Chapter XI
Meanwhile in the dojo, Inuhime and Inuyasha has been sparring for a little while.
Inuhime taunted as she twirled her fan around, "Is that all you got, little brother?"
"Keh, just watch," Inuyasha said confidently.
Suddenly a couple of Inuhime's suitors came into the dojo. They must got word that she was in the dojo because of how they were dressed. No shirt; just their hakamas on.
One of them named Arashi* said, "Well, well, well, look what do we have here, Ryu*." He was looking at Inuyasha. "So, Inuhime, who's this little bastard?" Now he's looking at Inuhime. Inuyasha was going to say something but Inuhime had spoken first.
"That's Lady Inuhime to you, Lord Arashi." She'd said 'lord' with some venom. She turned Inuyasha around and walked towards the exit. "Inuyasha, go get Sesshomaru." Inuyasha was going to protest, but she continued, "No, Inuyasha. Go. Get. Sesshomaru... please." She said the last word in a pleading tone. All he could do was nod and left her behind.
Inuhime turned back around to face them. She forced a smile. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"
Ryu said, "Lady Inuhime, you didn't answer my father's question."
She smiled cooly, "This Inuhime doesn't have to answer to you or Lord Arashi. What are you doing here?"
"Why you little bitch. When I become your mate, I will show you, who's your alpha," Ryu said as he forced her against the wall. Each other faces was nose to nose.
"Get away from me, Ryu."
"Or what Inuhime?"
Inuyasha ran as fast as he could. He doesn't understand why Inuhime didn't let him say anything other than to get Sesshomaru. Once he arrived at the study's door, Jaken was guarding the entrance.
Jaken yelled, "Hanyou, you are not allow here! Now leave!"
Inuyasha thought, "Yeah, like that little ugly bastard could stop me." He glared at Jaken; a Sesshomaru-like glare. "Move it or loose it, ugly."
"Why you..." Inuyasha knocked him out and quickly open the shoji door.
Sesshomaru and Kagome was having a pleasant conversation when Inuyasha barged in. Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, have you ever heard of knocking," Kagome said in aggravation.
"Feh, Sesshomaru, Inuki needs you in the dojo."
Sesshomaru stared at Inuyasha; looked at Kagome; and then looked at Inuyasha.
"Why?"
"Well, some bastards came in the dojo while we were sparring."
"Well, maybe they wanted to spar, Inuyasha," said Kagome.
"They were wearing only their hakamas."
Sesshomaru got up after he said that and walked towards the dojo. He was followed by Kagome and his half-breed, half-brother.
"What's the deal Sesshomaru," Kagome asked by running up to him.
Sesshomaru answered, "Males are not supposed to be alone with a female unless they were accompanied by a male relative or a male bodyguard. Unless they're intending to be mates or a mated couple. Being that males are stronger than females, depending on the species of youkai. For instance, a male dragon may be stronger than a female inu. They're also improperly dressed."
Once they arrived, Sesshomaru saw Inuhime up against the wall. Inuhime knew when to pick her battles. She knew better to pick a fight with a male dragon. Kagome observed the male who had Inuhime against the wall. The said male was tall and muscular. He had green hair. It was as long as Sesshomaru's silverish white hair. He was wearing a pair of black hakamas.
He had Inuhime blocked by both of his arms. Sesshomaru heard Ryu said, "Or what Inuhime?"
Sesshomaru and his beast was inwardly growling. Inuyaaha couldn't help, but to open his mouth. "Or get your scaly ass away from my sister!"
Ryu turned around and was going to protest, but stopped as soon as he saw Sesshomaru standing right behind him. He involuntarily gulped as he observed the Lord of the West's appearance. Sesshomaru's shoulders were tensed. His fists were making a hard fist as his claws was making his inner palms bleed.
"Lor... Lord Sesshomaru! Its... It isn't what it looks like!"
"Hn, then pray tell this Sesshomaru what you think this looks like, then."
Arashi had spoken up. "Lord Sesshomaru, we were having a conversation. That's all."
Sesshomaru glared at Arashi coldly that even made Inuhime's spine shivered. "Having this one's sister up against the wall is having a conversation? You think this one's a fool!"
"No, Lord Sesshomaru."
As Sesshomaru was trying not to melt them with his poisonous claws, Inuhime made Kagome and Inuyasha following her just outside the dojo. They could hear all sorts of excuses they made to Sesshomaru. They even tried to flatter Sesshomaru, which didn't work.
They heard him roared. "That's enough of your pathetic excuses! You had always been after this one's twin, since our puphood! From this day forth, you will no longer come near my Lady Sister again. If this Sesshomaru hears that you deliberately disobey me, this one will kill you." He said the last few words in a hard, cold, and deep baritone that there was no argument on the matter.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I must protest. You see, I am the new Lord of the North. I imagined that your Lady Mother wouldn't want us be in a war... again. Now, would she? I also imagine that Inuhime doesn't want to loose her little brother like you, two, had lost your father. Would you, Lady Inuhime?"
"Is that a threat?!"
"No, Lord Sesshomaru. I was just saying that we don't need to be in conflict, especially over a woman."Arashi said as he looked at Inuhime leeringly, which made Inuhime shuttered. Sesshomaru gave Ryu and Arashi a cold, deadly glare that clearly said, 'cross me, I'll kill you.'
Sesshomaru said in his usual bored and stoic tone, "Come, sister... Kagome... Brother." Sesshomaru turned and walked pass them expecting them to follow. Inuyasha wasn't going to because he had a bone to pick with them, however, both Inuhime and Kagome linked their arms with him and made him walk. He sighed thinking that he will have his day with them, someday.
