Chapter Twenty-Five – The Truth
The tight grip around his heart began to loosen at the steady sound of her breathing. Yet every now and then, his guard would become undone which resulted in a flood of concern pooling past his eyes. Sesshomaru stood as near as he could to her bed, but still maintained an appropriate distance for he had come to see her as the Lord of the castle.
Not anything more or anything less.
"The Northern Lord is behind your assassination," Sesshomaru said without taking his eyes off of her.
Inuyasha, who was sitting on Kagome's bed, didn't look surprised at the discovery. The Northern Lord had always hated his guts. Instead, Inuyasha was more shocked that Sesshomaru found out the culprit so quickly. Inuyasha asked, "You think he's the one who poisoned Kagome?"
"Possibly," Sesshomaru said curtly.
"But it makes no sense for him to target Kagome. Why would he want Kagome dead when he's after me?" Inuyasha grumbled. Busily raking his brain, Inuyasha failed to notice Sesshomaru's growing anger.
Sesshomaru felt his jaws clench from Inuyasha's blindness. Kagome would always become the first target to all of Inuyasha's enemies…because she was his intended mate; his weakness. The ache surrounding his heart tightened. For her safety he wanted to hold off on their promise, since Inuyasha obviously wasn't capable of protecting her.
If he had been there-
His thoughts paused.
He closed his eyes to hide the emotions he could no longer control.
It didn't matter if he had been there.
He wouldn't have been able to stand close enough to her to scent the poison.
"Is there anything else you did not report to me?" Sesshomaru voiced coldly as his eyes opened to reveal a dulled color of gold.
Inuyasha frowned as he recalled the event last night. He hesitated in telling Sesshomaru the most important evidence.
Flashback
Inuyasha was busy speaking with Ryou when suddenly he heard a glass shatter. Glancing at the crowd forming, Inuyasha caught sight of Kagome falling on the floor. He used his demonic speed to reach her in time to catch her before she hit the floor.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha shook her lightly. Not seeing her wake up, he noticed a glass cup shattered on the ground.
'Poison?' he thought. Glaring at the crowd, he yelled, "Who gave her the drink!?"
Inuyasha noticed one demoness step forward and stutter, "I-I-I d-did, P-Prince I-In-Inuyasha. B-But, it was L-Lady I-Inari that instructed m-me to g-give it to the Sh-Shikon M-Mik-ko."
End of Flashback
Inuyasha's frown deepened. He really didn't wish to suspect her and just blame it on the Northern Lord, but what the demoness said gave him no choice. His heart sank at the thought of her being the one to poison his dear friend.
"I'll be back," Inuyasha grunted before stalking out of Kagome's room. Sesshomaru ordered for no one to leave the Western Castle until the culprit behind Kagome's poisoning had been found. Inuyasha searched for the room Inari was in and swung open the door. He noticed Emiko dressing Inari.
"Emiko? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be looking after Kagome," Inuyasha blurted out with confusion. He doubted Sesshomaru would allow Kagome's personal maid to attend to others.
Inari stared at Inuyasha with a brow raised and said, "You barge into a Lady's room and demand questions as well? Learn your manners, half-breed."
Inuyasha ignored Inari's comment and asked Emiko again, "What are you doing here?"
"Stop interrogating her! Emiko, you do not need to answer him," Inari said.
"EMIKO!" Inuyasha yelled in frustration. Emiko flinched at the sound and was about to answer when Inari motioned her to stop. Emiko bowed at both Inari and Inuyasha before leaving the room. With only two of them remaining, Inari said, "She was my maid when I stayed here at the Castle….with you. Don't you remember?"
He remembered. He remembered meeting her for the first time. He must have been 10 years old in human age. But, right now wasn't the time to remember old memories. If Emiko still held close connections to Inari, any and all information about Kagome could easily be passed onto her by using Emiko. Amber eyes steeled with determination as he voiced seriously, "Inari."
Inari felt her eyes widen in shock. It had been the first time in centuries since he's called her without honorifics.
"Were you the one that poisoned Kagome?" he asked cautiously. Staring into her eyes he searched for the truth, but all he saw was hurt.
Hurt quickly turned into anger as she voiced coldly, "To think that you would suspect me. It makes me wish I had been the one that poisoned her."
Confused by her hatred towards Kagome, Inuyasha grabbed her by the arms and asked, "Why would you say that, Inari?"
"BECAUSE I HATE HER!" Inari yelled as angry tears began to fall from her eyes, "BECAUSE I HATE THE WAY SHE TOOK YOU AWAY FROM ME!"
Inuyasha froze at the realization of her words. Astonishment clearly portrayed on his face, he breathed out, "W…what?"
"I've loved you for so much longer…yet, why do you look so happy when you are with her?" her anger died down to leave only sorrow.
