Okay, so I personally think that we are finally getting somewhere with this plot. I'm sure a lot of people have already guess where the plot is going... but I'm still not going to say anything. Anyway, thanks to Naraku's Servant for the wonderful hard work put into this chapter.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me and I make no profit from this story
Letter Fourteen: Hidden Control
Fingers twittered uneasily, unnoticeably fidgeting beneath the table for eight. Rin sat chatting away with another child. Both happily bounced in their chairs about an upcoming party they would be attending together. The older of the two would be introduced to society soon, and taking to Rin in an instant, invited the energetic girl.
The chair beside her was currently unoccupied, for the one it was reserved for had yet to sit. Shortly after arriving, something had come up and Sesshomaru briskly excused himself, leaving Kagome and Rin with the green toad. As much as Kagome hated judging others, she couldn't seem to get through to the imp and make friendly with him. So silently sitting, she waited.
"It would appear the little princess is bored. Perhaps I can entertain you for a while."
Kagome turned to find familiar vivid orbs staring at her, this time without the mask to block his appearance. Unsure of what she should say, silence glistened between them. The male bowed his head and reached for her hand. The fluent motion of it rising to be kissed wasn't halted, for her mind had gone blank momentarily.
"May I have this dance?"
"Uh… I'm waiting for someone… he should be here any minute."
"Oh, go on Kagome," Banerod interrupted.
The older male smiled brightly as he approached the table from behind. He had been searching for the woman, to see if Sesshomaru had kept her, and it was a slight shock to find out that she was still lingering. No woman lasted long in the Western Lord's home or bed.
"It would be dishonourable for the Prince of the East to be denied such a small favour."
"P…prince?"
"Well, the old man wants me to take over his title, but I'm still young and have many years still to act wild and dissuade him," the male replied. "By the way, my name is Kouga, and what has god called his precious angel?"
Blushing madly, but not wishing to disrespect someone so high up in society, she answered softly. "Kagome."
"Come then Kagome, let's dance," he tugged the captive hand and pulled the woman to her feet.
A quick glance to Rin, who seemed to have an angry expression plastered deep in her eyes, and then to Banerod, who was rather amused, yield no help as she was rushed to the centre of the grand hall where the dance floor was set up.
"So what are you to Sesshomaru?"
"I take care of Rin," she remarked. Hating the fast pace of the dance, but finding the dance steps familiar somehow, Kagome managed to keep her eyes on her partner and not on her feet.
"Have we met before?" he asked suddenly.
"Um…" Kagome stopped, questioning her certainty that this was the same gentle from the previous ball she had gone to.
"I mean other than the charity gala," he rephrased a moment later.
"Not that I know of."
"Strange, you seem rather familiar, like I know you from somewhere else."
"Sorry," she mumbled, but her gut was telling her the same thing. The youkai she danced with was not a stranger, yet she would have remembered if they had ever met with the beautiful, yet unusual looks he had.
Just as the song slowed Kagome felt something drape around her waist and she was yanked backwards. Gasping in shock and fear she couldn't help the flare of the aura she had no control over. But something enclosed around her and crushed back the wild power.
"What do you think you're doing flea bag?"
Once upon two feet again, sapphire eyes readjusted to the situation. A quick observation showed her best friend had once again felt the need to protect her. But his aura was not the same as the one surrounding her. Confused she tried to find the link, ignoring the scene entirely, yet hearing every word.
"As usual you interrupt the fun mutt face, get lost," the young prince shouted.
For some reason very few stopped what they were doing. It was almost as if the occurrence was regular and no one cared. Out of the corner of her eyes she picked out Inuyasha stepping forward, with his almost menacing stance, the other male copying and preparing for what she would assume to be a brawl. Yet locating the owner of what was bubbling her seemed far more important.
"Stay away from Kagome, she's not yours."
"It's not my fault you didn't lay claim upon her before I did."
