Pre Chappie Warning: Kag's dream is gonna be a rough road right before the happy ending. Don't read if a rape attempt is not your cup of tea.
Dream
It had only been an hour since Kagome swallowed his latest potion, and all seemed to be going as he planned. She looked so peaceful when it all began to now making small whimpers in her sleep. Sesshoumaru knew whatever dream she would be having this night could not possibly start out pleasant since she'd possibly be meeting an intimidating Sesshoumaru all over again.
"You'll be fine," Sesshoumaru said pulling a blanket over the two of them to keep her nice and warm, "I am here."
Sesshoumaru had no intention of leaving Kagome's side. His newest potion was mostly made of the previous she'd taken before, which gave her no side effects, so he was convinced she would be fine. Just in case, however, he couldn't leave her. As fun as it was to have his wife completely vulnerable to him he wasn't foolish enough to leave her unguarded. Not when Naraku wanted her dead just for the fun of it and Kaguya would be looking to mark her or take her from him. He couldn't leave her alone for a minute even if it was taxing to think on the threats that wanted a piece of her.
"Dream," Sesshoumaru whispered to her softly placing a kiss on her forehead, "even if it isn't as I imagined at least one of us will get a break from these deplorable demons for once."
Kagome was terrified, but still had to take a minute to remember why she was scared in the first place. Her hands traveled down her pink layered dress and then to the golden tiara on her head. That was right, she remembered now. Today was the day she was to become Queen.
It had been only a week since her fifteenth birthday, that horrible day when her father, the King, had suffered a heart attack and left this world. She was his only child, so it was up to her to become Queen and lead her people into a promising tomorrow. She was going to make her selfless desire known to all her subjects, but things changed when her castle came under attack. Demons were coming to destroy her kingdom. The Higurashi legacy was going to be destroyed before she even got a chance to help anybody.
Before the attack began she sent her mother away and left herself with only a couple of guards wishing for the others to evacuate as many servants as possible before leaving the grounds all together. There was no way the castle could be defended against such a powerful demon without her father's leadership.
"Takemaru," Kagome spoke to a determined man with his katana at the ready, "if they come please try to flee. Do not die for a lost cause."
"My Queen," Takemaru's voice remained stern, "I will protect you no matter what even if it means killing you before that dog can touch you. You are too pure to be used by a demon. They are all despicable."
Takemaru loved her enough to kill her? That was right. When her father was alive he had full intentions of one day siring a son to inherit the throne, so she had been betrothed to Takemaru as payment for for his loyal service. How could he still love her though? When she learned she was become Queen she had decided to use her power to break the arrangement. He probably thought it was because she didn't want him as a husband, but the truth was she'd been cursed by another demon. One known as Naraku that said she'd never fall in love with a human man. She cared about Takemaru and her other male suitors too much to join them in a loveless marriage.
Kagome was about to make another plea for him to leave her, but it was too late. All she could see was the color green and hear the hiss of miasma burning brick as some creature had burst into the room. Takemaru prepared to fight the demon off, but let out a scream as his arm was removed from his body.
"Worthless defenses," the demon had said in the most condescending of tones as he let Takemaru suffer for a little bit before removing his head in a way that shocked and terrified the Queen further before violently killing off the other guard.
Kagome fell to the ground tears streaming down her face. She wasn't even going to try and run. If her kingdom and those who stood by her side were to perish she would do the same. She would leave this world with her only regret being she'd been unable to remove the curse that tainted her heart.
She kept her tear filled eyes to the ground not even giving her would be attacker a glance, but somehow she knew what he looked like. Long silver hair, golden dangerous eyes, and spiked armor on one side with some kind of furry boa on the other showing his status as a well bred youkai. This would be Sesshoumaru, the son of the great dog demon general of the West, that was on a supreme conquest to take over all human and demon territories alike. He could finish her off on seconds, but seemed to be hesitating.
"Queen Kagome of Avalon," Sesshoumaru said her title as his gaze bore down on her, "your castle is now mine."
"Take it," Kagome said with a voice full of sorrow, "take the grounds, the lands, and my life if it pleases you Lord Sesshoumaru, but please don't kill my people. They deserve better than to die simply because they are weak humans. They deserve better than to fall to destruction on account of my weakness."
"Your people believed in you," Sesshoumaru's wasn't going to drop his smug attitude on account of her tears, "and this is how you honor them? Crying like a child? You failed them, but still a symbol is still a symbol whether it be false or not."
Why was she still alive? Why was he, a powerful youkai Lord taking the time to humiliate a lowly human like her?
Sesshoumaru was growing annoyed that she was keeping her eyes to the ground and not paying him or his status the proper respect. To punish her he grabbed her by the wrist and lifted her up before pushing her against a wall to meet her gaze.
"You are correct," he told her forcing her to look into his eyes, "your life is mine now Kagome. You are mine. How does that human song go? Kagome Kagome poor little bird in a bamboo cage?"
"Please don't sing that," Kagome requested quietly finally meeting his gaze with tears still falling.
"Do I seem like the kind of demon that would sing to a pathetic wench such as yourself?" Sesshoumaru growled allowing her to feel the rumble in his chest, "your cage is now the castle that was once yours. Father wishes to spare the humans and subjugate them to our rule. In order to do that I must give those weaker beings something to look forward to. You will remain their Queen Kagome, but by title only. You will become my wife making my rule over your lands legally binding. You will bear my children and live your life locked in your cage until I'm ready to bring you out."
For some reason that prospect seemed even more dangerous to her than simply being killed by him.
"Someone like you marrying a human woman?" Kagome's eyes were now full of disbelief as she gasped, "you would never sink yourself that low would you? Having half-breed children and a human wife in your new castle."
The next thing she felt was stinging pain as Sesshoumaru struck her across the face. Something about that felt wrong. Felt out of place. Felt worse to her than simply being killed by him.
Sesshoumaru released her to the ground allowing her to resume the position of being paralyzed with fear.
"Do not flatter yourself with the belief I'll ever care for you," Sesshoumaru told her coldly turning his back on her, "it will simple be a marriage of convenience. The title of wife means nothing to me. I'd never take a human as a mate. No you will sit in your cage with my half-breed children while I continue to grow my legacy with a demon mate. You will remain here until you die. Our eldest son will inherit this castle and run it in my place as I continue to establish my rule over human lands. If father can entrust certain territories to my half-breed brother than there is no reason I cannot do the same."
