As Kagome was sitting in Miroku's study going through the numerous papers before them from their days "interviews", she had one single question on her mind. It was simple, really, and she barely noticed it before she began sorting with Miroku. It was ridiculous. If she had to draw a Venn Diagram of what she found from sorting, it would almost be a circle.
"WHY DO ALL THE FEMALES WANT TO FUCK SESSHOMARU"
"Don't forget some of the males" Miroku added sipping on his tea.
How could she forget the males. They were the only ones part of the "want to fuck Sesshomaru" set that didn't overlap with the "female" set. The worst part was she wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. A lot of people wanted to do devil's foxtrot with the Western Lord. Not his father, but there were women who wanted to screw her Toga-sama!
"You have it good. At least you're not going through the kinks. Some of these people are describing things that could only be described as "consensual non-consent"" he formed air quotes around the phrase.
"That's a thing in my time. My friend Yuri was into it."
"Well I'm not going to judge. As long as they have partners that willingly consent to the non-consent"
"And that's why we're here. To make sure that the kinks line up and make sure that people get a chance of finding someone."
Kagome patted her best friend on the shoulder. She then poured herself a cup of tea before leaning on him.
"Its just frustrating to see these women just throw themselves at him"
"Why does it frustrate you?"
"I'm his friend and I want the best for him. Plus, it's monotonous reading about fantasies about his big girthy-"
"You should have suspected this. He is a cardinal Lord, and most females find him pretty. Naturally women would seek him"
"Yeah he's pretty. A pretty big pain in the arse." She said huffing. "If they were looking for pretty they have other pretty men."
"Oh really?" He said baiting her.
"Fubuki is pretty with his roguish good looks and his moon like silver eyes. He's rather sociable too. And he's nice."
"Okay that's one person. And he has some people interested. Who else?"
"Natsu, Inuyasha and Koga are good looking. Plus they're cardinal princes."
"And there's people who want them too. Come again"
"There's also that blond dog demon that sat next to Sesshomaru with the green eyes and the playful smile... not that I noticed or anything. Appearances mean nothing in the grand scheme of things "
"...Right. Kagome what is this really about?"
"All these people-" she gestured to the three piles in front of them on the floor."most likely don't know Sesshomaru. He's so... closed off. How could all these people want someone they don't know?"
"Well, he's a powerful demon, Lord of one of the richest domains, rumoured to be great in bed and as we said before: pretty"
She gave a long suffering sigh,"Then there all superficial "
She threw her weight backward onto the cushioned behind her. Miroku chuckled and leaned over her holding a wagashi over her. She scrutinized it for a second before snatching it from him. She quickly took a bite, relishing in the flavour that coated her tongue in ecstasy. If Sesshomaru's home continued making sweets like this she might just never leave. Maybe she could sneak in to the kitchen tomorrow and get them to show her how they do it.
"And that, Kagome. Is why we're doing this. To weed out all those who aren't suitable to become Lady of the west. Sesshomaru knows you care and trusts your judgement on what you believe is best for him."
"What about all the other people in the games? Don't they deserve a chance at love?"
"And they will get it once we do our job properly and sort"
She finally heaved herself up and picked up the first papyrus from the female pile.
"Hai, onīsan"
He played the term around in his mouth finding satisfaction with it. "I like it, nēsan."
They resumed sorting. They were able to further break down the three piles into females who only want Sesshomaru, females who want Sesshomaru but are open to others men, men who want to rut with Sesshomaru and other men more than women but still want women, men who want to rut with Sesshomaru but also girls and finally, men who only want females. This was around the time that Sesshomaru made his presence known with a knock on the door.
"I'll get it" she said making her way to the door, avoiding the parchment on the ground.
"Hello Sesshomaru-sama, what brings you to visit onīsan and I"
He looked at her through slitted eyes. She had a feeling why he was here. Most likely he came to admonish her on her rude behaviour earlier in his study.
"Please come in my lord"
She shut door after he passed and jumped him.
"Sesshy! I missed you!" She hugged him tightly around his neck with her legs wound against his middle. On reflex he caught her. Before she left him, whenever they were alone she would do exactly as she had just done, jumping excitedly into his arms. But they weren't in the woods where no one could see them. They were in his home where everyone scrutinized them.
"Miko" he said a warning in his tone.
"There's a sound barrier in the room. Nothing but the cries of distress would leave this room"
The tension in his shoulders lessened almost imperceptibly. He crossed the room in long strides to Miroku.
"I'm not here socially -" Kagome pushes off his chest slightly to look at him and opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Sesshomaru. "And miko I will deal with your outburst in my study tomorrow" he gave her a hard look that had her wilting slightly in embarrassment.
"Gomen"
He hummed at her and made to sit in one of the cushion next to Miroku, Kagome still wrapped snugly around him. It didn't even cross his mind to place her on it. A part of him missed the contact she imposed on his person.
"Hello Sesshomaru. If you're not here socially are you here for something."
This earned Miroku a gracefully arched eyebrow raised in confusion.
"I must confess, this is my first time with a man. Please be gentle" he finished peeking at the demon Lord through long lashes.
"Monk..."