Sensing an aura drawing near Kagome pivoted on her heels. A growl rushed through the room, her heart stopped, as did all movement.
"Inuyasha, your immature bickering is a disgrace," his deep voice ripped through the air, "Should such actions continue, this Sesshomaru will see to it that you never see the light of day again. As heir of the Eastern throne I expect more from you Kouga. Stand down from your claim, or the peace between our lands will vanish due to your disrespect."
A grumble came from Inuyasha, while Kouga looked furious. Sesshomaru's regal posture reminded Kagome that he was more than he appeared. His company was only part of the upbringing, he too was much like a King, ruling over youkai society and caring for those living within his realm. Her eyes met his briefly before something blocked her.
"You haven't claimed her, so there is no reason for me to back down. I wish to take this woman as my mate."
Shock forced her into silence; the words taking a few seconds to register within her mind before she realized she had indeed hear what she thought she had heard. With her lack of ability to respond another spoke for her.
"The miko is under this Sesshomaru's care. For that reason it is the responsibility of her alpha to find an appropriate mate that will compliment her abilities. Either challenge this Sesshomaru properly, or back down."
"My Lord," a male interrupted, "if you would just indulge the prince this once. His father would pay you anything to make up for the inconvenience such a proposal would cause."
"Don't I get a say in all this?" Kagome asked aloud, taking note of the many glares and disapproving glances she received from most of the males.
"Hush young one," Azuela whispered to her as she came to stand beside the woman, "It is up to your alpha to defend you at times like this. Whatever he says and decides will be to put you in the best position possible."
"But…"
"Later, you may speak later, to your alpha. He will hear you out only after the matters have been taken care of."
Meanwhile the retainer of the Eastern Lord began to list off many of the things they would trade for the miko. Sesshomaru politely heard out the proposal but in his mind he knew there was nothing he needed or wanted. Yet to decline for the convenience of himself was not something he would ever admit. So there was only one other way to convince the others that his refusal was not based on the sole purpose of annoying Kouga with keeping something the wolf wanted.
"This Sesshomaru must decline for it has already been decided that Kagome will become the Lady of the Western Lands."
Silence and gasping was the response of the majority, but auras of anger and disbelief flared from many females and one male in particular.
"What?!" Kouga growled out, "Since when?"
Sesshomaru said nothing, instead choosing to ignore the wolf and walk past to retrieve the shocked miko. Sapphires clashed with apologetic golden hues, and for some reason Kagome could feel that Sesshomaru truly was looking out for her.
"Please, continue with your evening," he commented to the onlookers and then turned to the woman beside him. "Are you hungry?"
Nodding and being led away gave a chance for her mind to run over the scene that just occurred. It wasn't an easy task to be told you were marrying someone without actually giving consent and Kagome had enough sense to know that mating was an even stronger bond than marriage. As much as she was bothered by the fact though, her mind kept wondering over another dream she had recently.
"Come, I wish to discuss something with you," the figure in the shadows reached for her.
"What?" she asked, her head tilted to the side innocently.
"The bond between us is strong. I wish to make it stronger. Become my mate and live here at the palace. No one will ever harm you again. You'll be safe here and when the time comes you may bring your brother here as well."
"But… why? Why me?"
The breeze gave leaves and petals the ability to dance in circles around the two forms. One standing amongst the trees and the other sitting amongst the tall flowers.
"I don't know," he commented.
"Then when you do I will answer you."
"Sesshomaru," she whispered as they sat at the table, Rin contently sitting in her lap and pointing out dinner selections on the menu to the waiter, "Why did you do that?"
"Hn," he contemplated for a moment saying any reasonable excuse, yet he was unable to logically explain his actions in an acceptable way. "Rin, after the meal it is time for you to head back to the hotel and get ready for bed."
"Aw… but dad I want to stay with Mizi a little longer." However, even with the slight whine, Rin nodded to show she would do as her father asked.
