Blood Ties

Sitting before her mirror, not particularly paying attention to her own reflection, Kagome's brown eyes were, instead, focused on Haru's nimble hands which were at that moment wrapping new bandages around her torso after having cleaned and washed her wounds. Lifting her gaze, she watched Haru's worried expression, her brows drawn together forming deep wrinkles on her forehead, hazel eyes troubled, lips pinched.

Kagome lifted her right hand to clasp her friend's clawed one, instantly gaining her attention when troubled, hazel eyes met her own, quizzically. "I'm alright, Haru, really. It's not as bad as it looks; plus, it's healing much faster than it would have without Sesshomaru's help."

The wound on Kagome's shoulder was still deep, but no longer the crater it used to be. She was immeasurably impressed and surprised by the wounds healing progress. Today marked the fifth day since she had inadvertently entered Sesshomaru's contest to find a mate, where she had been attacked and ultimately injured. On her back she had long but thankfully shallow lacerations where a demoness and attacked her from behind, but it was her left shoulder that truly had her worried. Yet more claws had torn into her flesh, gouging four deep crevices.

By strength of will, Kagome had forced herself to continue firing her bow with her shoulder all but mangled and useless, but what choice did she have other than to die if she did not fight?

She was still less than pleased about the whole situation, but really, was it Sesshomaru's fault? Admittedly, no. He had created a barrier surrounding the battle ground for his competition, to protect the willing demoness' while giving them the opportunity to fight for the right to be his lady, a barrier that only permitted a demoness entrance. How could he have known about the strange youki dwelling inside her—courtesy of the Shikon Jewel—or that she would be drawn to his call; though, she was still unclear on how that came about.

No demoness was forced in any way to compete. It was all consensual. Except for her. Her involvement had been an accident.

No one, herself included, had known of the strange demonic energy that apparently swirled deep inside her, dormant. Until now. The idea of having youki inside her along with her reiki worried Kagome. How was it even possible? How could two opposing energies live cohesively in one body?

It should be impossible, yet here she sat, in Sesshomaru's stronghold, trying to reassure her maid that the same demonic energy she should not possess was in fact healing her ningen body at an impossibly accelerated rate. The wound on her shoulder alone should have taken months to recover from fully, but instead, in less than a week, her injury was almost completely healed. Scar tissue glistened a dark pink in the light where the wound had already closed off. Only at the center, the deeper part of her wounds, were there still reddish-brown scabs.

Kagome wondered, belatedly, if there would even be a scar left after the healing was complete, or would her ningen body blemish as was normal?

Speaking of Sesshomaru, Kagome released Haru, who had nodded her understanding but was still not looking happy over what she deemed a 'ridiculously long recovery', and asked, "Haru, did you know about Sesshomaru's contest for when he was trying to decide who to marry, I mean mate?"

"Of course, miko Kagome," Haru answered without hesitation. "Sesshomaru-sama is young, but he has a duty to uphold, to produce offspring, to ensure his family reigns in the West should anything befall him. It is no secret that many lords, high and low, have promised the pick of their daughters, but he would always turn them away. It is good that he has finally chosen a mate."

Finishing by tying off her bandages, Haru then moved to help dress her. Moving mechanically, Kagome asked in a low whisper, "Do you know who his mate is?"

Sesshomaru had already revealed to her that she was his intended mate because she had somehow won that barbaric contest, but she was human! Surely she would not be accepted no matter how much youki she possessed within her body. She wasn't even a hanyou, and she was more than sure someone of Sesshomaru's class was not allowed to tie himself forever to anyone less than a pure blooded demon, no matter his wishes. He was a lord after all. He had obligations and a set of rules to follow. Didn't he?

Kagome was watching Haru through the mirror, who was in the process of tying her obi, and saw her hesitate, felt her hands cease all movement.

"Haru?" she asked after a full minute had gone by in silence, anxiety making her heart race.

Fingers moving once more, Haru's answer was tentative at best. "That would be you, miko. I can smell the betrothal scent upon your person; though, it is faint. I have not heard word among the castle, so I am not sure if it is widely known."

Haru was confused by the miko's lack of knowledge. How could she not know she was Sesshomaru-sama's intended? Yes, she was ningen and a miko at that, but hadn't she fought to be by his side? Had she not obtained these injuries because of it?