"Oh Sesshomaru -sama"
Kagome was shaking in the dog's big lap as she tried to stifle her laughter. She was trying to pour him a cup of tea but her hand was shaking making it almost impossible for her to pour. Almost being the operative word.
"Excuse my onīsan, Sesshomaru. The sorting has him excited"
"Hnnn."
"He's accustomed to my antics. As long as I keep it in private settings "
"Why do you call him onīsan? This Sesshomaru thought we were alone."
"We are. Its to get practice in saying it so we won't blow our cover as siblings. You're lucky we have some physical similarities."
She finally handed him the tea.
"So why are you here? An apology for putting me on the spot."
"Miko, there has been a troubling development. "
"If you're talking about the shortened time, I've told her already."
"He noticed it in the stars early this morning."
"Then I got confirmation when some of the maids brought it up in gossip."
"Anything else?"
Kagome wasn't too sure if Sesshomaru understood that she knew what was happening. Miroku already had his network of intelligence and Kagome had her developing empath powers and her own natural ability to make friends. He was creating a system in which he had the upper hand.
"Guess not. Since you're here do you have anyone you're interested in or want us to red flag."
"This Sesshomaru is interested in no one"
"Well all these people are interested in you. And we need a way to start thinning the list" she smiled sweetly at him hoping he would say something, anything to help them. All she got for her efforts was a blank stare.
"Lord Sesshomaru, since you don't have anything to say on your preference, what do you propose the first task to be?"
He had drained his cup something during the time she gave it to him and now. He placed it in Kagome's hands before he pried her off himself and placed her on the cushion he had just occupied.
" This Sesshomaru wants a demonstration of strength, power and skill in two days. Do what you wish the other tasks. Keep in mind that she would be this Sesshomaru's queen"
"Arigato Sesshomaru. You should leave. Toga-sama should be here to collect me soon and I don't want you here when he comes. I'd rather keep on his good side, thank you very much." She had gotten up and was holding the door, waiting to open it to him.
"You dare try to order this one in his own home" he said lacking some of the bite that should be in that statement.
"Yes I do dare. Now you get back to your work so I can get back to mine." She swung the door open and a pleasant smile came to her face. "Please come again to advise us milord"
He strode past her leaving her with a parting remark, "Do try not to attract too much trouble as you are prone to, miko."
Her façade slipped at that and she slammed the door behind him.
"Come nēsan, we have work to do before you have to leave. I hope Sesshomaru remembered to take your scent off his person. He would be saturated in it for the short time he was here."
Kagome froze. Hopefully Natsu wouldn't-
'Kags?' The silky voice spoke in her head 'What were you doing with the Ice Prince and why is he covered in your scent"
...888...
It was only her second day and her day did not start well. Her first day did not end well. She had to convince both Natsu and Toga-sama that she did not do anything untoward with the Lord. It was embarrassing. But she couldn't explain that she was using Sesshomaru as a chair. It was one of the few allowances he made for her and she will not let her privileges get taken away! Instead she told a half truth. That she jumped him in anger of being put in a position without her consent. But that didn't stop Toga-sama from teasing her as well as lecturing her on her position and that she now had a high station. Then they went over some simple breathing exercises before parting ways to bed.
In the morning, they woke up and he guided her to the main hall. He promised to send someone later to bring her to him so he could test her skill. She thought to tell him that he could wait until tomorrow to see her skill but she decided against it. Perhaps he had something else in mind. Breakfast was quite the affair. Since she was in the midst of demons breakfast wasn't quite as it was just yesterday. Demons don't need to eat regularly. So breakfast was for socialising, finding your next fling or gathering information. Also it wasn't mandatory. Which is why she sat at the dais alone. Miroku had decided that she would deliver the news because he had a report to write for Sesshomaru. She was left to be the harbinger of bad news.
Her words had those there in a panic. They were excited and worried. They had less time to woo who they wanted, but the strength of the moon would be doubled. Generally speaking, things were getting interesting. They became mouth calmer when she announced the first task would be the next day and what it would be. Demons were attracted to strength, especially the elites found in the shiro. They enjoyed any reason to sport their superiority. It wasn't duels, it was a demonstration and that was enough for them. Some of the females looked at her haughtily as she stepped off the dais to leave the hall. They all were looking forward to showing up the Shikon Miko.
Her exit was stopped by large breast appearing in her face.
"Well, well well. If it isn't the Shimon Miko. And she's here alone without one of her little bodyguards to protect her" the fine voice taunted.
"Hatori-san" dressed lavishly in reds and gold Hatori Aya stood before in her tall shapely form. Ginger hair was done in a high ponytail on top of her head and cascaded down her back. Her large breast was straining to be kept inside her kimono.
"Sama. Know your betters."
"My betters? From my understanding we are at least equals in Ayakashi society"
Her painted lips set into an almost snarl on her face.
"Listen, girl and listen well. I don't care if you've been given the position of sorter and have some power. You are nothing but a measly human that can be crushed. When I become Sesshomaru's mate you could choose to lick beneath my shoe like the cretin you are or flee. With both options you still might just be killed-"
Kagome had a bored look on her face. She was expecting this type of diatribe at some point in time. Honestly she was expecting it about midday that very day for the earliest. She was waiting for Aya to finish speak so she could finally go about her day, when she realised what was said that needed to be addressed.
