Running Up That Hill
By: The Hatter Theory
Chapter 21: When It's Each Other We Despise
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Inu Yasha or the songs by Kate Bush or Placebo.
I'd like to thank you guys so much. RUTH has placed third for best action adventure, third for best dark/horror fic, and second for best drama in the dokuga awards.
That being said, updates are going to be a bit scattered for the moment, since I'm heading out of town for at least a week, possibly more. Please forgive any delay.
Kagome was just aiming when a voice suddenly startled her, sending the shot wide and she hit a completely different target than the one she aimed for.
"You are the miko that defeated Naraku?" A surprised voice asked. Kagome turned and was readying to say something when she stopped, her mouth hanging open as she took in the owner of the voice. Black hair contrasted sharply with pale skin, and pale lavender eyes that seemed almost white in the light. Full, light pink lips were rounded in a small 'o' of surprise.
"I'm Kagome," She finally stuttered. "Sesshoumaru and I both fought together-" She tried, realized how she was babbling and stopped herself abruptly. "And you are?" She asked, when the youkai only stared.
"I expected someone more fearsome," The woman replied shortly. Kagome stomped down any irritation with the woman, knowing she probably didn't look like much of a warrior.
"I meant your name," Kagome asked. "Anyone here is supposed to be known to me," She added, hoping her imitation of Sesshoumaru's aloof command was accurate and not completely over the top.
"I am Harukaze. It seems Lord Sesshoumaru had pressing matters this morning, and I decided to explore."
"Oh, you're the candidate for the fourth house," Kagome chuckled, relaxing. Knowing Bokusenou vouched for her, she felt much better in the unknown woman's presence.
"Strange, a miko living here. Being allowed to live here," Harukaze observed.
"Special circumstances," Kagome said with a shrug, not wanting to get into it with the stranger.
"Yes, I suppose that is," The woman replied, her eyes on the jewel at Kagome's throat. Feeling slightly on edge as the youkai eyed the jewel, Kagome let her aura swell and roll in waves away from her, a brief warning to the youkai. When the pale eyes snapped back up to hers, shocked, Kagome nodded slightly.
"An anomaly," Harukaze announced. "You're not drawing off of the jewel's power."
"I don't need it," Kagome answered shortly.
"I see you have met our guest," A new voice rumbled, and Kagome heard the underlying hints of anger in the words as Sesshoumaru strode over to them, displeasure evident.
"Some might call you suicidal," Harukaze smirked as she looked to the daiyoukai. His ki flared in response as he turned angry eyes to her. Kagome allowed her aura to swell and tangle with his, letting it emanate aimlessly instead of directing it, and taking a small satisfaction in the way the youkai's eyes widened once more in shock.
"How are you doing that?" She asked.
"It is only possible because of our strength," Kagome said softly from Sesshoumaru's side. It didn't escape her that he had moved slightly in front of her, turning so that he was almost in front of her.
"Well, since you've both shown your fangs and put me in my place, I guess it's time to start talking about this territory business," Harukaze laughed. Kagome stopped short and only because she felt the flicker of uncertainty through Sesshoumaru's aura did she know he felt disconcerted by the woman's reaction.
"Well?" She asked again. "I just needed to know who I was dealing with. Can't go anywhere without hearing about you two, and even though I was assured by that tree and several forest spirits that I should come here, I wasn't entirely sure if I was heading into a trap or not."
"Why would you think we were setting a trap?" Kagome demanded.
"Old quarrel between our families," The woman responded, eying Sesshoumaru. Kagome turned with an amused expression on her face.
"Was there anyone that your dad wasn't fighting?" She asked, eyebrow arched playfully.
"The list is unending. What are your people called?" Sesshoumaru demanded.
"We're the last of the aosagibi," She replied quietly, her face suddenly somber, and Kagome wondered at Sesshoumaru's sharp intake of breath.
"Anyano," He finally said.
"That is my clan," She confirmed.
"This was not mentioned," Sesshoumaru said honestly.
"You understand now, why I wondered at my summons. Bokusenou is wise, and we trust the forest spirits that urged me to come. But when I heard of you and the miko, as I said, you can understand my caution," She finished.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked, looking between the two. "Is it that bad?" She asked, dread pooling in the pit of her stomach and forming a heavy, leaden weight.
