A/N: Ahhhhh, to ALL of my readers, thank you so much for nominating The Battle of Heart and Land for Best Dark/Horror fic in the 1st Quarter 2012 Dokuga Awards :3 You guys are simply amazing and I just wanted to thank you all for following me up to this point!
Also, I have had several 'complaints' about how angst-y and drama-y so I will warn you now…it is going to get MORE angst-y and drama-y because this is the beginning of the end of my story. So, bear with me. :3 Thanks everyone!
-MissKatt
DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!
The Battle of Heart and Land
By MissKatt
Chapter Thirty-Six: Shift of Power
"Why did something like this have to happen?" The miko-youkai sobbed, her shoulders shaking as she tried to force air into her lungs.
"I do not know, Kagome-sama," Taku put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away from him so that they were facing each other. "But, you cannot show weakness during this time. Now it is ever so crucial that you show just how strong we all know you are."
She blinked the tears from her sapphire eyes and pushed her raven hair from her face. She took in a shaky breath and nodded. "I know. I'm sorry, Taku-san. I'm sorry for being weak."
"It is not that you are weak, for you are not. This is something tragic and we all fear the outcome. You have every right to cry, but do it in the comfort of your solitude; wait until you are alone where no one can see you. Whatever you do, Kagome-sama, do not crumble under the pressure and do not break in front of anyone. It could be the determining factor in your ruling." He said, frowning.
She nodded numbly and ran the back of her hand across her cheeks, drying the wet trails along her cheeks. "I know."
Kagome sighed as she replayed Taku's advice as she walked along the corridor of the second floor. Of course, the general was right. She knew it well, but it was so much easier said than done. She felt like crawling into a small corner and crying or screaming out to the Kami about how mean they were.
But she wasn't a child.
Not anymore.
Tears solved nothing, actions did. She would gather everything bit of emotion she was feeling and stuff it into some invisible box deep within her heart. She was the Lady of the West and it was time to get serious about it. She would not let Sakura win just because of Masaru. She would not give up without a fight.
As she reached the corner of the hallway, she paused. She was heading towards Sesshoumaru's-their room. Was that the right thing to do? She shook her head and made her legs keep walking towards his room. This was not his fault. Well, it was, but not at the same time. She couldn't blame him for his past…'activities'. She had spent the past two months sleeping in his bed, she wouldn't change that now. He was still her mate and she still loved him, even if she hadn't told him so yet.
She reached his door, took a deep breath, and slowly slid it open. As it hit the wall with a soft 'thump', she stepped in and let her eyes fall straight on her mate. He was sitting on his bed, scroll in hand, a candle lit on the floor next to his cot. She gave him a weak smile and slid the door shut behind her.
He had been waiting for her, hoping she would come back to his chamber. The scroll in his hand, an important document sent from the South, demanded his attention and yet he could not focus on it. His honey orbs had scanned each symbol of kanji on the parchment three times and yet he still had no idea what the scroll contained. His mind had been too focused on his mate and her absence. He knew she was upset, but he hoped she would understand. So, when she approached his shoji door and her wild flower scent reached his nose, his heart fluttered.
Sesshoumaru watched as she walked in and smiled at him before offering her a small smile in return. He rolled his scroll up and set it down in his lap as she walked over to his cot and crawled onto it, making her way over to him. He moved his arm so she could nuzzle up to him and he marveled at how perfectly she fit into the grove of his side.
She rested her cheek on his shoulder and smiled once more when he draped his arm around her. "What are you reading?" She asked softly, her tone barely above a whisper.
"It is a proposition sent from the South." He replied, using his free hand to lift the scroll from his lap.
"Proposition for what?" She asked, shifting so she could offer her hand out for it. After all, she was to give her advice for anything that may create a new treaty or trade route.
He paused and looked down at the scroll before shaking his head. "I have not read it yet." As she reached for it, he moved it out of her reach and set it on the floor. "Let us not dwindle on work at this time."
She blinked and then offered him a happy smile. Always thinking about her and her well-being, wasn't he? She rested her head back on his shoulder and placed her soft hand upon his much larger one. "We will get through this, my Mate." She cooed, lacing their fingers.
He 'hn'ed his agreement and nuzzled her soft hair. "Your ability to understand and forgive others is the trait that drew my attention to you the most."
She giggled. "And here I thought it was my hard-headedness that you were so fond of." She teased.
He quirked a humorous brow at her. "Perhaps that had a factor."
She laughed again and sighed contently as she gazed down at their entwined fingers. "But Sesshoumaru, really, there is nothing to forgive. I can't blame you for what occurred in the past."
He placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Yes, but that does not mean my past has not upset you."
She shrugged. "I overreacted." Technically she did. Running off and crying like a child. Tsk, she should know better.
"No, it is justified. They are your lands and you have come to love them. No one wishes to see them taken from you." His tone was gentle, despite the nervousness he felt as the gravity of the situation fell upon him.
She tightened the grip she had on his hand. "I don't either, but I won't be weak." She breathed, raising her head to look at him, her blue eyes staring into his amber ones.
