Conflicted Hearts
The eastern lord, Katasurou, was alone in his rooms as he had no desire for a servant's company, not while he had so much on his mind, too much actually. He felt a great need to see his daughter once more, to know without a doubt that she was safe. He knew he was overprotective even if he rarely gave in to such tendencies ever since Akahana had grown, but at the moment it was difficult for him to respect her boundaries and remain sitting calmly in his guest rooms.
Her attitude towards him had always been haughty at best, probably because he had spoiled her as a cub, so he was slightly confused by her reactions when she had materialized out of nowhere when he and Sesshomaru had been on the verge of searching for her. She had allowed him to coddle her.
Did that mean she was distraught over her failure at not winning Sesshomaru's competition? Perhaps her run in with the miko was worse than he had feared?
Though out of character, her actions may mean she needed her father right now. He had just convinced himself to go to her, when out of habit, he sank back to his pillow seat. The last time he had over thought her reactions towards a situation had only gotten him a lecture, albeit respectfully, that if she needed him she would come to him.
In vain, he waited for her.
She was so precious to him, his only living daughter. She looked so like his deceased mate—what with her black hair—that he couldn't bear to lose her, too. Perhaps that was why she was so independent, being surrounded by her father and three brothers growing up and no female companion other than servants.
His thoughts returned to the miko who dared harm his child. It had probably been the same one Sesshomaru claimed held the essence of youkai housed inside her body, the one to be his future mate. By youkai law after finding the winner of such a contest Sesshomaru had held, she was already his intended mate.
Katasurou clenched his teeth in anger at the thought. Even if such a phenomenon of a miko wielding demonic energy was true, how could any daiyoukai choose a ningen over pure bloodlines such as his daughter?
He resented the miko, because he knew how much his daughter had wanted to be Sesshomaru's mate; how excited and confident she had been in her abilities to win the right to be by his side. Yet this ningen, this miko, dared usurp his child's wants and desires? Unacceptable!
Rising to his feet in his agitation, he decided to go visit the miko in question even though it was close to the dinner hour. He knew exactly where she was, because her pure light was unmistakable. Sesshomaru even dared house her in his royal halls!
**********With Sai**********
Sai felt numb when she left her rooms to walk towards the eastern lord's quarters as Naraku-sama had ordered while carrying the small mirror in her palm. She was aware that she was indecently dressed by just wearing a white sleeping yukata, but she couldn't seem to care.
Her lord wished her miko harm.
She shuddered at the thought.
A servant had told her where her 'father's' rooms were located before they had left her after administering to her needs and injuries, so Sai made a conscious effort to locate him.
No one was in the halls; probably all were preparing for the evening meal, but Sai knew her meal would be sent to her room because of her wound. She came to an abrupt halt in front of Katasurou door and just stood there lost in thought.
How could she allow Kagome to die?
Tears glittered in her eyes as her face crumpled in anguish. She had no fear Naraku might see as the mirror wasn't pointed towards her, but she endeavored to remain silent.
No! She could not fall apart, not now. Later. She would cry her heart out when she was alone once more in her rooms. Scrubbing her face with her sleeve, Sai knew she could do nothing about the redness in her eyes when she knocked politely on the door. "M'—Father? I have come to see you."
Not once did her voice waver, for which she was grateful.
However, no one answered; another knock, but still nothing. She heard no movement inside. In fact, she didn't hear anything. No silent breathing, no heartbeat, nor did she feel his aura inside. She knew without a doubt that he was not within, and she cursed herself for not paying attention to her surroundings, or she would have realized that he was gone before she even came to his door.
Sai took a deep breath before bringing the mirror up to her face to once again behold the image of her lord. "He is not in his rooms, m'lord. I have no idea where he has gone."
"I see. Call upon me the next time you get him alone. Don't keep me waiting." Then he was gone, the mirror reflecting Akahana's face once more.
Sai felt immeasurable relief at the news. For now, her miko was safe. What was she to do? She wanted to see her, had to! It had been too long since she last laid eyes on Kagome, and she yearned to hold her close and never let go.
Sai had taken a step towards the miko's rooms, knowing where she was by her pure light, but she stopped short. The miko was not alone. Broken hearted, Sai could no longer stop her tears as she walked the executioner's path towards her dark and lonely rooms alone.
Kagome, her heart cried out with such longing.
**********With Kagome**********
Kagome had just decided not to make an appearance at dinner for one of two reasons: one, she was unsure how to treat Sesshomaru, and two, she had no desire to meet the eastern lord.
