Chapter Nineteen
Complete silence was avoided by the ticking sound of the clock that hung above the door. Walls surrounded her in the tiny government office she sat inside. Facing her husband across from the table, the officer at the head of the table murmured words that never reached her ear. A fog drifted in her mind as her eyes stared into the abyss.
Was this a dream?
"Mrs. Taisho," the officer called out for the third time.
Coming out of a trance, she turned her attention to the one calling for her. She saw the officer look at her with a hidden emotion of pity.
"You will be able to keep the house since it was bought by your Father, Mr. Taisho. Mr. Watanabe will not be paying child support for Shippo Taisho because he was not adopted with Mr. Watanabe's permission nor acknowledgement. Once you sign this contract that lists the rest of the agreement, you will be officially divorced in the name of the law." The officer passed the agreement papers across the table.
Kagome watched Arata hesitate for a second before signing the papers. His fingers slightly trembled when he finished signing and passed the papers towards her. Blue eyes stared blankly at the document in front of her. She saw the Japanese character written across the agreement paper, but a fog in her mind prevented the words to form into sentences. A single signature would end the relationship she had with Arata. She tried to accept the reality of this divorce, but couldn't seem to shake off the numbing feeling. She wondered when the weight of this guilt would begin to heal. Bringing herself to sign the document, the officer announced that their divorce was now official.
Her heels echoed against the marble floors of the government building. In a daze, she wandered past men in suits and uniforms. The fact that she was now a divorced woman sank in. She doubted she would find another person that would love her. No, it would just be another repetition of her relationship with Arata. She needed to find someone she loved passionately like what Sango and Mirkou had. She knew the reason why her relationship with Arata failed. She didn't love him like he loved her. Even though he was a good man, she didn't fall in love with him in the end.
Spotting Arata down the hallway, she approached him. The sight of his arms wrapped around another woman had no affects on her. Arata noticed her approach and whispered into the woman's ear. The woman nodded her head and left the government building to wait outside for her boyfriend. Arata jogged towards her and showed her a disheartened expression. He hushed with a hint of sorrow, "I guess this is goodbye."
Placing her hands together, she bowed and said sincerely, "Thank you for loving me, Arata."
Her gaze lifted to meet his eyes. There, at the brim of his green eyes, swelled tears that never fell. She whispered, "And...I'm sorry."
Sorry, I never returned your love.
Knowing what her apology was for, he nodded his head in acceptance. A silence remained between them, not knowing what else to say but wishing for the moment to last just a few more seconds before they went their separate ways as strangers.
"I...I wish you all the best in your new relationship," She said eagerly. She wished that this time Arata would be able to find happiness.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips reminding her of the young Arata from high school. Perhaps they had changed since then, but there were some important things that hadn't.
"I hope you find happiness with Sesshomaru, too." He was finally able to say so without resentment.
Kagome stared at Arata with confusion. "What?"
Tilting his head to one side, he said obviously, "I know you love him."
A nervous laughter slipped from her lips as she said, "You mean as a brother."
Realization flickered across his eyes. So, she hadn't found out about her feeling yet. Hearing the distant call of his girlfriend, he said before turning to leave, "Well, you were always scared of coming face to face with the truth of your heart. Isn't that why you married me in the first place?"
Placing her hands on her hips, she was about to give Arata piece of her mind when she was interrupted.
"Isn't that also why you didn't realize you didn't love me until now?" Knowing what Arata said was true, she remained quiet. His words still stung. "You shouldn't blame yourself. But also, don't make the same mistake twice, Kagome."
Leaving her lone figure amongst the crowd, she watched the man she used to call husband walk away. Turning away from him, she headed for the chauffeur that was waiting for her outside. Her mind raced with confusion at Arata's last statement.
Was Arata suggesting that she loved Sesshomaru not as a brother but as a lover?
Falling into a pool full of memories between her and Sesshomaru, her fingers unconsciously traced the crescent moon along her shoulder. The rush of heat spread across her heart, yet this time she noticed how she instinctively tried to ignore the sensation.
You were always scared of coming face to face with the truth of your heart.
Her breath hitched. No, it couldn't be.
Rushing into the car, she asked the driver, "I want to see Mama."
"Yes, m'lady." The driver responded gently and headed to the direction of her childhood home.
It didn't take too long for her to reach the large white house. Making her way through the familiar hallways, she paused in front of the kitchen. The sweet scent of blueberry pie drifted in the air. The pleasing sound of her mother's hum soothed her. It had been too long since she saw her mother. Ever since her mother told her of the family truth, she hadn't been able to talk to her properly. She didn't think her heart could handle it if her mother went into another panic attach just from looking at her.
