Chapter 12 – Keep Your Enemies Close
"They're late." Sesshomaru eyed his nephew. The teen was restless, and as cranky as ever.
"I hope nothing is wrong..." Izayoi voiced, concerned.
"If there is, I assure you, pup. Mikoto is more than capable of handling it," Sesshomaru comforted his niece.
"You seem pretty sure of that... She's not dealing with just anyone. It's Kagura. From our understanding, she was quite a threat to you, Mum and Dad, back in the day," Fushimi pointed out.
"Where does your confidence come from, Uncle?" Fushoma asked, smiling gently.
"It is a vassal's duty to ensure the longevity of their master, by whatever definition that is, given the situation. Mikoto is an excellent vassal," Sesshomaru explained.
"In other words, she'd pulled your pompas arse into line when, and where, others probably couldn't?" Inuyasha translated. Sesshomaru sighed.
"Must you be so blunt, Brother?" Inuyasha grinned.
He was about to make another comment, which likely would have gotten him subdued, when the door opened, revealing Mikoto, followed closely by Kagura. Mikoto found a clear spot on the floor with enough room for Kagura and herself to formally bow to the Taisho monarchy. Obediently, Kagura followed Mikoto's lead. They both knelt and bowed low, before Mikoto sat up and addressed the room.
"My Lords and Ladies, I present to you Miss Kagura, of the Wind. She feels she has a life debt to the Western Lands, and feels this is best repaid by service to this House. My master, Lord Sesshomaru, unofficial vassal to His Lordship Inuyasha no Taisho, formally requests the employ of Miss Kagura of the Wind to the roll of Vassal to His Lordship Inushago no Taisho, crown prince of the Western Lands. Do you accept this proposal?" As she finished speaking she bowed low again and remained that way, until addressed, as she knew was her duty. Kagura wisely kept her head to the floor while Mikoto spoke.
Knowing full well how her mate felt about the situation, and his lack of decorum, Kagome stood.
"On behalf of the House of Taisho, I, Lady Kagome no Taisho, do accept the request made of us. Miss Kagura of the Wind is to become the vassal to my eldest son, Inushago no Taisho. Kagura, I am sure you have received one or two warnings about treason against this House. Please allow me to remind you that each warning is just as valid as the one before. Actions such as those you made during the Shikon no Tama Power Struggle will not be tolerated. Is this understood?" Kagome asked, giving her own subtle warning.
"Yes, Lady no Taisho," Kagura answered dutifully.
"Very well. Mikoto, Kagura. You are both dismissed to begin the required lessons," Sesshomaru commanded, dismissing the pair.
"Yes, my Lord," the women answered, almost in unison. Hey left the room with Mikoto in the lead.
The Taisho monarchy watched the pail eve before Inuyasha clapped his brother on the shoulder.
"I hope you know what you've just gotten us all into," the hanyou said, as he too eft the room to start his daily paperwork.
" 'His Lordship Inushago no Taisho'. I really like the sound of that," Shago muttered to himself, effectively boosting his own ego.
"Slow down, Shago. We'd all have official titles like that," Izayoi pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess. But I'm the Crown Prince," the teen boasted.
"I though you wanted nothing to do with the monarchy for a couple of years?" Fushoma teased.
"Yeah, that's true. But that doesn't stop me being the Crown prince, now, does it?"
"Enough. Inushago. Yes, you are the Crown Prince, but at this time, you are not of age t take the throne, should something unfortunate befall your parents. I would take the throne as your Regent until you came of age. As your mother has strived to teach you, the mark of a great ruler is humility. A title means little if you lack the skills required to give it meaning." Sesshomaru's words effectively knocked the chip off Shago's shoulder. Shago shamefully hung his head for a moment before speaking softly.
"I'm sorry I became cocky, everyone. Uncle is right. Mum taught us to stay humble, despite our social standing, and I need to remember that. Please accept my most humble and sincere apologies." Everyone was pleasantly shocked for a moment before murmuring their acceptance.
"Excellent, Inushago. You have been listening to my teachings after all. You are excused for the day." Shago jumped up and spun to look eagerly at his uncle.
