Somber Twilight
Princess of Ikana
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the works of InuYasha. It belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Prompt: Announcement
Sesshoumaru had returned shortly after Kagome, relieved to see her recovering from the strong amount of alcohol. He walked over to her and gently cupped her rosy cheek. She grew redder under the feel of his hand, warmth tendrilled downwards as well.
Smelling her slight arousal, Sesshomaru pulled away pleased.
"I'm sorry Milord, but I must fetch some water, I have had too much to drink." she timidly explained before going to the buffet table nearby.
He watched her go, thinking of something to say to her afterwards. Humans required feelings from words and he had to prepare to say the right thing.
Moonlight slowly cascaded over his still form and he looked up into the night sky. The full moon had reached its peak and it was time. He motioned for the nearby guard, who grabbed Jaken who was waiting outside with the ceremonial dong.
Silence fell over the crowd and they began to gather in the centre of the room where Rin walked towards. She climbed the small platform that had been set up and Lord Sesshoumaru joined her shortly after.
"Lord's and Lady's of my court, honourable guests from neighbouring lands, demons of all kinds and the few humans that are lucky enough to witness an important rite of passage in demon ways." Sesshoumaru began his speech.
Everyone held their breath and complete silence fell over the room in huge anticipation.
"It is my honour to introduce you to my daughter, Lady Rin of the Western lands, who will now announce who she has picked to commit to a lifetime of joy and happiness." he continued moving over and allowing Rin to take center stage.
Rin gracefully took center stage and allowed the moonlight to wash over slowly before speaking.
"I... Rin of the house of the moon in the Western lands, do declare my choice…. The Lord Itsuki of the Southern Lands" she proclaimed holding out a blue and yellow comb with a crescent moon on it as a courting proposal.
Itsuki climbed the dais and humbly accepted her gift and their proposal was complete.
Jaken rang a symbol dong in the corner before announcing that the mating ceremony would be a week's time back here in the ballroom.
Demons surrounded the new couple and offered advice and congratulations.
The festivities continued and Kagome fidgeted with the comb in her hair, discreetly removing the borrowed trinkets and returning them to Naoki.
"Milord, thank you for loaning me these but I had no idea how important these were before I dared to ask you to borrow them, are we bound in a courting contract as well, '' referring to Rin and Itsuki who smiled and thanked their guests for their happy future.
"We didn't perform a public declaration so there is no harm done, though I'm sure everyone is hoping that we are the next couple to publicly declare our intentions… After all, I am a taiyoukai and heir to a kingdom.
Kagome gasped in shock and horror that she had played a dangerous game and was messing with people's high expectations.
Naoki escorted her away before wrapping his arms around her.
"I understand that you are confused and I'm not expecting anything from you, I already knew that you and Sesshoumaru were getting along famously before I even spoke to you that first time, don't worry about me I'm just glad we've come as close as we are," he said trying to calm her.
"Milord I must know…. Did we make love... That night I blacked out?" she asked, afraid of the answer.
"No, I would never take advantage of an unsuspecting woman, you were vulnerable and once we toppled into your room that night, you passed out upon impact and I just transferred you to your bed and returned back to my rooms, truly nothing happened," he answered.
Kagome sighed in relief she was glad she didn't make a terrible mistake.
As a tradition, the festivities would continue until dawn and it was up to individuals if they wanted to stay up all night and celebrate, the main event was now over and people mingled, danced and frocked secretly in alcoves and nooks.
Kagome mostly stuck close to Naoki but there were a few times she would be interrupted and asked to dance and she was obligated to accept.
Lord Hideki surprisingly asked for a dance and she was apprehensive because she didn't have much contact with him this evening.
"Milady, might I congratulate you on your lovely attire this evening?" he marvelled as they took their first spin to the song playing.
"Thank you, Milord, it was handpicked by me" she replied with a fake smile, starting to feel more nervous.
"As pretty as it is, I'm surprised that you aren't wearing Sesshoumaru's colours for you are a widow of his younger brother and I thought perhaps a close ally of his?" he inquired further.
Kagome gritted her teeth in surprised anger.
What was with everyone trying to bait her intentions that evening? Did they know?
"Well Lord Hideki, Lord Naoki was gracious enough to escort me this evening as Milord is preoccupied with the Lovely Lady Miyuki and I just thought I would appreciate the North by wearing their colours as a show of respect," she explained sweetly.
"You are a good diplomat as well I see, The West has a great ally in you Lady Kagome, I'm a bit envious, for you don't meet many respectable women nowadays like yourself" he complimented her.
Kagome blushed lightly, caught off guard by his kind words.
"Please Milord, you flatter me" she responded in kind.
The song ended moments later and he stepped back and kissed her hand before departing.
Hmm… maybe all the cardinal lords were impressive in their own right, she thought before escaping the middle of the dance floor, she needed a break.
Walking back to the nearby hallway, someone grabbed her wrist and hurled her into a nearby alcove.
Screeching lightly and ready to zap the offending person she was startled to see Reiko.
"I'm sorry Milady for the scare but you were the first person I saw coming and had to grab you," she whispered softly.