Hesitating to make her presence known, she watched from afar as her mother prepared a pie. How would her mother act if she saw her now? The sudden ring tone of her phone caused her to flinch in shock. She turned to see her mother staring right at her in surprise.
"Kagome, you surprised me," the gentle voice of her mother drifted into her ear; The voice she had longed to hear for so long.
Watching her mother treat her the same as before, tears poured down her face in relief. Running towards her, Kagome fell into the familiar warmth her mother always provided. A sob tore from her lips as she held onto the only person she considered as her mother. Feeling a hand stroke her head, Kagome felt like a child once again. Her mother always easing her torn soul with the comforting caress through her hair. The sense of safety allowed her heart to open up and release the feelings she had kept hidden; The divorce with Arata, the feelings of guilt, Arata's harsh words towards the secrets of her heart, the feelings of doubt between her relationship with Sesshomaru.
Everything seemed to come crashing down.
Patiently, Izayoi held onto Kagome no matter how long it took until her tears slowly dried up. Buried within her embrace, she heard Kagome whisper softly, "You will always by my true mother."
Feeling a part of her heart heal, Izayoi kissed her daughter's forehead. She promised, "You will always be my daughter."
##
"Did you think I wouldn't know that your son has chosen a mate?"
A male dressed in traditional Chinese clothing sat in Touga's study room as he sipped on a cup of tea. A powerful youkai ki emitted from the calm male even though his features made him appear skinny and weak. With high cheekbones, the flesh of his face sank in making him appear constantly worn out. The dark circles beneath his brown eyes distracted others from noticing the deep pool of wisdom beyond his gaze.
Leaning back in his seat, Touga hid the expression of shock from his old friend. He knew Kagome's mark would cause a few issues with the Four Lords, but he didn't think they would have found out this quickly. Touga watched his old friend, Ryuu, one of the Four Lords from the dragon clan, place down his cup of tea.
Folding his arms over the other, Ryuu glared at Touga with disapproval. "I understand that there are no longer any full blooded youkai in this generation, but it does not mean the next successor to inherit the title of Four Lords can mate a human. It should be a woman with some youkai blood."
"I will not enforce my son with the traditions of the Four Lords as my sire had done to me," Touga said sternly.
Ryuu snapped with frustration, "So you will have the Inu clan quickly lose their lifespan!? You realize what this will do to the Four Lords right? We are appointed the guardians of the Earth. If we lose even one Lord, the balance and peace we have struggled to establish so far will be shaken! The only reason why the four of us are able to live in harmony is because of the alliance we've established for centuries. What if the Inu clan no longer has a successor!?"
Touga frowned. He knew of this...yet he couldn't allow Sesshomaru to experience the unhappiness he suffered.
Catching Touga's expression, Ryuu said in disbelief, "Sesshomaru will name an heir from the Inu clan...right, old friend?"
Massaging the side of temple, Touga closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. It appeared Sesshomaru did not wish to mate another, allowing Kagome to keep the mark. However, this also meant that Sesshomaru had no plans of having children. He knew that if the Four Lords knew about this, they would not remain silent and go through no ends to pressure the Taisho family. It was the path his son had chosen and he stood by it. Touga answered, "I don't believe so..."
"Outrageous!" Ryuu shouted. "You CANNOT ALLOW THIS-"
The doors to the study room abruptly opened. Hearing shouting coming from her Father's office, Kagome glared at the guest who was behaving in such a way.
"Kagome, what are you doing here?" Touga said in shock, knowing that this was not a good time for her to meet Ryuu.
"I came to see Mama." She responded to the question without looking away from the rude guest. Her reiki sensed the ancient youkai ki the dragon held in his aura. She could already guess that he must be one of the other Four Lords. Wondering why he was shouting at her father, she waited for her silent question to be answered.
Ryuu's frown deepened, noticing the crescent mark upon the Miko. "So you are the one Sesshomaru marked."
Kagome saw the look of disapproval from the dragon youkai. He stood from his seat and pointed at her as if she was a criminal. "If you insist on keeping her as Sesshomaru's mate, then talk sense into this girl to make sure there is an heir to the Inu clan. If you cannot even enforce this, Touga, the Four Lords will not remain still."
Unable to stand another minute in the presence of the Miko who was ruining everything, he made his way towards the door. Ryuu sneered as he walked passed her, "Your existence will destroy the Earth's balance. Be prepared for the consequences of your actions."
Touga growled at the threat. Taking no heed of Touga's warning, Ryuu left the study room without a single glance back.
Her gaze fell to the ground, realizing that Sesshomaru's choice to mark her had come with consequences. Her mind already put together some of the puzzle pieces to make sense of what the dragon youkai said.