It was around dinnertime, when a maid came into Kagome's room to wake her up and to help her getting dressed for dinner. Kagome was tired and decided to take a nap. Kagome was remembering the conversation with Sesshomaru before Inuyasha barged in. She knew that Sesshomaru was being honest with her. It was just a normal conversation that a man and a woman would be having like they were on a date or something. She snorted at that thought.
"As if, Sesshomaru would date someone like me. He would rather die before taking me out on a date."
Kagome couldn't help, but wish of something more with him. Yes, they were allies during the battle against Naraku. Now, she's having a really hard time defining what kind of relationship that they were making. Was it acquaintanceship, friendship, or something more intimate? She thought, "No. Nothing like a romantic type of relationship. More likely it's an acquaintanceship or friendship, in which I will gladly accept."
Kagome was deep in her thoughts when the maid said, "Lady Kagome?"
Silence.
"Lady Kagome?"
Silence.
The maid touch the miko's shoulder gently; careful not to startle her and get zapped by her reiki. "Lady Kagome."
Kagome finally came back to reality. "Huh?"
"Lady Kagome, it's time to do your hair and makeup."
"Could you stop calling me 'lady'? I am not one of those ladies of the court."
"But milady, I must call you by that title! I can get so much trouble."
"Well, just call me that in public as you could just call me 'Kagome' in private."
The maid sighed. "As you wish, mila-... I mean Kagome."
"See, how hard was that. What's your name?" Kagome walked over to the vanity and sat, so that, the maid could brush her hair and did some elegant hairstyle.
"My name is unimportant. Why would you want to know, milady?"
It was Kagome's turn to sigh. "It's about acknowledgement and respect." The maid smiled and then nod in understanding.
"Most of the Ladies of the Court and those from the other Cardinal Lands had never took in interest in us. So, you can understand my confusion on this matter." Kagome nodded. "I am called Nariko*."
"So, Nariko, what kind of youkai are you? I mean, if you don't mind me asking."
"It's alright. I don't mind. I am a black inuyoukai."
Nariko had finished doing her hair. She was getting some white power. "Do I really had to put that on?"
Nariko blinked a few times. She was never asked to not to put some on. "No. I guess not," she said uncertainly. She asked, "How about the red lip-paint and red and black accents around the eyes and eyebrows?"
"No, just the red lip-paint and the black eye-liner. I could do it myself, Nariko."Nariko had no idea what an eye-liner was, but she figured that it's what she called the black paint to put around her eyes.
"No, Kagome. I don't mind. It's just... It's just different is all." Kagome nodded.
Once Nariko was finished with Kagome's makeup, Kagome got out her hand-held mirror from her big, yellow backpack. While Kagome was checking out her hair and makeup, Nariko was preparing her lady's 12 layer kimono. She 'ahem-ed' to get her lady's attention and once she had it. She said, "Kagome, now lets get you in your kimono."
Kagome saw her kimono and groaned. She noticed that it was a 12 layer kimono. She hated those. They were heavy. Nariko let Kagome looked at her chosen kimono. The outer kimono is the most decorated while the others had plain colors. It was beautiful. The kimono was white and had red cherry blossoms, like it was blowing in the wind or something. It also had a matching obi to go with it. It was had Sesshomaru's insignia, which is a crescent moon with three cherry blossoms inside the dark part of the moon.
Several minutes later...
There was a light knock on the door. So light that only Nariko could hear. Nariko slid opened the shoji door. When she saw who it was, she bowed. The said person nodded and excused her. Kagome had her back from the person coming towards her. The said person leaned over to her ear and said, "You look beautiful." Kagome gasped in surprise and quickly turned around to find that no one was there. Kagome furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
She thought, "Okay that was weird." She shrugged it off. Then she noticed that Nariko wasn't around. "Hmm, perhaps, she was needed elsewhere."
Kagome slid her door close and started walking towards the dining room. As she was walking, she saw Sesshomaru standing near the stairs. She regarded Sesshomaru's attire. It wasn't his usual white kimono, that had three cherry blossoms on his left shoulder and at the bottom of his right sleeve. He wore a silk, plain purple kimono with a golden obi. It also had the three cherry blossoms embroidered on the kimono.
Sesshomaru knew Kagome was coming. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes widen at the beauty coming towards him.
"Good evening, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Good evening, Kagome. Allow this Sesshomaru escort you to the dining hall."
Kagome beamed and nodded. Sesshomaru linked his arm with Kagome's arm. As they were walking, the servants were looking at their lord strangely.
Inuyasha was thinking about what happened these past few days. Inuyasha heard his door slid open and he looked over his shoulder. It was his eldest sibling, Inuhime. She smiled at him and then frowned.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha just sat there; thinking, just thinking about things that happened earlier in the day. Inuhime waited for him to speak. She knew that he had something on his mind.
"You can tell me, Inuyasha."
"I don't know how it feels to have an alpha. My mother was only human and my father was dead. Sesshomaru had only treated me like I was dirt underneath his boots. I had to defend myself, which I had several close calls. I had to teach myself how to hunt, to climb trees for safety. You and Sesshomaru were lucky to have known the old man."Inuyasha wasn't used to talking about himself; not even to Kagome, his best friend, but for some reason he could with her.
"To know him as a father and alpha. I'd never had that. I had only heard stories about father from Totosai and Myoga." He paused for a moment. "I was ridicule by youkai and humans alike. They even tried to kill me. I didn't understand why, then. I was driven to be a recluse; destined to be alone forever. I secretly admired Sesshomaru for his... his everything. I got resentful of him every time that I saw him, though. He would put me down, called me worthless, and nearly killing me. He always said that I was an abomination; a taint to father's bloodline. When I heard about the Shikon no Tama and what it could do, I knew that I need to have it. No matter what the cost. Then there was Kikyo. I knew that she was the guardian of the Jewel. I knew that she was powerful. I knew that she could purified me instantly. We unexpectedly fell in love, then that bastard, Naraku, disguised himself as me and stole the Jewel and wounding her deeply to cause her death. However, not until she pinned me to sleep on a tree that she died." Inuyasha paused to gather his thoughts. He'd never talked this much, so he took a deep breath.
