Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the source material for this story. All are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. This fic is labeled MA per standards for eventual violence, sex, and language so be warned.
...
Reconciliation
Chapter 18 - Bad Reputation
Ren lead Kagome slowly down the hall and then waited patiently as she tackled the stairs, matching her tentative steps downward. Her brow crinkled as she tried to steady herself and bend still-shaky legs to her will.
"I'm sorry about this. I feel like such a burden to everyone."
"That's Lady Kikuko's doing. Do not take it to heart. You know better than most why she detests humans so much. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with your entire race." He sent a smirk over his right shoulder at her.
"You know, you're really bad at that. I might actually be sad and angry now, Captain." She cocked her head and grinned at him.
"Well, perhaps you will school this failure in the future on the proper methods of comfort."
"Ren, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were flirting with me. I've heard you have a habit of teasing Rin-chan as well."
"Oh, I never tease, Kagome-sama. Teasing is the providence of those unwilling to be bold." He raised his chin in jest, attempting his best impression of Sesshoumaru.
"You read that in a book somewhere."
"You wound me yet again, my Lady. Sesshoumaru-sama was quite thorough in our education but that one was original."
Kagome opened her mouth to question him when a forceful pulse of youki down the hallway caught both of their attention.
"Permit me to carry you the rest of the way, Kagome-sama?"
"Yes, I think you should. Sesshoumaru feels pissed."
"Kagome!" Ren admonished.
"What? …Well, he is."
Shaking his head at her unladylike language, he scooped her up as she giggled at his reprimand and they made their way quickly down the remaining stairs and to the Council room doors. Sesshoumaru was indeed waiting for them with a scowl on his face. Hers, however, was a look of wonder as she took him in.
'So different than usual…'
Sesshoumaru turned to face them as Ren approached and his high ponytail was sent into a gentle wave behind him. The silver clasp around it glinted brightly in the afternoon light from the courtyard and were a stark contrast to the warm gold of his eyes. Those same eyes were relaxed but piercing all the same and Kagome felt nerves creep into her belly at the hard line of his mouth and sight of the doors beyond him.
'We're really gonna do this. No running now, Kagome.'
The indigo haori he wore was held closed with a short length of ivory fur and complimented by the familiar furred pelt slung over his right shoulder. His white kimono was dotted in the red honeycomb pattern he seemed so fond of, and pieces of the pattern were peeking out from beneath the indigo silk up and down his long torso. His hakama were bright golden yellow and looked impossibly soft and flowing, made of a material she could not readily place. He stood confidently outside of the meeting room doors and looked every bit the regal Lord the Palace occupants believed him to be.
But she noticed the tension in his jaw and shoulders. In this moment, he was nothing like the comfortable, reclining inuyoukai she had met over dinner with the children. He was stiff and withdrawn, coiled and tense. She understood then that this was not his forte. He would be as eager for this to be over as she was.
Kagome wished that just for a little while, he would be more like the sociable inu that had talked and had tea with the Higurashi family, nestled into her mother's kitchen. The thought of meeting that future Sesshoumaru again when she went home was a sad one. He had known all along what was going to happen and selfishly refused to prepare them both. This Sesshoumaru had no knowledge of any of this, of course, and was merely impatient to get their part in the meeting over.
"You are late." he rumbled curtly.
"It's my fault, Sesshoumaru-sama. I can't really walk yet and the Captain was trying to let me do it on my own. I'm sorry." Ren set her down and made sure she was steady before bowing to Sesshoumaru and backing away several steps.
"Hm. We are about to begin-" he was cut off and scowled at the raucous laughter that erupted within the meeting room, "-the discussion of succession which will inevitably lead to your testimony. For your safety, I will allow you the privilege of being presented as an honored guest of my house over a simple witness. Be still."
"My safety?"
"Hm."
Sesshoumaru took two short steps and squared himself directly in front of the finely dressed priestess. Her scent changed from that of the naturally soothing camelias and rain to the harsh bite of yuzu and he remembered her nervousness from the valley grove.
"I will not harm you. Do not move."
Kagome nodded mutely and tried to slow her hammering heart. It was all for nothing when he leaned forward, grasped her silk-clad shoulders with broad hands, and began moving his face toward hers.