"Then find your demon mate and give the castle to a true heir," Kagome's eyes showed him her rage, "I will not be your slave."
"You will," Sesshoumaru said leaving the room allowing his demon imp-like subjects to gather her up and lock her in her bedroom, "I do expect this relationship to have any mutual benefit but yet I have learned you have no choice in the matter. You will never love a human male is what I've been informed from gathered intelligence. If you must be in a loveless marriage you might as well be in one where you can provide heirs to the greatest empire ever established."
"Like an ant," Kagome said recalling what she knew about the small insect that plagued her castle every summer looking for crumbs, "I'll be locked away forced to breed to grow your colony."
"It seems you understand," Sesshoumaru stopped impressed with her imagination, "the sooner you accept your place Kagome the easier it will be for you. Simply be my Queen by my side in front of the humans and birth my children, and perhaps I'll let your people see you healthy and happy to inspire hope within them. Displease me and I will bury you so far within your own castle and torment your people to the suffering you fear so much. These are the rules of our arrangement. Tomorrow we will be wed and you will be bred."
That rhymed. Kagome almost found humor in that small fact as though she were simply an observer and this wasn't real, but as she was dragged away and locked in her own bedroom like a prisoner it dawned on her that she'd been forced into a terrible position. This demon was keeping all of her people hostage as he took her lands, her family's lands held for generations, for himself. This had the most hopeless situation she'd ever been in.
Outside of Kagome's dream, however, Avalon was no kingdom but a simple town. Kikyo was trying to see past that as she wandered the streets wearing her leather jacket over her pajamas hoping she wouldn't run into anyone. Naraku had kicked her out of his place, and after being almost strangled to death by him she wasn't going to spend another minute in that place even if he was the clue to her lost memories.
There was a bunch of things she could be doing right now. Reporting Naraku for not only assault, which would force more qualified investigators to look into the Divine Order and remove all the women that were being abused, but reveal him as a demon in disguise that needed to be deported or imprisoned.
"I'm sorry Mei-Lin," Kikyo said stopping on a bridge for a moment and looking down at the clear river that ran through half of Avalon, "but you need to wait a little bit longer before I can avenge you."
Right now Kikyo needed to worry about herself and try to remember who she really was. Naraku had said she was an incarnation of the demon known as Kaguya, Rin's real mother. No she was more than that. She was Kaguya's heart. All the good qualities of the creature Naraku seemed to fear had been pushed out resulting in her very existence.
Kikyo needed to learn more, but if Naraku was going to distance himself from her that would make things difficult. She would have to piece together the truth on her own hoping for more things to trigger her memory. Had she really only existed for only five years? Was she created for the sole purpose of hiding Kaguya's heart and facilitating the adoption of Rin? Why did it have to be Kagome? As someone who was entrusted to uphold a child's best interest why would Kikyo allow the orphan Rin to be raised by a girl so young that had no education, barely any money, and no support system? It must've been her purpose as an incarnation to her creator.
No. She was remembering something. That hadn't been her only purpose. The last five years hadn't been her whole existence. There was something else she had done once before. As she looked down to the river banks she could recall something from a long forgotten past. There had once been a tree down by the river.
"A man?" Kikyo questioned seeing some sort of creature with long stringy black hair pinned to a tree by an arrow, "I see. Someone has sealed you here. For what purpose?"
Kikyo placed her hand on the arrow simply to touch it. It was obviously some sort of seal, so why was she able to touch the arrow? Wouldn't the miko that had done this put a barrier around it to prevent this creature from getting free?
Upon touching it the man's eyes began to slowly to open revealing he was no human as she was met with scarlet eyes. The creature was waking up after a long sleep so his red eyes seemed to show peace for only a moment before he narrowed his gaze.
"A miko?" he questioned noticing her garb of red and white, "you are not Midoriko."
"Midoriko?" Kikyo questioned looking again at the arrow, "that is who did this? You must have been sealed a while back then I take it."
The hatred in the man's eyes intensified as he recalled how he had gotten into this situation in the first place. He didn't seem to care about who this woman was or why she could touch Midoriko's arrow. Her scent proved she wasn't Midoriko so he had no interest in her.
"If you can touch it then remove it," Naraku hissed at her, "remove it so I can find her. Do not interfere with a demon's revenge miko."
"You do not give me orders demon," Kikyo's voice was equally cold as she showed this creature no fear, "if it was Midoriko that sealed you to this tree then I can only assume it was for good reason. This village has enough problems with demons as it is, and doesn't need another vile creature disrupting it."
"You assume I care about some small village?" Naraku's rage didn't leave his voice, "I did nothing to deserve this fate."
He seemed to get lost in his own thoughts recalling how this had happened to him. No he didn't do anything. He simply came to the outskirts of the village to meet with Midoriko. That had been all he was doing give or take the usual battle of turmoil within himself against his demons as he tried to behave himself. He had been making great progress in gaining control over himself, but still Midoriko felt the need to seal him to that tree.
"As though I would believe the words of a demon," Kikyo reached for her own arrow incase this was some sort of trap.
"Only person I'm interested in killing is Midoriko," Naraku continued, "and if you knew anything about her you would know I am no threat to you. She always used her light to subdue my powers and since being in her company I have not absorbed any other demons. If you are a true miko look into my demonic energy. All you will find is the eyes I've inherited from my mother. I am no more powerful than any other human man you've come across."
Kikyo took a moment to try and sense demonic energy and could barely find any. Just a small trace within him that seemed locked away by the light of another miko. She was tempted to pull out that arrow. Not out of any rational decision she could come to, but simply because something in her mind was telling her she needed to be the one to do it.
"If you knew anything about Midoriko you would know your revenge will go unsatisfied," Kikyo told him keeping her eyes locked onto all of his movements, "I've heard the famous miko was slain by a strong demon almost fifty years ago."
"Midoriko is dead?" Naraku's tone almost sounded like a mournful one, "brought down by a demon? I do not believe you. Allow me to see for myself. If it is true that I've been sealed here for fifty years or so have I not served my time for a crime I never committed? I am no threat to you miko. Release me."