"Why," she interrupted,"aren't you ambitious. You say "when" as if it's an asurity that you may be anything more than a body to warm him at night, if you're so lucky. And as it so happens I have the power to impede that as his sorter. So you should care what my position is." Kagome knew she was being slightly vindictive, but she couldn't help it. She was fed up of beautiful women trying to push her around. She was small, not feeble. Of course she wouldn't stop the woman from having a chance with Sesshomaru if she fits his criteria for a wife, but from what she was seeing, she'd have some problems making the short list.
"Now that's that said-"
"Why you little" she raised her hand to swing at her at normal speed. Kagome wanted to sigh, she really wanted to wait until later to reveal some of her power, but she wasn't going to get slapped in front of these demons. Especially when she didn't deserve it. Natsu would be proud when he heard.
"Kagome!"
This halted the demoness' mid air on hearing the voice. She peaked around and saw the signature pink and green of her slayer friend coming to her. She had also revamped her attire. The fabric was more luxurious and she know sported a moss green hanfu like skirt wrapped around her kosode. She clearly still still wore her demon slaying outfit
"Sango. If you excuse me, Aya-san," she side stepped around her figure, "my friend is calling me and I need to see her so Goodbye. Pleasure speaking with you." She ended with a syrupy tone before moving toward Sango.
The demoness oozed irritation
"IT'S SAMA!" she yelled bringing attention to herself. She quickly pulled out her fan to cover her face.
Kagome: 1 Aya: 0
"Hi Sango."
"I was wondering if you were free so that we can talk and catch up?"
"Well, I'm free until Toga-sama sends for me."
She was then dragged out of the hall through a series of halls she hadn't learnt as yet. She followed along blindly, sensing that her friend had a lot to tell her.
...88...
In one of the gardens, they sat amongst some wildflowers. Laughter fluttered from their lips like winged things: beautiful and free. But these winged things had short life spans and had to end, as all things do. Kagome was ready to bring to bring out the bug spray.
"While this has been lovely, I know this isn't why you brought me here. What's up?"
She sighed (not dissimilar to how YouTubers start their apology videos, but Kagome had no way of drawing the comparison) "A lot has changed since you've been gone. I guess Miroku told you what happened between us already" she waited for Kagome to nod.
"At first everything was great. I loved him, he had loved me. It was like a fairy tale. He showered me with attention. He even stopped watching other girls. Ha! Can you believe it? I didn't have to be Sango: the demon slayer with him. But that was the problem. I wanted to. That first month in this shiro made me realize that. Here they appreciated that strength that human men wither away from.
"I know I shouldn't have stayed or broke it off with him when I realised I wanted something different. But Miroku so sweet and I thought maybe he would grow tired of me and leave. But he didn't. Then two months later he proposed. And I just couldn't fake it anymore. The moment he asked I realized that I've never, really, loved him... at least, not like he loved me."
The sounds of nature filled the air between them. Kagome was reeling from the confession she had just heard. There was a selfishness in it that she didn't believe Sango to be capable of. But she tried not to judge her. Love makes people do stupid things. Maybe after running down her brother for so long, when she was finally able to breathe she realised what she wanted. And it just so happened to not be Miroku. At least it happened then and not now after the proposal.
All these thoughts were hidden in her mind and never translated on her face. She hugged Santo to her chest to comfort her. She had a question on her mind though, was she with anyone new?
A presence approaching them hted her question. The tall figure stopped before them in his black armour, blocking out the sun creating a halo around his blonde hair.
"Kagome, right"
"Hai"
"Toga-sama wants to see you"
"Well I have to go." She gave her a quick hug before rising. She left Sango sitting amongst the wildflowers.
"You're Eiji, right?"
He gave a good natured smile.
"In the flesh. Hatori Eiji, Lord Sesshomaru's General of his armies."
"Ah General. I was guessing that. Related to Aya-san I take it?"
"Yeah, I'm her brother, sadly. Did she threaten you yet?"
"Of course. No harm done, look I'm fine" she spun in front of him, her skirt blossomed before him.
His eyes looked across her figure looking for any signs of injury to her person.
"Seems like she didn't assault you"
"Oh she did. Used some very mean words. And threatened to slap me"
"That sounds like her. Gomen for my nēsan. She could be a bit... much at times"
"No worries. But next time, I just might retaliate "
"Retaliate? I know you had some fire in you" he jostled her shoulder playfully.
"Some fire is in an understatement." She stepped away from him a little to look him up and down while they continued to walk to their destination. "I think I can take you"
He smirked down at her, "Oh really. We'll see when we go to the dojo."
"Dojo?"
"Didn't I tell you? Toga wants you in the family dojo to test your skill in front of your past sensei and his family."
"Right. ...Wait I have to do this in front of Nothern Lord!"
Hi. It's my birthday
What's y'all thoughts. Does Sango have a new boo? And if so, do you think that it's someone we've met or someone hidden?