Though she didn't show it, the young girl was overly happy. Tonight marked the turning point in her plans. Lately she hadn't had to twist anything around. For some reason everything fell into place. Her plots were meaningless. Like a brick collapsing and knocking over another brick, which in turn knocked over another one until a chain reaction transpired. Her only hope was that everything would end at a good outcome rather than horribly wrong. Thus far her luck was plentiful, but she didn't want that fountain running dry anytime soon.
"Tomorrow we're going scuba diving Kagome," Rin remarked between bites on the appetizer.
"Yes, I'm very excited," the woman replied.
"Rin, sit in your own seat and let Kagome eat on her own."
Slipping into the empty chair, Rin continued to explain the full schedule of the next day before the conversation was carried over to other random tidbits. Just before the young girl left to return to her room, a few of lower lords of the west came to congratulate her father on his catch. From the way her mother-to-be fidget Rin concluded that the latest step was all her father's idea and this pleased.
Just you wait and see daddy, Kagome's the perfect match for you.
The evening meal came to a completion, and Sesshomaru saw that Jaken took charge of Rin for the rest of the night. Kagome gave the young girl a quick hug and kiss and then took her place beside Sesshomaru, as his partner, all the while wondering what they would have to do next. She held Sesshomaru in high respect, not many took pride in their actions and lived their lives with honour. For that reason she attempted to accept the inu's previous actions. He was, after all, attempting to protect his pack, even if it wasn't the proper way about gaining information from her past. Not to mention, he had taken time to not only apologize, a rare occurrence indeed, but also ask her to take her time in explaining her past to him so he could better understand her.
"Kagome," the deep baritone voice interrupted random thoughts, "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Uh… sure," she agreed.
Another glass of wine managed to make it into her hand before she was swept away to a pair of double doors leading out to a romantic garden scene. However, Kagome guessed it wasn't the scene that Sesshomaru wanted, but the chance to get away from the elders coming to speak with him. In fact, as they left the marvellously decorated room, a sapphire gaze landed upon Banerod heading towards them. Either not noticing or purposely being unobservant, Sesshomaru continued to lead her away.
They came to a bridge, sloping over a small stream. Kagome leaned against it and looked down upon the reflections shimmering in the moonlight. Silver hair tangled with black as a small breeze washed over them. Her arm brushed against the inu's as she moved to lean her chin in her hand. Content with the scene she listened to the music of the night.
Sesshomaru studied the woman for a moment. Actions tend to speak louder than words, in this case he was picking up on things she enjoyed, without her telling him that she did enjoy it.
"It would appear that I must apologize for your current situation. However, so long as they believe you will become my mate, no other males will disturb you. Well at least no youkai, the same cannot be said about humans. The brainless, unworthy creatures are unable to keep their hands off what doesn't belong to them."
Kagome giggled, for she agreed with the statement. "It's okay… I think I am beginning to understand you a little more. I don't mind, but … I hope this doesn't ruin the chance of you finding a proper mate. I would hate to think you would lose the one you are meant to be with because you are pretending to be with me."
"Hn."
Something irritated him. Unable to place a finger on the feeling, and hating the idea of worrying over what could be nothing, Sesshomaru changed the topic. He moved from beside her to behind her. A claw picked at a strand of hair, twirling it around in a circle before dropping it and beginning again with another raven lock.
"Are you still innocent?" he asked suddenly, unable to help the question that came out so easily.
"What?" she was startled with the direction of the conversation, yet at ease with the constant flow of alcohol in her system.
"Have you ever had the pleasure that a male can bring to your body?" He teased her with the grazing of his form against her back. Fingers still tangled in tresses of hair, playing with them in a seductive manner.
"Sesshomaru? How much have you had to drink?" she asked suddenly.
Amused with her response, or avoidance of the topic, he pushed his luck further. "Do you trust me miko? Would you allow this Sesshomaru to bring you to the brink and push you past limits you've never experienced?"