"50 years later, a girl from the future released me from the spell. She released me because she was in danger by a centipede youkai. Once she released me, I killed that weak youkai with my 'Iron-Weaver Soul Stealer'. No long afterwards, I tried to kill her to get the Jewel. I'd chased her until that old hag, Kaede magically put these stupid beads on me. Then Kagome said, 'sit boy,' just before I grabbed the Jewel that was rolling towards me, because she's a klutz." He chuckled at the memory. "Kagome was my first friend. She accepted me for who I am; not what I am. She's my best friend."
Inuhime had the urge to face-palmed herself when he said that he didn't know how it feels to have an alpha. "Inuyasha, forgive me. I wasn't thinking when I said that you know how it feels to have an alpha, knowing that you'd never had one'... 'directly," she thought the last word. She wasn't going to tell Inuyasha that Sesshomaru had saved him a bunch of times when he was a pup, because he wouldn't believed her even if she did. So she left that little detail out. It was by her request, knowing that Sesshomaru would had killed him because Inuyasha was a possible threat of his titles.
"Sorry to hear about Kikyo." She paused as she was Inuyasha shrugged one of his shoulders as if it wasn't a big deal. "Kagome sounds like she's a special girl."
"Keh, you had no idea. She attracts trouble all the time. Like the mangy wolf, Kouga. He always claimed her as his every time he ran into us during our jewel shard-hunting days. Feh, he does it even now. That mangy wolf is so stupid that he can't take a hint."
"Inuyasha, I hate to stop our bonding time, but I came here to escort you to the dining hall."
"Feh, the only reason why I am going is to protect Kagome from those bitches. I can't believe that Kagome agreed to be the ice bastard's 'confidant', whatever the fuck that is."
They walked out of Inuyasha's room and walked to the dining hall.
As Sesshomaru, Inuhime, Kagome, and Inuyasha walked in the dining hall, the potential mates of Sesshomaru and Inuhime stopped their idle chatter and looked at them expectedly. Inukimi saw them, then walked to them. She said, "Come, Let us go sit and eat."
Sesshomaru sat on his end of the table. Kagome sat on the left side of Sesshomaru. Inuhime sat next to Kagome. Inuyasha was forced to sit at Sesshomaru's right side, across from Kagome, much to his displeasure. Hikaru sat next to Inuyasha. He had escorted Inukimi to the dining hall. He told her of his interest in Inuhime as a mate. He was nervouse as hell, but all the Inukimi did was smiled and gave her consent. The males were seated between Hikaru and Inukimi. The females were seated between Inukimi and Inuhime.
Inukimi announced, "Before we eat, let our guests introduce themselves to Sesshomaru and Inuhiime and their confidants, Kagome and Hikaru. However, Hikaru will pursue his interest in my daughter and Inuyasha, Sesshomaru's and Inuhime's half brother, is now Inuhime's confidant. Please give your name and title or relation of the lord of your land. Ladies are first. Now begin ladies."
Just before either one of the ladies could start introducing themselves, Inuyasha yelled, "Hey, old bitch, who do you think you are including me in this shit?! Inuyasha had earned himself two glares from Kagome and Sesshomaru and a slap in the back of his head from Hikaru. He whispered to Inuyasha, "You should be honored to become your sister's confidant. Also this would give her time to get to know her baby brother."
Inuyasha, then uncharacteristically apologized to Inukimi. She, in turn, waved a dismissive hand at that.
The one that sat next to the right of Inukimi 'ah-hemed' to get their attention. Once did she said, "Hello, I am Konami* and this is my twin sister, Minami*. We are the daughters of the Lord of the South," she said as she looked at Sesshomaru. Minami, also, looked at him before they bowed down to them. Kagome observed the neko-youkai twin sisters. She noticed that they are fraternal twins like Sesshomaru and Inuhime. The one called Konami had long, platinum-blonde hair, that was waist-length. Her eyes were blue. She wore a kimono that matched her eyes. The other one called Minami had red hair that was in a long braid. It went over her left shoulder down to her stomach. She had green eyes. She wore a white kimono that was decorated with cherry blossoms lightly floating down to the ground.
The one that sat next to Minami said, "Hi, my name is Ayame. I am the granddaughter of Yorozoku, the Leader of the Northern Ookami-youkai Tribe of the Eastern Lands." She bowed down to them before sitting back down again. Ayame had green eyes and red hair that was in pig-tails. She also had an iris in one of her pig-tails. She wore a white wolf fur draped over her shoulders, red and blue armor, and had a white wolf fur skirt. She had on a green fanged necklace, insteps, and arm guards. Kagome thought that she looked awfully familiar, but couldn't remember where or when she had seen her.
The one that sat next to Ayame said as she looked at Sesshomaru, "Hello, I am called Setsuna*. I am the daughter of our current Lord of the Northern Lands." She bowed down to them and sat down again. Kagome observed her and noticed that she was a ryu-youkai. She had yellow cat eyes and her dark, green hair was in a pony-tail, wrapped in a yellow ribbon. She wore a dark green kimono that had a dragon on the right shoulder.
The one that sat next to Setsuna said as she, too, looked at Sesshomaru, "Hi, I am called Yuki*. I am, too, the daughter of our current Lord of the Northern Lands." She bowed down to them and sat down again. Kagome noticed that she was not a full demon. She was a ryu-hanyou. She wondered what was her other half. Was it demon? Or was it human? She also noticed the one called Yuki that she was wearing a red, silk kimono, that had a dragon on her right shoulder. She had yellow eyes, which aren't cat eyes, and long, curly, black hair.
