AUTOTHOR'S CORNER -
Finally! This chapter's done! I vascillated over this one alot. :P Thank you so much, all of you for your support! I love opening my email and seeing reviews! It makes my day, although I do have to make two personal ones...
Secret101 - so the correct way to write it is Ame no koori? You'll have to forgive me, I simply took words I liked from the dictionary and threw them together in the form I thought they might go in. I don't speak Japanese nor claim to, but if you do I would appreciate the corrections! X3 I'd rather have someone correct me as nicely as you did than someone flame me for being wrong! THANK YOU!
The last one is to my beta...who also happens to be my brother and another die hard Sess/Kag fan... thankies! X3 Many a great idea and the corrections of some fatal grammar errors have come from him. :P
Enjoy!
Chapter 28
Kagome wanted to throw a miko energy charged pillow at the annoying woman who was trying to wake her up. Akiko was standing over her futon with her hands on her hips and her best stern look on her features.
"You'll be late if you don't get up now and you know how grumpy his lordship is when you're late!" she threatened but Kagome only buried herself deeper into her pillow and mumbled something the neko couldn't quite make out. Her deep crimson eyes caught Fubuki's icy ones and he froze. He'd been hoping she would leave him out of this, but his proximity to Kagome's futon was obviously a hindrance to his wishes.
One angrily raised eyebrow and he huffed grumpily before heaving himself to his feet and padding the rest of the distance to the futon. Pouncing on it, he burrowed his head under the blanket, toppling a disgruntled miko out the other side and onto the hard cold floor. Fubuki then proceeded to snuggle down under the blankets until all that was left to be seen of him was one happily thumping tail.
Kagome glared at the lump that was Fubuki before Akiko got her hands on her and she sighed in resignation. She was dressed in a matter of minutes and she turned to leave until a thought stopped her. Grinning evilly, she approached the lump of blankets and grinned down at the icy eyes peeking out of the shadows.
"Fubuki, if I have to go to training then so do you," sitting up and letting the blanket fall down around his shoulders he gave her his best kitty face, his ears flattening back and his eyes big and round, but she appeared immune. "Nope, into the sheath." Fubuki gave her an annoyed look before disappearing in a puff of smoke and reappearing in the sheath.
Oh, thou art a cruel woman.
You better believe it.
Kagome padded sleepily into the dojo just as Sesshomaru was starting to get irritated.
"You are late, miko" he said haughtily and Kagome gave him a look that said not to cross her but he just stared back in his usual bored manner.
"You're lucky I came at all, stupid youkai," she retorted and his eyes lit up oddly. "So what's the deal with dragging me out here before sunrise? Couldn't this wait until a more reasonable time of the day?" she asked knowing she sounded whiney though she really didn't care at the moment.
"No, I always get bored at this time of the morning since I am never asleep this late and if I am going to be up the least you could do is entertain me," he quipped back and Kagome resisted the urge to let her jaw drop. He definitely was being very playful recently.
"Well some of us aren't all powerful youkai with sleeping disorders," she retorted crossing her arms, "and as for entertainment, I see no reason to entertain you, so therefore I'm going back to bed," she said in her best imitation of his haughty attitude, but when she turned around to leave she came face to face with his chest.
"You are going nowhere until I say you are," he said looking down his nose at her.
"Don't make me fry your ass!" Kagome fumed at him and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"What makes you think I am going to let you touch my 'ass' at all?" she back stepped a little, her face flaming and he began stalking her across the room. "So you admit to wanting to touch my 'ass' as you so crudely phrased it?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with something she didn't recognize.
"I didn't say that!" she insisted balling up her fists and facing him down, "I was implying that I'm going to kick the living crap outta you if you keep pushing me too far!" she growled at him, getting up on her tip toes in an attempt to not be so short compared to him, though failing miserably.
"Ooooooh?" he said smirking down at her, "then prove it," quick as lightning he slashed down at her with his claws, catching the sleeve of her haori and ripping it before her barrier forced him back.
