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Royal Dangers
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Chapter Twelve
Time To Waste
The still of the day was interrupted by the chirp of a meadowlark, hopping on a small branch as it observed the scene below. A young woman rested beneath its perch, still in sleep's gentle caress. She lay still, her barely concealed chest rising with each gentle breath.
Sighing sleepily, the woman rolled over, coming face to face with a familiar softness. Her lidded eyes opened slightly to reveal the furry pelt, and she smiled as she buried her face deeper into it. A moment later she jolted upright, surprise and confusion lining her face.
A hand touched her shoulder, and Kagome whirled to see the demon lord crouch behind her, his handsome face calm. "You have awoken."
She nodded. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to still her rapid heartbeat. Her fingers came in contact with bare skin, and she immediately squeaked. Glancing down, she saw the printed silk of his haori around her shoulders, and she pulled the shirt closer around her slender body. "I-I'm sorry."
The youkai merely nodded, falling back into position against the large tree. Gazing over her shoulder, she saw he was dressed, leaving the front of his undershirt open to reveal the sculpted chest she knew he possessed. Kagome brushed a stray lock from her eyes, now remembering the tryst from early dawn. What a night, she thought, unable to stop the blush that rose to her cheeks. Never had she experienced the touch of a man more than the extent of a kiss, and that had been either family affection or the cruel mockery of the bandits, not something she was willing to include in her list.
She adjusted herself on the feathery grass, wincing at the slight pain between her legs. That was unexpected, to be sure, but the pleasure from only a few hours before was more than enough to make up for such trivial pain. Another blush graced her face, and she thought desperately for another thought to fill her head.
"It stopped raining," she murmured, shading her eyes with a delicate hand as she gazed upward. Glancing over at the silent demonic form, her smile faded. The emotions that had played so perfectly on his handsome face were gone, leaving his features vacant save for the cool mask he usually wore. What had made him change?
Sesshoumaru merely nodded, gazing silently at her. Disheartened, the princess rose to her feet, the grass tickling her bare skin. Without turning to the demon, she asked quietly, "What now?" She did not want to return, but the indifference on his silent features did little to convince her that he wanted the same as she.
Warmth pressed against her back, arms circling around her petite waist firmly. "Now? I wish for a repeat performance of earlier, and perhaps, if time permits, we shall. But first," he turned her around to face him, her chin tilted with his firm hand, "It seems I must remind you of my promise."
Kagome trembled as he rubbed his thumb over her lips, his mouth turning up the slightest bit. Lips fastened to hers, firm but gentle, as he reminded her just what she had forgotten.
When they parted several moments later, Sesshoumaru hugged her close. "I will never let you go, Kagome. I keep my word." The young princess met his next kiss eagerly, her worry instantly evaporated.
His hands reached beneath the loose edges of the haori, fingers ghosting along her skin as he stayed fixed to her delicious mouth. Kagome mirrored his actions, exploring his open chest with her own hands. The flawless skin felt wonderfully smooth against hers, even better perhaps than earlier. Instantly Sesshoumaru drew her down to the grass, drawing her beneath him as he hungrily tasted her flesh. The princess gasped, feeling the edges of the silk shirt fall from her creamy flesh as he held her. His hands went to her wrists, gently holding them to the grass. Kagome disliked being restrained, remembering all too well Naraku's bonds against her, but before she could voice her complaint lips secured themselves over one supple breast, clearing her mind of all thought.
"Sesshoumaru," she whimpered, struggling lightly against his hold on her hands as he moved his tongue in exaggerated slowness, tormenting her. "Please!" Silently, he fulfilled her wish and switched to the next tantalizing peak, enjoying the squirming flesh as she moved under his mouth. Kagome moaned as he nipped her sensitive skin, moving back up to the crook of her neck. The mark he had made earlier had already faded slightly, and he controlled himself from creating another, reminding himself of whose hands he was returning her to.