"Are you serious?" Sesshomaru nodded once. "Sweet! Two days off in a row! Which reminds me. Thank you very much for yesterday afternoon, Uncle. I do very much appreciate that, and now this," Shago said, sincerely bowing to his uncle.
"Of course."
"Right. Now to go call Haru and the boys. Hey, Sho! Wanna tag a-"
"Hold it! My turn. Today, I get Haru," Fushimi declared.
"Fine. Whatever. Shoma, wanna join us?"
"Why not. Yesterday was fun," the younger prince smiled.
As the pups filed out of the den, making plans for the day, Sesshomaru turned to Kagome.
"Do you not have to work today?" The Lady shook her head.
"I took some time off. As long as Kagura is under this roof, work can wait. Ayame understands, and is covering for me."
"Very well. Until later, then." And with that, Sesshomaru took his leave.
Kagome watched her brother-in-law leave. Despite her formal words, she agreed whole heartedly with her mate, and sincerely hoped the Sesshomaru knew what he was getting them all into.
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Three weeks passed. Kagura excelled at each task Mikoto set for her. The wind witch had surprised her sensei and Sesshomaru. Outwardly, it appeared as if she aimed to please. Inwardly, the cast-off was just biding her time to put her plan into action. And the time was almost upon her. For the last week, Sesshomaru had decided to trial her working directly with the prince with little direct supervision. How foolish. It meant she could learn when he'd be more susceptible to her suggestions, and when to not even try corrupting him. And the only reason the stoic lord had unknowingly presented her with this opportunity, as how poorly Mikoto and the prince got along. Every day, it seemed there was something new for the pair to fight about. How perfect for her. A way in. She would drive a wedge between Sesshomaru and Mikoto, and she would use Inushago to do it.
At the present moment, she was strolling through the Tokyo CBD with Inushago. He had been instructed to do so by Sesshomaru after another trivial, albeit very loud, argument with Mikoto.
"Say, my prince?" Kagura asked sweetly
"How many times do I have to tell you to just call me 'Shago'? I'm not used to being addressed so formally all the time."
"Very well. Shago, may I ask you a question?"
"Sure, I guess."
"What's Mikoto-sensei's deal? Why is she Sesshomaru-sama's vassal?"
"I honestly have no clue. And I don't even care. Go ask her." In a moment of frustration, he lied to Kagura. He did care why they were so close. Not that he'd known his uncle long, but he'd never know his uncle to be that close to anyone.
"But, what do you really know about her? For all you know, she could be a spy, sent to destroy your family from the inside out..." Time to test the boy's susceptibility...
"I suppose..." Shago agreed, thoughtfully. She was in. "Hang on, though. She and Uncle have known each other for decades. How would that work?" Damn this brat was too smart for her own good. Damage control.
"Think this through, Shago. It's not unheard of for a spy's mission to be long term. That way they gain their target's trust before completely betraying and destroying their target," Kagura explained, hoping her words were having an effect on the boy.
"What would she gain by doing that?" Damn brat. Ever sceptical... This was going to be more work than she thought.
"If she were from one of the Court's noble families, it could be a bid for the Western Throne. What is her surname?"
"... I don't actually know..." That's it. The opening she was looking for.
"For the sake of your family's reign, may I suggest you find out?" Shago stopped walking, thinking about what Kagura had said.
"Yeah... Yeah, I'll question her. I'm the prince. She can't disobey a direct order from me," Shago muttered, plotting.
'Perfect,' Kagura mused, following Shago dutifully as he turned around to return to the Sounga Industries building. An impressionable, mouldable pup after all. Sesshomaru would be hers. One way or another. And this pup was going to be her unwitting accomplice.
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Kagome looked round the table at her eldest son, elder brother, and his vassal. All three wore very unimpressed and sour expressions. From the events of the last few weeks, and the resulting tension between Inushago and Mikoto, she knew it didn't bode well.
