"It's okay to feel nervous, Kagome," Genko swatted gently at the girl's shoulder, pulling her from her worried thoughts. The priestess was fidgeting with the intricate bow she had tied, and while the vixen wasn't concerned about the knotting coming undone, she knew the fabric would wrinkle under duress. "But please stop fiddling with my hard work."
"Right, okay," Kagome gave her an apologetic glance before returning to her reflection and meeting her own eyes. "I just-" She sighed, turning her gaze down, "I don't know."
"Now is not the time to fall weak, my Lady," Ami came beside the pair and leaned into her reflection to fasten the back of her earrings. Dressed in a rich velvet green dress, both Ami and Genko sported their house colors. Genko's dress reminded Kagome heavily of tinsel on a Christmas tree, and those flapper dresses the Americans sported in the 1920s. "You're about to meet every powerful demon that still exists."
"That's not what I'm worried about, really," Kagome admired their reflection as she spoke, watching as the two vixens preened at their tails, wrapped into a bun that made them both appear to be rabbits rather than foxes. Squaring her shoulders, Kagome tried to match their poise. Her hair done up in a low wrapped bun with glittering pins showed off her delicate neck and accented the plunge of her gown. "I guess I am just nervous."
"You have us, M'lady," Ami rested a gloved hand on her shoulder, "And not to mention a team of people here to help you. Lord Shippou and Lady Genko here," The mentioned vixen nodded her dark head in affirmation, "Lord Daisuke, Sensei Takeshi, the Monk Jiyu, and above all else, Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Mother Inukimi."
"She's right, you know." Genko wrapped her arm around her mate's adoptive mother, "We love you, Kagome." The three women nodded at each other in the reflection of the mirror. Somehow Kagome had brought so many walks of life together around her, forming a bond with each and every person, and as always, created a family of friends.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Jiyu popped his head into the doorway, a shy smile pulling at the corners of his lips. The gala was just as new to him as it was to Kagome, and once cleared into the Western palace, had been directed to join Kagome's personal party.
"No of course not," Kagome broke from the feminine group and welcomed the monk into her chambers. He was dressed in lavish robes of royal coloring and garnished with golden jewelry dangling from his ears and his staff that jingled with every movement. "Come here, please," Kagome embraced the young man, "I'm so glad you decided to come tonight."
"Anything for you, Lady Kagome." Jiyu pulled from her motherly attention and blushed at her appearance. He had never seen a priestess wear anything so revealing.
The two vixens snickered before heading towards the door. What a foolish human boy.
"Kagome, we'll be taking off to check in with Lord Sesshoumaru. Join the party when you're ready, okay? It's still early, so say a prayer for us tonight. Lady Ami is as unmarked as you are!" Genko winked at the humans, making the red vixen blush. Before she could protest beyond a gasp, Genko had hustled her out the door and into the halls. A faint yelp was heard as they retreated further.
"Kitsunes." Kagome giggled, rolling her eyes at their antics. Sitting down on a cushion, Jiyu followed suit.
"Marked, my Lady?" Jiyu inquired, hoping to gain perspective on demon culture. In his own lifetime, he had only ever known the litter of fire cats that they bred. Humanoid demons were much stronger, and rarely had he the chance to befriend a demon and familiarize himself to their customs. It certainly didn't help that different species of demons behaved differently as well. He would take this event as an opportunity to learn more.
"Mated," Kagome explained, "Like demon marriage, but more complex than the sort of marriage we're familiar with. Inu, kitsune, and okami are a canine family and those demons often mark their mates to physically show claim."
"Much like a wedding band." He tried to relate.
"Sort of." Kagome blushed, choosing not to divulge the more sexual nature of marking one's mate. He didn't need to know that while consummating, a demon's fangs needed to puncture the joint of their mate's neck enough to scar permanently.