"I…" Inuyasha whispered, "I…thought you hated me…"
Flashback
Forced to live in the Western Castle after his mother's death, Inuyasha was subject to harsh treatment for his blood. It was only in the secluded flower fields that made him feel free like before.
"Hello, I'm Inari, what's your name?" a young demoness asked as she popped out from a bush.
The little Inuyasha looked at Inari in shock because she was talking to him. Quickly getting over his shock, a light blush appeared as he answered, "I'm Inuyasha."
"Do you live in the Western Castle? I am staying here for a few months! Let's be friends," Inari said all in one breathe.
"Um….okay," Inuyasha said with a slight hesitation. He knew that other demons stayed away from him, but the demoness wanted to be his friend and he's always wanted a friend.
As days turned into months, Inuyasha and Inari continued to meet in the deserted flower fields. Inuyasha feared that if he was caught with Inari, they would tell her that he was a half-breed and she would no longer wish to be his friend. This fear only grew as he began to fall for her.
Resting in their usual spot, Inari lied on the flower field with her head rested on Inuyasha's lap.
"Inuyasha," Inari said, while looking up into the clear blue sky.
"Hm?"
"I love you, Inuyasha" the young Inari whispered innocently.
Inuyasha smiled brightly and grasped her hand, "Me too!"
Excited, Inari jumped up and knelt to hold both of Inuyasha's hands, "Then let's mate when we grow older, promise?"
"Promise," he whispered.
But after a month had passed, Inuyasha's worst fear had finally happened.
"INARI!" a manly voice boomed in the flower field, "What do you think you are doing!?"
"…Father…" Inari whimpered fearfully, wondering why her Father was so angry.
Her Father grabbed her in a strong hold and ripped her away from Inuyasha, "You are not allowed to speak with the filthy bastard, nor be near him!"
"But Father! I love him!" the young Inari confessed.
"He is a filthy HALF-BREED, Inari! You can NEVER mate him! You know what happens to half-breeds and those who mate them."
Tears fell from her eyes as the young Inari felt her heart break.
"We are leaving this Castle at once. I should have never brought you here."
Inari quickly broke away from her Fathers grasp and ran to the flower field to where he was still at. Anger and pain coursed through her veins and resulted in saying words she regretted the most.
"I HATE YOU, YOU HALF-BREED. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LIAR! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU!"
Too young to control her anger and pain, she had directed it towards poor Inuyasha. She had said it because she loved him so much, but could never be with him. She was taught to never be near or fall in love with a hanyou for they were despised in the demon society.
'If only he had told me what he was…then I wouldn't be so hurt,' the young Inari thought.
But as she grew older, the anger had ceased leaving only the pain and love she felt for him. She could not give up on him.
Her first and last love.
She was 200 years old when she heard of the 'Hime Tradition'…and decided to gain the title of 'Hime' so that she could mate with her loved one.
End of Flashback
Her voice began to quiver, "I trained so hard to one day become Hime, so that I could mate with you. B-But, she came along and will probably steal the title away from me. That's why I decided to give up. That's why I gave her the glass drink; a sign of acceptance. But, I didn't poison it, Inuyasha. It wasn't me!"
Covering his eyes with a clawed hand, Inuyasha felt the old feelings he had for her return. He couldn't believe that he still had feelings for her after so many centuries had passed.
'Maybe it was because the feeling never disappeared in the first place,' he thought.
Feeling her cup his cheek, his hand fell away from his eyes.
"I love you, Inuyasha," she confessed wholeheartedly. Amber eyes softened as the doubt he felt earlier vanished. Her words held truth, and he would blindly trust her. Leaning in, he gently kissed her to answer her confession.
-Kagome's Room-
Sesshomaru stood frozen at the edge of the boundaries he had set. The scent of dark magic seemed to spread throughout her blood, but none had been able to tell what type of poison it was. He, himself, could not even tell what it was or what it was doing to her. Anxious, he couldn't tear his gaze away from her.
Time ticked by as he continued to watch over her.
Although it was inappropriate for him to stay in her room, alone, for this long, he convinced himself that it was only for safety precautions.
Finally, the sound of her breath quickening notified him that she would be awake soon. Assuming she would wish to see Inuyasha the moment she awakes, Sesshomaru looked away and left her room in search of Inuyasha.
Walking through the hallways, Sesshomaru noticed Inuyasha's scent leading to Lady Inari's room. He wondered what business Inuyasha had with Lady Inari that prevented him from being at Kagome's side. Opening the door without warning, a growl escaped his lips at the sight. Tints of red immediately replaced the colour of gold. Baring his fangs, his lips snarled with pure disgust at the embracing couple.
With the sight of Inuyasha's lips locked onto Inari's, Sesshomaru's mind blanked out in rage.
'Inuyasha has betrayed her,' were the only words that rang clear through his mind.
She, who had given up her safety to be with him.
