A/N: Not making promises, but I will try to update this story every 2 weeks.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, the story by the same name as my own of "Little Red Riding Hood."
They dropped silently outside of the palace, and as he placed her down Kagome heard the clatter of armor. She jumped slightly, but calmed once Sesshomaru walked towards the armed figures and they bowed low. Sesshomaru motioned for her to follow behind him, which she did quickly.
The door they stood before was tall, almost reaching 15 feet Kagome would've imaged. They were decorated heavily, showing little sign of wear. The cherry blossoms covered the front of the door in elaborate patterns and upon leaning in she noticed they were made of some thin metal. She reached her hand to trace it, but Sesshomaru grabbed it roughly.
"It is not wise to touch the door."
She went to pull her hand back, but when he refused to let go she realized why. She was in front of others; she was in front of his guards; he would not tolerate her behavior here.
She bowed low, behind him, "My apologies, Lord Sesshomaru. I had only meant to flatter."
He said nothing, but released her hand. The doors opened then and they walked through the vestibule. Kagome attempted to keep her mouth closed, but she was impressed.
She was aware that Sesshomaru was a mighty Lord, however she was not aware of the true wealth that came with such a title. The walls were ornately painted showing scenes that varied from battles, to scenery. They walked for only twenty feet before she heard the familiar sound of a toad.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru! Say it isn't so! Say it isn't so!"
Jakken had flung himself to the ground in his running and was groveling.
"My Lord! Your vassel had heard of this witches treachery-"
"Witch?! Treachery? Listen here you little toad!" Kagome said as she kicked the old demon.
"My Lord!" Jakken cried as he attempted to pick himself up and away from her.
Once he was sufficiently away he grabbed his staff and pointed it at Kagome.
"Vile woman! I will smite thee in the name of Lord Sesshomaru!"
The heads of the staff began to laugh and move around erratically. Kagome found herself stepping back. The heads began to sing in a terrible medley and Jakken raised the staff. Kagome again moved to step back, but fell once Jakken began to swing it down. She closed her eyes and a loud crack was heard.
"Jakken, you will refrain from attacking this miko."
Kagome opened her eyes and saw Jakken lying flat on the ground. He appeared to be unconscious, but was not fully as Kagome heard him muttering, "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru motioned for her to continue down the hall. They arrived into a formal waiting area. There were four doors; one on the left, one on the right, and two on the back wall. The walls were lined with pillows and throws.
"Hinai."
Kagome heard him speak, but was not sure what he was asking.
"What?" she asked.
"Yes, my Lord."
Kagome whirled around to see a demon standing in one of the doorways. It was an older, female demon. She was dressed in a work kimono, and gave the impression of a mother, or grandmother. Her hair had begun to grey, and her eyes showed years of work. She wiped her hands upon her robe before walking towards the pair and bowing.
"I require Hamish and the miko before you requires an attendant."
She rose with a nod, "Yes, my Lord."
"Return her to this Sesshomaru's chamber. If any male shall enter, they shall receive certain death."
"It shall be so."
The old demon motioned for Kagome to follow, which she did. She did not sense any ill intent from the woman, though if she was as old as she appeared, she could probably hide any emotions. They walked through several corridors, and stopped outside of a simple black door. Hinai knocked twice and motioned for Kagome to continue moving. She heard the door open and glancing back saw two more demonesses come from door they had briefly stopped at.
Both seemed rather young, but with youkai it was always a difficult guess. The one glared at her, while the other looked away. Kagome thought it strange, but thought nothing more as she turned back to following Hinai.
They arrived to the one place Kagome was glad for them to be; an indoor hot spring. She practically jumped for joy and all about ran in the room.
"Does this suit my Lords Miko?" Hinai asked, bowing to Kagome. The two other demons bowed as well.
"Yes. Yes, Lady Hinai."
The old demon smirked, "I know not the title to which you offer, however, Hinai shall be sufficient."
Kagome's mouth made an 'O' shape and she nodded lightly.
"Hitak shall attend to you. Esai will prepare your clothing." The demon who had glared at her stepped forward, assisting Kagome with removing the garments.
Hinai and Esai left them quietly. As the door shut behind them, Kagome put her hand on Hitak's.
"You don't have to help. I can get out of this on my own."
The demon smacked Kagome's hand away roughly. It was at that moment, Kagome realized the negativity that was wafting off this demon in droves. Hitak's eyes were narrowed on the outfit that Kagome was wearing, and she continued to rip it off roughly, at times actually scratching the miko with her claws.
Kagome attempted to push her away, but all it did was drive Hitak angrier.
"So damn lucky! You must be proud of yourself! Nothing like some bastard children to secure a title right?