"What are y-"
"Still." He paused his advance to give the command but his tone was gentle.
Unsure and nervous ocean blue met searing amber as he grew closer. Her face was warming at their closeness, she could feel his warm, silent breath on her cheek. Her breast heaved slightly as her heart hammered away, causing the silver teardrop necklace to rise and fall in its nest below her throat. Just before their noses touched, he tipped his chin to the left and pressed his cheek lightly against hers. She felt the muscles in his jaw tense as she erupted into a startled, breathy gasp into his ear. His skin was chilled to the touch but warmed quickly against her own heated face.
As if the embarrassment of that singular moment wasn't enough, he slid his cheek against hers again as he pulled away, locked eyes with her again and then repeated the intimate gesture on her left cheek as well. She watched with fascination as his magenta stripes passed through her field of vision and found her fingers itching to feel them, test their texture. Kagome closed her eyes to stop her traitorous mind from enjoying the view as his cascade of silver hair fell like a river of snow down his back, begging to be touched. When he had nearly reached her ear after caressing her left cheek, she involuntarily sniffed his neck and then froze, mortified at her own actions. He smelled like cedar, or something similar, and there was more. Something herbal? It was pleasant… and surprising.
'I've been hanging out with dogs too much!'
Whether he realized what she had done or not, her punishment was the feeling of him sliding his jaw downward across her chin and when something textured, warm, and wet met the column of her throat and directly over her pulse point, she squeaked in a very girlish way. He did not stop but pressed forward, sliding his tongue down Kagome's throat almost to her collarbone. Finally satisfied, apparently, in thoroughly embarrassing her, the priestess felt Sesshoumaru began to straighten and pull away. He might have smiled at the open mouthed, cherry-red, thousand-yard stare on the young woman's face if such a response had been appropriate.
"What-," she cleared the rasp of the shock from her throat. "What was that? Did you just lick me?"
"Physically, yes. A scent mark is required for the Council members to recognize your place in my home."
"A hug wouldn't do? Anything else wouldn't do?" Her hands came up to verify her face had not, in fact, burst into flame.
"Not to guarantee the level of protection we want them to assume is yours. Such an action is common to us. Do not touch or This One will have to repeat it."
Her hands snapped back to her sides.
"Can you please warn me before you do that again?"
"Such a thing will never again be necessary. Before we enter, I must ask you to shield your aura. No matter what is said, what insults may come, you must not lose control or give them cause to retaliate. Much more is at stake than your pride."
"I'll behave if they will." She crossed her delicate arms, embarrassment forgotten, and tucked her chin as her eyebrows drew together and a frown formed. Insulting her would be neither here nor there but she wouldn't let them drag her late husband's memory through the racist, youkai mud.
"You would sentence the Captain to death for your temper? It is his responsibility to protect you in front of the Council. If you disobey my request, I will not."
Kagome realized Sesshoumaru wasn't trying to be overbearing, per se, but responsible. He was Lord here and misunderstandings would reflect badly on him, potentially for centuries, if she made a critical mistake. The priestess looked back at Ren who was standing mutely at the wall behind them, eyes glowing a pale spring green in the shadow of the hallway. When he met her gaze, Kagome knew she could keep herself under control for his sake if not her own.
"I promise to keep my temper and my reiki under my control. Sorry."
He nodded his acceptance. "Very well. When we enter, I will introduce the Lords and their accompaniment. Then you will sit to my right. Captain, remain just behind her but alert. You may stand to give your testimony."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." Ren bowed.
"Come."
Sesshoumaru turned around and opened the doors before him. He felt her power ghost across his back and noticed the sudden absence of her scent more so than the barrier she had placed around her person. Taking a deeper breath than was necessary at the hope that this would go well, he steeled his resolve and expression and strode forward.
Kagome took small steps and followed mutely behind. The level of power she would be forced to expend for the short time they would be here shouldn't tax her. Now that reiki coated her body like a second skin, she felt more comfortable. The sensation was like nestling under the thick, pink quilt of her childhood bedroom: slightly stifling but immensely reassuring.
