Chapter 6
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I don't own Inuyasha, all rights to Rumiko Takahashi
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The group had continued their trip to the west and Sesshomaru had miscalculated.
Given that his new companions were human he didn't give much thought of how different their strength was to his.
Everyone in the group was strong, but the miko had amazed him the most, he supposed she was used to it by now, the rough weather making the trip harder on everyone, except Inuyasha.
He knew Sango was tired, not only that but Rin as well and Kagome tried to keep the children content costing her her own patience and sanity.
They had entered The West.
The moment they stepped on the village, all eyes were on them, knowing who they were, people approached chanting gratitude kissing their hands and bowing to everyone except Sesshomaru.
Nobody dared to approach him.
People parted the way for him, just like the red sea, with their heads darting to the ground, in silence.
The laughter died and fear settled in the faces of the villagers, afraid of their prince, their ruler, The Lord of The West.
Kagome observed him, his back to her as he moved slowly through the crowd.
The fur on his shoulder trailing after him, the silk falling of his body dressing him in white like a fallen angel, she wondered for a brief moment if he had a place in hell, if God were to exist, would he send his eyes and the nature they held to hell?
Could he be damned?
Kagome observed him, the gracefulness of his movements, the delicacy of his steps, the night in front of them, tracing his silhouette lit by the few fires they passed by here and there.
Nothing short of power.
Time once again pulled it's feet in front of her own, uneasiness finding it's way through her soul as her eyes drank Sesshomaru down, burning.
His silver hair, long to his feet, she picked up on how his chest was now bare without the armor he had worn since she had met him, both swords resting on his hip, swaying along his steps.
Soft steps broke her lingering as she looked down to see Rin making her way next to Sesshomaru, taking his hand in her dainty fingers.
Kagome knew he would not reject the gesture, as he circled the girl's hand on his own and tugged her closer to him.
They continued to walk in silence until they reached the intended destination.
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He could feel the stares and listen to the beating hearts of the people around him.
His people.
Not daring to look at him, with their heads buried in their necks and their eyes fascinated by the earth beneath them.
But he could also feel her eyes on him.
Burning.
She probably didn't notice how her energy felt like a whip hitting his.
He liked being acknowledged, being his father's son.
He liked his name and the power it held.
There were thing in his life that didn't quite fit, things he couldn't quite resolve, but being who he was from birth had always felt right.
It felt right to rule, to be powerful, to be victorious.
He could still feel her eyes on him, studying him, as her scent mixed with doubt.
In the thought of her, Rin had managed to stand by his side, departing him from her blue.
He felt her hand slowly closing over his and he took it without hesitation.
Rin's presence was never a secret and he had no means for her to be that, taking pride in her instead.
He moved his head and traced his eyes just so they could rest on Kagome's quickly before turning once more to continue their path.
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They stood before a mansion, men standing in a row dressed in armors and shiny swords in front of it.
The place was far from the village they had passed, hidden in the never ending forest that seemed to follow them everywhere.
She turned around suddenly noticing the silence that had settled even before continuing their trip, Miroku and Sango held hands while Kirara followed suit behind them, Inuyasha was at the tail, crossed arms and harsh expression, she was walking behind Sesshomaru with Rin and Shippo in hand and she was getting tired.
As soon as the soldiers caught sight of Sesshomaru, two of them scurried inside the house and came back a minute later with another man with them.
The man, a demon, made his way to Sesshomaru.
Kagome watched him, he sported a red akome, long white hair falling on his back tied in a low ponytail, then she stopped at his face.
He had the same half moon on his forehead, the one Sesshomaru carried, stripes stroking his cheeks but this time they were a light blue, his eyes were almost grey.
-"Uncle" Sesshomaru greeted the man as he bowed his head in his direction.
-"Lord Sesshomaru" the other man replied bowing as well "at what do we owe the honor of your presence?"
Kagome blamed it on the exhaustion but she could've sworn there was a hint of sarcasm in the man's reply.
There was a moment where the two men didn't say anything until the tension broke and the man hugged Sesshomaru, him hugging back.
-"It's good to see you son" the man said and Sesshomaru replied "you too uncle".
They broke the hug and turned around to meet the others.
-"I'm Taisho Tadao, son of Taisho Takao, brother of Toga, heir to the throne of The West, now what do we have here" Tadao continued to say before studying the pale faces of the group, Kagome turned around but as expected, Inuyasha wasn't there.
She faced Tadao and bowed.
Kagome wasn't one to know how to behave in terms of nobility, she was not a princess or a royal so her knowledge came down to Sesshomaru and even then, she had never respected him enough to bow.
-"Greetings my lord" Miroku said stepping in front of Kagome saving the situation, gesturing with his hand to Sango, the children and Kagome.
-"I'm Miroku, we are Sesshomaru's companions"
Tadao turned to Sesshomaru
-"You must be exhausted, come, please" he said walking towards the entrance.
Sango took Miroku's hands and Kirara ran around the mansion, reassuring that she would be back.
-"Hey, where's Inuyasha?" Sango asked Kagome when they stepped into the gigantic patio of the house entrance, walking a trail that led to it.
-"I don't…"
-"My servants will lead you each to your rooms, any complains you may have you can talk to me about, nothing but the best for my son and his companions"
-"Uncle" Sesshomaru spoke "They're not my companions, me and Rin are theirs"
For a moment, Tadao seemed very confused.
-"She's the miko who defeated Naraku, uncle"
All eyes were on Kagome now and she wished she could open a whole and disappear through it.
-"I well…" she laughed nervously and saw Sesshomaru hiding a mocking smile, he did it on purpose "yeah um, I-"
Tadao moved rapidly to her side and held her hand in his.
-"It's an honor to finally meet you, Sesshomaru, you didn't tell me who you were traveling with"
Sesshomaru laughed and placed a hand in his uncle's shoulder
-"I think the ladies are tired, let's have this conversation over dinner shall we?"
He was simply effortless, Kagome thought, Sesshomaru's words came out just perfectly out of his mouth.
Tadao quickly gestured the servants to their aid, one held Kagome's bag, arrows and bow and the other helped Sango with her hiraikotsu, taking their belongings with them.
-"Are you tired?" Sesshomaru knelt in front of Rin as the little girl rubbed her eye with her fist nodding "Atsuko" Sesshomaru called out "could you please take Rin and Shippo to their rooms?"
A woman appeared from behind the house and crossed the patio to them.
Kagome didn't need to ask Shippo if he was tired as she already knew the answer, the boy was practically snoring by the time the woman came by her side and took Shippo's hand, with Rin in arms, disappearing into the parted doors behind them.
-"Now if you allow me" Tadao offered his arm to Kagome as the rest of the group entered the house, she looked at Sesshomaru for rescue and he simply held his hands saying 'What do you want me to do?' Dropping the facade he so meticulously decorated while parading through the village, and there he was again.
Kagome accepted the arm as they entered the house, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of it.
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A/N: I don't really know how many people are reading this but if you are, thank you so much!
I would love it if you could leave a review with a little feedback.
Honestly as a writer with zero experience this is quite difficult so bare with me please.
Hope you are enjoying it above everything else.