Instead, he moved back to her mouth, teasing her lips by brushing his above her. Kagome sighed in frustration and strained her head upward, trying to meet his mouth. Sesshoumaru pulled back, sending her a disapproving smile before ducking back, avoiding her lips carefully. He planted a soft kiss over each closed eye, along her brow, and down her jaw and to her ear, nibbling on her soft lobes. The woman beneath him whimpered again, pleading quietly for what she wanted, and after several minutes of his tantalizing playfulness he acquiesced, meeting her lips with sudden passion and hunger.
As they detached from one another, their need for air overwhelming them both, the daiyoukai smirked down at his prisoner, his silvery strands slipping over his shoulder onto her heaving chest. "I would like nothing better than take you once more under this tree." Before Kagome could form a reply he claimed her mouth once more, planting a softer kiss upon her ready lips.
"However," he murmured as they parted, "Your family still awaits your return. We have kept them long enough." His fingers ran through her dark hair, smoothing the rough tangles. Kagome nodded, and he pushed himself off her, helping her stand. Her eyes focused on the pile of white that rested with his weapons and armor, unsure if she truly wished to leave their sensual kisses to clothe herself. Warm breath startled her thoughts as he whispered in her ear, "Get dressed."
Blushing, she reached for her discarded dress, sighing at the loss of her chemise. It was for a good cause, she thought inwardly, a soft smile gracing her rose-colored lips. Casting a look at the towering demon, she began to remove his shirt from her shoulders, missing the silky feel against her skin. Clawed hands stole the garment from her, and Kagome looked back to see Sesshoumaru suddenly very close. He gazed at her unclothed body, the honeyed gold soaking in the sight. His fingers brushed against her soft skin, extracting a quiet gasp as he outlined the curves he had just finished sampling. The tips of his claws carefully grazed the underside of her breasts, and Kagome shuddered. Sesshoumaru paused at this, then withdrew his hand. No more distractions. "Continue," he said quietly, stepping back with his haori in hand. The woman slid into her own clothes silently, adjusting the form-fitting gown that still clung slightly to her skin due to the only partially-dried fabric.
Sesshoumaru's sharp eyes moved to her arms as she fixed the long skirts, narrowing at the gentle bruising that circled each wrist. He had already disposed of the vile creature responsible, and yet he wished he had revived the beast with Tenseiga in order to dish out the proper punishment. A painful end was deserved, but he had not wanted for the princess to see such cruelty from his own hand. With a sigh, the Western lord slid the red-printed haori over his broad shoulders, overlapping the two shirts correctly before securing the ends beneath his yellow obi.
The rustle of fabric drew his attention, and he looked up as Kagome drew nearer, holding his metal and leather armor. He accepted the pieces gracefully, returning them to their rightful places over his usual attire. The soft pelt also found its place on his shoulder, though still wet from the morning's shower. Gathering his weapons himself, the demon stood upright, glancing at the ready princess. "Let's go."
He ushered her from the awakened forest to the village clearing, emerging silently from the trees. The people had long since begun their day, carrying on just as they would any day. Several vendors stopped in their efforts of erecting their stands, their attentions grabbed by the daiyoukai and his temporary ward. Kagome noticed the tense villagers, as well as the equally wary demon at her side. "They will not harm you," she teased softly, and she could visibly see the tension in his shoulders lessen as he spared her an amused look.
"I was never worried."
Rolling her eyes, Kagome walked with him up the dirt path that wound further up to the kingdom's center. Ahead, the towering gates awaited them, guarded by the same two men as before. They instantly recognized the royal couple, and the iron bars swung open as shouts of their return reverberated in the open air. "Lady Kagome, you have returned!" Obviously, they had been alerted to her disappearance.
She smiled at the younger man, her sapphire eyes twinkling. "Yes." She saw the concern laced in his features, aware that her capture had proved worrisome for every member of the King's guard. "I am safe."
"We are pleased, m'lady. Welcome back." The mustached man bowed low, his armor clanking in metallic protest. "You as well, Lord Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru nodded briefly to each guard, then guided Kagome further onto the grounds. She recognized his sense of hurry with a small smile. "Sorry."