"It was not my father, but my mother's people that warred with hers. To claim the rights to my mother's house."
"And you have inherited that title," Harukaze observed.
"Will you use your new power to make war?" Sesshoumaru demanded.
"I would not," She sighed. "But the rage still burns in my father's heart, and many others, for the outcome of the battles they fought. I cannot guarantee that they would not try should I take such a position."
"Then leave and go back to your people," He stated coldly, imperiously.
"Now wait just a minute!" Kagome snapped, seeing the sad acceptance in the woman's pale eyes. "Bokusenou chose her. He knows the history between the two houses, and I'm sure he was taking that into account. We can't look at this at face value," Kagome said, despite Sesshoumaru's hard stare. "Resshin can see into her heart, right? And we need to ask Bokusenou why he chose her instead of dismissing everything out of hand," She argued.
"The land cannot sustain another war," Sesshoumaru began.
"What if there were a way to assure that another war didn't start?" Kagome demanded. "There are such things as peace treaties-"
"Which are worth less than the paper they are written upon," Sesshoumaru scoffed.
"Not if both people uphold their end of the deal. Make it so Harukaze forfeits her territory, not to you but to one of the others, if her clan violates the treaty, and the other two houses back them up," Kagome said, suddenly optimistic. "That way they can't think that you're setting her up to take her lands and they'll think twice about attacking. Possibly winning the title of your house can't compare to having a sure thing like a territory," Kagome reasoned.
When both youkai only stared at her, Harukaze slightly impressed and Sesshoumaru as if he'd never seen her before, she frowned slightly and crossed her arms, poking herself with her own bow. "I can think, so stop looking so surprised," She muttered to the daiyoukai.
"I think perhaps, it is time to reconsider your position in my home. You should sit on the council," He told her shortly.
"She's not on your council?" Harukaze asked, eyes wide. "Why not?"
"She can hear you perfectly," Kagome muttered. "And I refuse because I have enough stress without adding that lot of idiots to it. Well, the highborns anyway, although I get my fill of the twins when they're explaining why the children thought I was just perfect for another one of their jokes."
"I will be sure to tell them that," Sesshoumaru replied dryly. "But your idea has merit," He admitted slowly. "But first she must first receive Resshin's approval, and then I will speak to Bokusenou on the matter."
Kagome nodded, smiling that he had accepted her proposal.
"Nice to meet you," She told the woman, offering a small bow. "Good luck."
Sesshoumaru began walking away, noting that Harukaze kept glancing over her shoulder at the miko.
"She is very strange, for a miko," The crane youkai observed. "And the ability for you to twist your powers so, it is perplexing," She admitted. "I did not expect to find such here."
"It is our ability to merge our own energies that allowed the defeat of Naraku," Sesshoumaru answered shortly. "And she is from a distant land, thus her seeming strangeness. She is a part of this Sesshoumaru's pack," He added, noting the sudden surprise that flared in the woman's scent.
"Many would call you suicidal," Harukaze repeated. "But now, I am not so sure." When he didn't ask why, she continued on, oblivious to his stony expression. "I have never known of anyone that could combine their attacks in such a manner. It is not just strength, it bespeaks a great trust. Even if my clan were to demand war, knowing the power you and the woman hold between you, I would stop them."
"I would not bring her to a war between our houses," He rumbled. "She is not a weapon." The admission surprised him, because with her in his house, and their abilities being what they were, she could be the ultimate weapon.
"Even so, would you be able to stop her from fighting?" Harukaze asked, and he found he had no answer. Whether she would fight or follow his command was an unknown, and his ignorance bothered him, although the idea that she would choose to fight warmed him even as the thought of her in battle scraped against his temper.
"We are here," He replied several minutes later as the door to his council room slid open to reveal an unhappy looking Resshin, who stood and bowed as the door slid shut and introductions were made.
Nanmei sat watching the taijiya warily. Sango had opted to sit beneath a tree, eating sparingly of her own lunch. Miroku had opted to sit with her, and the children kept casting worried or angry glances at the one they considered their enemy. It was a tense, almost silent affair, and Kagome was getting sick of it. The first real day out in awhile and everyone just seemed on edge.