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru to get some sort of... something to know what he was thinking. His face was always hard, stone, stoic, indifferent. She wondered how Inuhime, Inukimi, or even Rin could read his facial expressions, She needed to ask about their secrets in how to read Sesshomaru's face and/or body languages. All she knew was when he glared a death glare that promises death. She should know; she had seen it, once, twice... uh, many times before.
Now it was the males turn. Hikaru introduced himself to the guests and he, even, bowed down to Inuhime, who, in turn, tried to fight her blush. She had to end up opening a fan to hide her face before any red could appeared. The one that sat to the right of Hikaru said in a deep voice, "Hello, I am Ryutaro*, the eldest son of the Lord of the North." He looked at Inuhime with lust in his eyes, which made her very uncomfortable. Inuyasha could sense his sister's unease, so did Sesshomaru and Hikaru. They were going to say something, but Inuhime gave them a look that clearly said, 'don't you dare.' Kagome could also sense her uneasiness. She could see how she could feel uncomfortable around him. The way he looked at her with such intensity. It was unnerving. She noticed what he wore. He wore a purple kimono that had a dragon on his right shoulder. He, also, had yellow cat eyes and dark green hair, that was braided down to his back. He was also ryu-youkai like Setsuna.
The next one, who sat next to Ryutaro said, "I am Arashi, the current Lord of the North." He stared at Inuhime with such hunger like it was very unsettling. He bowed down to her and sat down. He wore a blue kimono that had a big dragon embroidered on the back of the kimono. He, too, had yellow cat eyes. He had long, black hair that was a little longer than Sesshomaru's hair.
The one that sat next to Arashi said, "I am Ryu, the second son of our current Lord of the North. He looked at her a little differently than his father and his elder brother, which couldn't be placed. He wore a light green kimono that had a dragon on his right shoulder. He had long, green hair, that was as long as Sesshomaru's hair and also had yellow cat eyes.
The one that sat next to Ryu said, "Hi, I'm Kouga, the Leader of the Eastern Ookami-youkai Tribe of the Eastern Lands." Kouga noticed Kagome. He winked at her and then bowed down to Inuhime and sat down again. Kouga has blue eyes and black hair that was always tied up into a ponytail with a brown cord. He wore a brown wolf pelt; has a brown wolf fur head band; wore silver and black armor; and also has brown wolf fur as shoulder plates. He also knew that Ayame was there, too. He, however, didn't know that Kagome was there. It was a surprise to him. A great surprise, which he thought maybe he could start courting her.
Kagome wasn't expecting to see Kouga. She looked at Inuyasha, who looked like he wanted to growl, but couldn't for some reason or another. She, then, looked at Sesshomaru. She noticed him narrowed his eyes a little. He was probably wondering why he was there, since the males were there trying to court his twin sister.
The last male who was a nekoyoukai, sat between Kouga and Inukimi said, "I am Kazuo, the son of the Southern Lord." He bowed to Inuhime and then sat down. He wore a white kimono that had some blue cat paw-prints on his left shoulder. His right eye was blue and the other was green. He had red hair with platinum-blonde highlights. Half of his hair was in a bun as the other half was down. His hair was at waist-length.
Inukimi 'ah-hemed' to get their attention. "Now that the introductions were announced. We can now eat." She signaled Nanami to get the maidservants to serve them their food. The meal was quite delicious. They had steak and rice and drank demon sake. Once everyone finished eating, Inukimi said, "That was delicious, was it?" The guests and the others nodded in agreement. "Now, the males go to the sitting room as we, ladies, will go to the gardens." Once said everyone stood up, Inuhime linked arms with Kagome and then walked towards the entrance to the gardens. Inuyasha was about to follow because he just wanted to protect Kagome from those snobby bitches. However, Sesshomaru grabbed the back of his red haori.
Inuyasha turned and said, "Why are you stopping me, ice prick?"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "Females only gather together after dinner to gossip or whatever women do."
"Keh, I don't care what they're doing. I want to protect Kagome from the bitches."
"Hn, Inuhime and mother won't let nothing happen to Kagome."
"I am not talking about physical harm, Sesshomaru."
"Then what are you talking about?"
"They will call her names and stuff like that. She doesn't deserve that. She has have enough from me." He said the last part with a quiet whisper, which Sesshomaru could still hear because of his superior hearing.
"Hn, as this Sesshomaru said before, Inuhime and mother are there. Worry not, little brother." Sesshomaru begun walking to the sitting room, but noticed that Inuyasha wasn't following. He motioned to Hikaru to get Inuyasha, forcibly if need be.
"Let go of me, bastard!"
"Then get moving," Hikaru growled out.
"Keh!" Inuyasha proceeded walking with his arms in his sleeves, following Sesshomaru, like a good beta does.
In the gardens, the ladies sat down on a blanket and some cushions that the servants provided for their outing. Inuhime sat next to Kagome. Inukimi sat on her favorite purple cushion, what happened to be next to Kagome. Nanami brought out some sweet buns and tea. The youkai women, excluding Inuhime, Inukimi, and Ayame, stared at Kagome maliciously. Kagome could practically feel their malice towards her. Before Kagome got to met the potential mates to Sesshomaru, she decided to hide her miko power. Kagome didn't want the visiting youkai to feel uncomfortable around her. Kagome couldn't understand why they hated her so much. She didn't do anything to them.
Setsuna grabbed her cup and asked Kagome in a snobby manner, "So, human, how long did you know our lord?"
Kagome thought, "So, that's the reason for their malice towards me, because I know Sesshomaru. That's so ridiculous!" She said, "I knew Lord Sesshomaru for a few years. We were allies."