Haru then felt a cold chill go down her spine. Or was she displeased that it was not common knowledge that she was Sesshomaru's intended? Perhaps she was unhappy that her betrothal scent was not complete? Kagome's next inquiry brought Haru out of her anxious thoughts.

"How can you smell it on me? What is this 'betrothal scent'?"

Blinking her surprise, Haru instantly knew the miko was unaware that the betrothal was incomplete. Did that mean she who had to tell her? Horrified, Haru wondered how the miko would react. Would she be angered? It would not be unreasonable if she reacted thusly, for what female would want to be in such a precarious position between the promise of a mating but no real claim without a true declaration through a betrothal scent? Even now the betrothal wasn't binding since Sesshomaru hadn't declared his intentions by thrusting his shaft inside the miko and binding their auras together.

When the actual mating ceremony commenced, both parties would exchange blood, combining their essence, and bearing the mating mark upon their bodies, most often displayed visibly on the neck; though, it was not uncommon for the female to mark her mate on his chest.

"Haru?" Kagome asked, turning to look at her friend who was of a height with her, making it easy to meet those beautiful, hazel eyes. They were troubled, and guarded. Before she could get too anxious and demand answers, there was a knock at her door, forestalling her.

Haru, relieved at the small reprieve, politely excused herself to walk over to the door and slide it open to reveal another servant who produced a sealed message with Sesshomaru-sama's scent, proclaiming without words to who it was from.

Without the need of exchanging words, both servants nodded their heads at each other in understanding before Haru shut the door and padded over to the miko, letter in hand.

"This is for you," Haru said, offering the message to her mistress. After Kagome had taken it wordlessly, Haru bade her to sit again so that she could brush her long, beautiful, black tresses.

Breaking the wax seal of an inu, Kagome read the short line, instantly knowing who had written the message, the masculine scent unmistakable even if the writing was not.

Come to the platform in the gardens and we shall break our fast.

Kagome would have glowered at the command, but instead, her stomach fluttered in remembrance of yesterday's conversation with him. Had she really agreed to date him? All thoughts of her strange conversation with Haru dissipated as the thought of dating Sesshomaru grabbed ahold of her.

This can't be real. The Sesshomaru was trying to date her!

Why?

That one question had filtered across her mind nonstop ever since his intentions were revealed to her.

"Miko Kagome?" Haru inquired.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Kagome glanced over her shoulder at her friend. "Hai?"

Patiently, Haru asked, "Do you wish me to bring you first meal?"

"Uh, no? I don't think so. I mean, Sesshomaru wants me to eat with him in the gardens...at some platform," Kagome answered, unsure as to where that was.

Haru, seeing the ningen's confusion, accurately surmised part of her worries. "Do not worry. I will take you to Sesshomaru-sama." Then she gazed at the kimono she had just helped the miko into. It was a beautiful purple and white creation, though one of the simpler designs yet no less lavish. Her obi was a golden yellow for added color.

There was only one inner layer to her kimono, a white one, and Haru would have liked to put a few more underneath but the miko's injuries would not be able to take the added strain. Not that that mattered. The miko would refuse to wear what she called 'too much clothing', anyway.

It was easy for Haru to see that the miko was not born of any high social class because not only did she refuse to dress accordingly, but her mannerisms and speech where all wrong. However, she could not bring herself to judge the ningen lacking for her nonexistent social grace since the miko tried so hard to treat her as a friend.

Perhaps it was because she was not born into high society, but Haru was beginning to treasure the miko's open and friendly demeanor towards any and every one.

A shadow fell across Haru's expression for a split second. Though the miko was unaware and seemingly uncaring of the dynamics inside a castle, Haru knew all too well, and she had no choice but keep their stations in mind or suffer. She was a servant, nothing more. If she were to fully embrace the miko's friendship, others' would learn of it and she would be prosecuted for being too familiar with her ladyship.

Gazing at the miko's black head, keeping her eyes firmly averted from her innocent visage reflected in the glass, lest the ningen guess her thoughts, Haru knew she could never tell the miko. She knew the ningen would not understand and may do something foolish.

The miko's place in Sesshomaru-sama's castle was precarious at best, especially when it became known to all that their lord desired a ningen miko as his mate; there were many who would deny his claim. It was only because of the strange youki inside the ningen girl that could possibly give her the leverage she needed to stay by Sesshomaru-sama's side.