"Do not be sorry." He closed his eyes, searching with his sensitive senses. "Your brothers await in the gardens." Nodding, the princess remembered her purpose. She picked up her skirts slightly and moved faster, her step quickening to match his own.
Ahead, she could hear voices, and she began to run, leaving the youkai's side in her urgency. "Sota! Hojo, Kikyou!" She shouted, running to the spacious patch of green. A surprised yell met hers, and as she turned the final corner, a figure in dark blue ran at them.
"Kagome!" The teacher flew into the young woman's arms, holding her friend close. "You're back, you're safe, oh, how wonderful! Oh, but your dress!" She gazed at the ripped sleeve in horror.
Kagome laughed, despite the teary welcome. "The dress is of no importance to me, Kikyou. You have no idea how wonderful it is to be home!" The two hugged for several moments as three others hurried over. Looking up, the princess saw Inuyasha and her brothers, both of whom ran to her side.
Hojo reached her first, grabbing his sister and twirling her in the air. "I am so relieved you are safe!" With a sincere squeeze, he lowered her back to the ground, still hugging her firmly. Sota pushed the older prince out of the way to give his own hug, all the occupants in the garden still murmuring their relief and thankfulness at her return.
Inuyasha turned to his older brother, who stood silently watching the loud welcome. "So you found her, huh?" His gold eyes searched the daiyoukai's. The older figure was extremely calm, even for his usual stoic standards. Sesshoumaru nodded, not looking away from the human hug-fest. Not to be deterred, the hanyou pressed on. "You really took your time coming back." This drew his attention, and the youkai glanced at his younger brother with a frown.
"Your point?"
Inuyasha blinked at the cool words, a smirk growing on his cocky face. "No point at all." As Sesshoumaru grunted in annoyance, he added, "Where was she?"
"I was kidnapped."
The Western heirs both turned to Kagome, who had freed herself from her brothers' arms. She turned quickly to Prince Hojo, anger clouding his face. "The false lord Naraku tricked me into believing he was Lord Sesshoumaru, and led me away from the castle." All but the demon seemed shocked, both human princes sharing loud cries of loathing.
Kikyou touched her bare arm. "I knew he was dangerous. Oh, Princess, he might have killed you!"
Or worse, Kagome thought, unable to forget the rough hands that dared touch her. "He never had the chance. Lord Sesshoumaru found where I was hidden, and took care of my captor."
Hojo glanced at the demon, the question sharp in his handsome features. "Took care of?"
"Yes," Sesshoumaru confirmed. "Naraku is dead, I assure you." The young man breathed easier, relief evident in his serious gray eyes. "Yet, he still has accomplices. A demoness who controls the wind, although her intentions were unclear. I followed her to the hanyou's castle." Beside him, Inuyasha winced at the demeaning word, his ears twitching. Kagome shook her head, the attentions of the room shifting to her.
"That woman helped me. I believe she was forced to do Naraku's work." She quickly explained how Kagura had saved her from Naraku's wrath once, and then freed her from her chains after leading Sesshoumaru to the castle. Turning to the demon prince, she frowned. "I do not believe she is of any danger to us." He frowned as well, but merely nodded in agreement. Though vexing, the woman had proven helpful to finding the princess, as well as providing valuable information…
His eyes widened. "Kagome was not Naraku's only objective." The Eastern royals snapped to attention, awaiting the distressing news. Sesshoumaru thought back to what the wind sorceress had told him.
"Naraku took the girl for personal means, yes, but also as a distraction. He wishes to be rid of the Eastern heirs and take control of the kingdom, but his plan will not succeed if the treaty is resolved."
He focused his golden eyes on the two men, who waited in rapture. "He planned not only to steal the princess for himself, but to eliminate you two as well. He wished to gain control the kingdom while you were at your weakest—the true King dead, no official ruler in his place. The treaty was the only thing in his way, for if it were signed, his plans would be useless." Sesshoumaru glanced at Kagome, seeing her pale face. "This is why Naraku kidnapped you. You were a distraction, to keep your brothers and I from finishing the agreement."
Hojo nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. It all made perfect sense now; why Naraku lied about Lord Sesshoumaru in his court, why Kagome was taken. "It almost worked, too," he admitted ruefully. "We wasted much time."