The room they entered was large but oddly square. Aside from the pots of greenery present in the two closest corners, only a bookshelf lined with scrolls sat at the far rear. The walls were decorated with stunning paintings of vistas in many different climates and in the center of the room was a low and massive circular table. The Cardinal Council table was highly polished and the dark wood that made up the entire surface was a stark contrast to the wide scrollwork of bone inlay that divided its surface into four equal wedges. In each section was a symbol Kagome assumed was the mark of each daiyoukai house.
Lady Kikuko sat informally behind the section inlaid with a large crescent moon and was leaning forward on the table as she sipped from a demure indigo cup. Her pelt was slung around her shoulders as Kagome remembered and she was shamelessly pressing her generous breasts forward as she sipped the steaming tea.
Everyone else was a mystery to her. While the Lady Mother had rapidly schooled her on the Lands and rulers, she had not been specific enough about how ethereal and intimidating they would be. Kagome found herself in a room full of gods on earth, and was stricken with a feeling of 'otherness' once again. Ren sat down well behind Kikuko, after bowing his acknowledgment to the other rulers present and Kikuko herself. Kagome took a deep breath and glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Sesshoumaru stand beside the Lady Mother and waited for her to join him.
"This Sesshoumaru presents the Shikon no Miko, Kagome, guest of the silver inu and witness in the matter of the succession of the West."
Kagome bowed low and then straightened. A harsh and low voice filled the room from across the table.
"Finally, Sesshoumaru. We understand that humans are slow-witted but they apparently relish in keeping their betters waiting. Your pet seems to be unaware that we all have better things to do than delay our Council so a human can attempt to make herself presentable."
'I promised not to, I promised not to… Just let it go.' she reminded herself.
Looking in his direction, Kagome noted the emblem inlaid in the table: four thin wedges pointed toward each other like an upper and lower set of fangs. It looked familiar but she couldn't place it…
The steward from the East, Ryouzou, sneered, raising his chin and tapping the smoking pipe he held curtly on the table. His waist-length ebony hair was tucked neatly behind him and piercing silver eyes narrowed on the young priestess who was quietly adjusting herself. The steward wore a sleeveless, high-necked changpao in a deep crimson. His exposed arms were trailed in a curling, smoke-like pattern in a pale silver. He was intimidating and proud, in stark contrast to the heir sitting to his right who wore the same style but in a pure white, covered in silver embroidery of battling dragons over high mountains.
Kouhei, she remembered. The young heir seated next to the stern steward was tall but had the uneasy and gangly countenance of a teenager that was even younger than Ren or Kenshin. The pale skin and silver coloring of his hair was startlingly similar to Sesshoumaru but with one crucial difference: the crimson eyes that found Kagome's were nearly glowing from within… and they were sad.
Snapped out of her review of the Eastern party, the miko decided against purification in favor of placating the Lord who was certain she was as stupid as she was late.
"My apologies, my Lords and Ladies, but my injuries prevent me from moving about on my own. My tardiness will not reflect poorly on my host, I hope." Kagome offered, then bowed at the table. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Kikuko quirk the corner of her mouth up just slightly and was glad not to have made matters worse.
The wild-looking, tanned daiyoukai to their right spoke up with a smile.
"Do not worry, little one, we were not waiting long, whatever the grumpy Dragon would have you believe."
The Northern Lord, she remembered. Though he did not carry the mark on his brow, the inlay of the three nestled and wispy 'V' shapes on top of one another reminded her of tiger stripes. She realized he had the same stripes on his cheekbones. The stunning female youkai next to him glared in her direction as Kagome was caught staring. Katsurou continued, unaware of his Mate's threatening expression.
"Ha, but perhaps her tardiness was not her own doing? She carries your scent very strongly, Sesshoumaru. Does the young Lordling have the proclivities of his late father, I wonder?"
Kagome's eyes went wide and she looked down to the floor.
'Did he just-?! The only thing Sesshoumaru is likely to do to me involves poison and a sword... again.'
"Katsurou," Kikuko cut in with a warningly sing-song voice, "please refrain from such vulgar insinuations. The miko is here as a witness and nothing more. Though why she is necessary, I cannot guess. I am sure Sesshoumaru will inform us eventually."