"You believe I should trust you since you are no more than a mere man in that form?" Kikyo asked getting closer to him, "men aren't exactly free from sin either."
"What is it you want from me miko?" Naraku was getting irritated that she wouldn't simply obey him, "must I go to your village and till you fields and rustle your cattle for you to prove I am no danger to you and your people? I, Naraku, owe you nothing if you cannot understand why you should do this. I am a creature that was unfairly punished and wishes to be free. I appeal to your sense duty as a miko."
Kikyo was ready to turn her back on this Naraku tired of his condescending attitude, but it seemed she didn't have a choice in this matter. Something in her head was telling her she needed to pull that arrow from him. That it was her purpose to free him.
She released a sigh as she grasped the arrow and used the strength of both hands to pull it from both his flesh and the tree. Naraku fell to the ground obviously in a weakened state as he would have to find a way to recover from his wound. It seemed he'd have to resort to his old ways of absorbing demons into his body to grow his demonic energy so he could heal and begin his search for Midoriko. If this girl was telling the truth and Midoriko was dead perhaps he could find an outlet for his revenge in another form. Perhaps the famous miko's soul had been reincarnated into someone could pay for her crimes.
"There you are free," Kikyo told him examining the arrow.
Small traces within Naraku weren't the only demonic presence that she could sense. No there was something about that arrow. That arrow had powers that a miko wouldn't have used. Had that been why she was allowed to touch it? Before she could ask Naraku about it he was already bringing himself to his feet ready to go somewhere.
"So I am," he grimaced moving slowly hand over his wound, "you have nothing to fear from me as promised. I will be on my way."
"Naraku?" she should have asked him about the arrow but had another question instead, "did you dream?"
"What kind of stupid question is that woman?" he was still on the move.
"I am still in training to become a full fledged Priestess," she told him, "one day I might have to use a spell similar to the one that bound you. I am just curious is all."
The truth was she'd been curious about dreams a lot lately. She'd heard of them. Places that weren't real that people visited in their sleep, but she couldn't recall ever dreaming herself. Under such a spell she wondered if it were possible.
"I dreamt," Naraku answered her coldly, "dreamt of the fires of hell and how no matter what path I take in this life I am doomed to fall there. I am the child of a spider demon. It is in my nature to be cruel and despicable. That woman was a fool to try and change me."
Kikyo had pity for him. It seemed that at one time he had been a creature that tried to change his ways only to get betrayed in some manner. That had to have been what happened. Someone did something to hurt him, and it had been that person that shot that very familiar arrow.
"Wait," Kikyo easily caught up with him and pulled a bag off of her shoulder revealing some sort of white cloak, "take this."
Naraku turned to examine this gift he was being given. It was a pelt of some sorts. A white baboon pelt with the poor creature's face still on it.
"Why do I require monkey fur?"
"It is the pelt of the first demon I ever killed," Kikyo told him quietly, "wearing it might hide your scent from predators as well as hide your face from distrustful humans. I doubt you wanna be showing that wound off to someone that could take advantage."
Naraku was hesitant but accepted her kindness as he took the baboon pelt from her. He'd thought about simply going back on his word and killing her and her whole village once he absorbed a demon or two as punishment for her taking so long to release him, but she was giving him an advantage. The least he could do would be to forget all about her and move on with his life. That would be the last act of kindness he planned on showing anyone with this newfound freedom.
"Thank you miko," he said pulling the cloak around him and averting his eyes from the woman's beauty, "what is your name?"
Kikyo wasn't going to be stupid enough to give him her name. He'd probably track her down again and kill her if he was truly a man that believed he couldn't be redeemed. She had to think of a fake name and quick.
"Kagura," she told him, "that is all I wish to tell you."
"Kagura," he mused as he continued on, "only one letter off from that Celestial bitch? I'll keep that in mind."
Only one letter off from that Celestial bitch? Did he mean Kaguya? Kaguya. How did Kikyo know that name? Once Naraku was gone and Kikyo was left asking herself one too many questions about Kaguya and the arrow she pulled from the tree she started detecting a demonic presence. There were white eel like creatures that began to float around her that began to remind her more of insects the closer they got.
"Soul collectors?" Kikyo questioned recalling what these creatures were as she began to feel her spiritual powers being drained from her.
By the time the creatures got close enough to her she had no energy to fight them as they began to wrap around her body and take her into the air to their puppet master. She was to be returned to Kaguya to be reabsorbed into her body now that her purpose had been served.
Kikyo's eyes widened as she speculated about the recovered memory. So it was true. She was simply a part of Kaguya that was removed and reabsorbed whenever that creature wished to use her. It was only Kaguya's good nature, that had been cast away, that allowed Kikyo to have a free will of her own. How much longer would she be left to walk this earth free to ask so many questions before those soul collectors came for her again?
So many questions indeed, and most of them had been risen from Naraku. Why was she human? If Kaguya was a full demon such a thing shouldn't have been possible, as Kikyo couldn't sense any demonic energy within herself. Why did she have Midoriko's light? She wasn't that that miko's reincarnation or relative so it made no sense.
There was only one answer Kikyo had been able to discover during this whole walk of self reflection, and that had been why she was able to pull that arrow from Naraku all those years ago. She had been able to pull it because she was part of Kaguya, and it had been Kaguya that sealed him to that tree and not Midoriko.
Kikyo took one more look at the moon narrowing her eyes at it.
"Do you think I care Kaguya?" Kikyo asked it, "no one is afraid of you. I will not return to a body so full of jealousy and greed. Leave me in peace. I will check on Rin. Your very own child that you wish to forsake to play your games."
Kikyo was not Kaguya. She refused to linger on too many memories that were not her own no matter how helpful they were. The sacred jewel? Kikyo was on the verge of remembering it all. Kaguya wished to create a sacred jewel that had enough power to grant her a wish. A wish that wouldn't be possible since it was going to be created using Kagome's, or in this case, Midoriko's very soul. The thing Kaguya was hoping to obtain would be nothing more than a dream.
With that statement out of the way the lawyer that had once posed as a miko in the feudal era continued on her way to Sesshoumaru's house. She didn't care who she would find there. Even seeing InuYasha wouldn't be so bad. She held no love for him, but didn't hate him either. She needed to check on Rin's welfare and let everyone know she was okay.