Thankfully she had learned from Sango in the privacy of a late night hot spring trip. She was so knowledgeable about demons, it seemed silly to think she hadn't passed on the knowledge in her schooling. Or perhaps it was cut from the curriculum? They certainly didn't practice slaying demons any longer, so maybe the information was no longer crucial.
"Kagome," Jiyu averted his gaze, embarrassed by his own admiration of her dress, "May I say a prayer for a harmonious night of gathering?"
"That would be very much appreciated." Kagome reached for his hand and squeezed gently, drawing his attention back to her face. His flushed skin went unnoticed, but his aura did not. He was so much like his family, he had no idea.
"Woah!"
Both humans startled at the noisy intrusion.
"Kagome, I know you're a pitiful little human, but you should know better." Takeshi marched into the room with determination, pulling the girl to her feet. "Come on you lived in the feudal era! Demons are notoriously pissy about their females."
"Excuse me?" Kagome was dumbfounded. Jiyu sat confused over his cousin's erratic behavior. The man had never shown any sign of unease before. Had he done something he shouldn't have that he wasn't yet aware of?
"Hello," Takeshi knocked his knuckles on her forehead, "Earth to Kagome! Scent marking, you dumbass."
"I always forget!" Kagome cursed herself, sweating anxiously again. "I know!" Snapping her fingers, she padded her way over to the door where she left her low heels and slipped them on one at a time, "I'm so sorry, Jiyu, I'll catch up with you later! I have to find Shippou!" And with that, she was out the door, sprinting down the halls searching for a familial masculine scent to cover herself with.
"And you," Takeshi's silver eyes narrowed at his cousin, "Either have a death wish, or you're beyond ignorant." Hands on his hips, the throwback stood tall in an all black suit and tie, choosing to remain transformed to blend in with the guests. His pointed fangs stuck out of his mouth when he frowned. "Well come on, get a move on, we can't be standing around stinking up the room!" Takeshi stormed off before his scent could linger any longer, already fully aware that the Lord of the house disliked him.
Jiyu finally stood, preparing to leave, but taking a moment to pray.
Let the events of tonight be as they should, and allow me to serve my Lady to my utmost capabilities.
Kagome turned the corner on her way to rejoin the remainder of her friends, knowing they were likely lingering around Sesshou for direct orders should he need to delegate. She did not expect to smack face first into said Lord's chest.
I should expect this by now, she thought. Stupid strong demon and his stupid strong chest.
It was practically a reflex that he caught her arm to keep her from bouncing back onto her rear and bruising herself in the process.
"Sesshou!" Kagome threw her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose into his collarbone, hoping she could rub his own scent on her and that would please him enough to prevent being lectured a second time. "There you are!" It was a little secret the two foxes had shared with her while they all prepared for the evening together.
"Males, whether they're mates or pack leaders, fathers or elders, they love a good groveling. And when it comes to their females," Genko's lips stretched into a Cheshire smile, "They want to be nuzzled."
"Nuzzled?" Kagome had colored at the thought, but then she remembered that she had kissed Sesshou. Nuzzling was practically child's play in comparison.
"Yeah, take on their scent. Doesn't even have to be direct either." Ami added, "Wear his clothes, share a blanket, play with their hair. Whatever works to take on their scent. It says I'm yours."
"But I don't belong to anyone." Kagome hated to think of herself as owned. It was so primitive.
"Not true," Genko's Cheshire smile shrank, softening as she shook her head, her freshly curled ebony locks bouncing with the movement, "You're Sesshou's."
"Kagome." His stern tone told her enough. She wasn't that sneaky. Removing herself from his person, she grinned to disguise the cringe she felt. "Be more careful." Sesshou cleared his throat, choosing not to address her scent, "Now come, we must meet with Mother and join the gala."
She nodded in agreement, and trailed after him. Relief flooded her when he chose not to berate her, but concerned that he hadn't either. She would think on it later, she decided. For now, she had other demons to be more concerned about. Like his mother, Lady Inukimi.