Dropping into a defensive stance she extended her senses and he was surprised to feel her energy shimmering all around him in a curious manner. It wasn't threatening, but more caressing his youki, surrounding him in a non-obtrusive manner. Leaping forward he attacked her again, hoping to push her back against the wall and corner her, but she surprised him by actually dodging his attack and ending up behind him.
Changing directions faster than the eye could see he attacked again only to find she had moved to his side again several moments before he got there. This went on for a few more minutes before he realized what she was doing. She was using that shimmering energy he had felt before to anticipate his attacks. Obviously his naturally suppressed youki wasn't quite suppressed enough for her powers and she could feel him before he moved.
Smirking slightly at his clever miko he decided to change tactics.
Kagome was having trouble just dodging him. Her senses were constantly studying his movements to try and find a moment to attack, but he was flawless in his attacks, or she wasn't fast enough to take advantage of a moment or movement. Her hands were completely full just in not being hit.
Suddenly his youki reduced to almost nothing and she began to panic slightly. If she can't feel him, then there's no way she can possibly even consider beating him. A heartbeat later he was behind her and she felt him too late to avoid the slash he aimed at her legs which caught the fabric of her pants and ripped one leg off at the knee. She managed to hit him with a burst of pink energy and gain some distance before he recovered.
Extending her senses further she realized she could still feel him, but instead of a large field of youki to deal with it was hugged tightly to his form and so she refocused her energies completely on him instead of his general area, her hands igniting bright pink as he attacked again.
Feeling his attacks mere moments before he delivered them, she managed to block or almost completely dodge most of them, her concentration at its limits as she struggled to maintain such focused senses.
Sesshomaru watched her in fascination as the miko concentrated harder, her small form practically pulsing with energy, her eyes slightly hooded due to the fact that she was relying more on her miko senses than her actual sensory organs, she wasn't even really looking at him at all. He landed a few more minor hits heralded by the sound of ripping wool, though they were small and she really didn't take much notice.
Smirking, he closed in for a major hit to her abdomen when she surprised him by taking the hit, her eyes snapping open in triumph as her tiny hands found his chest and blasted him with a strong pulse of energy. The taiyoukai felt himself thrown across the room to land on his feet… wait what…? Looking down in confusion, he found a large amount of wool fisted in his claws.
His eyes rose to the woman across the room and twinkled in amusement at the sight that met his golden orbs. Kagome stood on the other side of the dojo, her hands on her hips glaring at him, one half of her miko shirt was completely gone and the other half hung off her shoulder and arm pathetically. A skin tight black shirt that he recognized was from her time and called a 'tank top' covered the essential parts and he couldn't seem to help the stab of disappointment that the article of clothing happened to have survived his assault.
"What exactly are you trying to do!" she said, her eyes stormy and her posture that of a mother scolding a child, "are you trying to strip me or something!" she demanded and he looked back down at the cloth still fisted in his hand. When his eyes rose back up to the woman they held an amused twinkle that made her heart skip a beat and a small smile played at the edges of his mouth.
"What an interesting thought…" he murmured, though loud enough for her to hear and a dark flush rose up in her cheeks. Did he actually say that? "Ne, miko, where did that come from?" he asked pointing at the tank top, he was under the impression she'd come to the past with only what she was wearing and he was positive that hadn't been on her person. Kagome flushed a little and looked down at her hands.
"Oh, I uh…I had the seamstress make a few of these for me. It made me feel better since…none of my…" she cleared her throat, "undergarments made it to the past with me…" she shifted her feet uncomfortably and his eyes practically sparkled with amusement.
His eyes took in her entire figure, the half gone miko shirt, her pant leg ripped off at the knee and she'd lost a sandal somewhere. So she was now partially in her undergarments?
To Kagome, one moment he was crouched across the room and the next he was right in front of her, her barrier flying up just in time to block his attack as she danced back. He drove her around the room with his attacks, not giving her time to retaliate, though her footwork was good enough to keep her from letting herself become cornered.
They batted and lunged at each other with Sesshomaru bullying her around the room and Kagome scoring the occasional burn mark to his person. The blast that had sent him across the room with half her shirt had also done a number on his un-armored chest, the front of his white silk haori now hanging open, singed tatters fluttering against his pale, heavily muscled chest.
Sesshomaru was immeasurably pleased with how much his miko had progressed, she was a mere human and yet she was blocking attacks that a demon would have problems with. She'd found a way to overcome her human weakness and was now a force to be reckoned with. Though, he thought with satisfaction, she was still not good enough to beat him.
Feeling her charge up for another strike, he decided to turn the tables on her. Releasing his youki to its normal state, her senses were completely overwhelmed. She grabbed her head as their essences collided; completely blinded for a few moments which Sesshomaru took full advantage of.
The little miko felt something slam hard into her throwing her to the floor, her senses still reeling. Suddenly her hands were pinned somewhere above her head and she squinted her eyes open only to find her vision filled with molten gold. Starting back in surprise, she bumped her head against the floor with a thump and a groan.
"Little miko, it looks like your new tactic has some deadly flaws," he said triumphantly from above her. Her eyes darkened in anger and he felt her powers flare up around her to protect her, fighting back against his youki in an invisible battle that raged in the air around them. Her aura had become quite strong, but he was a taiyoukai and if he was that easily defeatable he wouldn't have held his position so long.
Eventually he maneuvered his youki around her aura and brought it under his control. She growled up at him as she felt herself losing, the vibrations of her growl reverberating through his own chest which was pressed against her, holding her in place. He smirked down at the squirming girl, forcing his attention off what parts of her body were rubbing against his and onto her face.
"So, little miko, do you yield?" she glared up at him in a very convincingly vicious manner.
"And if I refuse?" she asked haughtily, laughter and challenge sparkling in the deep blue depths. He lowered his face down so their noses touched, taking her hands still pinned above her head in one large, deadly clawed hand and running his free one down her bare arm to trace the tips of his claws along her ribs sending shivers through her.
"I will simply find other ways of making you submit," he quoted himself, her flushed cheeks making his beast claw madly in his chest for him to claim the woman as she squirmed harder under him, determined to make things as hard on him as possible. Unbeknownst to her, she was indeed making things hard on him, though not in the sense she was hoping.
Slowly, he traced the plain of her cheek with the tip of his nose, following the creamy skin to the crux of her jaw and ear where he nuzzled her hair, breathing deeply of her heady scent. Kagome for her part was having problems breathing at all. His warm breath bathing her skin and feather light touches were overloading her senses and she struggled to maintain coherent thought. Lazily, his lips parted and he ran a fang along her neck from her ear down toward her collarbone, leaving a tiny red trail. The small woman gasped slightly and suppressed a groan, wondering exactly what the demon thought he was doing, last update she'd had, he wasn't interested. Sure, he'd acted flirtatious, but this went a little beyond flirtatious… not that she minded.
His fingers lingered on her ribcage as he continued his path down her neck and across her collarbones, leaving the barest touches with his nose, lips and breath before moving upward again, following the line of her throat to the underside of her chin. Her breath caught in her throat at the sensations he was causing, an involuntary shudder running down her spine.
As she took a deep breath to protest, he captured her lips with his own making any reservations she'd been about to voice disappear in the wind. The tiny miko trembled against him slightly as he forcefully, though softly deepened the kiss, demanding she submit to his dominance, a nip from his fang and a brush from his tongue gaining him entrance to the warm recesses of her mouth.
Kagome's mind was reeling, no longer sure at all of her relationship with the taiyoukai. He'd made it clear to her that her presence had been undesired and then had ignored her for extended periods of time. Recently he'd been flirting with her, leaving her gifts and was now kissing her!
After what seemed like an eternity, air demanded they separate and each of them could feel the other panting lightly against damp lips. With a gentleness she never knew he possessed, he leaned his head down and caught her lower lip between his deadly fangs, nipping and sucking at it lightly, paying attention to the poor lip that she usually abused greatly when nervous.
"Sesshomaru, what…?" he stopped suddenly.
"Someone approaches," mere seconds later she found herself on her feet and separated from the youkai, almost stumbling from the sudden lack of support. He was now across the room and she straightened herself slightly just before Yoko made an appearance in the doorway.
"Ohayo!" she announced, giving the two of them a friendly wave before staring open mouthed at the two occupants of the dojo's appearances. Kagome seemed to be half dressed at this point, her entire outfit ripped almost to shreds and Sesshomaru's entire top half of his hakama was covered in scorch marks and a nice big burn hole adorned the front right over his chest.
Yoko's eyes returned to her friend and took in the slightly flushed cheeks and lightly swollen lips and correctly assumed what had been part of their "training." With a grin she straightened and gestured to the miko.
"You look like you could use a soak in the hot springs!" turning to the taiyoukai, she nodded and grinned, "hope you don't mind, but I'm stealing her away from you for a bit! I think she's been working really hard these past few days and deserves a reprieve, don't you?" Sesshomaru stared at the woman boredly, though Kagome caught the spark of irritation aimed at the woman for taking his prey away. Honestly, she was slightly disappointed too, though part of her was relieved that Yoko had interrupted. The more sensible side of her wanted answers from him first before anything else happened.
Grabbing the miko's hand and waving goofily at the now glowering demon she dragged the girl bodily from the dojo. As soon as they were out of sight, Akiko came scooting up with a bathing kimono and wrapped her lady up in it to preserve her modesty and her honor. Kagome threw a grateful glace over her shoulder at the woman as Yoko giggled and kept dragging her in the direction of the springs.
The little miko stopped in her tracks making Yoko jerk slightly on her arm as she felt a familiar shimmer in the air around her. She raised an eyebrow curiously at Fubuki as he took human form next to her and then stared open mouthed at him when he fell to the floor, clutching his eyes and wailing.
Yoko stared at the elemental much the way Akiko had when she first beheld his human form, Akiko stood above him with arms akimbo wondering what mischief the elemental could possibly be up to now while Kagome just stared dumbly at him in confusion.
"Alright, I'll bite, what the hell is wrong with you?" she asked and suddenly he sat up and glared at the miko.
"Have you so quickly forgotten, my friend that when you are emotionally charged and don't protect your thoughts I can see" he pointed fingers at both his eyes, "EVERYTHING you see?" The dark haired girl stared at him a moment before realization sunk in and she started giggling madly. Fubuki went back to rolling on the floor in seeming agony.
"MOOOOOUUUUU! I DON'T SWING THAT WAY! DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!" he wailed, "That was like watching my brother and sister make out! Only from my SISTER'S perspective!" he started scraping at his tongue with his tapered fingernails when finally the other two caught on to what he was talking about and they both started giggling as much as the miko who had just plopped down on the floor in the middle of the hallway and was holding her sides.
"So," Yoko began when the giggles finally started to subside, "this is your sword Fubuki, who's also the cat right?" Akiko rolled her eyes and Kagome nodded, still giggling. "And he's a strong enough sentient sword that he can see your projected thoughts… and you were excited enough just a little while ago to forget to shield your thoughts…?" Kagome fell over giggling again and Fubuki went face down on the floor wailing again and covering his head with his hands.
"Don't say it! I beg you! It was bad enough SEEING IT!" Yoko grinned at the blue haired elemental before continuing.
"So, therefore, if he sees the world through your eyes when not guarded, then he got a great close up view of Sesshomaru just a little while ago, ne?" Kagome couldn't breathe and Akiko was shaking with the force of her laughter while Fubuki banged his forehead on the smooth flooring.
A few servants stared at the ragtag group curiously before moving on their way, shaking their heads and hiding their smiles. The miko definitely had begun changing the castle for the better. It was a much happier place with her there.
Eventually the group dragged themselves off the floor, Akiko grabbing Fubuki by the back of his collar and dragging the limp and seemingly boneless, still wailing elemental down the hall after them as they headed to the hot springs. Fubuki flopped down in front of the door and transformed into his cat form much to Yoko's amazement and amusement, though Akiko just rolled her eyes at him and he gave her a wink making her blush.
The women took their time in the springs, Akiko had shooed all the other servants away and Fubuki stood watch at the only entrance so the women could talk freely without fear of being overheard. Yoko teased the miko mercilessly, wanting all the juicy details from the blushing miko while the neko demon washed the two ladies with a small smile.
Yoko also managed to worm the information about their first kiss from her new friend and howled with amusement when she recounted what he'd said when her mother burst in on them.
"Ne, Kagome-chan, your home sounds so different from here," she commented, and the little miko glanced at her nervously before the oceanic demon continued, "I know you keep the information from everyone for your own safety, but you know I wouldn't ever turn against you. As it stands, I am the ruler of the east and it appears that there won't be a lord for a long time," she said sadly and Kagome laid a comforting hand on the woman's arm. "If you are serious about him and you accept his advances," Kagome gave her a doubtful look, but the woman continued, "then you will eventually become the western lady and will need alliances with people like me," she finished. The young woman stared at the water for a few moments in deliberation.
"I wanted to make sure that although we've known each other for only a short time that you understand that my friendship is binding. I've never met another woman like you and I will defend you to the very end. I will support you as lady of the west, should you choose that and will stand beside you and help you with your newfound position." Tears welled up in the miko's eyes and Akiko wanted to dance with happiness. So her charge was now going to take his lordship seriously!
"Yoko, I don't think you understand things very well," Akiko glanced warily at her lady and Yoko looked confused, "Sesshomaru has no designs on me save for a place in his army. He made it clear when I showed up here that he had no feelings at all for me and that as soon as it was possible I would be sent home," she said sadly though Yoko was already shaking her head.
"Kagome-chan, that's not what his actions are saying. Do you know anything about demon courtship?" she asked curiously and Kagome shook her head.
"The only demons I spent a lot of time with were InuYasha and Shippo, neither of whom said anything about it, though I don't think they knew much themselves," she said and Yoko nodded.
"That explains it then," Kagome looked at her curiously and the woman smiled, "Sesshomaru is not only a full demon, but he's also a dog demon, his sparring matches with you are to see if you're strong enough to become his mate and I know for a fact that the end of your 'sparring session' this morning indicates that he's very interested in you," Kagome blushed. "He also challenges you and responds when you don't submit to him. Everything he does, all the teasing is meant to prove his dominance over you and establish himself as the dominant male in your life," Kagome's eyes went wide. "Even against other males he will go to extreme measures to makes sure he is the one and only that you pay attention to. Although, it seems by the way he's been acting that he himself didn't know until recently that he was doing it, though he is now acting more in acceptance of the choice his beast has made."
"His beast? His beast nearly killed me when he was visiting me at home!" Kagome bemoaned and Yoko's eyes went wide.
"Did you challenge him openly?" Kagome nodded and Yoko laughed heartily, "well that settles it! That was his beast's first indication to Sesshomaru of his choice. Had it been another female he wouldn't have fought to make you submit, he would have simply killed you without a second thought!" Kagome winced and the woman laughed.
"How did that fight end?" she asked curiously and Kagome winced again, remembering how much pain she'd been in after that particular fight.
"Not good… we really beat the crap out of each other… I was out of energy and he was furious, his eyes were even red," Yoko nodded, "I fried him in a last ditch attempt to keep, or so I thought, myself alive.
"You fried him!" her ocean blue eyes were impossibly wide.
"Yes, I charged up for one last energy bolt and blasted him across the clearing we were fighting in and he felled five trees in his flight," Kagome said with some pride. "Though using that much energy knocked me unconscious…so he still won," she said sullenly and Yoko laughed.
"Holy Kami, Kagome-chan! That's amazing! I can't believe he let you live! Though I'm sure winning the fight was a nice pat to his beast and his ego. I imagine he had himself back under control at that point." Kagome nodded.
"Next thing I knew I was back in my home on my…futon," she said and Yoko narrowed her eyes at the girl.
"So do you plan on telling me why where you come from is such a big secret?" Kagome sighed in resignation and nodded. For quite some time the two women sat in the springs with Akiko sitting on the side listening as well as the futuristic miko explained where she had come from, the use of the well for travel, how she had met all her friends and what things were like in the future.
The two women listened in awe, trying hard to imagine all the wondrous things Kagome described to them and both keenly jealous that Sesshomaru had gotten a glimpse of the amazing world Kagome had come from. She told them about her school and the amusing tale of his visiting the place of her education as well as the night she took him to the night club. Briefly she described the type of clothing worn then and both women were appalled and yet envious of how free women were in the future.
As they stepped out of the springs to get dressed and prepare for the hopeful demon noble's arrival, the two demonesses gushed over everything Kagome had told them.
"Wow, that certainly sounds amazing, Kagome-chan!" the little miko nodded as she was wrapped into her bathing kimono.
"You both cannot breathe of word of this to anyone! I'd be in terrible danger if anyone found out!" her face softened. "I wish I could show you everything, but the only way back was closed over when the shikon no tama disappeared and Sesshomaru and I are still searching for a way to send me home…" she stopped suddenly, "though I'm not sure how hard we'll be searching from now on…" Yoko giggled as they left the hot springs and waved merrily to one another as they parted ways to get dressed.
Kagome felt light hearted as Akiko folded her into one of the elaborate miko outfits that Sesshomaru had left for her, happy that she'd told her closest friends her secret and on cloud nine having discovered some of her taiyoukai's intentions. Now she just wanted to hear it from him herself.
The lord was due to appear in about an hour and Kagome and Akiko spent the rest of the time in the servant wing, making sure all was prepared for that night and that his rooms were satisfactory.
Shortly before his arrival, Takehiko came wandering into the room and smiled in a friendly manner at the miko.
"Kagome-sama, I would greatly appreciate it if I could have a word with you, perhaps we could take a stroll in the gardens?" he asked amicably and Kagome gave him a small bow and a smile, missing the wary look Akiko gave the lord before following the pair out into the hallway to the entrance to the gardens.
Takehiko took the miko's hand on his arm like a gentleman and escorted her out into the sunshine, wandering slightly until they were out of sight of the palace. Akiko remained a short distance behind, out of sight, though close enough for Kagome to feel her reassuring presence as Takehiko finally turned to speak to the miko, the sun lighting up his hair and the occasional feather.
"Miko Kagome," he began, fingering a bright pink bloom and turning his profile to face her, "it's come to my attention that there might be more than professional interest between yourself and the taiyoukai of the west," he turned his head just enough to glance at the young human out of the corner of his eye, his yellow eyes boring into her. Kagome straightened and clasped her hands together in front of her inside her sleeves to keep them from trembling, meeting his eyes with blue fire burning in her own.
"Perhaps you are incorrect, your lordship, however I doubt I am the person to speak to about this matter, it would be better perhaps to see out my lord and speak to him?" she asked, her chin high earning a dark chuckle from the red haired lord.
"No, little miko, the one I need to speak to is in fact you," her pulse quickened, but she showed no other outward trepidation, "you understand, don't you, that the ruling lords cannot simply let a weak human take the position of lady of one of the ruling lands?" he asked his yellow eyes burning with a fire that made Kagome want to take a step back, though she held her ground.
"Takehiko-sama, I understand your concern, however I believe it is unfounded and a waste of your time. I will not be bullied into anything and I will make my own decisions. Should my lord decide to state his suit, I will decide then if I desire to accept and no threatening or cajoling from anyone, lord or not, will sway my decision," she said, her voice even and filled with determination and fire.
The northern lord looked at her with an unreadable expression when suddenly she felt his power flare, indicating he was moments away from striking her down. A barrier flew up around her, protecting her from the sudden assault. A tersely shouted word and a clap of her hands together in a position of prayer and Takehiko shrieked in a hawkish manner as painfully bright pink chains erupted from the earth and shackled him, bringing him to his knees and sealing him. Kagome herself sank to her knees under the strain of the release of power, her hands shook violently and Takehiko watched her with blazing yellow eyes as she struggled to maintain such a strong sealing spell over one of the ruling taiyoukai.
Moments later, Akiko burst in on the scene, gasping at the sight that met her eyes before rushing to her lady to ensure that she was alright. The barrier was still up around the miko, so she was unable to get close to her, but she remained just outside the burning zone. In a flash, Sesshomaru was standing there and soon after came Yoko, Toshi and Hoshiko. The northern lady cried out and rushed to her husband's side, though her hands were burnt when she tried to touch her mate, his eyes shifting to look at her the only visible sign of his being alive. Kisho appeared somewhere behind the miko, growling his disapproval of the state of his lord and a look from Sesshomaru had him backing down, though his hackles were still up.
"What did you do to him!" Toshi demanded as he fell to a knee at his father's side, glaring warily at the chains binding him to the ground. Kagome lifted her chin and stared at the family in a cold manner.
"He attacked me and I defended myself," Hoshiko jumped to her feet and glared daggers down at the still kneeling miko.
"Impossible! My husband has more honor than that!" she insisted, though Toshi looked lost in thought.
"No, he has honor for attacking Kagome-san," Yoko stepped in and explained, "he was challenging her due to his assumption that a relationship was beginning to form between the western lord and herself. She's a human and therefore shouldn't be allowed to possess the title and power of lady of the west, however, I think this proves quite plainly that she is more than capable of defending herself as any demoness would be," she finished earning a glare from Sesshomaru and astonished looks from everyone around save Akiko.
"Are you considering taking the miko as your mate?" Toshi asked with wide yellow eyes and Sesshomaru gave him a look of death that had him dropping his eyes in submission.
"That is a conversation for the miko and I alone and is absolutely none of your business," he growled. "Takehiko was out of line to make such assumptions before an announcement was made," he said in a growl making Hoshiko grimace and fear for her husband's health.
Kagome surprised everyone by suddenly crawling tiredly to kneel before Takehiko and taking hold of the chains on his shoulders, lifting them slightly, her hands glowing a brilliant pink. Slowly, Takehiko's head lifted as though under a great weight so he could look into her own face on even terms.
"Takehiko-sama, I understand your reasons behind attacking me and I pray the answer you were looking for has been found to your satisfaction," she said, her eyes even and her voice revealing nothing, though the lord could feel the little hands holding his chains trembling under the strain. The lord looked up at her for a moment before amusement twinkled in the yellow orbs and he nodded at her slowly.
"Sumimasen, Kagome-sama, it was necessary for my sense of mental tranquility. I do have my answer now and will make no further attempts on your life, on my honor. I attempted to take your life, so therefore my life is now in your hands," he bowed his head to the extent he could while chained and waited for her decision.
"Takehiko-sama, I release you from your bonds and from any commitment as I do understand your motives and approve of your course of action. I accept you back into my friendship and pray you live long and rule well," Kagome spread her hands before him with a word and the chains dissipated into nothingness and he slumped forward to be caught by his worried mate.
Sesshomaru growled in disapproval, as Kagome slowly struggled to her feet, barely being able to keep the trembling of her legs from showing, but then she turned and bowed to the western lord, her eyes entreating him to understand.
"My lord, his life was mine to do with as I wish. He has in reality done me no wrong, no harm was done to my person and it was my choice to release him," she held out her hands to him, her head slightly down in a position of submission, though her eyes twinkled at him mischievously. He growled down at her, knowing that he couldn't turn her away without good reason or he would look like a brute. She had deliberately and efficiently maneuvered him into a position where he had to do as she asked or face doing something dishonorable.
Taking her hand on his arm because he was sure she would collapse if he didn't, he felt her calming aura wash over him, though his irritation and ire at her remained unchanged. He could feel amusement coming off her in waves and it took him back a moment. Thinking quickly, he realized that she was the only being he could actually feel moods of as if it was a tangible thing. In return, she seemed to be capable of the same thing since she was glancing up at him out of the corner of her eye, that teasing twinkle still there as she continued goading him with her display of feminine submission.
Pulling her roughly inside the palace and around a corner, he forced her up against a wall and brought his face down close to hers so he could growl at her softly.
"If you think you have won, little miko, you can think again," he said, his warm breath washing over her cheeks and making the heat rise up in them, "enjoy your brief triumph, because this is far from over," be promised before he was gone. She leaned against the wall, gulping air into her deprived lungs as Akiko appeared around the corner with a 'cat-caught-the-mouse' look on her face.
"Oh shut up!" Kagome groused before straightening herself and attempting to storm off, though nearly falling as her knees buckled and Akiko caught her by her elbow. Chuckling, she led the huffing priestess off to the servant quarter of the palace to finish preparations.