Sesshoumaru, however, would have to rely on InuYasha to watch Rin that morning. Kagome had already been asleep for six hours at this point, so there would only be at least two more to go before she could wake up peacefully. He had hoped the girl found some amusement with her usual morning routine of harassing his brother so she didn't find her mother in this state for Kagome looked quite disturbed.
Sesshoumaru was enjoying his time simply having Kagome lay next to him, but he was often distracted from taking in her scent by the whimpers she would make. With his essence mixed into the potion she'd be guaranteed to dream of only him. That didn't insure, however, that her dream wouldn't become a nightmare.
"Remember Kagome," Sesshoumaru told her with his eyes softened as he moved locks of her hair away from her face, "it is only a dream. It's your world. You can do whatever you want."
The goal was for her to enjoy Sesshoumaru's presence and body in a dream world so she'd be more comfortable doing it in real life. That way when it finally came time to claim her maidenhood she could simply enjoy it without being confused by her inexperienced body. That had been his goal in this. He was many things, but a teacher in how to enjoy carnal pleasure was not one of them.
How could he, someone that used prostitutes and been taken advantage of by a Succubi teach her anything? All he could do now, until she woke up, was keep her comfortable and take in her scent to calm himself and distract from the shame his past mistakes was bestowing upon him.
Disgusted. That was how Kagome felt. She didn't even attempt to pretend to be Sesshoumaru's willing bride during their wedding. Those imp servants of his pretty much had to force her wedding dress on her and even hit her for trying to suggest she come to the ceremony wearing anything else than what he wanted her to wear.
When it became clear to Sesshoumaru that his little bird wasn't playing the game correctly he made it known to all humans that were around that she was nothing more than his property. Nothing more than the bearer of his future children that would rule her lands with an iron fist if his unruly wife couldn't behave herself. That had been the kind of things he said before giving her a cruel kiss where he'd bitten her lip to show dominance over her.
She knew tonight would not be a nice night for her. The next step in solidifying her marriage to Sesshoumaru would be to consummate it, and she had no doubt he would be cruel about it. One of the handmaid's that had been assigned to her had tried to give her some advice before she was locked in her father's bedroom, which of course, now belonged to Sesshoumaru. Janis, that had been the name of Sesshoumaru's slave, had tried to tell her to keep an open mind so she could maybe find love in such an arrangement. An open mind? As though she'd ever find something in that cold hearted creature she could ever love.
It wasn't long before Sesshoumaru finally joined her in the bedroom, but she had no intentions of going near that bed. She wasn't going to be 'mated' in her father's bed by a demon she despised. She didn't want to be used for his own benefit. She'd rather be dead.
"Kagome," Sesshoumaru said her name with a tone of hatred as he began to remove his kimono, "remove your dress."
The way he said her name. She'd heard him say her name before with a nature of strictness, but never in a way that was so cruel and hateful. It was another one of those little things that just felt so out of place.
"No," Kagome hissed at him turning her back on him and facing the wall, "just leave me alone. Kill me if you must."
"I could," Sesshoumaru mused to himself removing everything from his body before walking behind her, "simply kill you and get a human slave that looks similar to pose as you. I would complete my task, but that isn't satisfying enough. I believe you compared yourself to an ant when we first met? That is quite fitting as I see humans as nothing more than a lowly insect I can crush without a second thought. However, I have a weakness for tradition. You are a Queen after all. It would be a waste to spill regal blood when I could have it for myself."
"Ants aren't lowly creatures," Kagome huffed recalling something, "I don't like insects but they are still kind of fascinating. I mean the way they work together to create tunnels and feed their whole colony puts both humans and demons to shame."
"Interesting thought," was all Sesshoumaru said as he roughly pulled her body to him, "but you fail to distract me. This is your last chance Kagome. Remove your dress."
"No!" she told him trying not to be scared of him.
"Very well," he spoke coldly as he tore the garment in half along with her various corsets and undergarments in one swift motion allowing the fabric to fall to the floor around her, "you are mine. Your body is mine. You will not hide it from me."
Kagome began to cry again as her body was fully exposed to him in time against his completely naked body. Her tears and humiliation seemed to bring him some pleasure as she could feel something stiffen against her back. She tried to free herself from him, but he continued to hold her close and grind against her getting even more hard to prepare himself.
"Know your place," he ordered her as he threw her into his bed like a rag doll letting her see him and his lengthy member that he planned to plunge inside of her.
She'd only received little education on exactly what was to happen in a bed between a married couple. He was going to force himself inside of her and use her until he was satisfied, and if they were lucky she would honor him with a pregnancy. She was terrified was the very notion. She was going to be raped and no one would save her or pity her since the cruel act would be committed by the man she just married.
"Kagome," he stared down at her quite satisfied that he was about to have fun with her, "what an odd name to be given to a Princess let alone future Queen. Why were you given that name Kagome? What is the significance of it? Were you born for me? Born to be used and abused by your husband like a bird locked in a cage? Whatever the reason for it I will be paying homage to it tonight. For your punishment in acting so disrespectful this evening you'll be locked away in a cell whenever I'm not using you until you birth me a child. You are lower than a slave. You are nothing more than a prisoner."
Why was she named Kagome? That would be a topic to explore at a later date. It just felt so out of place for Sesshoumaru to be so concerned with the origin of her name. What did it matter to him?
"Don't touch me Sesshoumaru," she cried to him not wanting her body to be violated by this creature.
"Eventually you'll enjoy being used by me," he chuckled lowering himself into the bed on his knees before grabbing Kagome by the hips and dragging her body to his, "after I make you use to it. There is no shame in enjoying wanting to be on your husband's cock."
She could feel all of him hard and stiff rubbing against the flesh of her backside one final time before he attempted to guide himself to her core's entrance. She shuddered and cried at every poke she felt knowing he was close to entering her and defiling her. This was her destiny was it? To be used so horribly?
"Remember Kagome," Sesshoumaru chuckled as he was about to enter her with no plans on making the experience gentle, "it is only a dream. It's your world. You can do whatever you want."
"Just a dream?" his Queen asked herself.
"Silence," Sesshoumaru was getting annoyed and moved to strike her so he could enjoy her body in peace.