He untwined their fingers and cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the magenta stripe. "I know you will not. You are too strong for that." He replied, placing a kiss on her forehead.
'I will be stronger tomorrow. Tomorrow will be better. It has to be.' She thought, but she could only hope as she began to drift off in her mate's arms.
*~~~BHL~~~*
'Tomorrow' was not much better, nor the day after that. Kagome had decided it as she sat in the Council room, seated to the left of Sesshoumaru. Yesterday and the day before had been a series of awkward events. The Elders' had demanded that Sakura and Masaru be part of pack 'meetings'. That was the only way Kagome could think of how to put it. Every get-together that had previously been just her and Sesshoumaru was now her, Sesshoumaru, Sakura, and Masaru.
For example, breakfast was usually served to them in Sesshoumaru's chambers when they roused, but now they had to eat it in the Throne room so that the two were included in 'pack time'. Kagome kept a smile on her face though, despite the glares from the mother and child, because she still had her alone time with him every night in his quarters. She knew it bothered Sakura and knew she complained to the Elders' about it, but it was the one thing Sesshoumaru absolutely demanded not to be changed, saying it was her right as his mate.
She kept that in mind even when the Elders' started demanding that Sesshoumaru spend quality time with his son to sharpen his skills and smooth out the rough edges the pup still had. That meant that Kagome would have to take care of the political work, not that she minded. But, that changed when the Elders' said that Sakura would be working with her and helping her make any decisions. It was just another reason for the woman to push her. Kagome remembered the scene with narrowed eyes.
"This is a perfect opportunity! What are you talking about?" The miko asked, pushing the scroll closer to Sakura as she hovered over her desk.
"It seems useless." The inuyoukai replied, turning her nose up as she looked away from the paper.
Her mouth fell open at the woman's ignorance. "We have some of the finest silk due to the high population of silk larva here in the West. Many of the other lands wish to trade with us and so we are constantly getting offers. Usually the offers are too insubstantial, but a bargain like this just can't be over looked!"
The youkai scoffed. "And why should we give away our precious silk cloth?"
Kagome resisted the urge to shock the woman into her senses. "Because this offer will supply us with enough rice and grain to last us through the next winter."
"But we have only just touched the spring so this should not be of any use now. It seems like a waste of silk that could be made for my kimono for my Bonding Ceremony with Sesshoumaru-sama!" Sakura replied, looking at her claws with a smirk on her lips.
She felt the familiar pulse in her veins as the youki and reiki reacted with her anger. No, Sakura wouldn't win by upsetting her. Soothing it down with a few deep breaths, she continued on with her argument. "The West and South harvest during spring and summer. This means that by the time the supplies start dwindling down in the fall, we will both be adequately stocked for when the snow comes."
Before the inuyoukai could reply, she saw the miko scribbling her signature on the parchment. "Hey! It's my job to sign that!"
Kagome ignored her momentarily as she began to roll up the scroll. "I don't think so, Sakura. I am still the Lady of the West. Don't forget that."
The youkai snorted a laugh. "For now."
Today was the fateful day; the Elders' had just released their decision of the issue at hand. She couldn't believe that Sakura had been right.
"Ah! I am so happy! We can finally be mated now, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Sakura beamed at him from his right, Masaru on the other side of her just as cheerful.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his amber eyes at the Elders. "This is preposterous. My father Touga, the Inu no Taisho, gave my mother the right to decide my mate. She has been chosen and has already received my Mark. You are going against him by deciding this."
"Alas, Sesshoumaru-sama, we do it with regret. However, we must think of what is best for the future of the lands." The main Elder replied, folding his arms into his black sleeves.
"With Masaru as the heir, you mean," Kagome spoke up, her voice calm, but her hands gripping her cream hakama. "Because he is full blooded and I can only produce a hanyou."
The Elders' glanced at each other before releasing an exasperated sigh. "Our apologies, Miko-san, we-"
"She still bares my mark therefore you will still address her as a Lady." The Western lord growled, eyes smoldering with loathing.
"Ah, of course, Sesshoumaru-sama. As I was saying, our apologies, Miko-sama, but we cannot overlook the promising aspects of a full blooded, inuyoukai heir." He replied, his tone dripping with venom.
"I see," Kagome replied, her brow furrowing. "Where exactly does that put me?"
The lady Elder cleared her voice before speaking. "Ah, Kagome-sama, unfortunately we will have to break your bond with Sesshoumaru-sama."
The miko couldn't help but notice the dejected tone in the lady's voice. She snapped her head up, her blue eyes wide as she looked at each of the three. "Can't that kill me?"
"As if it matters. The Mark is to be mine. The consequences are just that: consequences. You are just a human. You should not have received the Mark in the first place. It was rightfully mine from the beginning!" Sakura sneered.
"Sakura," Sesshoumaru spoke up, his tone dangerous. "You will not speak to my mate in such a way."
"She is not your mate! I am!" She growled in response, her hands clenching into fists. "I do not know why you insist on protecting that wench."
