Sealed
Pictures were being taken and the disturbed humans that remained were all pointing and whispering to themselves wondering if it was safe to gawk or if Sesshoumaru would come to kill them as well after he'd just murdered some kind of loud cosplayer. Things were looking quite bad, but Inukimi wasn't going to let her game end all because someone somewhere was interfering.
InuYasha was pulling Kagome away with him to get her somewhere to treat the wounds his demon form had given her, but stopped dead in his tracks when the ground disappeared beneath him.
"A medio?" InuYasha growled as a dark light was pulling them in.
"A medio?" Kagome got scared as she looked below her and saw a blanket of stars and darkness trying to swallow them, "is that space?"
"Kagome don't let go of me!" InuYasha snarled trying to to escape it's pull but it wasn't long before the medio disappeared taking the two with it.
Sesshoumaru was unable to react to his wife and brother being sucked out of the universe as the same fate had awaited him and Bankotsu's body also getting swallowed up in a medio that came underneath them. This was his mother's doing, and it seemed since she was whisking him away so easily this was not a path to the underworld and instead being used as a tool to teleport them somewhere.
The humans all watched in confusion as a third medio opened up on the stage that was to be used for local town government speeches and Kagome, InuYasha, Sesshoumaru, as well as Bankotsu were all brought on the stage.
"My arm," Kagome said looking at her ripped kimono seeing the blood stains but her skin was in tact as though she'd never had a wound to begin with.
Sesshoumaru's eyes turned to Bankotsu wondering if the foolish human had gotten a third chance at life. He'd heard rumors that his mother had the power to bring mortals back to life, but by Bankotsu's vacant expression it seemed his dead body was only being possessed to make it seem as though he was alive. His mother had used her powers to sweep this whole public display of violence under the rug.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a regal female voice rang throughout Avalon, "do not be afraid for you great humans of this fair city have been given the greatest honor."
Inukimi then phased on stage with a brilliant white light behind her looking quite authoritative wearing a purple kimono and a dangerous smile. Sesshoumaru could only give a slight growl to himself. Great just when he thought he could finally be free his mother had to come in and save him with her dramatics. It seemed Avalon would be no different than Fangvale. He was tiring of being in this woman's shadow constantly.
Now that Bankotsu appeared alive and Kagome had no injuries the crowd had calmed down wondering if what they saw had been real. Kagome was just stuck in a state of confusing not understanding what was going on or how she'd been healed.
"You humans have become test subjects for the most brilliant of live action immersive plays," Inukimi had informed them all, "romance, murder, and a death with regret truly a beautiful spectacle for the ages. Of course you'll be missing plot details if you weren't fortunate enough to be around our actors and actresses, but soon there will be another showing. Just remember this is a production written by, produced by, directed by I Inukimi the Queen of all Fangvale demons and mother of the favorable Sesshoumaru Masaharu. Please give him a round of applause for this was his first role. My precious child always wanted to be in the movies, but unfortunately hasn't been given the chance. Peer pressure forcing him into a life of braun over pursuing his true passion, that sort of thing."
Kagome blinked. That sounded like the plot to a silly high school movie that Inukimi had just imposed upon her son. This was Kagome's first time being around Sesshoumaru's mother and she just didn't know what to think. Much like her son she had an intimidating appearance, but unlike him everything that came out of her mouth seemed kind of insane.
The humans seemed to buy Inukimi's live action spectacle excuse and did indeed give applause. Were they really that clueless to what just happened? Did they not see how dangerous InuYasha had become?
"Well played Inukimi," Bakuya simply chuckled to himself walking away from the crowd, "not even I with all my abilities to create illusions could have come up with such an excuse to cover this up. I think I've found my newest idol."
"Mother," Sesshoumaru's tone was very low, "you do not belong here. I do not need you to interfere."
"Oh what is that my son?" Inukimi didn't lower her voice at all still talking to the crowd, "you want me to hurry up and be silent so you can make your little speech? When you hired to me to make a full scale performance for your introduction I did not know you wanted short but sweet. Fine fine. I'll wrap it up."