At a loss for words, she couldn't say a thing. Because her dreams were vivid pictures of him. Like memories replaying a life she had. Things came and went, and as much as she wanted to believe it was her imagination getting the best of her at times, she wanted to see how realistic the dreams were. However she was afraid as well. The memory of her past was very much of blur, but she knew she got away from him. His hands were on her, touching her when they weren't supposed to, and though Kagome wasn't sure what happened next she knew she had been saved.
"Sesshomaru," she whispered, "Why is your name so familiar to my lips? How can I never had met you, yet dream of you like we've know each other for a lifetime."
Pressing his nose against the back of her neck, he inhaled. The action of familiarizing himself with her scent was something he rarely did so openly, yet with such an unguarded moment before him, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
"Sesshomaru!" another interrupted.
A step back brought a suitable distance between them, and no one would be able to tell anything had occurred, though many would probably assume something had, with or without evidence.
"What is it?" he growled.
"Banerod, he's collapsed. It was so sudden. Azuela is frantic, she won't let anyone near him. We need your help to have him moved to the infirmary."
Sesshomaru took a moment to turn to the woman standing on the bridge, but found she was already heading to the door in a run. Taking a moment to vaguely note her fast speed for a human, he soon followed suit, curious as to what she thought she could do.
The bodies of useless beings blocked the path and, before a growl could be issued, a flare of reiki warned all youkai to move or else. Shuffling was quick, no one lingered any nearer to the danger than needed. Sesshomaru, however, felt no ill effects, yet again, while around the pulsing power radiating in short waves.
The sight of Azuela hovering over her mate's body reminded the inu of the species his old friends were. Nekko also believed in pack, though their care for a mate was more intense than an inu who could mate multiple females if wanted. Swiftly his feet carried him to block the miko, protecting her from the female, whose baser instincts wouldn't recognize friend from foe in the current state.
"Kagome," he began slowly.
His eyes reached dead, lifeless orbs. A dull, flat shade of pale grey-like blue was all that remained of the vibrant sapphires he knew well. Any movement made by the human was slow, yet certain. It was as if something possessed the woman, taking control over her body, and spiritual power.
"Out of the way," an equally flat tone rose from Kagome's throat.
With his own need to protect the female he saw as pack rising each second; his control over his calm appearance began to fade.
"She won't let you near; it's a pointless suicide if you attempt to get closer. You're no match for her."
A soft smirk barely made an appearance, though it was oddly emotionless. "I'll be the judge of that," a statement made out of pure confidence, "Out of the way, or he will die."
Torn between protecting pack and saving a friend was a difficult position to be in, especially since he believed there was little the woman could do as an untrained miko. Yet the state she was in made him want to believe her words. Banerod was one of the few he trusted, though he commonly joked that the old timer was never to be trusted. Seeing him motionless, when only moments ago he had been stalking and causing trouble, was painful to say the least.
"What can you do?" he demanded, the answer to the question would decide his position on the matter.
"Draw out the poison," she replied without a moment's hesitation, "Now move, your stubbornness is wasting precious time."
One hesitate step, followed by another, left only one final obstacle in the miko's way.
A growl evoked no emotion from the form. A positive thing, since many would have shown fear before a protective nekko. Standing a mere foot away from her goal, Kagome patiently waited as the female growled again. Not expecting the same impassive response, a third warning cut through the small space.
"Who do you think you are? What so you want?"
Sesshomaru and any other canine or feline could clearly understand the ancient language, but human hearing couldn't pick up on the frequency, and few youkai knew the nekko spoke.
"Let me help," the miko replied.
The chance of such a response was very probable, considering Sesshomaru knew that Kagome was listening to silence. It wasn't like the miko could understand that she practically answered the questioned posed.
"Go away!"
"Please, just let me help."
The reiterated statement would be a reasonable answer if the miko was hearing nothing from the female youkai. Obviously she was trying to pick out what the stance over the male's body meant, and point out that she meant to harm.
"A pathetic human like you can do nothing. Leave before I shed your blood and let it glisten upon the floor."