"I realised something today," Inushago announced suddenly, all eyes turning to him. But his eyes were on Mikoto's emerald ones. "We don't know anything about your family. So fess it up. Tell us about them." Shago's siblings looked shocked at his bluntness. They knew he was blunt, but this was a new low. Sesshomaru remained impassive, and Kagura's small smirk didn't go unnoticed by Inuyasha. 'So that's it,' the hanyou thought to himself. Kagome looked fretfully to Mikoto. The demoness hadn't divulged much to her, but she knew it was a taboo subject for the woman, and this wasn't going to end well. After taking a moment to recover from the sudden demand, Mikoto answered coldly.
"I have no family. That is all you need to know, whelp," she spat out.
"Then how do you exist?" was the smartarse rebuttal. Mikoto growled threateningly.
"When I say 'I have no family', I mean there is no one I really count as family. And I refuse to talk about my biological origins."
"Why?"
"I just do!" Mikoto yelled, startling everyone at the table, though Sesshomaru remained as stoic as ever, only raising an eyebrow in Mikoto's direction. Inuyasha duly noticed that Kagura also ignored her sensei's outburst.
"Alright then," Inushago said, not intending on backing down any time soon. "Tell us about your childhood."
"No." It was firm, leaving no room for discussion, but Shago wasn't having any of that.
"I command you to as heir to the Western Lands," He demanded haughtily, puffing out his chest and sitting straighter in his chair.
"I refuse," Mikoto ground out through a growl. "That subject is off limits to those I do not trust. And the only one at this table I currently trust enough to possibly tell, is Lady Kagome."
"You mean to tell us that you don't even trust the youkai you serve? How pathetic. Fine. Since you refuse to answer my questions, get out. You are no longer permitted in this house." Mikoto's icy glare hardened, but Sesshomaru noticed the tears beginning to form in her eyes. Seeing this, Sesshomaru felt it was time to intervene.
"Inushago! The power you position gives you has gone to your head, and is very unbecoming of the Crown Prince to my father's domain. I will not allow you to sully the reputation of The Western Lands by attempting to force information from one who is not comfortable to freely give it. Your decree just now is null and void. This is your parents' home, and they still outrank you. They have expressed to me that Mikoto and I are welcome for as long as we require their hospitality. That decision has nothing to do with you, and your opinion in this matter is not appreciated," Sesshomaru asserted firmly and coldly to his nephew, not wanting to let on to Kagura that they currently had nowhere else to go. Softening his tone, he turned to Mikoto.
"Mikoto, I am concerned that I have not earnt your trust after the length of time that we have known each other. What, may I ask, is stopping you from trusting me?" he asked her gently, hoping not to offend her, or incur her wrath at this present moment.
"Two things."
"And what might they be?"
"Gender, and reputation." Sesshomaru only raised an eyebrow, and Mikoto to the well known cue to continue. "I despise all men. Don't trust any but one. And I assure you, he is not currently seated at this table. He is actually the only family I will claim. You, Sesshomaru, also have a reputation for being quite violent and uncaring. Now. The next person to ask about this, gender or age aside, their face is going through the wall! I'm going to my room," she declared, storming out of the room.
The Taisho's were all silent until they heard her door slam shut, while Kagura sipped disinterestedly at her tea. 'Perfect,´ she thought darkly to herself. She had known that Mikoto was very reserved, but she hadn't realised there was a distrust between Mikoto and Sesshomaru. It just gave her another angle to exploit when trying to sabotage their bond.
"She didn't have to get so snarky. I was only asking a question," Shago muttered, slightly bitter, but still believing himself to be in the right, despite his uncle's chastising.
"You're kidding, right?" Fushimi asked, about ready to put her brother's head through the wall herself. 'Haru would love to see that,' she thought to herself with a secret smile.
"Pup, you are grounded."
"What?!" Inushago yelled, glaring at his father.
"You heard me. Grounded. One month. Now sit down and eat your dinner. Oh, and that means full day lessons with Sesshomaru for that month."
"Mum!"
"Don't look at me for help. You dug this hole yourself. I'm not going to save you. You went too far, plain and simple. And, if it were me, I'd be giving you two months. Now do as your father said; sit down and eat your dinner," Kagome instructed firmly. Inushago was seething. What was it about this bitch that had all the adults in his life wrapped around her little finger? He stood up straighter, prepared to do something he'd never done before.
