past them quickly in their seclusion. It had not taken them long to settle into a routine. The ease they had established during their courting had returned swiftly allowing them to deepen their relationship; the unpleasantness of their first night not forgotten but also not openly spoken of. The specter of his maturation and that of his sire hung heavily around them but they managed to enjoy their time alone despite it.

The rapid approach of fall saw them busily preparing for the winter to come. While the season was warmer than that of his sire's shiro they still had a winter climate to contend with. The winds off the sea could be bitter in the frozen winter and the ground so solid it couldn't be dug. Cellars for storing foodstuffs had to be repaired or dug anew depending on their condition. Crops needed harvesting, and the land readied for the following spring before the farmers could turn to hunting. Obligations piled high not just for the common folk surrounding them but for Kagome and Sesshoumaru as well. They had to make sure enough supplies were acquired for their small shiro and that extra was stored for emergencies. If the winter grew particularly harsh for the area those they protected had to be provided for.

Inuyasha's unexpected arrival could not have been more disadvantageous.

"Little brother," Sesshoumaru greeted. Whatever the reason his brother was present it couldn't be good.

"Sesshoumaru," he replied. "Father requested you return to the shiro at once."

Sesshoumaru couldn't stop his frown as small as it was. "Did he say why?"

"He needs you to return to help stave off war." Inuyasha looked uncomfortable, shifting his feet as his eyes skittered away from his elder brother's.

"I was unaware any treaties' had been breached." Sesshoumaru wanted to curse his luck. Kagome and he were finally settling into married life and preparing their people for winter, this wasn't the time for wars. Wars were hard fought in winter and rarely started in autumn due to the logistical nightmare it posed. Spring brought bloodshed.

"There hasn't been, or well, it's an old one," Inuyasha scratched his head and continued to plunge on. "His courtesan that's pregnant is pushing for him to make her his consort. She threatened to leave with the baby if he didn't so he plans to give in."

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed and he ground his teeth in the wake of the fury that gripped him. "My mother is his consort," he bit out.

"Yeah," Inuyasha mumbled.

"It is against the law and against custom to have more than one consort at a time. What does he intend to do, kill her?" Sesshoumaru clenched his hands so tightly his claws punctured his flesh. The sudden burst of pain brought him to himself; he needed a cool head for whatever was to come.

"No! He, uh, well, he intends to proclaim she's no longer his consort and remarry," Inuyasha swallowed nervously before hastily dodging the blow aimed at him.

"He intends to abolish his marriage! Marriages cannot be abolished on a whim!" Sesshoumaru snarled.

Inuyasha was forced to dodge another punch thrown at his head instead of replying. Panting, jerky phrases slipped passed his lips as he tried to explain. "He's the Inu no Taisho, Sesshoumaru, no one will contest him if he throws away tradition. No one but your grand sire would dare. That's why he wants you there, to stop it before it starts."

"No one should have to dare!" It tore out of his throat, more a snarl than actual words. It was dark feeling made sound. Sesshoumaru punched Inuyasha on the side of the head sending him flying into a wall of the reception hall.

With a groan Inuyasha eased himself up into a sitting position, shaking his head in an attempt to focus. Sesshoumaru ground his teeth in his rage before launching himself toward his stunned brother. Sharp claws pricked at the tender flesh of the younger male's neck, tiny beads of blood pearled around them before flowing down the pale skin. Inuyasha gasped his eyes wide as Sesshoumaru lifted him effortlessly off the floor. Inuyasha's hands clawed frantically at the stripped hand slowly asphyxiating him.

Sesshoumaru relished the feel of the bones under his hand creaking in protest. The flesh gave way easily under his might. His brother's face was leached of color before slowly deepening to a red then blue hue. He was forced to loosen his hold briefly as he was nearly kicked by the flailing male. He slammed his brother into the wall, spider like cracks spreading out around them as he pressed himself close to his brother's body. Nearly flush against his younger sibling he retightened his hold on his neck, baring his teeth as bloody gouges were torn out of his hand.

"My lord! Stop!" He could hear Kagome's desperate pleas before her small hands started tugging on his clothes. "You must not kill your brother! We can speak to your sire, persuade him to see reason!"

He hated to make her distressed like that. His consort should never have to suffer. Reluctantly he heeded her words and with a final snarl tossed his nearly unconscious brother to the floor. His body thudded with the impact before sliding across the slick flooring. Sesshoumaru stood panting for a moment in rage before gathering his consort to him. Having her in his arms helped to restore some of his sense.

"We will depart at first light. A servant will show you to a room." As loath as he was to admit it, it was not his brother's fault. His sire was responsible for throwing away tradition and law; his sire and no one else.

Kagome was silent as she dutifully followed Sesshoumaru to their chambers. She dared not breathe a word, unsure how angry at her he might be. He could feel the anxious tension surrounding her. He ground his teeth till his jaws ached from the pressure. His rage had cooled into simmering embers ready to flame up at the slightest wind.

Sesshoumaru slid the shoji door closed on the heels of Kagome entering. "Never interfere like that again," he said coldly.

Kagome flinched before catching herself and straightening her spine. "My apologies, Sesshoumaru-San. I was merely fearful that in your justified anger you'd permanently harm your brother."

A low growl slipped passed Sesshoumaru's thin lips before he strangled it with effort. "I rather it had come to that than risk my consort injury. Never come between a disagreement again. You risk injury or worse."

Again Kagome flinched. Smoothing her expression to blankness she bowed low in false acquiescence. Sesshoumaru knew she'd interfere again if she felt the need to. Sesshoumaru snarled silently his lip curling over his fang in discontent. He could practically smell her disobedience. Try as he might he knew he'd have it no other way. A tame and obedient consort would be boring at best.

Kagome ignored his obvious displeasure and summoned a servant. Bandages and salves were brought as she bathed his wounds. The deep gouges caused by his sibling were already stitching themselves together. Leaving the issue lie he settled in for an uncomfortable night's rest.