Inukimi gave a serious look to the crowd changing her tone to be more refined than usual, "As I said you cannot understand the plot of my play if you weren't a witness to every conversation had by our actors but what we were trying to demonstrate the difference between humans and demons. While humans saw violence the demons saw blood spilled by right. In order to live together in this world we need to understand each other, and how do we do that? Through love and understanding. Kagome and InuYasha's kiss broke through his violent impulses while Sesshoumaru's instincts allowed him to protect those around him from a mad man with a sword. We can all work together to overcome these differences and create a most wonderful paradise."
Sesshoumaru didn't want to make any speeches. What he wanted was to find out what had happened. Why Kagome had been bleeding earlier and why Bankotsu was at the festival alive. Who were their enemies? All of this trouble started when Naraku gave Kagome that look. A look Sesshoumaru recognized as dangerous.
"Sesshoumaru," Inukimi's voice finally got very quiet as she walked over to him, "today my medio healed your wife and saved your reputation. Fail to do what is asked of you and the next medio will lead you all into the netherworld. If I cannot control your path I will have your death. No more negotiation."
Sesshoumaru would seem to once again have no choice in what he needed to do. Every time he felt as though he was free to deal with his own problems whether it be revenge or suffering the human legal system Inukimi always had to interfere. Trying to get custody of Rin was the only time he'd taken matters into his own hands and even that she sullied pretty much ordering him to marry Kagome. If he truly wanted to be free from all of this control all he would have to do was kill his mother. It was the only way this would end, but previous attempts as well as the events from today had taught him as long as she had mastery over the creation of medios they weren't in the same league.
All the humans had returned to the audience and Sesshoumaru had no other choice but to address them. Kagome tried to search her husband's expression, as hard as that often was, and got the sense that he didn't want to be here right now. Whatever went on between him and that Bankotsu had nothing to do with his mother.
"People of Avalon," Sesshoumaru tried to put on his political persona, "as eventful as today was a career in acting is not what I seek but instead I search for a much greater purpose. I am sure you all know the truth about me that I've been living my life as a mere demon only seeking power until a great change happened. I was forced to pursue Kagome, my wife, and what I found during my endeavour was the spectacle of human society. I wish to nurture what you've already built and protect it as well as use my knowledge imparted on me from my great father to boost your economy and wave away your fear of cruel demons. To fulfill my wish I announce my bid to run as Mayor for this upcoming election. Thank you."
He hoped that was enough to satisfy the bitch. Now that he actually had to say those words under duress he understood what Kaguya was trying to tell him in that dream. His wants and his desires even his beliefs were not his own. All his experiences that had shaped him into who he was were manufactured by this woman. He was wise enough to not take her too seriously, but when he thought about his childhood he recalled it had been her always telling him how weak humans were and how cruel his father would be to him one day when the powerful Tetsusagia would be denied to him.
Sesshoumaru got another round of applause as they were all free to get off stage. Inukimi seemed to be the only one with an upbeat mood keeping the dead Bankotsu with her like some sort of prize, but Kagome noticed no one seemed happy about this. Sesshoumaru was stone silent as his mind seemed to be somewhere else entirely, InuYasha was still a bit shaken from whatever happened to him, and there was someone else that seemed to have a sorrowful expression. Naraku.
They passed Naraku who was standing by himself leaning against a kiosk looking at the ground. This couldn't help but get Kagome's attention. She'd never seen him this way before. He actually looked sad. How could that condescending manipulative creature force her to pity him?
"Naraku," Kagome addressed him, "are you okay?"
Naraku looked up at her. The woman that was to be his prey. How dare she show concern for him. Did she not realize her life was in his hands? Still the look he gave her was much different than any other he'd ever given before. He didn't look at her as though he craved her, but instead seemed quite passive.
"It is not me you should be worried about," was all he told her, "though now that I know your injuries were fake it seems we should rejoice that your little play performance didn't get anyone hurt."
Naraku didn't have the energy to get upset with Inukimi's interference. He'd just play along with her stupid play explanation and mock the stupidity of the human beings that bought into it later. His mind was somewhere else right now. For a moment he thought about just killing Kagome right then and there. No drama no suffering just a clean sweep. If she were gone Kaguya would have to wait longer to create a sacred jewel and Naraku would be free to continue his pursuits, but he couldn't do that.
His sorrow was soon becoming anger as he reflected on what Kaguya told him through Kikyo's body. That this was indeed the end. Kagome would kill him and the only way to have his wish of fighting with Midoriko for all eternity would to become part of a sacred jewel she wanted to create. Such an arrangement was only to be made in the event he died, and Naraku wasn't ready to die yet. Not now. Not to this girl. He wanted Kagome to be a worthy opponent not an executioner. He was going to win and refused to believed the alternative.
"Yeah the play," Kagome said noticing flashes of Naraku turning back to normal, "that's all it was right? Just a play. It's not like something really bad happened here today caused by a really bad person."
Kagome was calling Naraku out. She didn't know what happened why Sesshoumaru got unnerved by Bankotsu or why InuYasha became a monster, but her gut was telling her Naraku knew something or was behind it in some way. Sesshoumaru did tell her to trust her instinct after all.
"More accusations Kagome?" Naraku looked away from her, "you sound like an insane person, but for the sake of argument let's pretend that I was the evil creature you think I am. Why would you insult me by daring to show pity on your face?"
Was Naraku admitting guilt? That was what Kagome took from the conversation. It was him. She didn't know how he did what he did, but he was responsible for InuYasha and Bankotsu. Was he not human? Was she in danger for getting closer to the truth?
"You just looked different is all," Kagome remarked, "but I see your back to your true self again. Naraku what are you? A demon in disguise or something making a game out of my life? What do you want?"
"You got all that from your gut I'm impressed Kagome," he chuckled, "but it doesn't matter what I am only what you do now. Don't ever look at me with pity again. Only fear. I took care of you when you left to the Divine Order waiting for your light to show, and now that I saw it you have graduated. Congratulations."
This conversation should have been filled with questions and confusion as Naraku was revealing his true self to her, but Kagome felt as though she'd been here before. That deja vu was creeping into her skull telling her to not take Naraku's advice. She couldn't be scared of him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kagome decided to turn away from him to go rejoin her family, "but you know what Naraku? You did take care of me when no one else did. Even if your care wasn't real and was part of a game you still gave me hope. I just wish you weren't horrible is all. You could give hope to others, but instead you want to tear them down. It's such a waste."
Naraku's eyes widened.
"Killing you could give hope to others," Midoriko smirked as she used her sword to cut through Naraku's tentacles, "but even with that hope your death would be a waste."
Naraku let out a hiss as he'd lost too many pieces of his body in this battle with Midoriko, "So you will not kill me today Midoriko? How many humans do I need to kill, to fill with sorrow, and tear apart before you finally finish me off? Their blood is on your hands."
"No it isn't," the miko turned her back on him walking away, "it's on your hands just as it always has been. I will not kill you today Spider, because I believe in you. It might not be today or tomorrow but eventually you will atone for all your evil and find your light. Once that happens I look forward to seeing you put your knowledge of human nature to good use and make our world a better place. I will not give you the death you today Naraku. You don't get to leave this world without atonement."
Naraku's eyes flickered rage and hatred towards Kagome as he was trying to control his hand. He wanted to strike her.
"Get away from me Kagome," he warned her, "the last woman that dared to show pity and belief in me shot an arrow through my chest. I will not allow you to do the same."
"Arrows?" Kagome blinked, "I don't know what this is Naraku but don't worry I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole. So you stay away from me weird Divine Order creep."
"Kagome," Sesshoumaru's snarl brought her back to reality, "we're leaving."
Sesshoumaru knew his attention should have been on Kagome and her conversation with that dangerous man, but he'd been busy lost in his own thoughts. Apparently trusting his wife to look out for herself was too much to ask for as she was the one that sought out Naraku's attention this time. Between this and kissing InuYasha he was ready to believe this girl liked putting attention on herself.
"And you," Sesshoumaru snapped at his mother, "leave here at once. You have a responsibilities elsewhere."
"Yes Sesshoumaru I do," Inukimi's stage presence was gone as she revealed herself to speaking quite dangerously, "but I had to depart to save you from your own stupidity once again. My warning stands. Make mistakes again and you die."
"Not if I kill you first," Sesshoumaru remarked watching his mother disappear back into the sky to escape the city before she could be charged with demonic trespassing.
It became very quiet as the group of three made their way back to Sesshoumaru's car ignoring all the cameras and reporters that were trying to ask them questions about their play and Sesshoumaru's campaign. No one was in the mood to play these games.
"So that was your mother?" Kagome finally tried to break the ice, "she saved us from this?"
Sesshoumaru really didn't want to hear Kagome's voice right now, "Do not concern yourself with her. That creature is no friend of yours. Quite the opposite. She is your captor. Holding your life over my head for my compliance in her schemes. No wonder you like being used so much. It's as though that's your life's purpose."
Why was he being cruel to her? All she did was ask him a question.
"It sounds like we have no friends at all these days," she answered back, "what happened to us?"
"I'll tell you what happened," InuYasha snarled, "someone pulled a dirty trick. I don't know how they did it, but when I turned into a demon it wasn't natural. That's happened to me before when I've been in danger, but this time it was something different. Someone forced me to hurt Kagome."
"I see," Sesshoumaru nodded now that he understood what had transpired, "the same person that brought Bankotsu, a man I had already killed, back to life to force me to kill again."
"Naraku," Kagome told him, "he pretty much admitted it to me in his sleezy Naraku way."
"Naraku?" InuYasha asked getting a growl in his chest, "and you just went over and talked to him like you were old friends or something? The hell is wrong with you!? So we're going to turn around and kill him right? Right Sesshoumaru?"
"No," Sesshoumaru answered turning around to stare at them both, "today's events have fooled you into thinking you can just brandish your claws and do whatever you like. Do not forget where we are. This is the human world not our own. This Naraku, if he truly was behind it all then by acting as the savages he wanted to portray us as we feed into his hands."
"So what are we going to do?" InuYasha asked, "Sesshoumaru this guy has tricks up his sleeve that we can't even compete with if he is bringing people back to life to murder you."
"We do nothing. We can't fall into another trap if we don't play into them. This is a war with enemies that are anticipating our moves so we must do the same. We will go home and resume our daily activities."
Kagome frowned. What was happening? It wasn't long ago that the biggest drama in her life was a custody battle with Sesshoumaru and accepting a married life with him and now they were battling enemies? Kaguya was alive and apparently Sesshoumaru had been going off killing others as though it was no big deal. Just less than an hour ago she'd gotten upset proclaiming she wanted to be normal, but that didn't seem to be an option anymore.
"What we're just going to go home and eat cupcakes and pretend this didn't happen!?" InuYasha didn't care who overheard him, "it doesn't work that way."
"InuYasha you will find another way home," Sesshoumaru shot him a dangerous glare when they got to his car, "I need to talk to Kagome."
"Yeah right," InuYasha crossed his arms, "talk to the girl you're leaving in danger while you sit around and do nothing. How about she leaves me with instead? I'll protect her."
"You say while the smell of her blood is on your claws."
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome stood between the brothers, "that wasn't his fault alright? Let's just continue this in private okay?"
"Get in the car Kagome," was all he said to her continuing to stare down InuYasha.
InuYasha huffed and turned his back on them prepared to walk home if that's what they desired. He didn't want to leave Kagome's side, but maybe a walk was what he needed to cool off. He'd never admit it but he was terrified at how quickly his demon heart was used against him while his human side sought out and yearned for Kagome's warmth. Did he really have feelings for Kagome? What about Kikyo?
"Kikyo," InuYasha's eyes widened as he ran back to the festival grounds searching for her scent.
He couldn't find her. She wasn't there nor was Naraku. If this Naraku was behind everything then it meant Kikyo was in trouble, but would she even want his help? Kikyo must've saw him turn into a demon, but yet she didn't bother to see if they were okay. Did she truly not care about him anymore?
Kagome was just jealous of InuYasha being allowed to just find his own way home. She was scared of this conversation she needed to have with Sesshoumaru. They needed to all work together and figure this out, but instead he decided to snap at her mere minutes ago. What was with that comment about her enjoying being used?
"Sesshoumaru I-"
"Silence," he cut her off keeping his eyes on the road, "your voice disgusts me Kagome."
"Well your voice isn't exactly making me feel better Sesshoumaru," Kagome fired back, "just calm down alright? Why are you acting this way? Is it your mother?"
"Do not concern yourself with her. You have your enemies and I have mine. I will play my part in her game to keep you safe for that is my obligation to you, but I cannot guarantee anything when it comes to this Naraku. I no longer know what to do with you Kagome."
Kagome didn't even know what to do with herself. She didn't even know Inukimi was some kind of threat until today. She never asked for any of this drama. She couldn't even explain what was going on between her and Naraku. When she spoke to him it was as though they were challenging each other to some kind of battle and he was giving her a head start.
"I'm sorry," Kagome apologized, "I don't know what I did but I bet your life was better before you met me wasn't it? Is it this light thing? One day we are fighting over cupcakes and next thing you know there are enemies wanting a piece of us."
Was his life better without Kagome and Rin? Better wasn't the word. It had been easier, but that existence was thanks to his own ignorance. Now that he had a 'family' to protect he was becoming not only more vulnerable but also waking up to the truth around him. He didn't want to be a pawn anymore, but how could he do that when these women were making him weak?
He wanted to lash out her. She did this to him whether it was on purpose or not. Why did he need to put all this effort into this woman protecting for her and fighting feelings for her when she wasn't even worth it. After all she seemed to be getting quite comfortable with his bastard brother.
"It's your fault," he told her harshly, "for having this light in the first place. Why can't you just be greedy, self-centered, and vain like the rest of your kind? Kagome did you mean it when you said you wanted to be 'normal'?"
"If only 'normalcy' was something we could switch on and off. If I hadn't been able to help InuYasha people could have died he and I included. At the same time me having that ability is what Naraku wants. I don't know what his game is, but like you said we can't fall into anymore traps."
Sesshoumaru stopped at a traffic light before finally looking at her, "Kagome you need to divorce me. In return I'll give you the original fifty-million dollars I offered you when all of this began."
"Are you really talking about money at a time like this? I'd trade all of it just to make this nightmare go away."
"It's for your own benefit. Divorcing me would mean forfeiting Rin. Abandoning her now the same as Kaguya did to her in order to start a brand new life elsewhere free from demons and the Divine Order and everything else would be a selfish enough act to extinguish your light. This Naraku would hopefully lose interest if it's the light he is after. You can live an ideal life."
"Sorry but that is stupid. Rin has nothing to do with this and she isn't going to lose her mother over Naraku's insanity. I can't rely on you to make her feel better when she finds out her mom up and left. Only way I'm divorcing you is if we forget about the contract and do things in a normal way like we should have from the very beginning."
"Which would benefit everyone fairly," he noted, "and that is why your light won't die out. Very well. If you won't take extreme measures to extinguish your abilities then we'll just have to adapt. You will never go near or speak to this Naraku ever again. You will not be left alone in or out of the house. If I am to protect you I am to have complete control of you. Those are your options Kagome. Take the offer of a new life or lose all power in this one. You didn't listen to me when I told you to leave me alone with Bankotsu, you saved InuYasha instead of fleeing for help, and you couldn't turn from Naraku when you knew he was the cause of your misery. Therefore, I cannot trust you to act on your own accord."
As Sesshoumaru listed everything Kagome had done he hated himself for making this ultimatum. She was braver than any other human he'd ever known. She wasn't letting this situation unnerve her and just seemed to adapt to every twist and turn. These qualities were continuing to soften him towards her, but everything that attracted her to him was becoming a liability. It was now he who just wished she could be normal.
"What do you mean complete control?"
Kagome could see them having their guard up for a while and wouldn't mind knowing she was safe, but it seemed there was going to be a catch to that.
"You don't leave my side ever," he told her looking away, "I won't give you an opportunity to fall into trouble again."
Kagome wondered whose benefit that would really be for. Sesshoumaru would be the one that couldn't just go and do whatever he pleased anymore and he'd have to be around Rin a lot more.
"Isn't that kind of what we have going on already?" Kagome asked him, "and honestly why did this get narrowed down to just two choices?"
When she brought up a fair divorce that wasn't locked with down with a contract he didn't say it wasn't possible, but seemed to have no interest in pursuing such a thing. Kagome wanted to bring it up, but couldn't. Did she really not want to live with Sesshoumaru anymore? If they were separate he could be free from his mother and Naraku would stay her problem, but that just wasn't an option. They'd began to rely on each other too much.
"Destroy the light or have me suppress it," Sesshoumaru brought her back to the choice, "I will entertain no other options if you are to stay in my charge."
"The one where I don't up and leave my daughter for no reason," Kagome grimaced still not knowing what her husband was planning to do.
"Very well."
Wedding rings. How could Kagome forget. They always had to compromise themselves to pretend to be a happily married couple in public, so of course always wearing their bands was necessary. Kagome, however, didn't wear her engagement ring for fear of losing it. Honestly she wasn't a jewelry person.
They were in their driveway now when Sesshoumaru looked up at his palm and stared at his wedding ring. This was the first ever piece of jewelry he'd ever worn. It use to annoy him, but now he often forgot it was even there.
"Time to connect," Sesshoumaru simply said his wedding band began to glow a light green.
Kagome's band began to do the same. It wasn't hurting it her, but out of curiosity she tried to slide it off. It wouldn't budge. It was as though her ring had become part of her skin.
"What did you do?" she asked him.
"These aren't made of mere metal," he explained, "the material was the only demon artifact I got away with bringing into Avalon without having to sneak it in or losing it. You've basically been ensnared. If you attempt to go too far from me your body will cease moving and freeze in place. Naraku won't get another opportunity to be around you and it will shield my mother from separating us with a medio."
She and Sesshoumaru had to be around each other twenty-four-seven now? She was, once again, trying to be open minded and seeing this from Sesshoumaru's point of view. Naraku wanted to do something to her, and the only way he could ensure he could protect her was to keep her around always. Still Kagome wasn't a fan of being forcefully bound to him.
"You know wedding rings are supposed to symbolise some form of trust," Kagome complained, "you kind of ruined that notion when you are using them to imprison me. I'm not going to go near Naraku again. It's hard to explain what happened between me and him, but I get the feeling that was my last conversation with him where I am safe."
"Well over and over again you demonstrated that I cannot trust you," Sesshoumaru said coldly, "so I will not apologize for my method of saving your life prevents you from seeking out attention from Naraku or my brother."
"Wait? Sesshoumaru I didn't go to Naraku to put myself in danger if that's what you were thinking. It was something else, and that whole thing with InuYasha was-
"I do not care," he cut her off getting out of the car clenching his fist causing her ring to glow, "come Kagome."
Kagome's ring glew again almost compelling her to follow her husband back into their home. This wasn't fair! She'd gone from being able to take care of herself by using whatever power she had to save InuYasha to being punished and imprisoned. Being forced into Sesshoumaru's care was the only way he could make her normal? Kagome had a feeling whatever this was had more to do with Sesshoumaru's feelings than her. She honestly didn't believe there was any going back to any normal after this.
Sesshoumaru had gotten more than he bargained for with this woman and needed to seal her troublesome nature before things truly grew out of hand. He hated her for becoming such a bother, but yet liked her for the qualities she showed this day. Even growing to love her. Forcing her to be by his side would be the last test. Did he truly want Kagome's company, and in the end would she even be worth it?
Kagome just believed she was being punished for no reason. In the end the only thing she'd ever done wrong was be born Midoriko's reincarnation.
(End Chapter)
AN: So Cliff notes. Naraku wants to kill Kagome cause Midoriko's reincarnation and he gets off on it, Kaguya wants to create a sacred jewel where Naraku can fight Midoriko forever, but he kind of letting his fear of mortality get in the way. Sesshoumaru hates everyone for making his day complicated and wants everything back to normal.