Kagome, however, was able to overpower Sesshoumaru as she released herself from his grip and caught his hand before he could strike her. Sesshoumaru wouldn't hit her. Not 'her' Sesshoumaru anyway. No matter what names she called him or stupid reckless thing she did he never hit her. This wasn't Sesshoumaru.
"I see," Kagome smiled to herself, "is this another test Sesshoumaru? Are you trying to scare me again? Making me believe you are some scary terrifying human hating demon so I can't get close to you. Well it isn't working."
"Woman," Sesshoumaru growled at him lowly, "you really wish for me to bloody my claws with your flesh? To slay your people for extra measure? Know your place and be my breeding bitch or you'll know-
"Just shut up already," Kagome said annoyed getting off the bed and crossing her arms.
This was a dream. It wasn't real. It was Kagome's own world inside of her head so she could do whatever she wanted including standing up to this cruel version of Sesshoumaru. Still she was a bit embarrassed to face him completely naked so she became adorned in a blue dress by simply imagining it.
"Sesshoumaru truth be told you are mine," Kagome smiled looking at the confused demon in the bed, "I'm the one that wanted you. That's why I let you get away with your bullshit like tying me up the way you did. I did like it though. It's not the act of being used and humiliated by you that I like. You know what it is that I like? Doing something that you enjoy because I chose to do it with you. I want to share these new experiences with you. I want to be with you Sesshoumaru. I'm the one doing the chasing not you."
"You do not chase this Sesshoumaru," he began to growl as his eyes turned red and claws began to glow green with miasma, "you belong to him. You are mine."
"Yeah yeah say what you want," Kagome gave a smile as she imagined his miasma turning into strawberry syrup and smirking as it became reality, "I just want to know what you're hiding. Why won't you let me touch you? Why won't you accept that I want you? You told Rin you weren't going to hide anymore, but why can't you give me the same promise? What is it you're afraid of Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru let out the most vicious snarl when he saw this woman's enchantments were taking away his demonic abilities. He couldn't even begin to understand what his body was producing. Something that smelled of strawberries and sugar.
"Women with power only seek to use men as pawns," Sesshoumaru admitted to her trying to ignore that his claws had just been transformed into foam, "you are no exception."
"I'd never use you," Kagome said as her eyes softened, "is that what you're trying to tell me. Someone hurt you didn't they?"
Inukimi obviously did a great deal of damage to her son, but there was something else. Kagome's eyes widened as she was no longer having any fun torturing this fake dream version of Sesshoumaru. It should have been obvious what had happened to him. His fear of Rin and the way he didn't like to be touched by him in such a familiar way. Rin wasn't some kind of mistake created by his own weakness. Kaguya did something to him. Something he was an unwilling participant in.
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome said softly, "I don't know what happened to you but I would never hurt you. I already told you how I felt didn't I? That I know you're not the creature you want me to believe you are. You're changing for me and Rin. You want to protect us. You're becoming more caring. I'd never betray or hurt someone like you. Never. You're safe with me."
"I don't want your safety," Sesshoumaru said looking away ashamed, "or your pity. You do not deserve a weak demon such as myself. I not only got used by a female of all things, but I have lied to you time and time again all for the sake of protecting my honor."
"I really don't care about your honor," Kagome told him going to sit beside him, "none of that matters to me. Is that what you think Sesshoumaru? That I think you're weak?"
"I let Naraku curse you. Let him lure this family into a trap. I couldn't protect Rin."
"Naraku should be my business. What he did to me has nothing to do with you, but you stood by my side anyway. You act like I haven't seen a demon Lord Sesshoumaru at his best? I don't know what the deal with that Bankotsu guy was exactly but I know you killed him twice now with little effort. You're powerful Sesshoumaru. Don't let Naraku's dumb little tricks and games fool you, because they don't fool me. We will work together right? You and me together?"
"I shouldn't need your help."
"Well too bad because you have it. You be the braun and I'll be the mother that isn't going to fall for Naraku's tricks anymore. The two of us together will be unstoppable. Just a little more time is all we need, alright? We'll figure something out and continue our silly marriage of convenience in peace."
"You should be afraid," Sesshoumaru's voice was turning scary for a moment, "you and I being together is no accident. You should have realized that by now. This whole relationship, as you call it, could be nothing more than a trap devised by demons with powers you can't even imagine."
"Duh," Kagome simply shrugged, "InuYasha already told me earlier about Kikyo arranging the adoption. You don't think I've come up with my own theories by now? Of course, you wouldn't know because you don't bother asking me. Stop doing things on your own Sesshoumaru. You stupid reckless jerk. I should be saving this speech for the real you but might as well practice while I'm here with you free of consequences. Together. That's the keyword here. You and I aren't alone anymore."
"I don't approve of my wife willingly walking into a trap. Trust your instincts Kagome, or are you the walking talking disaster I believe you to be? Is it destiny or fate that will result in me losing you?"
"I promise I'm not," she smiled locking her fingers with his glad to see he wasn't pulling away, "you know I think I was five or six when Naraku told me something about fate and destiny. He said only the weak utter such nonsense. The truly powerful create their so-called destiny with their own hands. We're not weak Sesshoumaru, so we'll shape our own tomorrow okay? We just need time and a good plan. Preferably not one that involves sword battles in our backyard, alright?"
"Advice from Naraku?" Sesshoumaru growled not willing to let go of her hand, "do not waste anymore words on such an insect. Kagome you are missing the point of this dream."
"I am?" she asked disappointed that he wasn't taking her words more to heart.
"Indeed. You and I are to be enjoying each other's bodies. Now lay down for me, and make this syrup banish from my sight! I don't care if you must lick every inch of our bed as strawberry syrup is not the substance I wish to produce this evening. It is not what I want to pump you full of."
Kagome cocked her head to the side. So this was all her mind could come up with when it came to Sesshoumaru being sexual towards her? Him either wanting to rape her or cover her with strawberry syrup? She really did need to get a better imagination if she were to enjoy her time with her husband.
"You still have to play outside," InuYasha told Rin now realizing it would be up to him to watch out for the child today as he made his rounds scoping out the territory in the backyard, "don't worry about Mr. Ears. He's gone now."