"Guys, anyone want to play a game?" Kagome asked.
"How about tag?" Nanmei suggested, trying to match Kagome's jovial tone. Her smile was too forced, too bright to be real, but the children nodded and stood, moving from their bowls and cups slowly, as if unwilling to leave the miko.
"Okay, I'll be it," Kagome announced. They seemed to brighten at the declaration and Kagome refrained from giving a sigh of relief. She stooped though, when she saw Rin approaching the taijiya. Sango glared at the girl, as if hoping she'd go away, ignoring what looked like some sort of rebuke from Miroku. Kagome watched, unable to hear, as the little girl spoke to the woman. Sango's gaze softened for a moment before going hard again. Rin turned away, looking dejected, and Kagome was surprised by the flash of sorrow she saw in Sango's eyes.
Determined to make her children happy, she began running, the group immediately scattering as she turned quickly on her heel and tried to surprise even more. Several times she almost caught one of them, purposefully letting them escape. It wasn't until she turned and lunged directly into Sesshoumaru that she stopped, rubbing her smarting nose.
"Tag!" She called, poking him before taking off. He stared at her quizzically for a moment, because he had never deigned to play before, but taking note of the taijiya's shrewd gaze, he gave in, leisurely strolling towards the group of children before picking up Kagome's act and letting them only barely 'escape' his tag. Eventually he gave up and touched a claw to one hanyou child's forehead and walked to a breathless Kagome.
"You are still unwell," He observed.
"It's nothing," She said, waving off his concern. "I'll be fine in a day or two. Thank you though, for playing."
"They seemed to enjoy it," He replied blandly, taking his seat next to her. Nanmei had been tagged easily, and she chased after one child then another joyfully.
"How did it go with Harukaze?" Kagome asked, leaning back on her hands.
"Resshin says that she appears to be a good choice. My council will advise against it, the main reason being the feud between my house and her own. But your plan circumvents it quite neatly."
"You're welcome," She chuckled, rolling her eyes when he gave her a haughty look. The sun was warm as she leaned back further, pillowing her head with her arms as she soaked up the warmth of the sun. Something furry began insistently moving under her and she growled.
"I thought we agreed no weird fur things unless I'm sick," She muttered.
"You are still recovering. Remember our deal," He reminded her. Seeing Shinzuru and the twin's grins, she huffed indignantly, but allowed the pelt to move beneath her head and pillow it.
"She's going to be a great mom," Kagome said as she heard Nanmei's laugh ring out through the gardens.
"She will," A new voice confirmed. Kagome opened her eyes and saw Resshin moving to stand over her, smiling gently off in the distance, she assumed at his mate. "Thank you, for being such a friend to her. One that understands and accepts with such ease is rare."
"Everyone keeps saying that, and I don't get it. She's nice, you're nice. It's not like she tried to mate Naraku," Kagome sighed, reluctantly shifting and sitting up. The fur was quite comfortable.
"That woman, the one you seek to save, she would not be so kind."
"At one time she would have," Kagome sighed. "And hopefully she will be again. It's just going to take some time. All wounds take time to heal, and some never heal at all," She finished, the last almost a whisper as she looked to the ground. It was one of the few times she'd alluded to her own healing in front of them, and blushing brightly when she realized what she'd said, she forced a bright smile.
"You are much too serious," Sesshoumaru informed her, his eyes blank. Kagome stopped, and for the second time that day laughter was outright startled from her, bubbling up, a rich, light sound that carried through the gardens.
"You're telling me I'm too serious?" She asked. Resshin was chuckling as well as he moved to join his mate in the games. It seems that tag had shifted into monsters and heroes, and the kitsune twins suddenly joined in, creating a whirlwind of chaos wherever they went, gleefully playing the monsters as they roared after the children. She laughed again, watching their antics. When Resshin reached them, he lifted his arms and tried to look as intimidating as possible, his strange pseudo roars making his expression comical.
"This is our pack," Kagome murmured. "Even the guys, whether it's official or not. Our family," She sighed happily. Her content was short lived however, turning to slight panic when the older youkai and Nanmei seemed to herd the children their way, the stampede of little ones cackling gleefully and faking screams as they headed for their 'protectors'.