When Ryouzou opened his long-fanged mouth to speak again, Sesshoumaru cut him off.
"Indeed. The priestess is a guest of This Sesshoumaru and is here to give testimony in the matter of the Western heir. Tradition dictates that, first, the other packs have the right to declare their inheritance. Fushijirou and Samidori of the South, would you like to begin?"
Kagome turned her attention to the left of Sesshoumaru and noticed the inlay before them was a vertical marquise symbol in a fiery red. Her eyes found the Lord of the South and she immediately liked him. His unruly ruff of golden yellow hair was combed straight back and at the center of his brow was, indeed, a glittering red marquise-shaped jewel. His skin was darkly tanned, and he wore only a thin black kimono and an easy smile.
Fushijirou seemed young compared to Sesshoumaru and Ryouzou, and without the seriousness that she assumed came from being a Lord. His Mate, Samidori, was quiet and seemed hesitant to speak. Not out of fear or subjugation, but her eyes spoke volumes for her. Glittering crimson eyes and the same shining emerald hair as the younger man next to her at the table. They looked very much alike but the son had inherited the easy and mischievous smile of his father. Kikuko had not told her the name of this son, but only the name of the female heir.
"A pleasure, Sesshoumaru. We have flown far to confirm in this matter what most of you already know. Our eldest daughter, Hin, and her Mate, Ietsuna, will one day rule the South when our wings no longer carry us over the mortal plane. They have only recently celebrated their first clutch and are expecting three chicks of their own." he beamed proudly. His Mate smiled silently at his side. "Due to this, they are absent but send their regards for a prosperous year."
"Truly, Father? You could have told me before now!" Kouji leaned forward over the table and grinned widely at his father.
"Quiet, Kouji. There was not time. We will discuss the matter in detail later, my son." The phoenix's tone was sharp but his smile remained. "If you spent less time writing and more time with your family, you might learn news as it happens." He shook his golden hair with a flourish and leveled a pointed look at his distractible son.
'Kami, they're just like humans. I've had that same talk with Momma many times: family over Feudal Era.'
"Very well. Convey This Sesshoumaru's regards for safety and prosperity in the coming year."
"It will be done, Lord of the West."
Sesshoumaru nodded his ascent and moved on. Fushijirou settled back on his elbows away from the table and cocked a leg up, unconcerned anymore about the room in general.
"Who speaks for the East?"
"This Ryouzou speaks for the East, still, Sesshoumaru. Kouhei-sama is not yet able to take the mantle of leadership for himself."
The pale youth at the black dragon's side wilted slightly but Kagome watched his brow furrow as he looked down.
"As such, another year passes under the watchful eye of the steward!" the Northern Lord cut in, eyes full of laughter.
Ryouzou leveled a glare at the tiger daiyoukai to his left and raised his chin, nostrils flaring and exhaling the smoke from his ebony pipe. Sesshoumaru stopped the argument before it could begin.
"Indeed. Please continue, Ryouzou."
The Dragon steward's voice was gravelly with anger as he growled but continued, and it leveled out into the smooth timbre of a politician as he went on.
"His schooling will continue but his health remains a concern. Training was put on hold indefinitely last month. We are seeking more information on his condition but so far have nothing but the rumors of humans to go on. Such an affliction still baffles us but we will carry on with his preparation for ascension regardless. As he is too young yet to take a Mate, we are entertaining offers but have no plans in the next century to enter into an agreement. His younger brother is in excellent health and continues to grow. We believe now that he has inherited the powers of their late father and shows great promise in the art of youki manipulation."
Kagome's curiosity had her sitting forward to study the heir to the North more closely. If only she could use her reiki to inspect him, she might have some twentieth century information that could help the young demon. Knowing that was suicide at the moment, she left it alone and refocused.
'Maybe I can find him later. Only one more house to go, then I'll have to speak…' Kagome lamented.
"You believe the North is secure, then, Ryouzou?"
"As long as the putrid mortals keep to themselves, very secure, Sesshoumaru."
'Putrid mortals? Does he mean humans?'
When the dragon's silver eyes found and surveyed her with disgust, Kagome had to mentally berate herself out of rolling her own.