"Allies?"
"Is that hard to believe?"
"Yes, it is."
Konami added, "I'd never thought in all my long life, that Sesshomaru would be around humans until he brought that little puny female around, when he visited our lands. You could imagine my surprise. Now you are here. One must think that our lord is getting weak for having humans around him." Inukimi, Inuhime, and Kagome glared at Konami.
Minami asked surprisingly in a polite way, "Lady Kagome, is it true that a few misfits defeated that vile hanyou, Naraku?"
Kagome smiled, "Yes, it's true. Sesshomaru was there fighting along with me and Inuyasha. We were grateful to have a such powerful ally, then and now."
Konami remarked, "Yes, he is powerful. It was no wonder that a human and an hanyou asked to be allies, because you are so weak. I bet Sesshomaru defeated him with no effort at all."
Kagome was getting tired of being called, 'weak'. She had heard enough from Inuyasha. Kagome forced a smile. "Yes and no." The snobby females looked confuse. "Yes, Sesshomaru did defeat many demons with no effort at all, but it was me that defeated Naraku."
Setsuna snorted, "Preposterous! A human couldn't be as strong as our lord! You are weak, human!"
Kagome patience with the wannabe mates of Sesshomaru were thinning out. She thought angrily, "Weak! I'll show them weak!"
Kagome allowed her aura go slowly and direct it those bitches. Ayame, Inuhime, and Inukimi could feel Kagome's terrifying purifying power. Ayame knew that Kagome was powerful because... well, she could see it in her aura. She felt a tinkling on her skin. A warm tinkling sensation. Inuhime and her mother were unharmed by Kagome's purifying power. They were impressed with how she could control her reiki and choosing her targets, as in one could feel a warm harmless tinkling as to one, who could feel the pain of holy powers.
As soon as Kagome heard a hiss from them, she pulled her power back into her body. "Why you bitch," Setsuna hissed.
Kagome stood up and looked at the hostess and her daughter apologetically. She left without saying another word or looking back. Kagome would be damned if she runaway from those bitches scared like she was a little girl. Ayame looked to where Kagome was walking off. She said, "Excuse me, Ladies."
Inuhime stood up and made a notion to Ayame to stay and sit down. Ayame understood. "No, you are our guest. As I am the hostess' daughter, its my duty to tend to our guest. Please, stay and keep my mother company." Inuhime followed Kagome to wherever she may be.
Minami commented, "What nerve of that puny woman! I hope Inuhime kills the miko bitch for what she did to us! Why you didn't tell us that she was a miko, Lady Inukimi?!"
Inukimi inwardly rolled her eyes. Honestly, why are youkai women so dramatic? "Oh? You didn't know? You should be more observant, Minami."
Meanwhile, in the sitting room, the men... well the ryu men were talking mostly about boring youkai politics. Kouga, Kazuo, and even Inuyasha added their two cents into the conversation. Every once in a while, they tried to include Sesshomaru, who looked bored as hell, who would reply only a 'hn' to every question that the Northern Lord would ask him. It infuriated the dragon lord to no end.
Inuyasha got bored and looked around the room to search for his brother... I mean half-brother to make sure that he didn't sneak out. Inuyasha walked to him and sat down by Hikaru, who was talking to Sesshomaru quietly. Inuyasha would be damned if he sat next to his half-brother again.
"Do you mind, half-breed? We were having a private conversation."
"Keh, ignore me like you always do, ice prick."
Sesshomaru growled and was going to throw his halfwit half-brother across the room, however, before he could Hikaru put his hand on Sesshomaru's person. If looks could kill, Hikaru would be dead a thousand times over. Hikaru inaudibly gulped. He said, "I understand, milord, but what would your twin and Kagome say if you do what you wanted to do." Sesshomaru growled as he sat back down as Hikaru quickly removed his hand off of his lord.
Arashi heard Sesshomaru growled, which he chuckled at. He asked arrogantly, "Lord Sesshomaru, what are you dogs growling about?"
Inuyasha answered before Sesshomaru could, "It's none of your damn business, scaly ass!"
Kouga and Kazuo wanted to laugh, but couldn't because that would show disrespect towards the Northern Lord. No, they don't have any love for ryuyoukai, it just that Kouga can't afford to go to war against Arashi, knowing that numbers of his tribe and Ayame's were gradually reducing. Both Kazuo and Kouga can't fight and win against those daiyoukai like Arashi and Sesshomaru.
Arasha snarled as he stood. "Why you disrespectful, mongrel?!" He angrily walked to Inuyasha, who stood his ground as always. "I will teach you a lesson, mongrel!" Arasha was about to hit Inuyasha with his fist in Inuyasha's handsome face.
However, before he could hit Inuyasha, Sesshomaru blocked his fist with his big, strong clawed hand. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at Arashi. "It is this Sesshomaru's duty to punish Inuyasha; not yours, Lord Arashi," Sesshomaru said in his calm and cold baritone.
"Then punish him now for being disrespectful to a fellow lord!"
"You can't order this Sesshomaru around, Lord Arashi. This one will punish him in his own time; not yours." The more Sesshomaru holding back the Northern Lord's fist; the more he wanted to melt him with his poison claws. The urge was becoming unbearable.
"Gentlemen, lets not fight. We came here for only thing and one thing only, well excepted for the brothers, of course," Kazuo said diplomatically.
"Half-brothers," Sesshomaru and Inuyasha yelled in unison.
"Whatever. My point is that family is family; no matter if you are half or not."
Arashi scoffed, "You dogs and cats are the same that it's... disconcerting."