"Save us!" They chanted, all of them slamming full force into Kagome and Sesshoumaru, knocking her back while Sesshoumaru barely withstood the tidal wave of children suddenly clamoring on and around him. He gave them a sly glance and a great series of echoing barks erupted from his throat, startling the birds from the trees and delighting everyone. Kagome laughed and clapped her hands cheerily, smiling as the children begged for Sesshoumaru to join them.
"Who would protect your mother?" He asked.
"Nanmei can!" They elected. Nanmei pretended a look of hurt, then sighed dramatically and dropped down next to the miko, breathless and giggling as Sesshoumaru eyed Kagome evenly and then took off with the children. Unlike his friends, he affected no fake roars, but mock chased them, getting just behind them and letting out one of his strange barks.
"That man is a great father," Nanmei observed.
"You know, we were just talking about how you would make a great mom," Kagome laughed. "Resshin is going to be a great dad too."
"Don't I know it," Nanmei chuckled. "Heaven knows he's tryin-oh kami I can't believe I said that!" She squeaked in embarrassment, covering her mouth with one hand and blushing hotly. Kagome chuckled, poking her friend in the side.
"I'm glad you're happy," She finally said. "You guys deserve it. And lots of babies."
"Not as many as you," Nanmei quickly amended. "But yes, we'd like children. I'm happy Resshin's clan isn't adverse to hanyou."
"Lots and lots of babies," Kagome repeated ominously. Nanmei looked startled, then began laughing and poked her friend in the side, parroting the miko's actions. Kagome mustered a mildly affronted look, then smiled slyly.
"Resshin!" Kagome called, her hands cupped around her mouth. When he turned in her direction, eyes alert, she shrugged off Nanmei's sudden questions. "Nanmei wants a litter of kids as big as mine!"
"I said no such thing!" Nanmei screeched indignantly, missing the almost goofy, wistful smile on her mate's face as she covered her face in her hands. Shinzuru and the twins both began cackling, which resulted in the children tackling them, taking down the 'monsters'. But it was Sesshoumaru' strange look that gave her pause. When the children trying to pull him down, heedless of his reaction, he further surprised her by allowing himself to be 'vanquished' as Rin announced loudly.
Kagome turned to see Sango staring at the group, mouth open in astonishment. The moment she saw Kagome looking at her however, she settled back against the tree, her expression closed. Knowing it would take more than a day for her friend's fears to fade, she sighed heavily and then turned her attention back to the children, who had turned the tides and were 'chasing' the adult males. Surprised that even Sesshoumaru was running, although knowing his speed Kagome thought it more of a stroll, she clapped her hands again, allowing her joy to take the forefront.
"You're a lot happier now," Nanmei confided. "I'm glad. You deserve happiness more than anyone I know."
"I am, and thank you. I won't say I deserve it, but I'm glad to have such an amazing family. You included," She confided back, shouldering her friend. Nanmei smiled, her eyes on her mate once more.
"You do deserve it," She said at great length, not looking at Kagome. "You're giving them all something precious, even the men. Although I admit, I never pictured Sesshoumaru playing," She giggled at last, turning to Kagome once more. "War is hard on everyone, but they fight, you've fought. Their laughter and joy, a chance to just play, that means a lot. It's what they fight for."
"For play?" Kagome asked, chuckling at the absurdity.
"For the people they love. Moments like this remind them why they make the sacrifices they do. And even if this is, well, not at all what I pictured Sesshoumaru doing, perhaps he has the most need of it. He has more responsibility than most, and to be reminded of the help he's given, the things he works for, it's a good thing."
"It is, isn't it?" Kagome sighed, her words less of a question and more of an affirmation. Their ride came back to her and she hoped that perhaps she was helping to bring joy into his life. He'd certainly earned it, and although she had never pictured him as someone that expressed it, he had to feel it. Puzzling over the idea of a joyous Sesshoumaru, and laughing at the mental images it evoked, she settled back on her palms, noting for the first time that when the daiyoukai had left, his strange pelt had been left behind, part of it on her lap as she unconsciously stroked it.
"How did the meeting go?" Kagome asked when Sesshoumaru moved into the room outside of her own. The wall between them wouldn't hinder her voice from reaching his sensitive ears, so she didn't need to speak loudly.
"They reacted as expected," He replied in a bland voice.