"I can't stand by and watch a friend in need. Kill me if you must, death doesn't scare me, but do so after your mate is safe."
Sesshomaru's brow furrowed for a slight second. How is it possible she can understand this language, he pondered as he refocused on the two females.
Azuela looked from her dying mate to the stubborn human priestess in deep contemplation. A hand stroke a cheek tenderly, faint tears running away from the sorrowed eyes.
"If he dies, so do you," her reply came at last.
A short nod of agreement was the only answer, as the distance was close and Kagome kneeled next to the fallen male. Hands rose to level in front of the small form, roaming within the air above the motionless body. A faint glow of eternal pink began to arrange itself around the slender fingers and cascade from the delicate hands to the chest below. Worry ransacked the other female, yet she didn't interrupt the possibly deadly process.
Fascinated, dozens of eyes fixated themselves upon the miko and her current task. Not a sound was made as the observations continued. A pin dropping from miles away would have been heard, without much effort.
At long last a sigh wrapped around a breath and the tension in the woman's body relaxed. The clouded orbs settled upon the patient and appeared to wait. After a moment a twitch of muscle along the eyes proved the male was attempting to wake up from his forceful slumber. As lids fluttered open slowly the miko, still in her trance, stood and moved to the side.
Azuela instantly lunged against her mate to hear his whispered words. He apologized before allowing sleep to overcome him once again. Few paid any attention to the miko who wavered on her feet. Sesshomaru took one glance at his friend before averting his gaze to Kagome.
Instantly, it was realized what would happen next. Actions of the body appeared to be unconscious, more of an unaware control over her power, which meant that no force was harness to keep energy for personal use. So it was only natural that the sagging signs of exhaustion would lead to fainting. Sesshomaru sprung from his position and caught the miko before she connected with the marble floor. Many continued to stare; waiting to see what would happen since it was obvious the task was now complete on Kagome's part. Though their concern wasn't for the human as much as it was for the youkai couple. Keen senses could hear the improving heartbeats growing stronger, the weight from the lungs allowed breathing to become less laboured. Overall, Sesshomaru could stay that the miko surprised many that night, not only by surviving, but also from doing the unthinkable.
Drawing out poison wasn't an easy task for a healer. Many things could go wrong. Identifying the toxin, and then finding the right amount of antidote was a tricky, complicated task. In the woman's case, things were far from over. Taking the poison into her own body to purify meant that she would be affected by the side effects until the last of it was neutralized. It was possible the toxic chemical racing through his system would help, yet it was completely possible he would make it worse. Without knowing which deadly liquid course through her veins, there was nothing he could do but wait out the long night.
"Azuela, allow Genu to bring Banerod to your room. With a bit more rest, away from prying eyes, he should be fine. I shall check in on you at a later time this evening."
Able to comprehend her mate was out of danger, she followed the inu's instructions. Though her gaze never left the unconscious male, and she snapped about one thing or another as the younger youkai began the process of delivering Banerod to his room.
With the main attraction of entertainment gone, attention was fixated upon the miko in his arms. Not wishing to spend any more time than needed at the social function, he used the excuse of caring for his 'future mate' as a legitimate reason to depart. For once the elders didn't attempt to persuade him as Sesshomaru turned to the main doors and headed to the car that would take him and Kagome back to the hotel.
xXx
"What?" the lethal growl whipped across the distance. "Then fix it. I don't give a damn what you do just get me that jewel."
"Don't kill the girl though," another sneered, walking out of the shadows. "I still have yet to taste her… I want her as my toy, for all the trouble she's caused my family."
"Masters, it would appear that so long as the two are together, the bond will strengthen. I can't break it until one or the other is dead. Killing the girl would be so much easier than the male," the female began, hoping the things she said and would say wouldn't be the death of her.
"How is it they met if they can't remember their past? Have you done something wrong witch?"