'Of course he means humans.'
"Very well. Katsurou and Haruna of the North, what decision have you made regarding your heir?"
"So formal, Sesshoumaru." Katsurou smirked and leaned forward to brace both tanned forearms on the table. "We have all discussed the matter at length and decided to name Akio's son, Kazumitsu, as the next heir. He is young at less than three hundred years old but skilled, and he inherited his grandsire's penchant for thunder. Ha!" He laughed as he smacked the table, startling Samidori and Kouhei into looking up.
Haruna smiled at her boisterous Mate and rubbed her cheek and shoulder against his.
"Indeed. And he puts his knowledge to good use scaring the claws out of his younger siblings. He is quite the stealthy cub. We expect great things from him." Haruna offered boldly.
"Forgive me, Katsurou, but a grandson? I admit my knowledge of the ways of felines is lacking but why the change of line? The right of succession should go to your next eldest son, should it not?" Fushijirou asked, sitting up and confused.
"Nao has refused and I do not blame him. All of my sons now wish to be free and live away from the North. After the hanyou attacked and killed so many, and Hiki was left a widow, their families refused to risk such a thing again. Only Hiki, Akio's Mate if you remember, understood the need to honor him by continuing the line. I accept her decision but should it change, we will notify you."
Sesshoumaru was struck by the faint scent of wood ashes and salt from over his right shoulder. Closing his own eyes briefly in remembrance, he knew what to expect without looking at the miko. He had not told her all the facts of his late brother's rampage.
"Ah, so the human did not know. His hesitation and apathy cost many innocent lives, priestess." Katsurou pointed a finger at Sesshoumaru in accusation.
"He… what?"
"The miko did not know, Katsurou. He hid his affliction well. Even from his wife." Sesshoumaru said.
"What Mate does not know when the other is in pain? The Bond must have been very weak. I supposed he was only a hanyou." Haruna scoffed.
"They were not Mated. He was unaware of the practice."
"The Western heir was unaware of the Mating Bond? Sesshoumaru, how could you have named him heir without educating him on the most basic traditions?" Katsurou was taken aback.
"You named Inuyasha your heir?" Watery, cerulean eyes looked up at him in disbelief.
"Yes. It was This One's intent to educate him in the future. He could not have ruled as he was."
"Did he know?"
"No. He did not. A small human village and a vast cardinal land are not the same. He was not ready."
"Is that why you killed him?" Ryouzou accused loudly. "It was never your intention to truly name him heir, Sesshoumaru. Admit it. No Lord would leave the only living heir so ignorant of our ways."
"His death was necessary but only because he had lost control of himself and would never regain it." Sesshoumaru took a moment to center his emotions. "Many of you are unaware but the Inu no Taishou had a unique ability-" Sesshoumaru began.
"Sesshoumaru, do not. It is not relevant." Kikuko warned, narrowing her golden eyes at her stoic son.
"It is, mother, and you will know why. Inuyasha inherited my father's ability to drain the energy of other youkai, and the hanyou used it to murder hundreds. His half-human body could not withstand the youki he had gathered, however, and he was overcome. In the end, he was a beast of instinct alone with no mind of his own."
Kikuko gasped and the other Lords leaned forward to openly argue.
"Lies!" "The bastard was only half-demon!" "Insanity!"
"It is true, if you will permit me, my Lords." Ren interrupted, rising from the floor.
"And who is this whelp, Sesshoumaru? The Council seems full of interlopers this year."
"This is Ren, Captain of the Southwestern Guard, an expert in youki manipulation trained by This One, and the soldier I assigned to assess Inuyasha's affliction. I met the hanyou outside Niigata where he told me of his loss of control and the belief that his youki was overpowering him. I did not realize at the time that he was correct."
"What youki could he possibly house in a half-human body? I have never heard of such a thing." Fushijirou asked.
Ren planted his feet, bowed, and began.
"The hanyou Inuyasha employed himself killing bestial youkai that targeted human settlements nearby. It is my belief that this employment allowed him passive use of his new ability to gather small amounts of youki over the course of several months."
"And he just decided to use this new power now? Why?" Fushijirou questioned.