"No matter, how much disconcerting we are, Lord Arashi. It's still a fact. Now, I..." He stopped talking because he felt a very powerful purifying energy. Kouga and Inuyasha looked at each other worriedly. Sesshomaru, however, once he felt Kagome's power, he ran towards the gardens where he knew where Kagome would be. Kouga and Inuyasha followed suit.
Once Sesshomaru arrived, he noticed that Kagome and his sister wasn't present. He said questioningly, "Mother?"
His mother looked at her son before the youkai women, except for Ayame, flocked to him. They complained about what Kagome did. All that Sesshomaru heard was 'blah, blah, blah.' Inuyasha and Kouga arrived and started laughing at Sesshomaru because of the annoyed look on his face and his predicament. Sesshomaru gave them the death glare, which, surprisingly, Inuyasha took notice and hit Kouga in the ribs. When Kouga saw that warning 'death' glare, he immediately stopped.
Ayame walked to the Lady Mother and said, "Milady, I believe you should make those women get away from Lord Sesshomaru before he decides to kill them with his poison."
Inukimi smirked at that idea. She inwardly sighed and decided to save them before they get melt into nonexistence. "Ladies, lets get back to our socializing. You know the rules, you can't get near Sesshomaru before the end of the month." The youkai women, excluding Ayame, pouted and whined, which made all those present inwardly rolled their eyes.
Sesshomaru saw his mother walking away. "Mother?" His mother stopped. "What happened? Where's Kagome?"
He saw his mother looked over her shoulder and smirked. He narrowed his eyes at her. She said, "Fret not, my son. Inuhime's with her as we speak." He watched his mother faced forward and starting to walk where the women were previously sitting. He let out a breath that he wasn't aware that he was holding. He turned around and passed Kouga and Inuyasha.
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "Come, little brother. Prince Kouga." He faced forward and walked ahead knowing they would follow.
After the outing with Inukimi and the other ladies, Kagome and Ayame met Inuhime in her rooms. Inuhime left a long while ago, before it ended. She excused herself saying that she had other pressing matters to attend to, which was actually not a lie, as usual. It really surprised her mother that she actually had something to do. Even though, she usually supported her daughter and relieving her from any event of that moment in time. In this case, it was during that outing/picnic out on the gardens. Inukimi let her go like she'd always done. She thought that she could ask her later.
Ayame and Kagome knocked on the shoji door. A maidservant, Nanami, opened it and let them inside. She escorted them to where Inuhime was, which was in her private hot springs. Inuhime had her eyes closed when they'd came in.
She said, "Come join me. I know you want to." Ayame and Kagome looked at each other. By this time, Inuhime opened her eyes. "Don't tell me, you, two, are shy?"
Kagome replied, "No, I am not. It just I'd always did this with my sister-like friend, Sango. It's just weird, that's all." Ayame nodded as if it was the same or similar to Kagome's version.
"Hn, well, what are you waiting for then?"
"Oh, right. I guess I am amazed by the decor of this room."
Inuhime chuckled. "You're not the first. Come on in! It's really warm in here!"
Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Kouga were in a hallway talking about Kagome and Kouga's intention of mating with Kagome. Of course, Inuyasha yelled out his protests about Kouga's claims on her. Sesshomaru informed Kouga that she's not interested in him.
Kouga countered, "You have no say in who Kagome mates or not, mutt-face!"
Inuyasha growled, "Kagome's mine! She's my best friend! I am her protector! It's my job to protect her from all sorts of danger, including the ones in here!" He pointed at his own heart.
"Oh, that's rich, mutt-face. You really did a good job in protecting her from yourself! Face it, Inuyasha! You are just a scare little pup, who don't want to let go of his little toy."
"Why you!" Just as Inuyasha was going to pounce on Kouga, Sesshomaru grabbed his red haori.
"That's enough!" His voice seemed to echo in the hallways. It was cleared to Sesshomaru that the only way for Kouga to stop his claiming on his Kagome. Yes, his Kagome. That either Inuyasha or Sesshomaru would have to duel Kouga in order to break his claims on her unless some how, by some miracle, by the Kami, that he would chase someone else, more specifically the wolf-princess, Ayame.
"Kouga, there will not be any claiming on Kagome while she's a guest in my home. Understood?!"
By this time, Sesshomaru let go of Inuyasha's haori. Also Inuyasha and Kouga were facing the opposite directions. Kouga, rather hesitantly said, "I understand." Inuyasha nodded in agreement and approval.
There was a long moment of silence before Inuyasha broke it.
"So, are you really going to punish me in favor of that dragon lord?" Speaking about the event in the sitting room with Arashi, the Lord of the North.
"Hn. No, however, I must show some sort of punishment in front of him and every other males that witness such of thing," Sesshomaru said with a smirk.
"What?" Inuyasha dreaded this moment because by judging the smirk of his half-brother's face, he knew it wouldn't be pleasant.
"You will stay by this one's second-in-command's side at all times."
At first, Inuyasha was confused until he remembered who was Sesshomaru's second-in-command was. It was Hikaru.
"But wouldn't he be busy to gain our sister's favor or some shit like that," he asked while trying to have a way out of it. Hell, he would rather stick by his ice-up-in-the-ass brother than Hikaru.
"Hn." Sesshomaru couldn't believe that he had forgotten about that. There's got to be a way to minimized his punishment rather than having him whipped. Then a most hated thought just came into his mind. He inwardly growled at it.
After Inuhime, Kagome, and Ayame got out of her private hot springs. They went to sit in her sitting room.
"So, Ayame, what do you see in the wolf-prince?"
Ayame blushed and giggled. "He's very handsome. He can be affectionate. I mean, by seeing him always showing affection towards Kagome. You see my point. He's a great protector. I know that he would protect any pups that he would have with his life. Also, he has the most hot body that I'd ever seen."
