Author's Note:
This story evolved as an as I went thing with no real end in mind. It was more of a character exploration of "what would happen if..." So enjoy this bitter exploration into hurt, healing and hope.
Be warned, since I haven't followed the series closely in years or seen the Final Act, I'm pretty sure some things won't fit into cannon.
Of Pride and Power
Chapter 28: Sacrifice
Warmth akin to a lovers embrace soothingly enveloped Kagome as she stirred to wakefulness. Luxurious silk entangled her arms and legs, reminding her of the equally fine textiles that dressed the youkai whom she'd become so familiar with. The phantasmal dream of his presence and tender touches ruptured at the pungent fragrance of cinnamon and myrrh.
Sesshomaru never burned incense of any sort; it was a proven fact that strong smells irritated his nose. Even the fragrant herbs of her tea had been enough to upset him. The aristocratic immortal would never tolerate such aromatic finery. With her dream disturbed, Kagome rose to find herself within a lavishly decorated tent. The embers of a cooling fire radiated warmth from the center of the room, surrounded by golden threaded mats. Tall braziers stood proudly, offering light and warmth, accompanied by lanterns of incense hooked beneath the brass bowls of fire. As she rose, the silk sleeve resting on her shoulder slid down exposing her bare skin to the slight chill within the room
Hastily, Kagome tugged it back in place before noticing a crucial detail concerning her garments. To her alarm, her priestess attire had been replaced with a fine floral patterned robe of crimson. Immediately, Kagome inspected herself, searching for signs of abuse or mishandle and with great relief, she found none. The tent itself proved empty, but from the cacophony of voices beyond the thick canvas walls Kagome knew she wasn't alone. Moving to the entrance, Kagome hesitantly pulled the velvet draping aside to spy out into the bright world beyond.
Sunlight struck her sight like a hot brand, searing her eyes and forcing her into a blinking fit as her vision adjusted. As her sight cleared, Kagome found herself in the center of a bustling military camp. The smell of smoke and gunpowder proved thick, accompanied by soldiers moving to and fro, following the commands of their superiors. Movement at her side caught her attention and Kagome looked to find a towering guard staring down at her, his expression graven and hard.
"M'lady, my lord has requested that you remain within the tent for your safety." he informed stonily, moving the butt of his spear to ground opposite him to bar her path and prevent her from moving any further. "I will send word that you are awake."
Clearing the dryness from her throat, Kagome spoke, her words weak and hoarse. "Uh, where am I?"
"M'lady, return to the tent." he enforced, stepping forward to add actions to his demand by guiding her back inside "My lord will see to you soon."
Kagome frowned but was too exhausted to challenge the warrior. Slowly the memories of her abduction returned– a cold mountain, a warm embrace, a scented rag and then...nothing. Kagome understood she'd been kidnapped but the question now was, by whom?
Finding painted bowls filled of the equivalent of feudal era trail mix, she nibbled on lychees, dried fruits and nuts to fill her empty stomach while she waited. By her fourth lychee, the tent opened in a flourish, revealing a heavily armored man garnished with tassels and ornate plating to imply his superior rank.
"Goro-sama?" Kagome blinked in surprise as she stood to greet him.
"Lady Kagome." he breathed in relief, crossing the room to take her into his arms, resting his chin atop her head. "You're safe."
"Where am I? How?" she questioned, squirming uncomfortably in his hold. If he recognized her discomfort, he made no note of it but held her at arm's length nonetheless.
"When that creature took you, I searched for you endlessly." he explained. "We heard reports of a silver haired youkai hunting in the forest and I sent my scouts at once. They reported spotting a miko foraging within the rocks and I immediately sent the order to march."
"Oh–oh no..." Kagome swallowed stepping back to sit. The effects of whatever poison they'd used on her still lingered and her strength had not yet returned. "I shouldn't be here."
"You're safe." he assured as he knelt across from her. "The creature knows not where you are and he cannot smell you amongst the incense." briefly a smug chuckle sounded within his throat. "It thought itself clever and tried to lure us away from the mountain, presumably to keep us from finding you."
Kagome stood to pace nervously before pausing with a hand to her shaking head and the other to the pillar supporting the tent. If that were true, it meant that Sesshomaru didn't want to engage Lord Goro's army. If he were capable, the Sesshomaru she knew would have slaughtered any threat to him. Either he learned the art of mercy or he was woefully unprepared to face Lord Goro again.
"Don't worry m'lady. We have devised diversionary tactics to ensure your escape." Goro offered in comfort as he stepped closer, holding her arm to keep her steady.
"Escape?" she echoed. This was bad. If Sesshomaru sought her out, these men would undoubtedly trap him and if they succeeded once, they could succeed again. "Goro-sama, thank you for what you tried to do, but I was ok. You should've just let me–"
His fingers moved to her lips to quiet her. "I will not hear another word of this." he refuted firmly.
Kagome's hand lifted to swat his hand away. "Would you cut it out?" she snarked, crossing her arms over her chest and yanking her elbow from his hold.. "I didn't need anyone to rescue me from Sesshomaru."
Goro paused, going tense at the daiyoukai's name. "I know not what he has done to you, or how he has deceived you, but I assure you, all will be well."
"No one has deceived me!" she argued. "I told you, I'm fine."
"Kagome stop." Goro said with his palm raised for silence. "It is clear you are unwell. Take the afternoon to rest. We will depart at dusk."
"You can't hold me prisoner." she rebutted.
A flash of pain streaked across his expression and his eyes lowered. "Prisoner? Is that how you see yourself?" he asked quietly. "A prisoner?...My prisoner?"
"Sesshomaru never held me against my will. If I wanted to leave I would've left. You on the other hand won't let me go." she noted pointedly with admittingly less fire than she intended.
Truthfully, Kagome was taken aback by the raw expression of pity and dejection that haunted the depths of Goro's dark gaze. However, despite the sympathy in his expression, his spine remained as stiff as iron and his jaw clenched like a smithing vice. Here was a man would would yield to no youkai and by posture alone, Kagome knew he would not yield to her.
"I'm sorry Kagome. If you can find it in your heart, please forgive me." he requested hastily before exiting the tent with his cape billowing behind him.
With hands clenched, Kagome struck the pole beside her with the base of her fist in frustration before dropping to her knees. Sesshomaru...Kagome deeply prayed that he was still the same cold, indifferent monster that she knew from the past. She sincerely hoped that the same youkai who abandoned her to defend herself against a mob of prejudiced villagers would be the same youkai who would abandon her now.
If for any reason he failed to act according to his nature, if his heart of ice thawed even to a sweat, if he so much as held a inkling of curiosity concerning her absence, Kagome feared for Sesshomaru's safety should he dare to confront Lord Goro again. Disregarding her wishes, Kagome resolved to go quietly with Goro without fuss. Afterall, if Sesshomaru never knew she was there, he would have no reason to approach the camp; Goro would take her away along with his troops and the threat of battle would end. While she would miss the company of the silver haired lord, Kagome was not so selfish as to put Sesshomaru's life at risk for her sake. Having already lost Inuyasha, Kagome couldn't bear to relive the nightmare of a loved one lost because of her. With this resolution, Sesshomaru would be safe and truthfully, that was all that mattered.