"They didn't try to kill her did they?" She asked at last.
"No, they are much too cautious to attempt such a thing, especially since it would provoke the feud if done within my home. No, they are merely trying to stop it or change the terms of her being given the territory."
Noticing how tired he sounded, she wrapped the blanket around herself and walked to the door and opened it, sitting and leaning against the door frame. The light from her own room spilled into the small area he had claimed as his own and cast flickering shadows over his features.
"What are they trying to do?" She asked after settling down.
"They wish to supply their own candidate should she break the treaty. Each is determined to have his own named heir. I've no doubt if I did such a thing they would somehow provoke a war."
"I could purify them," She offered.
"Do not joke of such things," He replied stonily, and Kagome stopped the chuckle as it was leaving her throat. "They are too tempting," He added, making her smile sympathetically.
"Thank you for today. The children, they had a really good time," She told him, hoping to turn his attention to a happier subject.
"It was strange, and I felt very foolish. But they laughed and did not fear me when I gave chase."
"Because you weren't really chasing them. You looked like you were having fun," She accused gently.
"I did. You and Resshin's mate seem thick as thieves now."
"It's good to have a female friend."
"You are no longer uncomfortable with the idea that she and Resshin are intimate," He remarked. Kagome face flamed and she hid it behind a fold of the blanket. "Perhaps that was too bald a statement for friends," He intoned several minutes later when she still hadn't emerged.
"No, not that. Friends, I mean, you're right, and I didn't realize it. Maybe I'm getting better," She sighed. "I just never expected you to say something like that. It's kind of weird."
"You are mending," He stated. "As alpha, and as a friend," He started, the last word still seemed to be pulled from him reluctantly, awkwardly, "It is something to be grateful for."
"Maybe I'll be able to explain where babies come from to the kids by the time they start asking," She joked. "The girls at least. The boys are your job," She added thoughtfully.
"Even the kit?"
"Especially him," She laughed. "I think he'd be mortified to have me talking to him about it. Most boys are when a woman tries."
"You are perhaps correct. My own father explained it to me long ago, and it was not a talk I would wish to have with my mother."
"Precisely. Boys are yours, girls are mine. Deal?"
"Hnn. Get to bed miko, Kotaeru said he will have you riding again tomorrow."
Kagome nodded and moved, closing her own door. Before it was all the way shut, she whispered a small goodnight. He didn't respond, and she finished closing it, telling herself his response wouldn't matter. When she was settled several minutes later, she was surprised by him once again when he murmured a quiet 'sleep well', into the darkness.
Sango was staring at the wall over her shoulder. This had been going on for well over fifteen minutes, and she was beginning to get antsy, wanting more than anything to begin screaming, shouting, something, anything to break through the unnatural silence.
"If you're going to put on a show for me, you could do something more convicing."
She'd be grateful for the sentence if the words didn't immediately infuriate her.
"Why do you think we're acting?" She asked through gritted teeth, afraid she'd chip a tooth if she got any angrier.
"The playing. You might do that, the others might even play like that. But Sesshoumaru would never act like that."
"Obviously he does."
"Playing with his food before he eats it?" The taijiya asked snidely.
Red hazed her vision.
"What are you accusing my alpha of Sango?" She demanded, her words eerily calm. She knew she was angry, why didn't she sound angry?
"He's evil, and you're just blindly following him like one of Naraku's-"
"He's not like Naraku," She replied, mind going numb. Even her blood seemed to still in her body as she stared her once friend down.
"He worked with him-"
"He helped me destroy Naraku," She replied frostily.
"So he could have the jewel-"
"This jewel?" As she asked she pulled the necklace free of her kimono. "The one that was around my neck when he was keeping watch over me while I was sick and unconcious? The jewel still around my neck?"
"He's waiting-"
"There is nothing to wait for. Whatever you think is happening here, it's not. Sesshoumaru has been a good alpha and a true friend."
The sound of Sango scoffing cut through whatever she had been about to say next. Standing and walking over to her friend, she felt more angry, more vindictive than she had in years, and she couldn't control it. When she'd closed the distance she bent over until the jewel swung back and forth.
"It's there, right in front of you. You can take it and make the wish before anyone can get in here and stop you."