A thought began tugging at the recesses of Kagome's memory, and she frowned. "Why did he attack me that afternoon? The day you rescued me from those horrid men," she explained to Sesshoumaru, who had raised a questionable eyebrow. "He had not known of our father's death… how would he have known of such a weakness?"
Inuyasha shrugged, crossing his red-clad arms. "Maybe he thought to use you as leverage, a 'take the kingdom with you as his hostage' thing. Or maybe, he did not think of any elaborate plan to take control until after that tasty little detail was made known to him. From the sounds of it, that Naraku character was a shifty man, but clever."
A soft breeze blew through the fragrant garden as they stood, considering this. Finally, Sota sighed, running his fingers through his jet-black hair. "Whatever his reasons, Naraku is dead. Lord Sesshoumaru has seen to that, so we must not concern ourselves with him any longer." He turned to Hojo and the two inu-youkai. "We must finish the treaty, and quickly. Too many strange things have occurred, and I do not think any of us want another distraction."
As they continued to speak, Kagome moved away from the group and sat down on the stone bench, resting her palms on its cool surface. Yes, he was dead. She was there; she had seen his body strewn on the ground. And yet… after what happened, after the last few days, the young woman could not rid her mind of the hanyou's presence. His cold laugh, his cruel touch, the dark magic of his chains, the torture he forced upon her… Tears welled in her eyes, but while her brothers stood so near she refused to let them fall. It seemed she had done enough crying for a while, most while in the vile man's clutches.
"Another distraction." Kagome clenched her teeth. It had been so easy for Naraku to use her. Why am I so weak? I cannot defend myself, I cry at the drop of a hat… the perfect damsel in distress.
Sesshoumaru barely listened to Sota, his attention elsewhere. The young princess had departed the group and was now sitting alone, a curiously thoughtful look on her pretty features. It seemed the woman's tutor also saw this, for as soon as the others finished their plans she started to walk in her direction. The daiyoukai caught her by the shoulder, shaking his silvered head lightly. "Allow me." Kikyou seemed surprised, but she softened and clasped her hands in front of her, returning to Hojo's side.
The demon lord strode slowly to Kagome's motionless form, observing her carefully. He could smell salt in the air and knew she was on the verge of tears, although the reason was unfathomable to him. Opting to not speak, Sesshoumaru merely stood before her, waiting until she noticed him. Several minutes went by before she did, and when his presence was known she motioned for him to sit beside her.
"I am sorry you must always save me."
Surprised, the demon glanced sideways at her sad form, her shoulders sagged in show of defeat. "What could possibly make you think such foolishness?" By now the others had abandoned the gardens, convinced by Kikyou to leave them alone, and he tilted her face toward him. The deep blue of her eyes seemed even brighter with tears, and she was biting her lower lip. "Kagome, you have shown incredible strength these last few days."
Kagome laughed bitterly. "Oh yes, it took such strength to be kidnapped, again. It fits me, doesn't it? I certainly am good at finding trouble for myself." Suddenly tired, she rested her face in her soft hands. "I am a waste of time."
Sesshoumaru frowned. "I suppose so." The princess looked up, shock on her face. "If you have such little faith in yourself, you certainly are a waste. A being who believes there is no point in trying, that there is no use to show effort to better themselves, wastes their talent and squanders time." Kagome opened her mouth, her eyes wide, but he did not let her speak. "Yes, you were captured. You did not have power over the fact; you did not allow it to happen, and go willingly with your kidnapper. It was not physical strength you possessed, Kagome, but an inner strength. Such strength can make you more powerful than any man, and even more than some youkai."
She frowned. "More powerful than youkai?" she asked dubiously, her sadness melting away. He chuckled, glad she no longer smelled of tears.
"Perhaps."
"Then-" she hesitated. "Then, do you think I am a waste of time?" The Western Lord glanced at her, the reassuring gold melting over her as it studied her face.