"Naraku, why don't we give her the benefit of the doubt? It's possible that she couldn't predict how strong the two were, we are talking about the force of an inu. Besides we can still play with the cupcake… we have something she's bound to come sacrifice herself for."
The chuckle echoed off the walls, reaching the ears of a boy huddling in the corner. Exposed skin was covered in dirt, the clothes nothing more than tatters, dry blood spoke of an obvious struggle, and chains weighted down the small frame. His eyes darted angrily to the male, before spitting in the direction of his feet in disrespect. A quick yank brought the young male's face to the ground, and a swift kick reminded him of the position, or rather lack of position, he was in.
"Hush now; your mommy will be very upset if I have to punish you for being bad."
xXx
"Diasuke!" the hoarse voice rang through the empty halls. "Where the hell are you?" she muttered, before continuing to grumble under her breathe. She stalked forward , alert for her prey, "Diasuke!... Dia—!"
"Hush old hag, I hear you," the man in question spoke from behind. "What do you want?"
"Telephone call. Lord Sesshomaru says it's urgent."
"I'll take it in his study, I'm sure he won't mind," he cheerfully chirped.
Shaking of a head went unnoticed as each went their own way. Curiosity usually had the best of her, but Kaede was certain she would learn about whatever it was that cause her lord's concern later.
Within the walls of the secure study, Diasuke settled in the large leather chair behind the desk and retrieve the phone from its cradle.
"Diasuke here," he announced probably more chipper than required.
"Get out of my chair," the inu demanded immediately.
Not surprised about the inu's possessiveness for his property, or that he could guess where he was, Diasuke shrugged and continued.
"Are you enjoying your vacation? How's the little miko?"
Sesshomaru growled, and Diasuke knew it was out of instinct to make sure no one entered his domain with the intent of taking over his territory. Although logically the inu was aware that he had no ill intention, Sesshomaru's instincts didn't run on logic.
"Okay, I get it… I'm moving," he said, while shuffling across the room to sit on a chair by a book shelve. "Now then, why are you calling? It's late there isn't it?"
"Banerod was poisoned. Symptoms include, heavy breathing, low blood pressure, pale skin, darkening veins. What toxin causes these side effects for a nekko?"
"Hm, that's hard to say," he began, "Can you estimate consumption time?"
"No."
"Did the symptoms emerge quickly, or a little at a time?" Daisuke wondered how it was the inu could always remain calm. He himself grew anxious to know exactly what was going on, however, he knew he would be of little help since he was not there.
"He complained about feeling hot a few minutes before his collapse."
"I can't be certain but my best guess would be Ininth, though I hope I am wrong because he will die in minutes without an antidote."
"Kagome drew out the poison, it saved his life, however she has remained unconscious for fourteen hours. What are her chances of survival?"
Holding back the chuckle, Diasuke made note to tell the old hag about the way Sesshomaru was now showing an even more protective side with the human woman. As much as he was happy about the change, there was something he had to bring up, as a reminder that he hated to give.
"Sesshomaru, don't get too close. You're the one who told me she is unable to bare pups. If that's the case it would be best to keep your distance."
"What are the chances of the Kagome's survival?" he reiterated with a snarl.
"As a human? Slim to none. As a miko? Reasonable. The Ininth is a poison from a youkai beetle that precedes it only during the blood moon. Being part of a youkai it can be purified with your reiki, therefore it is only a matter of time and energy that stands in her way. Time depends on how powerful and experienced she is, and how strong the toxin. Her energy will deplete with every passing second, once it hits minimum, she won't be able to maintain her body's needs."
The phone clicked on the other end as the inu hung up, seeking nothing more from the kitsune.
"Well, this shall be interesting. He didn't even get me a chance to let him know what I found out for him."
Shrugging, Diasuke left the room. A grumbling stomach was hard to work with, so he headed towards the kitchen with a hope he would find the nagging woman and be able to apologize enough for a good cooked meal.
Ja ne
Angelic Memories
© 2009