"Inuyoukai usually come by their abilities around their three hundredth year. Inuyasha was three hundred and twelve when he died. It is my belief that his ability was dormant until only recently." Sesshoumaru answered calmly.
"You knew how old he was?" Kagome asked, surprised. "Even he didn't know for sure."
Sesshoumaru nodded and found her eyes with his own. "I did." He was unsurprised when she gave him a small smile and her stormy eyes glistened with happiness that someone had known. "Please continue, Captain."
"Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama." Ren looked to the daiyoukai around the table. "I met Inuyasha in the forest outside Niigata and after some discussion about his life prior to the episodes, as he called them, we began with some basic training to ascertain his abilities and the level of youki at his disposal. I found that his body had absorbed more energy than he could hope to control and it had accelerated his physical maturity. It flared wildly without his consent and he spent considerable energy trying to control it. He was physically exhausted.
During our meeting, I had the idea to use his blood to call up his youki as we do with pups. We had made it no farther than a basic discussion of the theory when he lost control. I witnessed his transformation… and the agony of it." He heard Kagome gasp quietly in front of him but refused to look down. "Without an outlet for the youki he was gathering, it was causing a transformation in him into a primal youkai ruled by instinct. He asked me during the transformation where something was but I never caught what he requested."
"Tessaiga." Kagome whispered.
"What, human?" The phoenix asked.
"Te- Tessaiga. It was a gift, a sword, from his father to help him control his demonic blood. He-" Kagome paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. She looked pleadingly up at Sesshoumaru. "I can't do this. Please. You know more about it than I do. I can't listen to this anymore."
"You must. I cannot."
"Indeed, little one. I, for one, do not believe Sesshoumaru was as forthcoming about the hanyou's condition. Had we all known what was happening, we might have been prepared."
"You mean that if Lord Sesshoumaru had sent letters telling you that a hanyou was rampaging through the West, you would have given him any credit for being sane? You would have taken it seriously?"
"Perhaps, priestess, if we had been given the chance! Know your place!" The Northern Lord yelled.
The others all remained silent and Kagome found the room suffocating. Sesshoumaru broke the silence with reason.
"There was not time. The Captain's assessment was a mere day after I met with Inuyasha, only a day before he made his way to the North, and from there I hunted him until two days ago."
"If I may, my Lord?" Ren asked.
"Continue."
"After his transformation was complete, he attacked me with greater speed that he should have been capable of. As he sunk claws into my left arm, I felt my youki leave me nearly entirely. He-" Ren squinted his eyes against the feeling of the ripping flesh resurfacing. "-he took my left arm and the separation gave me a chance to get away and make it back here. Had I remained on the ground, I am certain he would have killed me. He stole my katana from the campsite and headed into the woods. I returned here and gave my report to Lord Sesshoumaru."
Finished with his part, Ren settled back against the wall and watched Kagome's back as she tried to regain her composure, wishing he had prepared her.
"I was wondering how a Captain in Sesshoumaru's impressive army managed to get such a position with only one arm. That explains it."
"The Captain maintains his position by his own merits, not This Sesshoumaru's charity, Katsurou."
"Well, you must have a soft spot for the boy or else he might have been replaced by now. But I suppose the guardian of a human is a fitting way to keep him out of sight." Ryouzou nodded.
'I expected them to hate me because I'm a human but now they're picking on one of their own!'
"So, the half-breed loses control, maims your Captain, kills my son and heir to the North, and then ransacks a human castle and you think merely ending him was enough?" Katsurou accused, golden eyes narrowing.
"What else is there to do? What's worse than death?" Kagome questioned, nervous but confused.
"He deserved to pay for his crimes against us, human. He should have been brought here for us to satisfy blood payment. Instead, you ended him yourselves, out of sight, far away from the Palace and those who would have demanded restitution. You are clever, Sesshoumaru."
"Sesshoumaru-sama waited in the valley to lure him there away from everyone else! He wasn't trying to hide or deceive you all, he was trying to prevent further loss of life! Inuyasha didn't mean for this to happen… He had no idea what his father was capable of. We had no warning! Torturing him wouldn't have changed anything! It's barbaric!" Kagome yelled.
