Somber Twilight
Princess of Ikana
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the works of InuYasha. It belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Prompt: Bait
The dinner announcement was called and everyone moved rooms to a ravishing dining area where they all sat and began talking to those next to each other.
Rin was seated next to Kagome on Sesshoumaru's right side, Miyuki on his left across from her, and Naoki was across from Kagome.
Miyuki was getting nervous about her prospects of forcing Sesshoumaru into an alliance, if she failed and wasn't with pup she would hear about it from her father who was counting on her and Naoki to a lesser extent to ensure that their alliance would be strengthened by the time they got back to the palace.
She couldn't stop Sesshoumaru and Kagome from working things out at the end of the night but she could influence Naoki's position, she could try and ensure her brother's happiness, possibly.
The first course was served.
Miyuki made sure to keep Sesshoumaru's undivided attention especially when she noticed Kagome making expressive notions at him discreetly.
She stopped after a while, laughing as Miyuki got more silently furious and turning her attention back to her date, Naoki.
An aristocrat from the south brought up Naoki's future mate's perspective and joked that they all would be gathering next in the cold North. He laughed it off, not taking the subject further but Miyuki decided to use it to her advantage.
"My brother is of age now and should be looking for a mate, maybe even Lady Kagome would look lovely in our colours, why isn't that mother's hair ornaments brother?" she strategically pointed out, forcing him into the subject.
Everyone close enough to hear her turned and quickly looked at Kagome's hair a bit closer and sure enough, the Lady of the Northern lands' heirloom comb and hair stick of wisterias…
"Everyone, don't look too closely into the symbolism I was merely loaning to a dear friend who didn't have any fancy accessories of her own to wear" Naoki spun the conversation in his direction throwing a quick glare at Miyuki for trying to cause drama.
A Southern lady, next to Itsuki, laughed at the absurdity of how things were progressing.
"As a family member to Sesshomaru-sama, surely she could have worn something of his? Anyhow, if this is how you want to announce your interest in Lady Kagome, Lord Naoki I think a congratulation is in order" she started getting up to clap at the esteemed new "couple"
Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru from the corner of her eye and he looked mad, she then glared at Miyuki becoming a huge thorn in her side.
The second course of dinner and dessert was served but Kagome had lost her appetite when everyone seemed to continue to congratulate her on her future prospects of being the next Northern Lady. She smiled silently not knowing how to combat the talkative bunch without sealing her future.
Rin grasped Kagome's hand under the table in comfort and solidarity. Kagome squeezed it back in hopes she would survive the onslaught of questions and proposals.
Rin then tried to take over the conversation topics onto safer things to which Kagome was grateful for and eased back in her seat picking up her goblet of wine.
Lord Hideki was sitting a few seats down but still within conversation distance.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, the grave news about the sickness that is spreading across the land, has become an issue for us all. What is the position of the Western lands on helping the local demon villages?" asked Hideki.
"So far I recommend isolating each village and trying to provide supplies to individuals, unfortunately, the dead are piling up faster than we can properly bury them. I do believe our best chance of surviving this is each region keeping to themselves. Perhaps when you return to your residents, we could coordinate a more accurate picture of where the illness and death are exactly located, and maybe we can try and coordinate something to combat it?" Sesshoumaru replied airly, wanting input from the others.
Hideki deadpanned, expecting more of an answer and instead sipped his beverage, Itsuki proposed something similar, only adding that his healers, Miko and Priests had told him that the victims are dying at a rate that any remedies they try, don't give enough time to actually see if they are working or not.
Naoki only reported that he was last told by his father, who decided to stay and watch over the people during this crisis, that less people were dying in their region but he suspected it was just beginning or maybe the colder temperatures had something to contribute to the less number of citizens getting ill.
Noticing the chances of one of the lords asking her for some input on the matter and her starting to feel woozy, and disoriented, Kagome quietly excused herself from the table.
Sesshomaru, worried and wanting to follow her, especially when he smelled how intoxicated she seemed just by scent alone figured out someone had drugged Kagome.
Waiting a few minutes after she left, he dismissed the dining party.
He had maybe an hour before he was required to be present as Rin would make her announcement at the peak of the full moon which loomed overhead, not at its peak just yet.