Ayame became silent obviously in 'La La Land' with Kouga. She had this look that when one was in love with someone. It's hard to describe, but you would know it whenever you see it. That look made Kagome and Inuhime giggled. It was obvious that Ayame was in love with the wolf-prince. There was no denying that Kouga was handsome and that he was a fine male specimen. A maid interrupted by coming in and bring them some warm and relaxing tea. "Anything else, milady." Inuhime waved a dismissive hand at her. The maid bowed and left the room.
Kagome said, "I had to admit that Kouga's cute, but I don't see him in 'that' way. I hate it when he comes to me and asks me to become his mate. Only for me just to reject him every time. The look on his face is heartbreaking."
Inuhime and Ayame nodded. Inuhime added, "If Kouga was serious about you becoming his mate, he would have stayed around."
Ayame said, "That's just it though. He says that he wants to mate with Kagome, but he doesn't stay by her especially when other males were around. It just doesn't make any sense to me." Kagome nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, perhaps I should have an one-on-one talk with him. It's getting near that time when my mother, myself, and Kagome would ask questions to potential mates. Usually, it would be my mother and brother to ask questions to my potential mates or vice versa. Well, in my case, it would be mother, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru to ask. They would decide who will be able to see me alone."
"Oh, like a date."
"Uh, I know not what this 'date' is, but I do get your meaning, Kagome."
"But how would you make it so..."
"My mother is key. That's all." Inuhime knew her mother would help them. First, she needed to summon her, though, and get her in-on-it. She flared her youki towards her mother.
Meanwhile in the gardens, the wannabe intendeds were talking about Kagome, while they were embroidering. Inukimi, on other hand, was bored out of her mind. She was so tired of these females, who only wanted her current title and just more wealth. She, often, talked to her late mate in her mind, as if he was there.
"InuTaisho, did you thought of me like that? Is that way you stray from me? Was I this ignorant and arrogant? If so, then I don't blame you. I am..." Her inner 'conversion' with InuTaisho was interrupted by one of the wannabe mates, who was calling out to her.
"Lady Inukimi."
Silence.
"Lady Inukimi." Inukimi heard her name being called then. She inwardly shook out of her entrance state.
"Hmm, yes."
"Is that little miko whore really our rival?"
Inukimi blinked. She, at first, wanted to say 'no.' She smiled deviously as a thought came across her mind. "Believe want you want to believe ladies."
Setsuna growled. "Lady Inukimi, why on earth did you allow such a filth near your son?"
Konami added, "And how could you stand her stench?" Inukimi quirked her eyebrow at her and thought, "Tck, Kagome's scent is so much better than all yours." Inukimi smiled and just shrugged her delicate shoulders, that was when she felt Inuhime's youki glared for her.
Inukimi's smile widened. "Well, ladies, this Inukimi had to cut this short and attend to this one's more important matters. Now, would you excuse this one, then this Inukimi will be her way. However, you, ladies could just relax to enjoy each others presence." She quickly stood up and walked inside the palace. She noticed her servant, Nanami, standing there awaiting for her orders. Inukimi called to her to get her attention and when she had it, she said, "Go and watch those bitches and report to me everything that they will say."
Nanami bowed and said, "I'll do want milady's wishes." Inukimi went on her way to her daughter's rooms before she watched her servant walked outside; pretending to serve them on their every whim.
Once Inukimi arrived at her daughter's rooms, she was about to knock, but just before she started, Inuhime said, "Come in, mother." Inukimi walked into the sitting room and asked, "You called?"
Inuhime looked her mother and smiled. "Mother, I need a favor. Could you set it up where I could talk to the wolf prince?"
Inukimi tilted her head and asked, "Why?" Inuhime didn't answer, but only looking straight at Ayame. It seemed that her mother got the idea. So she nodded and then said, "I will make an announcement that you'll have your first 'outing' with a candidate, then we'll go from there."
"Thank you, mother." Inukimi waved a dismissive hand at her daughter and left to prepare. Inuhime said to her lady friends, "So it begins."
Kagome, clueless in these things, asked, "What begins?"
"The questioning. I hope, brother won't kill them. Simply, because he finds them annoying." Kagome nodded as she was imaging him doing that to them.
After Inukimi prepared for the 'so- called' questioning session, that would soon happen. When it did happened, it started with Inuhime, with her confidant, Inuyasha, and her mother began questioning her wanna be mates. Hikaru and Kouga tied, which surprised Kouga because he thought he answered unfavorably while the other males failed miserably, much to the ryuyoukai displeasure. Their only hope now was Arashi's daughters, Setsuna and Yuki, to get the Western Throne for their revenge from two centuries ago, the death of Ryukotsusei.
Then, it was Sesshomaru's turn. Inukimi was enjoying this, greatly. Here sat near her, was her expressionless son and his confidant, Kagome. Then when his wanna-be mates came inside the conference room, which was near the study. The ladies: Konami and Minami, the twin nekoyoukai; Setsuna, the full ryuyoukai; her half-sister, Yuki, the ryuhanyou; and Ayame, the wolf-princess. They sat in front of them. Ayame sat in front of Kagome and the other four... well, actually, three, since one of the four really never wanted to be there to begin with, but was forced to by her father. They were all trying to sit in front of Sesshomaru, who, inwardly, rolled his eyes.
The questions were simple and blunt; to the point of the matter. No nonsense type of questions. These questions no doubt was important to Sesshomaru. He would write them down and gave them to his mother to read them the desired questions, which he'd done before they arrived. These questions will be answered truthfully and to prevent false statements, one of their most trusted healers created a potion-like substance to make them tell the truth, no matter what, before the session would began. The potion-like substance, which was tasteless, odorless, and clear, when mixed into a beverage, would be in some tea that a maidservant would serve them. The great thing about this potion was that they wouldn't remember it, at all. Yes, inuyoukai were known for their sense of smell. They could smell scents of individuals of the pack, different youkai species, gender, and then even emotions and tell the difference between truth and lies. However, the potion was more for memory loss than being a lie detection agent.