Rin followed behind InuYasha every step of the way. It wasn't usual for him to have to dress her and give her breakfast, so she was beginning to become worried something was wrong with Sesshoumaru and her mom. She was hoping Mr. Ears hadn't done something to them. Everytime she didn't want to obey Mr. Ears he always threatened to do something to her parents.
InuYasha, however, knew what was going on. He'd been keeping to himself ever since he got a whiff of those dreadful smells coming from Kagome's bedroom. Sesshoumaru and her were having another go at trying to mate. It disgusted him. One little confession and they thought they needed to move things that fast? Still, he hadn't smelled any evidence that they actually closed the deal. There must've just been a little foreplay that went wrong again. It wasn't his business, and unless he smelled blood and death coming from that room he wasn't going to bother them.
"I'm just worried is all," Rin told her uncle with a sigh trying to keep pace with him, "it's mommy's turn next."
"Also you need to stop acting all weird," InuYasha responded with a huff stopping to stare at her, "I get it you know? I was lonely when I was your age to and talked to my toys but I wouldn't have played any strange games or anything like that to upset my mother. You got her all confused and thinking you like Sesshoumaru more than her cause you won't say good night or even give her a kiss."
"I can't!" Rin seemed offended by his assumption, "and it is a game. First came Naraku, then Sesshoumaru, then me, and now it's her turn. If I kiss her she could get marked. That's what Mr. Ears said before his funeral."
"The hell did you just say?" InuYasha saw that it was time to be serious, "stop acting all goofy and tell me what's going on Rin. What do you know about Naraku? You know none of that is any of your business."
"His the man that killed me right?" Rin asked thinking it was indeed her business.
"What do you mean killed? You need to stop worrying about adult stuff and talking about death all the time. It's creeping everyone out. Now what is this game with Naraku, Sesshoumaru, you, and Kagome? What is this marking thing?"
Before InuYasha could press on the girl, who was getting frightened by his cold tone, he caught a familiar whiff. Kikyo? Kikyo was nearby. Before InuYasha could banish Rin back to her house he peered past the yard towards the front driveway where it seemed that Kikyo was walking towards them. She'd walked all the way here? What for? InuYasha was happy to see her, but he wasn't letting his guard down incase this was some kind of a trap.
"Rin stay here," InuYasha ordered before running forward to greet her, "Kikyo? Is that really you."
"Really me?" Kikyo didn't understand his meaning as she kept her cool composure despite how ridiculous she must've looked walking here in a pajamas, "yes it's me. I'm not anyone else."
"Kikyo," InuYasha took another whiff confirming it for himself as made a motion to embrace her, "I was so scared. I thought Naraku- he- well he-
Kikyo quickly moved out of the way finding no interest in wanting to be touched by this man. A part of her yearned for the comfort of someone, but the idea of InuYasha touching her repulsed her for some reason.
"Naraku is a demon," Kikyo said matter-of-factly, "that poses as a cult member and wishes to kill Kagome. I've already figured it all out."
"Kikyo," he whispered obviously hurt by the rejection.
Still his heart worried for her. She had some bruising around her neck as though someone had hurt her with the scent of Naraku all over. There was another scent he didn't find pleasing at all. Was Kikyo pregnant? How could that be? Who was she with? She hadn't been with Naraku that long had she?
"What happened to you?" he asked, "how did you get away from Naraku? Sesshoumaru was planning to come and get you out. Kagome and I were going to get you earlier but-
"Save it," she snapped at him not interested in his excuses, "I can handle myself InuYasha. I do not need anyone to rescue me. Naraku let me go. Apparently I am not a viable hostage anymore since no one inquired about me. I was pretty much kicked out."
InuYasha just couldn't wrap his head around what was going on. Did Kikyo really hate him that much? She honestly believed they weren't thinking about her? Why did she reject every piece of him including his concern?
"I doubt that insect just lets his prey walk free," InuYasha growled wanting to return the cold shoulder back to her in retaliation, "why are you here Kikyo?"
"I just want to know if Rin is okay," Kikyo told him now talking more softly, "that is all."
"You ain't getting near her until I know you're on the up and up, but yeah she's fine. Been up bothering me all morning long."
"And Kagome?"
"With Sesshoumaru also breathing just like the rest of us."
"I wish to speak with her."
"That ain't gonna happen either. You told me to find a purpose and I did. I'm going to protect Kagome and Rin from Naraku and everyone around him."
"I told you to find a purpose?" Kikyo was trying to remember, "so you distrust me then? Is that what you're saying?"
"Of course! As I said Naraku just isn't going to let his toys go. I don't know much about him but I know the type. He is a spider demon isn't he? Isn't torment all they know?"
"We can't all be slaves to what we are now can we?" she fired back, "haven't we all learned something from this? Making assumptions is what is going to get your little family killed if we don't act like grown ups and come up with a plan. I wish to see Kagome. I am her lawyer after all, and if you honestly believe I came here to manipulate or trick you then you'd be mistaken. I'd treat you kinder if I were to use you for such a gain."
"That's an understatement," InuYasha turned his back on her, "what kind of lawyer comes to their client's house dressed like you are? So…"
"So what?"
"Who knocked you up Kikyo? Was it Naraku? Did your investigation involve you posing as his wife? Get too into your role of playing house with him?"
The next thing that could be heard was a scream as Kikyo had applied as much force as possible by grabbing a fistful of InuYasha ear in her clutches. She remembered that much of her relationship with InuYasha. He might have been a lot stronger than her, but his ears were her weakness.
"It's none of your concern," she simply told him annoyed.
Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, wasn't annoyed. Simply impatient. It was time for Kagome to wake up now. It had already been eight hours since she had taken the potion. Perhaps she was enjoying her dream now. Kagome seemed to have a smile plastered on her face. It would be quite unbecoming of him to wake her from such a pleasant dream, but curiosity was eating away at him. He also needed to make sure that she wasn't suffering any side effects.
"Wake up Kagome," he told her softly at first before his tone got more harsh and he tried shaking her awake, "you've slept long enough. Kagome?"
She wasn't waking up. He'd even resorted to poking at her flesh with his claws and splashing liquid from one of her drinks she left lying around and nothing was phasing her. Had he made a mistake? Was the dosage too strong? Had he just put his wife in a coma while trying to give her an erotic dream?