"No."
"Pardon?" Kagome asked dangerously. She had been expecting this day. She was just disappointed it had come now.
"No. I'm not hungry anymore."
"Fine. Go to your room, and stay there," Kagome said, with a tone of finality.
"Best do as you're mother says, whelp. Or you'll be grounded for two months," Inuyasha warned with a growl. Father and son stared each other down for a moment before an unexpected voice spoke up.
"My prince, perhaps you shouldn't push things any more that you already have. Please do as your alphas have instructed you," Kagura reasoned. To the Taishos, it looked as if she were dutifully doing her job as Shago's vassal, when in actual fact, she was trying to save her pawn. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes ever so slightly at Kagura. He was onto her little plot.
"Fine," he ground out. With barely controlled frustration, Inushago left the room, knocking his chair over in defiance, and stomping his feat as he went.
"My apologies on behalf of Inushago," Kagura offered, as she righted his chair. "Please excuse me." And with that, she took her leave to her own room. She needed to plan he next move carefully.
Izayoi watched her brother leave, disgusted with his behaviour, when her gaze fell on her mother. The woman was staring at the ceiling in the direction of Mikoto's room, concern very evident on her face. The girl knew this woman and her mother had become very close, and shared a bond very similar to the one she had with her own sisters. So it came as no surprise to her that Kagome was the one Mikoto trusted.
"Mum," she called, and Kagome looked at her daughter, puzzled. "Go. She needs you. We can clean up." Kagome smiled. Her eldest daughter would make a fantastic mother one day. She was so observant.
"Thank you, darling," Kagome said, leaving the table and taking Mikoto's plate with her.
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Mikoto sat in a chair by the window in her room, looking out at the night sky. How dare that pup badger her bout something so personal, when she plainly told them all that she didn't want to talk about it.
A knock came at the door, pulling her from her frustrated musings.
"Who is it? Actually, doesn't matter. Go away." Kagome popped her head into the room anyway.
"But, I brought up your dinner?" Mikoto turned to regard Kagome and her food with sad eyes.
"Thank you, my Lady. But I'm not hungry," Mikoto said, turning back to the window.
"Do you wish to talk about what's troubling you? It may just make you feel better?" Mikoto shook her head. "Okay. May I keep you company instead?" This time, Mikoto paused before nodding.
Kagome pulled up a chair of her own. She also looked up at the night sky. The moon was full and bright. Tomorrow would be the night of the full moon.
"I'm going to have my work cut out for me tomorrow night, with how hectic things have been," Kagome muttered, mostly to herself.
"What do you mean, my Lady?" Mikoto asked, intrigued.
"Tomorrow night is the night of the new moon. Just between us, Inuyasha, Fushimi, Fushoma, and I will all be human tomorrow night. But that stays just between us, okay?" Kagome whispered, smiling gently, with her finger to her lips. Mikoto gave a small smile in return.
"Well, you won't be seeing me tomorrow night, either, then." Kagome's smile fell. Could Mikoto be about to open up?
"Why's that?" Kagome asked gently.
"Because, moonless nights have always been a bad omen for me. I'll be staying right there, under those blankets," she admitted, pointing to her bed. "If Sesshomaru is smart, and been keeping track, he'll know to stay away from me tomorrow night."
"Why are moonless nights a bad omen?" Kagome asked, curious. Mikoto pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her arms on her knees. She turned away from the window and Kagome, debating on whether or not to answer. "Mikoto... I can see this is difficult for you; that it's causing you pain and anguish burdening this alone. Let me share the load. I promise I won't tell a soul..." Kagome vowed gently, sliding off her own seat to kneel before Mikoto and rest a comforting hand on her leg. Mikoto looked warily at Kagome, searching her eyes for any intent contrary to her words. She found none, and sighed, shifting slightly.
"My brothers and sister were born on moonless nights." Kagome looked puzzled.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not following..." Mikoto sighed again.