"What? No!" Kagome was mortified. She knew about the agreement? Did everyone know?
She moved to step back, but all it did was cause her to fall back into the water. She felt her head smack into the edge of the spring, and it was within seconds she saw the blackness engulf her sight. Hitak just stood there, watching her sink.
Hitak, was smiling. She dragged her claw across her own robes, pulling at them roughly, causing patches to fall off. She killed the Lady of the West. The miko's scent permeated her own robes, all from grabbing at Hitak to try and stop her.
She smiled broadly as Kagome's head fell beneath the water, her eyes closing with it. When she first heard about the forced mating she was beyond livid. She was preparing herself in the Harem to be chosen for a potential mate for Lord Sesshomaru. She had been here for the last 50 years training herself on the proper etiquette, how to best approach her Lord, and how to satisfy him.
She had almost given up hope that he would choose any of the virginal concubines that had come to him, but then a few days ago he came to the harem himself! She did not hear the full conversation, but she heard enough, or so she thought. Hitak heard him ask the Munich for the two best women.
Hitak prostrated herself to the Munich once Sesshomaru was gone, offering herself to whatever her Lord required. He had attempted to dissuade her, offering instead Esai and Urai, the two sisters from the East. She would hear none of it though, and wailed loudly when he continued to attempt to tell her no. Finally he agreed, and promised that she would regret it.
Regret it, of course she did. She regretted it the moment they provided her and Esai with the working kimonos and the knowledge that they were to be attendants of the new Lady of the West. Esai seemed happy enough, almost glad it seemed, while Hitak was angry. She did not spend half a century here in these lands to simply be a hand maiden. She seethed, and though Esai attempted to calm her, there was little to be done. Her mind was made up.
She would kill the new Lady of the West, and steal her throne.
She heard movement in the hall, no doubt Esai or Hinai, and dramatically moaned before falling. Her story was ready and rehearsed.
The new Lady of the West, in an attempt to show dominance, attacked her young handmaiden, but she underestimated Hitak's strength and was struck down. Per the laws of the land, Hitak would take the title of the one who she slain in battle. She was now, the Lady of the West. She held back a grin as she heard the collective gasp of her superior and the other handmaiden.
"My Lady!" Esai screamed, running to the pool of hot water.
"Etoh and Urusieh, call the guard. Request an audience with our Lord!" Hinai screamed at the door.
She ran to the pool, assisting Esai with Kagome's limp body. She lifted the girl to her side and smacked her back, hard. Nothing happened. Again, another smack, followed by another moment of silence.
"Esai, flip her upside down!"
The young demon flipped Kagome with ease, and again Hinai smacked the girl. This time a gush of water rushed out of Kagome, followed with a loud wheeze, and more water.
"She's alive! She's alive!" Esai screamed.
She laid Kagome down gently, pushing her back to promote more water to come forth, "My Lady! My Lady! Please, breathe!"
Kagome breathed raggedly. Her body was acting without her. She couldn't focus on anything but breathing. She tried to focus on Esai's face, but all she ended up doing was passing out.
Esai held Kagome to her, pressing her own chest to hers, begging the miko to breath with her, in sync.
"Hinai! She is breathing!" Her eyes glowed wildly, begging for confirmation.
Hinai padded the young demon's head, "Yes. Yes. She is. Take her to our Lord's chambers immediately."
Hinai turned to Hitak, who at this point had sat up from her position on the floor and watched the two work. Hinai frowned hard; this was going to be impossible to salvage. She had her doubts when the Munich offered the girl, but Hinai was on short notice. She needed someone that was already trained in the way of a scribe and lady.
Hitak had come from a small clan in the north. She was a red wolf demon. Her hair was a vibrant orange, with dark black streaks. Her face was angled sharp, and the red irises that she had inherited from her ancestors cut through you, as many of her features did. When she had arrived she had quickly become head of the class for the harem, and was one of the few who actually came here on their own volition.
However, Sesshomaru had never called upon her. He requested many another to be in his bed, but never her. Hinai had assumed that he had either held her in such high regard that she may become his mate, or that he intended to eventually remove her from his service without tarnishing her. He kept only a handful of girls virginal: the two sisters from the east, Esai and Urai; Hitak of the north; Miyu and Suki of the south; and Oska of the central plains.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Hinai stepped forward and grabbed Hitak.
"What business have you attacking the Lady?"
"She… She attacked me first!" Hitak blundered, grabbing at her robes to show the open tears. "You can smell her everywhere on me! She attacked me Hinai! I only defended myself! I was fearful of the Lady's power!"
The guards had assembled around the two when Hinai finally let go of Hitak. She sighed as she looked at the main guard, "Take her to the dungeons."