"You dare let your human pet reprimand us at the Council table?!" Ryouzou spat at Sesshoumaru.
Ren sat forward, ready to remove her from the room should the discussion become too heated. Sesshoumaru broke through the yelling to explain.
"This human is here as a witness and she may speak when evidence is required." He glared at Kagome, reinforcing the command. "She was present during the battle when Inuyasha was defeated. She is a priestess of great power and tried in vain to stop him without ending his life. In the end, he would not be saved from himself and his death was the only course of action left to us."
"Only course left for you, you mean, Sesshoumaru. Now, what shall the West do? There are no silver inu left and the wolves have become nomads. The once-mighty canines of the island are nothing now, also thanks to your late father." Ryouzou continued to press.
"Silence!" Kikuko spat. "The past should not be resurrected to rule the future. What's done is done."
"Ah, but is it? Is the human carrying the spawn of the hanyou? Will this familial insanity continue?" Ryouzou sneered.
"I'm not pregnant, if that's what you're asking." Kagome sat forward and crossed her arms, tired of being silent.
"There. A small mercy at last." Kikuko sighed.
"And we are certain he is dead?" Fushijirou asked innocently.
Sesshoumaru was quiet for a moment. Kagome found her eyes glancing sideways toward the clawed hands of her tablemate. So delicate and innocent as they sat benignly folded in his lap. They suddenly clenched into fists as he prepared to answer. Her eyes found his for a second and then she looked back to the floor, unable to stop the evidence of her sadness from running down her face. Sesshoumaru locked eyes with the Lord of the South and spoke.
"I killed him myself, Fushijirou. He is dead, I assure you."
Kagome was shaking her head, trying to stop the sob from breaking free of her throat.
"My apologies, Sesshoumaru. I am sorry but relieved." the phoenix answered.
"And the so-called priestess could do nothing? Could not heal him or purify him in your stead?" Ryouzou questioned. "The Mate of a hanyou couldn't possibly retain her purity anyhow. I have heard that is why all human priestesses remain unwed."
"That's male egos talking, and not the truth." Kagome's eyes went hard. "How could I possibly purify my own husband? Could you murder your Mates? Any of your loved ones?"
"Miko. Be still."
"I sense nothing from her," the dragon pressed again. "It is far more likely that she simply lacked the ferocity to do what was required and had to rely on you. I expect you were more than happy to comply, eh, Sesshoumaru? The half-breed was a blight on your pristine heritage and you sought to end him, heir or no."
"Enough!" Kagome leaned forward and her aura wavered forcefully at the edge of her control. Sesshoumaru felt the swell of purity next to him and looked over at her, shaking his head. Her eyes welled with tears at her lack of control and the weakness she couldn't keep hidden. "Inuyasha was a hanyou, yes. Fine! But Sesshoumaru did not kill him without cause. He had… become something horrible. Something he would never have wanted to be. The monster that we met in the valley two days ago," she pointed an accusatory finger towards the south, "was not my husband. He was completely ruled by his demonic blood and he… he wanted to die after Sesshoumaru-sama bested him. He asked me to let him die. I didn't want to believe it or accept it at the time. But he is right." she said, looking at Sesshoumaru, speaking only to him now. "Inuyasha was right. It was the right thing to do. If we had allowed him to live, if I had healed him, if we had tried to teach him to control it, or if we had sealed his demonic aura; we'd only end up back here some other year and have to face these consequences all over again."
Tears were running freely down her face as she finished. Tears for accepting the truth, tears at admitting Sesshoumaru had been right, and tears for realizing it herself only now in front of a room full of strangers who were completely unaffected.
"Funny that you mentioned attempting to seal him. I seem to recall he was sealed before the destruction of the other rabid half-breed? That, too, must run in the family. After all, Sesshoumaru himself was-"
Sesshoumaru's low warning growl was barely heard by the miko to his right but everyone else in the room got the message. "That information is irrelevant to this discussion, steward."
Kagome then turned to Katsurou, bowing low to the floor beside the table.
"I am so, so sorry for what happened to your son and your family. Inuyasha would never have done such a thing in his right mind, I promise you. He was sweet and brave and honorable, and I know this doesn't make up for what happened but I am sorry."