Kagome indeed was having fun in her dream, but not in the way Sesshoumaru had intended. She'd given up on the notion of having any erotic fun with this dream for her imagination just wasn't there at the moment as the thought of Sesshoumaru producing strawberry syrup instead of miasma was just too funny to get over. Instead she simply turned the dream into her own personal playground.
"Hey everyone I'm Kagome and I'm going to sing for you!" she cheered with a karaoke microphone in her hand.
"Please don't," Sesshoumaru grimaced watching as the castle he'd taken over was converted into Kagome's own personal karaoke bar that was full of Love Trials' versions of InuYasha serving drinks to all of her subjects.
"Oh I'm gonna," Kagome said glaring at Sesshoumaru who was front and center for her show, "you can call me Princess Karaoke. Does my suitor have any requests?"
"Only that you stop this wailing and wake up. Wake up Kagome."
"Nope!" Kagome smiled to herself as she began singing one of her favorite songs, "cause when I leave for the night I ain't coming back. Talking pedicure on my toes, trying on all our clothes, boys blowing up our phones-
"Wake up Kagome!" Sesshoumaru demanded again as the room began to disappear.
Kagome was about to get to her favorite lyrics, but dropped the mic in confusion. This was her world wasn't it? So why was all her creations disappearing? Was it really time to wake up? She couldn't feel herself waking, however, as she watched as Sesshoumaru disappear as well and all that surrounded her had been replaced with darkness. She'd felt like this before, but only for a moment. It had been when she got sucked into Inukimi's medio.
"Where did you go Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked feeling a sense of fear as there was nothing but silence all around her.
There was only one source of light in this whole place and it was behind her. She slowly turned to see some sort of pink orb behind her. A very small glass sphere that was being held in place by some sort of arrow that had gone through the middle of it, but yet had not shattered it. It looked similar to one of those bolts that came with her crossbow.
Whatever that sphere was it felt like the only thing in existence. She could no longer hear Sesshoumaru's request for her to wake up. The only thing other than her and the jewel was nothingness.
"Return to your slumber," a booming voice then terrified Kagome.
Where was it coming from? Her ears were telling her that the voice was coming from the sphere, but that couldn't be possible could it? Objects couldn't talk.
"What are you?" Kagome asked it.
"Do you wish to be in the darkness forever Kagome?" it asked her, "return to sleep."
"This is still a dream right?" Kagome asked as her anxiety began to rise.
This was a dream and she knew that, so why couldn't she make this terrifying darkness go away? Why was she here?
"Stop it!" she was screaming at both the sphere and herself, "I want to wake up."
No she didn't like this at all. She could hear her own heart beat as her anxiety continued to rise. She was trapped in the dark and couldn't get out.
"Sesshoumaru!" she screamed for her husband, "InuYasha! Sango! Anybody?"
"No one is coming to save you," the sphere continued, "you are alone."
"Alone?" she asked not wanting to accept that.
"I am here," came an unfamiliar voice as a woman seemed to phase into existence before her.
The woman didn't seem to be from any world Kagome was apart of. She wore miko garb, but not the traditional kind she was used to seeing at festivals or on the cover of historical romances or manga. This woman looked serious with a plate of armor on one side of her body and a sheathed sword on the other. There was no mistaking it. This woman was Midoriko.
"Who are you?" Midoriko asked her, "are you me?"
"No," Kagome said still rejecting the notion that she was this woman's reincarnation, "I am Kagome."
"You look nothing like me," Midoriko sighed to herself, "there must've been a mistake. Such a weak silly woman posing as me daring to call upon me to challenge Naraku. A girl such as yourself will only fall prey to this darkness forever."
"I'm not weak," Kagome quickly told her, "I have Sesshoumaru and my own light. A light that isn't yours. Sesshoumaru might call it weak but it's my own."
"You have light?" Midoriko inquired raising an eyebrow, "so you, this silly girl, must be me."
"My name is Kagome!" she was getting upset now, "I'm not anyone else!"
"Very well," Midoriko chuckled to herself, "that was all I needed to hear. However, your answer is only another question."
"That's an understatement," Kagome sighed in annoyance as it always seemed every answer they found resulted in even more questions.
What did Midoriko mean her answer being another question?
"Why was I named Kagome?" she asked figuring it out, "Sesshoumaru asked me that as well. Does it matter?"
"It matters to Naraku," Midoriko simply said turning her back on the girl, "I wish you luck Kagome. Don't be a disappointment. Don't fall prey to Naraku's nature again. You're the only one strong enough to end this cycle. If you cannot it will continue indefinitely. Heed my warning, or darkness is all you'll know."
Three hours had gone by since Sesshoumaru first attempted to wake Kagome and she wasn't responding. She was still breathing and her face was showing him she was indeed still in a dream, but he wouldn't be satisfied until she was back on her feet. It seemed the hospital would be the next logical step, and he'd already warned his family, as well as Kikyo who was there for a reason he'd have to inquire into later.
"Great," InuYasha growled on the edge of being completely livid.
It was bad enough that he'd taken it upon himself to subject the cruel Kikyo to intense an interrogation to find out why she was free to just drop in whenever she wanted, but now this? He was trying to protect Kagome from outside threats. He did not think he would have to protect her from his brother's own stupidity.
"I'll have to watch Rin while you explain to a human doctor that doesn't know what he's doing that you drugged your own wife into a coma," the younger sibling continued, "I thought you and Kagome were done with this nonsense! If Kikyo were to be trusted and in her right mind I'd tell her to bring up some kind of restraining order against you immediately and-
"Silence InuYasha," Sesshoumaru snapped ready to call an ambulance and admit to his actions.
He didn't need to explain what the goal had been to anyone, but now that he was left to think on his actions it had been quite foolish of him. The potion Kagome survived the first time wasn't the same as this newest one that contained pieces of his toxins. A successful test with a different controlled substance did not make a safe scenario. The toxins used to create such a drug contained no lethal poisons, but perhaps an antidote would be the only way to wake her.
"InuYasha told me that Kagome can produce her own light," Kikyo tried to stay calm about this situation, "and that her light can destroy demonic energy that isn't natural to one's body. We simply have to get her to purify herself of Sesshoumaru's drug if it has his essence."
"She can't even purify herself her man troubles!" InuYasha snapped at her, "how is she going to wake herself up?"