She, who had trusted him and remained loyal.
She, who lay in bed poisoned because of him.
Grabbing Inuyasha by the throat, he slammed him into the wall. An uncontrollable anger surged through his veins making him crave for the first time to kill the half-breed.
"Stop!" Sesshomaru heard before blocking Inari's attack with his other hand. Glaring at her, Sesshomaru voiced dangerously, "Stay out of this."
"Lord Sesshomaru! I demand you to release Inuyasha or else this means war against the Southern Lands!" Inari said.
"The half-breed belongs to the West. Leave or I shall not promise your safety as well," a voice laced with murderous intent brought the scent of fear in both Inuyasha and Inari. Never before had Inuyasha seen Sesshomaru look so angry. Nodding his head at Inari, he saw her hesitantly leave the room. Eyes bleeding with crimson returned to stare at Inuyasha. The grip around his throat tightened without mercy.
"How dare you do this to her," an anguished rage echoed in his voice.
Inuyasha smelt the scent of his own flesh burning as Sesshomaru's hand glowed green. Struggling to breathe, Inuyasha quickly choked out before he was actually killed, "We…broke…it…off!"
Inuyasha felt the hold around his throat stiffen. Though his sight began to blur, he saw Sesshomaru look at him accusingly as if the promise was broken because Kagome had found out that he was cheating on her. Inuyasha knew Kagome wanted to confess to Sesshomaru after the evening ceremony last night, and though she would want to tell Sesshomaru her feelings herself…he had to tell Sesshomaru or else he might really die.
"I-I'm NOT cheating! We…broke it…off because she…LOVES YOU!"
At once, Inuyasha felt his throat released from Sesshomaru's grasp and fell to the ground gulping in huge amounts of air. Feeling the burn around his throat, Inuyasha flinched at the pain.
"Damn, you really were going to kill me," Inuyasha managed to say with his damaged throat. Glancing up at Sesshomaru, his eyes widened at the expression he saw.
Disbelief, yet hope.
Recovering from the shock, Inuyasha croaked, "Why don't you confirm it for yourself? She should be awake by now."
Watching Sesshomaru leave the room, Inuyasha thought it amusing that he was able to see such an expression he didn't think his brother was capable of.
'He must really love her,' Inuyasha thought with a smirk.
Quick footsteps resounded down the empty hallway. Sesshomaru tried to maintain a stoic expression, but failed to do so. He tried to keep himself from trusting Inuyasha's words, but his racing heart would hear none of it.
Let it be true.
Let it be true.
Let it be true.
He pushed open her door to see her awake and struggling to stand. Noting her face look pale white, he felt his chest tug.
"Sesshomaru," she whispered out weakly.
Guilt flashed through his eyes for thinking of asking her if what Inuyasha said was true. Right now was not the time to ask her when she needed to heal. Spotting her legs lose strength, he quickly caught her around the waist and picked her up. Carrying her bridal style, he said gently, "You should rest, Kagome."
She leaned her head against his chest while she pouted, "And I thought I could escape without you noticing."
He scoffed as she smiled.
Lying her gently down onto her bed, he carefully covered her body with a blanket. He resisted the temptation to stroke her cheek and got up to leave. Suddenly sensing a tug on his sleeve, golden eyes looked down to see her hand stopping him.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Hm?"
"I thought I was going to die."
"Hn, I'd never let that happen."
The faint sound of her giggle warmed him.
Seeing her smile turn downwards, he heard her say, "I was scared."
"I will make sure that you are not harmed again," he said with regret.
"I wasn't afraid of dying, Sesshomaru."
"What were you afraid of then?"
"I was scared that I'd never get to tell you…. that…I love you…"
Even though she was pale white and weak, her blue eyes unveiled love within them and he found the sight breathtaking.
A silent pause rested upon the two.
His throat constricted, leaving him speechless. The words he wished to say were left unspoken. He couldn't seem to utter a single word as his heart pounded.
She reached her hand out and he lowered himself towards her.
She brushed against his cheek lovingly making the beat of his heart race faster.
His brows furrowed as he thought his ears heard her words incorrectly.
Golden eyes poured out the pain he had locked up.
"I love you, Sesshomaru," she whispered again as if knowing his struggle.
A weak, quivering sigh sounded from his lips as her words chased away the pain.
She saw such a gentle look painted across his face.
Kagome felt one arm slip around her waist as the other held the back of her head dearly.
Sesshomaru pulled her into an embrace as he pressed his nose against her neck to drink in her scent.
Unable to reply in words, he did the only thing that could express his love for her.
Ever so carefully, his lips brushed against her neck and trailed downwards.
Placing a kiss upon the faded red mark, he poured out the secrets of his heart.
Even though she may not understand the meaning behind it, he hoped at least she would know that he loved her more.
He loved her so much more.
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