"My sire had plans to overthrow the Taishos. His mother prophesied that all his plans and ambitions would be brought to ruin by a pup born under the moon. My sire slaughtered any pup that was not born during a lunar eclipse, or on a night of the new moon... Except me. My sire had been called away to Court, as my family is a noble one. The night my sister and I were born. It was the night of a Lunar Eclipse. My sister arrived while the moon was hidden... I didn't. When my sire returned, he was told by my mother that my sister and I had both arrived while there was no moon. She saved my life. My sire wanted daughters, but until she birthed my sister and I, Mother had only ever birthed sons. She couldn't stand to see another pup slaughtered by my sire. So she lied. She was too old at that time to carry and birth anymore pups." Tears were flowing freely down Mikoto's cheeks as she revealed her darkest secret to her sovereign.
"I tried... so hard... to do what I thought... was expected... of me..." She started sobbing, curling even tighter in on herself.
"Shhh, shhh," Kagome tried to sooth, as she stood on her knees to embrace the demoness before her.
"No matter... what I tried... It was always... wrong..." Mikoto's sobbing was becoming uncontrollable.
"Shhh," Kagome whispered. "Don't rush. Take a moment, and calm down. I'm not going anywhere."
The sobs wracked Mikoto's lithe body for several long moments before she began to calm down.
"Kagome, whatever you do, do not allow a man from the Atsumichi clan anywhere near your daughters. They are despicable! My sire would beat me when I was 'misbehaving'. As he got older, he'd let any of my brothers have a turn, if they wanted one. And they always did. The day he decided it was too much effort to punish me, my eldest brother stepped up. He was far more cruel than my sire. He would bind me, and watch me writhe as he scarred and maimed me with his claws and poison. All my brothers are like my sire. I know they beat their mates. Their pups behave out of fear. Promise me you won't allow a male from the Atsumichi clan come calling for Izayoi or Daiki as mates!" Mikoto insisted desperately, grabbing Kagome's shoulders. Kagome brought her hands up to squeeze Mikoto's reassuringly as she spoke.
"I promise. Mikoto, I swear to you that none of these vile creatures you have the unfortunate circumstance to be related to, will ever get the chance to come anywhere near any of my family," Kagome vowed vehemently. Before she continued, she softened her tone, knowing that what she was about to say, could be received very, very poorly. "But Mikoto, you do realise, don't you, that you owe it to Sesshomaru to tell him this as well?"
"NO! No... no, I can't... My brother was brought up with Sesshomaru! He'll do it too, since my brother has..." Mikoto trailed off, curling in on herself again. It was clear to Kagome that Mikoto, who was usually so well put-together, was absolutely consumed by fear of the knowledge that Sesshomaru and her eldest brother had been playmates as pups. At dinner she had brought up Sesshomaru's reputation – one which stood 500 years ago. It wasn't who he was now. Surely she could see that, when she wasn't so consumed by this fear. After all, Kagome had no doubt that Mikoto was one of the driving forces in the change in his demeanour.
"Mikoto. Just because they were raised together, doesn't mean they're going to be exactly the same. Look at my litter! None of them are the same about anything. And they're related! Sesshomaru and your brother are from two entirely different families. Just try him. You may just find that he'll surprise you." Mikoto stares at Kagome's smiling face. If the Lady of the West had so much faith that the Lord renown for being ruthless and indiscriminate could be trusted, she supposed she should try.
"I suppose I do owe him a proper explanation..."
"That's my girl," Kagome encouraged gently.
"Thank you for listening, Kagome. I do actually feel a little better knowing I don't have to keep this secret alone anymore."
"Any time. And if you ever want to talk about it more, all you have to do is say so."
"Thank you. I'm proud, and honoured, to call someone as magnanimous as you my friend."
'Mikoto... You flatter me," Kagome joked, pretending to blush. Mikoto smiled. "Will you be ok if I go check on everyone else? Or would you like me to stay a little longer?"
"I'll be fine. Go be a mum to your pups," Mikoto smiled, and Kagome gave her one last squeeze before heading out.
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A/N: Longest chapter to date. Woo! But unfortunately, this marks the end of my updating blitz. I am kidlet free for the next week, so I'll try to make time to write some more, and attempt to post before I have them back in my care. ;)
Please, read and review.
TBS Juri