"I just have to coax it out of her," Kikyo held her hand out and released her own radiant pink light, "get her to react to my power and force her light out."
"K-kikyo," InuYasha's eyes widened, "you can do it to? I thought you couldn't have selfish desires to make light? You're the woman that's all bitter and bitchy over a stupid rose."
"It doesn't matter," Kikyo simply said looking at Sesshoumaru, "let me go to her."
Sesshoumaru felt that her light was genuine. He still hadn't received an answer as to why Kikyo was among them, but if she could display that power than she wasn't an illusion or imposter. Indeed the only humans capable of doing such a thing were those with no ill intentions.
Sesshoumaru only gave her a nod as he went to Rin to make sure she understood her mother was still alive and fine. InuYasha didn't like it, but did nothing to stop it as Kikyo went over to the bedroom and an unconscious Kagome.
"Kagome," Kikyo said to the girl kneeling on the floor by her side, "wherever you are it seems you are quite far away from us."
"My name is Kagome," the girl whispered in her sleep, "I'm not anyone else."
"Indeed you are," Kikyo was curious as to what was possibly going on in that girl's head, "I'm going to wake you up. First, however, there is something I need from you."
From her pocket Kikyo pulled out a safety pin. Once unclasped she took one of Kagome's fingers and pricked her to draw blood. She allowed the blood to stain a tissue Kikyo also had stuffed in her pocket.
"Sorry," Kikyo apologized to her, "I know that Naraku wants a sample of your blood. For what purpose I do not know, but I will be the one to deliver it to him. I need to get close to him again. It's the only way."
Now that her business of unpleasant betrayal was out of the way she took Kagome's hand in her own. As predicted Sesshoumaru showed up only seconds after the scent of Kagome's blood came to him.
"Nothing to worry about," Kikyo smiled at him, "I just wanted to try one more thing before taking these measures. Reverse sleeping beauty. Maybe we should prick her with a spinning needle to get her to wake up?"
"You are not amusing me," Sesshoumaru spoke with a tone of ice, "either give me a result or make way for a professional."
"She is beyond the help of a professional," Kikyo told herself as she shook her eyes trying to focus.
Midoriko's light, that was entrusted to Kikyo, was meant for battle so she would only release a small bit trying to react with Kagome's own power. Kagome grimaced in pain for only a moment, but her body seemed to understand what needed to happen as it decided to defend itself against Kikyo's influence. Kagome's grip tightened around Kikyo's hand as her own light expelled. However, since Kagome wasn't alert she couldn't control the amount of energy she put out. With a labored breath she unleashed her pink aura that was on a mission to cleanse all demonic energy around them.
Kikyo ripped her hand away holding her head in her hand for only a minute as Naraku's influence vanished from her completely.
"InuYasha," Kikyo said the name of her former companion recalling how cruel she'd been to him.
"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru had almost pushed Kikyo out of the way as he sat in the bed and watched as his wife's eyes slowly opened.
Kagome took a minute to recieve the world of the living, and seemed to be quite pleased to be back.
"Where did you go?" Sesshoumaru simply asked not displaying much emotion in his voice.
"Somewhere dark and scary," Kagome whispered sitting up, "but you're here now. You told me you'd be here when I woke up. Thought you abandoned me there for a second."
"I told you I'd be here," was all Sesshoumaru said looking away from her.
"What's the matter?" Kagome asked him, "Rin is-
"Fine," he cut her off before her mind would begin wander, "do you know how long you were asleep?"
"Eight hours right?" Kagome seemed confused before moving her head to the left, "K-Kikyo!? You're here?"
"Don't worry about me Kagome," Kikyo said standing up eager to explain herself to InuYasha before she returned to Naraku, "I am fine now. You don't need to worry about me as I no longer need to worry about you. Your light is quite fascinating. It doesn't destroy I see. Simply banishes unwanted evil."
"It's worthless," Kagome frowned remembering all the harsh things Sesshoumaru said about her power, "won't help me against a demon at all. That reminds me I was going to get some crossbow practice in this morning. Sesshoumaru didn't you say that my light would just be straight up power if I used it with a bow?"
"It's no longer morning," was all Sesshoumaru told her removing himself from her side to let Rin know everything was okay.
He'd leave her to figure it all out herself. It was past noon now as she'd slept for far too long. He felt no need to display any sense of worry for her. Soon she'd discover that whatever had happened to her was all his fault and he'd be forced to atone for yet another sin caused by his selfish desires. If only selfish desires could make a power then Sesshoumaru would be unstoppable.
He wasn't going to lower himself to displaying his emotions around these miko wannabe females. Kagome was bright enough to know he'd been concerned for her safety.
Now that he was away from them he chuckled to himself finding humor in something. Kagome had a thought similar to his not long ago. She said something along the lines of if he kept bullying her light she was going to bully his darkness. She'd done that along time ago. Was that why Kaguya had made maneuvers to push the two of them together? The perfect combination of light and darkness? An array of desires all melted into one?
Speculating on Kaguya's game would only bring up worry and anger in him, so for once he'd have to take a page out of Kagome's book and chuckle at the irony of it all. They were close to discovering the truth even if it had been accidental.
Once Kagome figured out that she had slept way too long this time and needed Kikyo's help to wake up she knew Sesshoumaru had been concerned for her. She also knew he wasn't going to make that apparent to any witnesses, but she could feel it. There would be a lot that needed to be discussed. Why was Kikyo free from Naraku, and what had Kaguya done to Sesshoumaru? She had to find a way to tell him it was okay and she didn't believe he was weak. That was easier said than done when the Sesshoumaru she already communicated that to wasn't real.
"That place," Kagome whispered to herself thinking on the medio and that weird sphere that talked to her, "it felt too real and familiar. Where did I go Midoriko?"
(End Chapter)
AN: OMG I wrote this in one sitting cause I couldn't stop. Had too much fun with it, so hope it made up for the previous chapter. A lot of answers, only few questions remain. Easter eggs littered throughout with some obvious canon remixing. Evil Sesshoumaru having some qualities from the Sesshoumaru of Sess/Kag fanfic Christmas past as I attempted the trial of placing a fic within a fic. A lot went into this chapter and I hope it was enjoyed.