Haru was aware that Sesshomaru-sama was trying to strengthen that youki inside the girl, and she couldn't help but pray that the miko would change enough to be able to stay. Haru liked her and didn't want to see her forced to leave. The castle would become a dismal place with this small ningen gone.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Kagome found herself in a lavish garden surrounded by what seemed like hundreds of blooming flowers, their colors so bright and vibrant, they almost eased her mind. Then her gaze once again fell on the platform.

The structure was white, with a couple steps leading to a low, tile platform slightly bigger than her room back home in her time, with a massive column in each corner, holding up an elegantly crafted roof. There was a low table in the center covered with bowls of fruit and an old fashioned—to her modern times anyway—tea set.

For one awful minute, Kagome feared she would have to perform a tea ceremony. Of course her mother had shown her how a few times over the years, but she had never really paid attention to the lessons, thinking the process unnecessarily long and boring. She silently cursed her impatience as a youth until her gaze settled on the only occupant sitting on one of two mats at the low table, golden eyes fixed firmly on her approach.

Her gaze was caught and held by Sesshomaru's. She had not realized she had stopped to admire the daiyoukai in his beautiful white and red kimono along with his silver hair and mokomoko adorning his broad right shoulder. How someone could be so beautiful yet masculine at the same time, she did not know.

When he stood and walked towards her with such directness, Kagome was instantly brought back to herself and why she was there.

She was on a date with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's brother!

Sesshomaru stopped in front of the miko, ignoring her nervous stance and offered his arm to help her, to help her alight to the platform. "You are looking well, miko."

Hesitantly, Kagome took his arm, shivering when she felt his strength beneath the fabric of their sleeves. "I am. Thank you," she murmured, following him up the short steps and allowing him to seat her before he did the same across from her.

Get a grip, Kagome! It's just breakfast for crying out loud. It's not like he's doing anything perverted.

Memories of the night he had taken her to his secluded oasis flashed before her eyes, forcing her to remember how he had touched her, made her feel, made her come with blissful ecstasy.

Kagome did her best to ignore the hotness that flooded her cheeks. Not knowing what else to do, she poured their tea, Sesshomaru's first, when she noticed it was already prepared—thank God—and waited for him to take a drink before plucking a grape into her mouth.

She was so nervous she thought she might be sick, butterflies swirling in her stomach that no amount of food seemed to tamper, only worsen. The meal commenced in what Kagome felt as an awkward silence while she methodically ate the fruit, tasting nothing. Somehow she was able to focus enough to make sure Sesshomaru's tea cup never remained empty, and watched almost transfixed whenever he ate a piece of fruit, a peach slice if she guessed right.

It was the first time she had seen him eat anything, and she was hard pressed not to stare.

Dear God, he even ate perfectly!

For Sesshomaru's part, he was at a loss as to how to proceed. How did one court a miko? And one as strange as this one seemed to be? He came up blank. When he had created his competition to find a mate, he had not anticipated having to wait long to mark her as his intended by combining their scents and aura through coupling so all would know his intentions, then the official ceremony a short week later by exchanging blood and their mating marks.

Instead, he found himself forced to wait as he convinced his reluctant mate to have him. Sesshomaru had never thought to have this sort of dilemma as there were many willing females who coveted what he offered the miko.

She denied him at every turn. She did not seem to want or even care about his social standing, his wealth, or his prowess as a warrior. She did not seem to want him.

His eyes narrowed on the woman before him, though she was not looking at him and missed his contemplative gaze.

No, that wasn't completely true. She did want him, at least physically, no matter how hard she tried to deny her body's response to his touch, his very nearness. When he had brought her to her seat, he had felt her instant reaction towards him, her elevated breathing and heart rate.

But how was he to use that advantage when she had forced him to promise to win her over, not by any sexual means, but by gaining her loyalty, her friendship first.

Sesshomaru was out of his depth, but he refused to acknowledge defeat. She would be his; he had no doubt. A familiar, feminine voice brought him out of his musings, his gaze rising to the enchanting creature before him.

Kagome couldn't take the silence any longer. She had to say something, anything to make the awkwardness of the situation somewhat bearable.

"You have a very beautiful garden, Sesshomaru," she said lamely, a forced smile spread across her face. Continuing to babble, she said, "And what I have seen of your castle is magnificent. It's gorgeous. In my time, there aren't nearly as many castles like this around. Too many skyscrapers and highways."

Oh, right, Kagome. As if he's going to know what skyscrapers and highways are!

Taking a few seconds to take another sip of his tea to try and decipher her jumbled words, Sesshomaru decided to focus on what he could understand.

"My great-grandfather built this castle when he took the West as his domain thousands of years previously. He then had this garden commissioned as a mating gift for his intended mate. From father to son, the castle, lands, and title have remained in our lineage, protected from all who would take it from us."

Looking around the garden with new eyes, Kagome couldn't help but smile at the romantic gesture his great-grandfather had done for his mate. "I'm sure your great-grandmother appreciated the gesture. This garden truly is beautiful. He must have loved her greatly to have something like this built for her."

Sesshomaru eyed the miko. He made no comment about her ningen interpretations to the reason for the garden's commission. Love was nothing but an illusion, but if she wished to believe otherwise, he could possibly use that to his advantage. If he could get her to 'love' him, then perhaps it would make her more receptive towards his intentions.

Though how he could manipulate her emotions so, he was as of yet unaware.

"When you are finished with your meal, this Sesshomaru will escort you through the gardens, if you wish." Not wanting their time to end, Sesshomaru made the offer upon noting her interest.

No longer feeling the awkwardness of a few minutes previously, Kagome agreed. "Hai."

She stood, signaling that she was indeed finished with the meal and walked towards Sesshomaru, who also stood and again offered his arm. More at ease, Kagome took it without comment, only the slight racing of her heart giving away her reaction to being so close to him again.

She belatedly wondered if she would always be aware of his presence, but chose to ignore the slight unease that thought brought and focused on the scenery around them.

Sesshomaru led her quietly through a rainbow of plants with an array of scents assaulting her nose, all pleasant and sweet. They walked along stone paths, passing magnificently built archways, statues, and ponds. Kagome knew Haru kept pace several feet behind them, but most of her attention was on the magnificent world around her and on the man who strolled beside her.

"Beautiful," she murmured.

After several long minutes of companionable silence, Kagome's curiosity got the best of her. "Ne, Sesshomaru?"

"Hn?"

"You mentioned your great-grandparents and how this castle has been handed down through the generations. I was wondering what your clan is like?"

She wanted to know about the enigma that was Sesshomaru, to learn about his past, and who and what he was. She may not fully comprehend how she had gotten into this situation, where she was considered Sesshomaru's betrothed, but she couldn't miss this chance to know and understand him better. He was too much of an unknown. If she was seriously going to date him—which she wasn't totally sure about—then wouldn't it be alright to get to know him?

Pleased that she was curious about his history, he replied. "All are great warriors, honorable and fierce in battle. Our mates strong to continue our line."

"Sounds intimidating," joked Kagome.

Not knowing how to reply to her comment, Sesshomaru ignored it and continued. "Our lineage is note-worthy for its ability to produce acid, and our immunity towards any and all poisons."

Kagome remembered all too well the first time she had met Sesshomaru. He had transformed into this huge beast of a dog, his saliva dripping to form pools of acid. Then months later, another memory of him saving her and her friends from one of the band of seven, Mukotsu, walking through his poison gases as if it were nothing at all.

Sesshomaru was truly a powerful being.

At that moment, they came across another bench and instead of walking past it, Sesshomaru seated her and sat close beside her, their thighs and shoulders touching. It was impossible for her to ignore his heat, his strength, but his words helped ground her thoughts as she was far too curious to miss a word of what he said.

"All bear the mark of my clan as does our chosen mate after the mating. It is so with all four great territories, the East, North, and South."

"You mean that mark on your forehead?" Kagome asked, looking up and to the side, trying to get a look at the mark in question.

Turning his head to oblige her obvious curiosity, Sesshomaru watched her look at the crescent moon on his forehead. "Yes."

"Then why doesn't Inuyasha have one? I mean the few times his youkai blood took over, the only marks that would appear was one jagged stipe on each cheek, instead of two like yours." Her eyes lowered marginally to the aforementioned marks, her hand unconsciously raised to stroke her fingers along the double purple lines on his left cheek.

Sesshomaru held still, shocked, then afraid if he moved he would bring attention to her actions, for he was certain she knew not what she did, and he didn't want her to stop. Rarely did she reach out willingly to touch him not even for such an innocent caress. It made him yearn for more, but he had promised not to push her. It was a promise he was regretting making more and more.

He was silent too long. When she tried to snatch her hand away, he caught it with his own and held it in his lap, refusing to let go when she lightly tugged to be free. When she subsided, he spoke, his thumb stroking across her knuckles. He couldn't seem to help himself. He had to touch her.