He bared his fangs at her and snarled loudly, the threat bouncing off the stone walls of the Council room. When the inuyoukai female submitted to him, he responded. "She is still my mate. You are my intended. Until it is finalized, you will treat her with respect."
His mate smiled happily at his words. "Sesshoumaru…" She said softly, butterflies swimming about in her tummy. Kami, he knew how to melt her heart.
"Anyways," The main Elder interrupted. "No longer will it be appropriate for you to sleep in the Lord's bed chambers. You will no longer have any duties as the Lady of the West. You are free to leave the lands."
Kagome released a gasp, but the Lady elder stepped in. "But, you do not have to. I hereby appoint you as Sesshoumaru's personal servant." She smiled secretly when she saw a wave of relief wash over the miko.
Sakura turned her narrowed amber eyes on the Elder. "I will not allow that! He is my intended! A-and, as Lady of the West I decline such an action!"
The lady narrowed her own eyes at the hime of the North. "You do not get to refuse anything that we decide. If anyone could say anything, it is Sesshoumaru-sama."
As Sakura huffed, Kagome bowed low to the floor. "Thank you, Elder-sama," She truly was thankful that she would still be able to be by her mate's side. Still, her stomach was in knots that she had lost her lands and would soon lose Sesshoumaru too. Was there anything she could do to change such a fate?
"You are welcome, Miko-sama. It is the least I could do." The woman replied, her voice soft with care. She pitied the miko, really. She knew the two loved each other, despite the differences in their races. This human had gained and sustained Sesshoumaru's youki as well as her own reiki. She was a remarkable being.
"But, as a servant, Sakura-sama will still have the rights to order the miko around during the daytime." The main Elder added.
The third Elder finally spoke up, looking at the leader. "That hardly seems fair."
"It is the compromise. If Sakura-sama does not have some control over the miko, then no one will respect her as the Lady of the West." The leader replied, glaring at the third.
Not wanting to lose her privilege, Kagome spoke up hastily, her heart beating quickly. "I accept those terms." She did not care if she had to listen to Sakura as long as she could still be with Sesshoumaru.
"Then it is done." The main Elder said and waved his hand to dismiss them.
"But of course, Elder-sama. Have a good evening." Sakura chimed happily and rose to her feet. She went to loop arms with Sesshoumaru, but he swiped it away from her as they exited. She pouted and turned on her heel, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she left, Masaru running after her.
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru and through the bond she felt his feelings reflecting her own: loathing and disappointment. She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Tell me we will get through this."
He didn't miss the underlying question. She wanted to know she would survive the breaking of the bond. "We will." He replied, and folded his arms around her. He would not let her die due to his own Mark. She would survive. She had to.
*~~~BHL~~~*
Sakura strolled into her temporary guest room with a wide smile on her face. She walked over to her bed and flopped down on it, releasing a sigh of triumph. "Finally, Masaru-chan! This is our victory!"
"Do not call me that," He hissed at her with narrowed eyes. "Do not forget our relationship when it is just us."
She sat up on the bed and looked at the boy with a bored expression. Her eyes watched as a red tendril of smoke began to swirl around his body, his skin rippling as it changed. Slowly, the figure began to stretch, growing taller. His shape contorted and changed into a slender shape, a waist cutting in to form wide hips. His short white hair grew to the middle of his back and changed into a shade of crimson red, her eyes fading to a matching color.
"Really, Shamrai, you are too business oriented." Sakura commented, resting back on her elbows. "Do you not want to bask in our success?"
"Of course. But I do not wish to be involved with any inuyoukai more than I have to be. It is sickening enough that I have to impersonate one." She replied, sitting down at the small table to pour herself a cup of tea. At least the dogs had enough hospitality to provide tea.
She rolled her eyes. "You approached me, remember? Do not act like I twisted your arm into doing this. You wanted revenge on the miko."
Her blood red eyes narrowed at the reminder of her lover's fate. How cruel, to be slain by a human; a miko nonetheless. "You wanted revenge on the miko too, did you not? For taking away your love?"
Her hands balled into fists. "It seems we are both scheming for our loves, no?" She asked, her tone soft.
"Indeed. At least we have something in common." She brought the cup to her lips, sipped on the tea, and put it back down. She gazed into the liquid and at her reflection. Her brows furrowed when she pictured Juto's face. "We cannot fail."
The new Western lady scoffed. "We will not. I have the throne and will soon have his bond mark. There is no way we could lose."
Shamrai shook her head. "The Kami have a way of ruining plans."
"They will not. We are seeking revenge and we will get what we deserve." Sakura sneered, getting up from the bed and sitting across from the shape shifting demon.
The youkai raised her eyes from her cup and settled them on the inuyoukai. "You may never know."
She poured herself a cup of tea and met Shamrai's eyes. "We will not fail. We will conquer," She began and lifted her cup, stretching it towards the other. "To our impending victory."
She studied the inuyoukai carefully. After seeing no deceit or fakeness, she deemed the female alright. With amused crimson eyes, she clanked her glass. "Indeed."
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up! T^T Epic fail. Anyways, seeeeeee? I' m not too horrible! ;)
-MissKatt
Edited on 12/5/15