For a moment all of the world was still, Sango's hand coming up and hovering inches away from the swinging jewel. Fear and confusion warred in the cinnamon brown eyes and she saw her once friend's lower lip tremble.
The door slid open.
"Kagome." In that one word there was anger and warning.
"She won't do it Sesshoumaru. She wouldn't do it even if you weren't here."
Sango's hand dropped back to her lap, her eyes going blank.
"Kagome-"
"Because she doesn't really believe it. She might not like you, she might even hate me. But underneath all of the the anger and all of the blame, she remembers that not every youkai is evil."
"Get out."
The voice was a strained whisper, one that sounded as if it was trying not to scream.
Not saying anything she walked past Sesshoumaru, who was radiating pure fury and into the hall, where Shinzuru and Resshin both waited, eyes wide in disbelief. The door slid shut behind her, the click echoing in the silent hall.
"You knew she wouldn't take it," Shinzuru rumbled, his one good eye wide and almost black.
"I didn't know," She whispered, her blood beginning to flow again. The strength in her knees evaporated and she felt herself falling before she understood that she was falling. Clawed hands gripped her arms and she was looking into calm, carefully neutral gold eyes.
"You based a gamble on faith?" Shinzuru croaked somewhere above her.
"Kagome-"
"Sesshoumaru, I'm sorry. She just, she said you were like narku, I snapped, I'm so sorry," She stutered, the magnitude of what could have happened, what almost happened crashing down on her all at once. But the claws in her arms dug in, pierced flesh and she yelped, drug from her almost panic attack.
"Come with me," He stated quietly, pulling her to her feet and releasing one arm, but dragging her by the other. Words built in her chest and scrambled up her throat but when they hit her tongue they jumbled and tied together, his fury sealing her lips shut for her as he led her outside of the shiro and into the outer gardens.
The blow was as unexpected as it was painful, sending her flying back several feet until she was a sprawling mess.
"I'm sorry-" She started again, getting to her heet.
"Fight back," He commanded, voice cold as another wave of his youki whipped out and pushed against her. Her breath whooshed out of her lungs for a second time and this time she stared up at the sky, more than ready to accept whatever punishment he wanted to dole out.
"On your feet," He snapped.
She got to her knees when another wave of youki buffeted against her senses.
"Fight back!"
"I'm willing to accept the punishment for screwing up," She sighed. But her declaration was met with a long moment of curious silence, and readying herself for another blow, she looked up at Sesshoumaru, who in turn was staring down at her as if she'd lost her mind.
"I'm not punishing you," He finally sighed, walking over to her. "You're still angry."
"Of course I am!" She exploded, the fury that had been so mysteriously absent boiling to the surface. "She said you were like him! You're not, you'd never-"
"I know that," He said, going down on one knee next to her and making sure she was looking him in the eyes before continuing. "And you know that. Our pack knows that. I care not what that woman thinks of me, nor should you."
"But-"
"Do you think it is because she still assumes you're a victim?"
That question silenced her, mostly because she felt herself mentally shying away from the answer.
"Both," She finally whispered, looking back down at the ground.
"Then you can fight it out," He told her in a quiet voice. "Or you can find some way to make peace with it."
"How?"
"I don't know."
"You've lived so much longer than me," She started, feeling very young and very small in the face of his years.
"Perhaps, but I have fought almost all of my life. I do not know peace. For that you should seek Resshin's council."
"Maybe we both should," She tried joking, but her weak chuckle stopped when he stiffened and moved away from her. It was only an inch, perhaps less, but she saw it.
"Or not."
"Since you have interrupted the council meeting today, perhaps now would be the time to ask him."
"I'm sorry-"
"I dislike apologies."
"How did I interrupt the meeting?"
"I felt something strange, a flash of you that echoed and then pulled back. It was as if you had vanished."
That didn't make any sense, and she was more than willing to let it go in the face of his tone. There was something tight about it, as if he didn't want to talk about it, was angry.
"How was the meeting going?"
"As expected."
"Oh."
A/N: I'm sorry this is so short, but a family member recently passed and we're about to head out of state and I wanted to post something since I'd be gone for at least a week. I hope you all enjoyed, and once again, your reviews are wonderful, and I'm so sorry I haven't been able to get back to you personally.