Touga got up from his seat and placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder. He knew it would only be a matter of time before Kagome pieced together the reason for Ryuu's threat. "Don't believe entirely what Ryuu just said. The Earth's balance will be just fine."
Kagome knew Sesshomaru was next in line to become one of the Four Lords. If he did not have an heir, then the next in line would probably be Inuyasha's child. However, Kagome knew that Inuyasha planned to marry Kikyo but she was barren. The blood line of the Taisho house would come to an end. If the Taisho house no longer had a successor to become one of the Four Lords, it would throw off the balance of power. The guardianship over the Earth would be compromised with just three Lords remaining. If they decide to give the title to someone else, it would compromise the harmony between them. Everything would only go down hill from there.
Seeing that his daughter had figured out what Ryuu was worried about, he explained, "Ryuu's religious belief in Kami is what makes him afraid."
"He really believes that the balance and harmony between the Four Lords is what keeps the Earth balanced." Kagome concluded Ryuu's belief.
Touga nodded his head. "But this is not the case for the rest of them. I believe Ryuu will come round and understand."
Kagome stared at her father and asked, "Aren't you afraid the Taisho blood line will come to an end?"
"Of course I am," Touga said worriedly. A wistful expression passed through his face as he said, "But I don't mind if it will make both my sons happy. You see, Kagome, my father didn't care for my happiness and used me as a pawn to continue the traditions of the Four Lords. He made me mark someone I did not love. I was miserable until I found Izayoi."
Her eyes stared at her father in awe. He truly only wanted their happiness even at the cost of the long blood line of the Inu clan to come to an end.
"I know Ryuu will want Sesshomaru to have an heir." Touga's brow furrowed, knowing his old friend's tactics. He thought out loud, "Once he realizes that you guys have a brother and sister relationship, he will no doubt pick out another female to conceive an heir to the Inu clan. Ryuu will think he is doing me a favour."
A prickling sensation spread throughout her chest at the thought of Sesshomaru dating someone else.
"I should probably let Sesshomaru know," Touga mumbled to himself as he phoned his son. Hearing the other side pick up his call, he said, "Sesshomaru, looks like Ryuu found out about Kagome. He disapproves of her and will probably be looking for you."
From the other line, Touga heard Sesshomaru respond, "He is already here."
"Shit." Hanging up, Touga called for a staff to fetch the driver. He cursed beneath his breath. Ryuu had used his youkai abilities of teleportation to reach Sesshomaru before him. Knowing his son's personality and Ryuu's, he knew the meeting would not go well.
##
Lowering the phone from his ear, golden eyes stared at the ancient dragon standing in his office. From the phone call with his father just now, he could assume what the old man wanted.
"Sesshomaru, it's been so long." A tense smiled appeared on the old man. Resting both his hands behind his back, he walked closer towards the successor of the Inu clan. His skin tingled at the immense power Touga's son now wielded. Cautious of his words, Ryuu said, "I see you've chosen a Miko as your mate. I, at first objected this, but I will reconsider if you will be expecting a first born soon. When should I be expecting this? I hope to send you a gift."
"There won't be any, old man." Sesshomaru said stoically.
Ryuu's face wrinkled in frustration. He thought Sesshomaru would never choose a mate, which was why he thought it would be easier to make him at least have a child with the female he had personally picked out. However, the news that Sesshomaru had mated a human and on top of that refused to have children was impossible. He would not accept it. For the sake of the Earth's balance, he would force Sesshomaru to keep the blood line of the Inu clan to continue.
"Do you think I will let the Miko live if you decide not to have a child?" Ryuu threatened easily with a calm expression.
His gaze narrowed dangerously at the old man. The scent of acid filled the air, tempted to cut off the old man's head.
"I have already placed a hit on the Miko. I wouldn't be so quick to kill." Ryuu appeared unfazed by the obvious danger to his life. He knew Sesshomaru was capable of killing him on the spot, but that would mean the hit on the Miko would never be removed. "No harm will come upon your mate if you agree to give the Inu clan an heir. If not with the miko, then with a female I have picked out for you."
Calculative eyes scanned the calm expression of the ancient dragon. Sesshomaru knew such threats were not made lightly, especially when Kagome was officially considered a Taisho. The old man dared to risk the alliance made between the Four Lords in order for the Taisho blood line to continue. Killing Kagome was not a problem for the old man. If the Inu clan rebelled against the dragon clan, the other Lords were bound to side with the dragon clan. Though the risk of a shaky alliance, the rest of the Four Lords prioritized the Taisho's blood line to continue.
He was at a disadvantage.
The old man knew he could not refuse his offer.
A small smirk appeared on Ryuu's face at Sesshomaru's silence. Walking out of the office, Ryuu voiced, "I'll take your silence as a yes."