He had marked her as his and his beast was clamoring for him to make her his betrothed in truth, but knew she was not ready. He may be able to make her willing, but he knew she would have regrets after. He couldn't chance her rejecting him.

"Inuyasha is a half-breed, unable to ever fully embrace his demonic side even at such times when he transforms."

Kagome was having a difficult time concentrating on his words when he touched her, her mind following the movements of his thumb, but she heard him, and she grew sad. It wasn't Inuyasha's fault that he was different, yet he seemed to be the one to suffer for his parents' actions.

If what Sesshomaru had told her before was true, about him not caring about hanyou children, then why did he disdain Inuyasha so much? Before she could ask, he was already speaking.

"What's more, my clan's blood is powerful. No matter what mate we take as our own, the male is the stronger of the two and our children will be inu, silver haired, and golden eyed. It is so with all four major lords and other powerful individuals."

Surprised, Kagome asked, forgetting to use terminology he would understand. "But what about the mother? What traits or characteristics will the mother give her children if not ethnicity and hair and eye color?"

He may not understand the words she spoke, but he knew to what she referred. "The pups would inherit their mother's power and ability."

Kagome looked down at her lap, thinking how sad that was. If she did end up with Sesshomaru, there would be nothing of her in her children when she looked into their eyes. It would be as if she did not exist when helping create new life. It seemed like a cold and unfeeling process, nothing like the pregnancy between ningen or even of youkai less powerful than Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru noted her downcast mood and didn't understand. Tightening his hold on her hand, he bent himself slightly over her in a protective gesture, asking, "What troubles you, miko?"

Turning her head up to gaze at him, uncaring that he was so close, his face so near hers, her sorrow too great. "There would be nothing of me," she whispered.

She gazed into his beautiful golden orbs, seeing not his eyes, but any future children they may have between them, seeing nothing of herself other than her face reflected there.

Confused, Sesshomaru nevertheless released her hand to bring his arms around the miko, her sadness impossible to ignore. He nuzzled his nose against her temple, closing his eyes to breathe in her fresh scent.

"What do you speak of, miko?" he asked her, trying to understand her mood but failing. Still his instinct to comfort was strong; one he had no desire to ignore.

"For ningen, it's different," she whispered, now becoming slightly distracted by his closeness. Needing comfort from her dismal thoughts, she lay her forehead upon his chest, breathing in his scent, her hands raised to lie open palmed against his broad chest, feeling his heart beat strong.

"When ningen procreate, their children have fifty-fifty of each of their genes, their DNA. Both parents have dominant and recessive genes they received from their parents and their parents before them and so on. When they come together to create a baby, those dominant and recessive genes combine in the child's DNA. The father could have blond hair and blue eyes, be tall with an angular face, while the mother has brown hair and eyes with a short frame and round face, but they could make a child with a combination of their features or none at all and instead have the characteristics of an older relative. Even siblings could look similar or very different. Nothing is ever always the same. Both parents bring in genes to create a child unlike what you just told me. Instead, everything of you will show in any child we may have while nothing of me would be present, except for my abilities. It's as if the child wouldn't be mine."

Sesshomaru's unease built with every word she spoke. Though she used words he didn't understand, there was no mistaking her meaning. Could the miko ever accept a child by him, knowing there would be very little of her in its physical appearance?

Would she refuse him because of this knowledge?

Before he could think of a logical argument to assuage her worries, though he saw nothing wrong with the dynamics concerning his lineage, she spoke again.

"If what you say is true, then why does Inuyasha's hair darken to black and eyes change to brown when he turns human every month if your father's genes are the dominant factor? He just loses his demonic strength, right? Then why does he change physically, as well?" Thoughts of Inuyasha reminded her how close the night of the new moon actually was, tomorrow night.

Not knowing if what he would reveal would upset her more, Sesshomaru had little choice but to answer truthfully, though he watched her carefully when she sat back from him, away from his embrace. He had no desire to release her, but he didn't press the issue either, lowering his arms.

"Inuyasha is a hanyou," he said again, "his youki is nonexistent in his human state. Our father's blood lies dormant at that time, and he would then take after his mother more strongly."

Again she wanted to ask about his decision to mate with her as their children would be hanyou, but she didn't have the heart to continue with this discussion.

Instead, she stood, and asked him to show her more of the gardens.