Making the excuse that he was required to check in on the kitchen staff, Sesshoumaru got up to go back to his rooms, he would actually check in on the serving staff and dual out punishment for this sabotage but first he needed to get out of these stuffy and itchy clothing.
Walking through the empty corridors, Kagome's vision has not improved much since she excused herself and she concluded that someone attempted to sabotage her drink…
Not feeling too abnormal, she figured that she was just really drunk. Maybe she should find Rikka? Demons had some kind of hangover remedy right?
Cloudy judgement fogged her thoughts, as much as she didn't want to, unwarranted fantasies began to form in her mind's eye as she imagined what Sesshoumaru would do if she undressed him…
Shaking her head, horrified Kagome blushed. She forced herself to calm, she was drunk, not stupid.
Uncertainty and fear crept into her mind as she debated if this was a good idea. She should be mad at him… she understood that demons' ways were different but she came from 500 years in the future.
Sleeping with other women was unacceptable. If Miyuki had gotten pregnant she would always be second best even if she succeeded in becoming the Lady of the Western Lands.
If only InuYasha was still here, she wouldn't be in this predicament of playing house with a bunch of demon feudal lords and fallen in love with someone she wasn't even sure was a good match for her given what had already happened in the short time she had been an honourable guest in the fortress.
Making up her mind she decided to go back to the festivities, surely someone noticed by now and she couldn't take Sesshoumaru away from something this important like Rin's big day.
Sesshoumaru had dashed away discreetly back to his rooms where he exchanged his formal wear for his everyday clothes, the stiff fabric was heavy and unnecessary plus it rubbed him in the wrong ways he wanted to burn it.
This was totally the part of him that rebelled when he was younger, he knew he was powerful and didn't need to stick around the fortress and play prince and rule lazily like his mother when they were fights, patrols and better things out in the world he constantly explored. He was going to rule his way similar to that of his father who didn't stay stuck in his castle when he was one of the most powerful demons to ever rule this land.
Patting himself with both hands to his face, he knew he needed to get to Kagome and tell her everything. Thinking back he wasn't even sure when it started but she had nestled her way into his heart... She was abnormally powerful, brave, confident, and smart. She was quirky, shy, kind-hearted, mature and held respect amongst people far older than her.
He remembered when they had gotten married and he had stopped by to give Rin a new kimono for she had outgrown her orange one. She had waved happily at him calling him big brother and those words struck him hard and he gave her the most disgusted expression he thought he could pull off before flying away angrily.
Expecting to never encounter them again for they settled in Edo, Sesshomaru forgot about her and went on with his life.
He remembered when his mother told him that she had brought her with him he rushed down the waiting hall to find her soaked, malnourished and heartbroken and with no InuYasha.
He felt her pain in his loss but wondered if it was some sort of omen of maybe…
He left his trail of thoughts there, she had recovered and he began to see the lively, spirited woman he used to know. She was stubborn and she wouldn't stop till she got what she wanted.
Lost in thought, he yearned for her company… making up his mind, he had been stupid, he knew which woman he loved, and though he messed up and there might be some consequences he wanted no other than Kagome by his side, she would be the next Lady of the Western Lands, there would be no other.
Racing towards the dining waiting staff, Reiko started to approach Jaken who was talking with several demons when the door blew open and Lord Sesshomaru swept into the room. Frozen she bowed with everyone else hoping she didn't stand out.
He kicked Jaken across the floor for not inspecting the food properly and to investigate thoroughly who prepared Kagome's drink that evening, whoever was responsible would be dealt with in the morning, given that Kagome was still okay when he returned to the ballroom.
Jaken bowed.
"Yes Milord I will investigate." he stuttered nervously.
Sesshoumaru smirked and Jaken knew what happened when his master smiled…
Reiko winced at poor Jaken, before escaping back into the hall, she would have to wait and see if Rin appeared. She was probably going to get punished later for not being able to warn Jaken but she had to save Lady Kagome first.
A/N: Happy Wednesday! Sesshoumaru go get your woman already . and Kagome hun you drunk and horny, I don' think she's quite realized the predicament she is in yet… but well you'll see soon. Yay who will Rin pick? Find out tomorrow, she finally makes her announcement of which man she wants :)