"Miko, you surprise me. No, it does not make up for his violence to my cub but I am satisfied with your apology on his behalf." Katsurou waited for her to sit upright before continuing. "However, there is still the matter of my blood payment, Sesshoumaru. I have not forgotten."
"Continue, Katsurou." Sesshoumaru said guardedly.
"I cannot, Lord of the West. You have no heir for me to exact my vengeance upon. But one day, when you do, know that my claws are waiting for him."
"What?" Kagome gaped. "You are demanding the life of a child that doesn't exist yet? He can do that?" She turned shocked and appalled cerulean eyes to Sesshoumaru.
"He can. Though it hardly seems appropriate given that such an heir may never exist. You hinge your blood payment on the future, Katsurou, which I have no control over."
"I agree. And you assume, naïvely, that you will live forever and have refused to take a Mate and secure your line." Katsurou crossed his arms and leaned back. "So, what now will you do?"
"Now, now, my Lords." Kikuko spoke up "There is no need for such words. My Sesshoumaru is in the peak of health and virility and will soon choose a Mate of his own, I am sure. Though who would accept him now with a death sentence hanging over their firstborn, I cannot guess. Katsurou, can I prevail upon you to reconsider? Might there be another way?"
"Perhaps." The tiger grinned and ran his tongue over the pointed tip of a fang. "You keep another human pet here, do you not?"
"He does keep another human child here. Why?" Kikuko narrowed her eyes in curiosity.
"I would accept her life in payment instead of the heir you may never have, if that is preferable."
Katsurou waited as the Western Lord met eyes the same golden color of his own. The tiger knew he was playing a dangerous game but he was willing to take the risk for the ultimate prize.
"Rin? He wants to kill Rin?! She's an innocent child. She has nothing to do with this! Sesshoumaru, don't-"
"Be silent! You have no rights in this matter. Control yourself or else you may leave, if the Lords are now satisfied in the matter of the hanyou's death."
Kagome flinched and gasped at his explosion. He had been he picture of calm up until now but with Rin's life on the line, his anger was getting the better of him. If Katsurou pushed, he would be honor bound to agree.
A chorus of nods and affirmations went around the room that the miko could be excused. Sesshoumaru stood and surprised Kagome by offering her his hand and lifting her from the floor. His hand was slightly damp and overly warm, and she realized he was as troubled as she was by the turn in the discussion.
However, Sesshoumaru let go too soon and she was falling as the pins and needles of the extended seiza overpowered her strength to stand. Ren had been watching and stood in time to see her start to crumple again. Even with only one arm, he was quick to catch her middle and keep her upright.
"Sorry, Captain. I guess I'm a little worn out still."
"It is no trouble, Kagome-sama. We will go, my Lord, if that is acceptable."
"Why do we not all take a break? These four walls are beginning to close in on me." Katsurou grinned.
"Very well. Return within the hour and then we will conclude for the day." Sesshoumaru nodded and everyone relaxed and began to leave.
Out in the hallway, Kagome began to cry silently nestled in Ren's arm.
"That cannot have been easy to hear. I am sorry I did not think to warn you beforehand."
"I know you didn't mean to upset me. I just feel so useless all over again. They're right: what wife wouldn't know such a thing? How did I miss all the signs that he was in pain? All of this, everything that's happened is all my fault for not helping him sooner."
"You know as well as I, now, that this could not have been changed. I have never encountered such am affliction before. Sesshoumaru-sama agreed that the ability was a formidable one. We all thought it unique to the Great General. If it helps, he spoke fondly of you when we met. He wanted very much to return to you. I wanted to meet you one day after hearing the tale of your courage and bravery. One day, I still hope to meet that miko when you have had time to heal."
"She's a mess right now." Kagome hiccuped from his chest. "She can't do anything for herself and she's a burden to everyone, but I hope she comes back, too."
A watery smile was his reward for trying to comfort her as they made their way back to the infirmary.
...
AN: We're getting there! There is more to the meeting coming up next and some breathing room for Kagome. I wanted to make it all one chapter but it was getting too long. How do you like the Council? :) Hope everyone is well and safe and can find some TP!