"This Sesshoumaru does not waste his time on those who are a waste of time." With that said, he tilted her face and kissed her, gently brushing his lips over her own. Kagome automatically closed her eyes, leaning closer into the chaste kiss.
Inside, Kikyou watched the garden scene, her brown eyes softening. "It's like a fairytale," she breathed to herself, gazing fondly at the royal couple. Above them, the pink and white petals of the sakura tree were blossoming beautifully, many of the soft flowers falling as the wind once more caught the branches and gently swayed them. The resulting view was just stunning, and she knew she had done right by escorting the three princes away. "Time alone is what they need," she murmured to herself, her eyes twinkling merrily as she walked away. She would return later to bring the two inside, but for now she would leave them to themselves. "Perhaps for once they won't be disturbed."
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Kagura pushed the heavy door silently, peering out into the eerie courtyard. By now, the fog had lifted slightly, revealing enough of the still muddy grounds to search for what she sought. Long slashes marred the ground from the earlier battle, though she had little doubt which opponent had caused such marks. The demonic sword the Western Prince wielded would surely have left behind damage. The woman frowned, her red lips pursed together. The results of his demonic strikes were not what concerned her.
Eyes narrowed, the demoness stepped out into the dim light, searching. If the youkai Lord had disappeared with the princess, that meant her 'master' was no more. And yet… Kagura clenched her teeth, warily checking the grounds. She had to be sure.
Not twenty feet from one of the larger trees, a pool of water was stained red. Closer inspection proved the liquid to be blood. A smirk tugged at the woman's lips, and she scoffed, her eyes closing. "So, Naraku is truly finished." But she felt no different. Could she have been without her heart for so long, that she no longer recognized its beat within her chest? Kagura rested a hand over her breast, resting her well-manicured fingers on the smooth silk. Nothing.
She growled in frustration. Am I supposed to find where he hid my heart? The cruelty. Now she would be condemned to search for her missing organ. Another quest for freedom, although this would be easier than the forced work of that despicable hanyou. Glancing back at the bloody grass, she sighed. Just like every slain demon, the body had dissolved into dust and blown away. Kagura could sense the irony of this, as well. The man she hated, no, loathed, would be flying free on the wind while she searched for what was rightfully hers. Either there was no justice in the world, or Kami truly hated her.
As she turned back to the castle door, she felt suddenly cold, her very blood like ice in her veins. She could not explain the feeling, as the dim sun had only moments before been shining its warm rays on her porcelain skin. Just as suddenly, her chest felt extremely tight, as if being squeezed by some invisible force. The pain forced the woman to her knees, her silken kimono now splashed with mud and bloody water as she fell forward, grasping her chest. Kagura gasped, unable to control the intense waves of pain rolling over her.
A soft whisper reached her pointed ears, just enough to make her red-hazel eyes widen with fear. "You seem to have forgotten, Kagura, that I never lose." The hoarse voice deepened into a rich laugh as her eyes rolled into her head, and she fell unconscious into the muddy battlefield. "The fight has only just begun."
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Star: Whoa, surprise twist!!! *grins evilly* I said the unexpected would happen, did no one believe me? Or did I just say that in my mind? I don't know, I get confused sometimes—
Sesshoumaru: What the hell is your problem, wench?!
Star: What?
Sesshoumaru: You spent so much time having me kill the bastard, now you bring him back? Are you mentally insane?
Star: *twitches* Of course not. I have had this planned for a while, did you not read your script? Trust me, it has to happen this way.
Kagome: *unsure* I don't know…
Star: Well, I'm the author, just leave it to me.
Sesshoumaru: *mutters something about a mental institution* Do not tempt me, woman.
Star: Um, pissed you off, didn't I? Well, you'll understand soon enough, I swear… I'm now expecting a lot of reviews after such a shocker like this, so go ahead, hit that review button, send me your comments of shock, surprise, outrage, I don't care what emotion you pick off the spectrum. Just remember, flames do not qualify on my spectrum. Flames are evil, actually, and burn the other emotions with relative ease. Do not allow this to happen. Ever see a woman on PMS? Think of if all emotions are burned except flames… that's what would be left. Just warning you, don't flame.