She had no idea what to make of Sesshomaru anymore. First, he used barbaric means to determine her strengths when he allowed her to be attacked repeatedly while he searched for a mate; second, he shocked her by wanting to protect her because she was the Shikon's guardian which made her useful in Naraku's defeat; then third, he totally confounded her by admitting he wanted her sexually and even touched her in such a way no man had ever dared before!
She was still slightly upset with him for the callous why he deemed suitable to test her growth in reiki and control, but when she stopped to think about it, wasn't he just testing his future mate's strengths against a miko's powers, to be sure she would be an ample protector for their future young? How could she hold a grudge when Sesshomaru was only thinking about his future children's welfare? If she was honest, she could admit a doting father was appealing in a man.
Plus, he had been considerate in offering his help, as long as she didn't think too much about his motives, defeating his enemy and erasing the jewel from the face of existence. Looking at her cloth covered shoulder, she knew it was because of his help that she was recovering so fast. It had only been a few days, yet one couldn't tell by the progress her injuries were showing. Even if his methods made her uncomfortable, making her feeling things both physically and emotionally she did not wish to feel, she should be thanking him, not getting angry with him.
She shook her head. She could admit she should be grateful, but she refused to cheat on Inuyasha further. She already feared revealing what she had allowed Sesshomaru to do thus far, knowing his reaction would be far from understanding. She sighed.
She needed Sesshomaru to understand her feelings, that even if she felt lust for him, she wasn't in love with him, and that made all the difference to her. Kagome blushed and covered her red cheeks. However, how could she not be flattered by his attraction towards her?
Kagome was brought out of her musing by Haru's words.
"I shall bring your meal promptly, miko Kagome." With a bow, Haru went to the screen door.
Kagome couldn't help but smile at Haru's words. At least she was calling her by name now. Both of them froze, however, when a demonic aura approached, the youkai's energy pulsing with leashed aggression. Kagome instinctively took up a defensive stance. Before she could call to Haru to come back to her, her screen door opened without preamble.
Just like Sesshomaru, the newcomer walked right in with an arrogant step. Haru instantly knelt on the floor to bow low and stayed in that position. By her actions, Kagome assumed that this was the eastern lord. She took him in quickly without moving from her defensive stance. He stood tall and regal in his flowing gold, silk kimono. Even his hair seemed to be made from spun gold, his eyes a fierce feline amber Kagome recognized as a predator, a lion most like. When she noted the yellow demonic mark above his left eye, she knew his identity without a doubt, even if she had never before laid eyes upon him.
Kagome met his gaze squarely, unafraid by their feral expression, though the rest of his face was held expressionlessly. She was unaware of why he had barged in unannounced or even why he had come to visit Sesshomaru, but he was here and she did not trust him. She silently begged for Sesshomaru to come and save her, because she was still injured from her previous ordeal, and he was Sesshomaru's guest. Surely the inuyoukai would be displeased if they were to fight in his castle?
He stared at her with cat eyes filled with distain, and Kagome was unhappy with the look but not unaccustomed to it; however, his silence was grating.
"Who are you to give you the right to just barge in here unannounced and without an invitation?"
He sneered at her. "You show an indecent lack of respect for your betters, ningen. I am the eastern lord, Katasurou."
Bowing from the waist out of respect for his station, Kagome rose without being given leave, never once taking her eyes off him. "I am not the only one lacking in respect, my lord. This is not your home, and yet you barge right into a guest's room unannounced and speak disrespectfully. I bet Sesshomaru-sama is unaware of your visit."
She saw his cheeks flame with anger, and she knew she was right.
Kagome hoped throwing out Sesshomaru's name would help fend this obviously angry daiyoukai off. She was unsure if she could defeat him otherwise if he chose to come after her. For reasons unknown to her, he obviously disliked her greatly.
His answering snarl caused her to once again take a defensive stance.
"How dare he choose you over my Akahana?" he all but spat at her, his words dripping with contempt.
Confused, Kagome opened her mouth to respond, but a familiar aura was felt before Sesshomaru spoke from behind Katasurou. Kagome signed in relief at the familiar, cold tone.
"This Sesshomaru suggests you leave and adjourn to your rooms, Katasurou-sama. You must be tired after the day's events. Haru, see to it that he makes it to his rooms without fail."
"Hai, my lord." Bowing once more in respect, Haru rose to her feet, but was stopped by the eastern lord's curt response.
"Don't bother. I need some air."
Then he was gone. Before Kagome could breathe a sigh of relief, Sesshomaru dismissed Haru, leaving them alone together. She jumped slightly when her screen door made an audible click, closing them in intimately.