"Reiko? What happened?" Kagome asked, super confused and now concerned.
"I'm just super glad to see you are alright Kagome-sama, I came to warn Rin-sama that someone had messed with your goblet tonight in an attempt to embarrass yourself, drunk" she continued tears reaching her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm drunk, I'm alright though, I managed to get some water in me and taking necessary breaks to sober up. Their attempt failed. If you like I can pull Rin away for a moment if you need to talk to her" Kagome offered, facing back towards the main hall.
Reiko pulled her back, shaking her head.
"You are alright, I have no more urgent news for Milady, I'm sure you've heard by now that I'm no longer in her service" She mumbled quietly.
Kagome sighed, she had heard from Jaken in recent days to not expect Reiko's presence any further for Rin had permanently dismissed her services… getting no explanation from him of course, she went to Rin to ask what had happened? Reiko had been serving her since she was a girl and when she first arrived with Sesshoumaru at the Fortress after he found her and she began to follow him around Japan.
Turns out Keisuke wasn't as loyal as Rin had hoped and he had been having an off and on affair with Reiko for years… something about foxes high maintenance, having lovers in their younger years wasn't uncommon while they looked for their mate which then became their only and forever relationship… If Keisuke had been more honest about his dealings with her, perhaps Rin could have forgiven him, and she was hurt by Reiko's betrayal and dishonesty as well even though this was common and normal in demon culture.
"I understand why you didn't think it was any of Rin's business when you were sleeping with one of her marriage candidates as I understand demon nature better than her but Reiko-san, Rin was terribly hurt that you were doing that behind her back while she was determining who she wanted to spend her life with… us humans are sensitive to that," Kagome responded, already knowing why and how she was dismissed as Rin's servant.
"It was bad of me and I put a stop to it after the one and only time, and all the other times I was away were to tell him off that it was over... She doesn't believe me... I have apologized and just wanted to stay friends, even if I don't get to serve her anymore, Lady Kagome, do you know if our friendship can be saved?" Reiko asked, upset.
"I think she needs some time, she is preoccupied with her new fiancee and perhaps she's already over her heartache with Keisuke? But maybe not for they were friends before ever showing interest in each other. Once the mating ceremony is over she is settled into her new role, perhaps you can rekindle your lost bond, by explaining to her how you are sorry, Rin needs some guidance in the ways of demons and perhaps she will understand a bit better after her marking." Kagome suggested.
"Thank you Lady Kagome, I will wait for her and see. '' Reiko responded grateful, letting her go.
Kagome bid her goodnight before going back to the ballroom, also not wanting someone else to snatch her into the shadows again, even if it was another friend….
Yeesh, demons…
Naoki appeared and walked up to her looking relieved.
"I thought someone had kidnapped you, you had disappeared for a while"
"Sorry, Reiko dragged me away for a moment, needing to talk, I'm alright" She explained, smiling at him lightly, swaying slightly.
"Let's get some air, you reek of alcohol Milady," he said, leading her away laughing lightly as she huffed in annoyance, it wasn't her idea to get this drunk.
The gardens were beautiful at night, Sesshoumaru seemed to favour flowers and fauna that liked moonlight best and they would bloom and glow during moonlight peak hours.
"Just like the house of the moon to favour moonlight flowers best" Naoki admitted.
"Milord, I've been thinking about it all night long and been wondering why you were so interested in me all this time when you already knew I was in love with Sesshoumaru?."Kagome asked, wanting to figure this out.
He didn't reply but looked towards the moon, looking thoughtful.
"I saw you out here one night when I first arrived and I was enhanced by your raven beauty that I had to figure out who you were… of course to my surprise you turned out to be Sesshoumaru's temporary personal assistant and the Shikon Miko… I knew my chances were slim then, given who you are''
Kagome was surprised anyone noticed her on one of her moonlight walks into the garden, she would have nightmares closer to a waning moon, probably because she would be anxious about InuYasha's vulnerable night on the new moon that she was plagued by the past still, and the moon always comfortable her when she was mourning her losses.
"It was during a meeting that I noticed you and Sesshoumaru keeping eye contact throughout the meeting and I realized that you were interested in each other, whether you knew it or not and well seeing no hint of an actual relationship, I took my chance and well you know the rest," he explained further.
Kagome wilted, feeling bad that she kept breaking unsuspecting men's hearts.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out Milord" she replied honestly.
"It's alright Kagome, even though we didn't fall in love, I gained a valuable friendship and ally out of it so I'm content," he said now looking at her happily.
"I hope our friendship lasts as many years as I have left, Naoki," she replied happily.
They reached out their hands and admired the cool evening moon for a bit longer before they would call it the night, after all, humans required sleep.
A/N: Happy Thursday! One more chapter to go :) were you happy to see Rin pick the gentleman Itsuki? Hmm, a strong friendship is definitely helpful to a budding relationship especially when things get difficult. I giggled when I imagined Lord Sesshoumaru's private reaction to Rin leaving the West for a cat demon, thinking of the panthers of his teenhood… but remember that Itsuki is a Jaguar and is a much finer breed of cat lol.