Inukimi asked, "If you were, the Lady of the West when the Western Lord and your father were in disagreement, whose side would you take?"
Konami answered, "My father."
Minami answered, "My father."
Setsuna answered, "My father."
Yuki answered, "My mate."
Ayame answered, "My mate."
Kagome thought, "I would always take your side, Sesshomaru. Rather or not, my father was gone, I'll still take your side."
Inukimi asked the next question, "If the Western Lord confides in you of his secrets, would you keep it as such? Or would you gossip about your mate?"
Konami answered, "I'll gossip."
Minami answered, "I'll gossip."
Setsuna answered, "I'll gossip."
Yuki answered, "I'll gossip."
Ayame answered, "I'll keep it."
Kagome thought, "I'll keep your secrets inside my heart, Sesshomaru."
Inukimi asked another question, "If you were to meet another male, who you found to be attractive, would you stray from your mate?"
Konami answered, "It depends on who it will be."
Minami answered, "I don't know. Maybe?"
Setsuna answered, "If I wanted to stray then I will."
Yuki answered, "No."
Ayame answered, "No."
Kagome thought, "No, Sesshomaru. I won't stray from you."
Inukimi asked, "As you know, Sesshomaru has a ward. A human ward. What would you do to the ward, if Sesshomaru would put you in charge of it's well being?"
Konami answered, "Ah, disgusting! A human?! I'll make sure the child will no longer be a nuisance."
Minami answered, "I'll do the same as my twin."
Setsuna answered, "I'll kill the little heathen."
Yuki answered, "I, too, will kill it."
Ayame answered, "I will treat her as if she was my ward."
Kagome thought, "I'll treat her as if she was one of my own."
Inukimi asked, "As you also know, Sesshomaru will need an heir. Would you want any more pups afterwards?"
Konami answered, "No."
Minami answered, "No."
Setsuna answered, "Hell no. Just having one would ruin my figure."
Yuki answered, "I don't know."
Ayame answered "Oh, yes. I want many pups."
Kagome thought, "Yes, I want to give you as many pups as you want."
The questioning went on for a couple hours more. The potion was waring off, they need to conclude the session quickly. Then the ladies, except for Kagome and Ayame, whose tea was never spiked, would need to sleep the remaining potion's effects away. They wouldn't remember nothing about the questioning. The other competitions would begin after lunch the next day. The wanna be mates hadn't had known about the questioning session.
During the questioning, some or more like most answers from those questions made Sesshomaru saw red. He wanted to kill those bitches, except for Ayame. He knew that the wolf-princess held no affections or lust for him. If it wasn't for Kagome's presence, he would have kill them. He noticed that Kagome, absentmindedly, wrote her answers down on a piece of parchment. Yes, she was aware of those wanna be mates answers were. There was no doubt in her mind that Ayame would had won this round, if she were here for that purpose that is. Sesshomaru knew that she was not there, mentally. He often wonders what thoughts go through that mind of hers. Outwardly, she was an already complex woman. Inwardly though, she must be much more complicated.
As soon as the questioning session was over, Inukimi waved a dismissive hand and four maidservants escorted the ladies to their rooms. She looked at Ayame and said, "Inuhime, along with Inuyasha, will have breakfast with Kouga and Hikaru, tomorrow morning." Ayame nodded in acknowledgement and excused herself to go to sleep. Inukimi looked at her son and asked, "Lord Son, who won?"
"Hn, none of them."
"No, son, you must pick two out of those five ladies." She paused to let Sesshomaru answer her inquiry, however, he remained silent. She thought, "Stubborn pup." She, then, looked at Kagome. "Kagome? Which one you think won this round?"
"Huh? Oh. um... sorry. Can you repeat the question?"
Inukimi sighed and repeated the question. Kagome answered, "Oh, well. I... um... I think Ayame and maybe Yuki. Yes, I know that she answered most unfavorably, but the other three certainly didn't pass."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Indeed."
Inukimi smiled, "Well, so Ayame and Yuki; it is then. Oh, before I retire for tonight. I need to tell you that Sesshomaru, Ayame, Yuki, and Kagome are to go to the dining room for tomorrow morning's breakfast and then after lunch, another competition will come about. I hope you, two, get some rest for tomorrow. You may need it. Goodnight."
Kagome replied in return, "Okay, goodnight, then." Sesshomaru 'hn' in return as his mother walked out of the study to head for her bedchambers. Kagome yawned and told Sesshomaru, "Goodnight, Sesshomaru."
"Goodnight, Kagome." Kagome smiled in return of his response and then left to go to bed. Sesshomaru walked over to his office and went through the day in his mind. Afterwards, he went to sleep in his rooms.
The Western Palace Staff:
*Nariko, the maid, means 'hard-working child'.
The nekoyoukai family: *Konami means 'little south beauty';
*Minami means 'south';
*Kazuo means 'first-born son'. He's a older brother of Konami and Minami, who are twin sisters.
The ryuyoukai family:
*Arashi means 'storm'. He's the current Lord of the North.
*Setsuna means 'calm snow' and it's a unisex name. She's Arashi's eldest daughter.
*Yuki means 'blessing or snow'. It's also a unisex name. She's Arashi's youngest daughter from his last mate, which wasn't a dragon-demon. I haven't, yet, know what her mother will be, but you'll find out soon.
*Ryutaro means 'son of a big dragon'. He's Arashi's eldest son.
*Ryu means 'dragon'. He's Arashi's second son.
Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari