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 19 - Starting All Over Again
"Momma!"
Shippou saw Kagome being carried by the Captain down the breezeway toward their new room and left the game he was playing with Rin in the courtyard to scamper excitedly over to her. A few hours had passed, just as she said they would, but now they could stay together until she was well enough to return home. Rin and Tomomi were okay company but Kagome was his, was familiar, and knew how to challenge him and navigate his developing instincts. The deer youkai Kagome had left them with was okay but too mild and meek to make a good playmate.
"Hey, kiddo! How's your morning been? Mine was a disaster." Kagome said, to which Ren let out an indelicate snort over her head.
"Fun! Rin showed me how to play a game where you skip rocks and try to knock them out of a circle. She won't let me use youki though so she's winning. You look pretty!"
"Thank you! I can't wait to get out of this mess though. And using youki would be a bit like cheating since Rin can't, don't you think? Think of it as a challenge. More training for your sloppy aim." She winked at him.
"Maybe… but I just wanted to try a new trick and make myself the rock. That wasn't one of the rules. Wait, 'sloppy'?! Keh! You're the one who lost six arrows in the same day because you kept getting distracted while Inuyasha was chopping wood!" Tiny clawed hands folded over his jacket and ticked his chin up and away from her.
"Yeah, well…" Kagome exhaled a ghost of a laugh.
Shippou had said his name so easily, like he was still around. Like the event repeating itself was still a possibility. The tears were slow in coming but they were there nonetheless. Shippou looked down as the familiar scent of salt found his nose, sorry for upsetting her and coming to same realization that those moments of family intimacy including Inuyasha were over. From her place still tucked into Ren's arm, Kagome shook her head and cleared her throat, adopting a smile and determined to work past it.
"Well, if it wasn't one of the rules, maybe we can convince her to let you try. Can you show me?" The kit looked up and brightened a little. "Ren, I'd like to stand again, or try to anyway. You have to be tired of carrying me around."
"It is no trouble but here you are." He gently let her feet down, holding a silk-clad elbow as she tested her strength. "Be careful. I shall be here." 'Watching your back.' he added only to himself.
The young inudaiyoukai was much more aware than Kagome of the attitudes swirling around the council room. Hatred, anger, bitterness, and total indifference, which could be just as dangerous to her. He sat underneath the overhang at the edge of the courtyard and watched the miko openly hugging her son and the young Lady in the bright sunshine of the late autumn day. His eyes took in how giddy and unguarded she was as she played earnestly with the children. He took a deep sniff of the air breezing across the mountain to make sure the area was clear and caught the calming scent of lavender growing in strength. It was strong and warm. And coming from the miko. Her love, he concluded. Over a simple game with two orphaned children in a courtyard surrounded by youkai. There was no end to the mysteries of this woman.
Assured that she was safe for the moment, he unbound his sword and laid it across the finery covering his legs, relaxing in the filtered sunshine at the edge of the gardens. Ren turned his wintry head left to test the air and then right but stiffened as the scent of the Northern Lord came across the courtyard. The Captain was up and at the miko's side before she realized he had stood.
"Oh! Captain, is everything okay?" Kagome's eyes were wide but still smiling from playing with the children.
"We have company, Kagome-sama. Be calm." Ren lowered his voice, hoping not to alarm her charges.
"What? Who-"
Katsurou joined them silently and impossibly quickly. He was at her back before she had finished her question.
"Hello, priestess. Enjoying the day?"
"Eep!"
Without any warning of his approach, her reiki reacted involuntarily and flared wildly. The buffeting effect knocked Katsurou back a step and he widened his stance to stop from falling over. The folds of his golden silk kimono fluttered wildly around his arms and waist but remained locked in place by his black leather chest plate.
"Ha! A formidable priestess indeed! Finally, some proof of the pup's wild claims." he exclaimed, smiling.
"I'm so sorry! You surprised me, Katsurou-sama!" Kagome bowed in apology, not sure what else to do when one nearly scorches the Lord of the North.
"No harm done, little one." He casually shook his black boots and hakama clean of the dirt that had gathered as he slid. "I have faced worse from Sesshoumaru himself recently. My leg is still occasionally sore." He shook his mane of wild black hair and grinned at Kagome's confused look.
"Can I help you with something, Lord Katsurou?" Kagome asked, head tilted slightly. She stepped between the tiger and the children and felt Ren sidle closer up behind her.
"No. I was merely wishing to speak with you about This One's behavior this morning. I am afraid I gave the impression of harshness when I merely let my grief get to me. Speaking of Akio's death once again reminded me of emotions I thought I had caged."
He lowered his head in a shallow bow for just a moment and Kagome grew slightly suspicious of his intent. To find her out here and away from the others, just to apologize for his attitude, seemed a convenient excuse.
"I understand that right now, believe me. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lord Katsurou. May I ask you something now? Actually, hold on. Shippou, honey, we'll be right back. Stay here with Ren-taii, okay?" She leaned down and patted his back.
"Okay, Momma…" His round, deep green eyes found the cat's and narrowed only slightly.
Katsurou raised an eyebrow at the possessiveness the kit displayed over a human. Something about this miko inspired guardianship in those around her. He observed the Captain standing over her left shoulder ready to leap into action and the kit, 'Shippou' he heard the cub was called, was keeping his attention only half on the game that the pup's pet girl was trying to play. Perhaps, Sesshoumaru, too, would be inspired in such a way if the toradaiyoukai executed his plan correctly. It would expedite his desired outcome considerably.
"Perhaps I should stay with you, my Lady." Ren tried, refitting his sword into his obi and very curious himself about what the Lord of the North wanted.
"I'll be fine. I'd rather you stay with the children, please." She tried to communicate with her eyes that she was more worried about the children than herself. He nodded, understanding.
"Of course." Green eyes connected with Katsurou's for a split second before he turned around, flashing a fanged grin. "Have you two ever played 'Hide the Button'? This garden is perfect for it. No using your nose, though, Shippou-kun…"
"I can't just turn off my nose, Ren." Shippou threw him a look that said 'duh' and Rin giggled.
Kagome watched as Ren took over, herded the kids away, and only then did she walk a few steps away with Katsurou.
"What can I help you with, Lady Miko?" the daiyoukai asked, clasping tawny hands behind his back.
"Kagome, please," she said with an easy smile but it vanished almost as quickly as it had come. Her eyes steeled over and the miko squared her jaw and lifted her chin to question him, "and I want to know why exactly you feel the need to ask for Rin's life when she is neither his heir nor his blood? You may not know it, but that little girl has led a much harder life than most and she should not be the target of your revenge, whatever your customs. It is appalling asking for revenge on the unborn, for kami's sake, but then you want to murder the only thing Sesshoumaru-sama might have ever cared about in his whole life?"
"So forward, Kagome. Very well. Even Mated to a hanyou, we do not expect you to understand but a life for a life is fair payment for what we lost in order to maintain the balance of power. Akio was a fully realized heir with a Mate and cubs of his own. He was forced to leave them all behind because a half-breed pup lost his mind and felt the need to murder everything in his path to satisfy his instincts. If anything, I ask for too little. And I can guarantee you that she has not been the only recipient of Sesshoumaru's attentions in his long life." he finished with a knowing smile.
"Fine, she isn't, but that doesn't make it better. Please find another way. I'm sure Lord Sesshoumaru would be willing to give you pretty much anything else if you asked. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there aren't that many of you left are there? Daiyoukai? Sesshoumaru-sama said as much. If there are so few left, isn't blood payment a little more than you can all afford? Shouldn't traditions like those be in question, now, too?"
"I will not be the one to educate a human on daiyoukai customs, whatever your place in this house might be. But answer me this, little one: what would you do to keep that diminutive human from harm?" He pointed a tanned and ivory-clawed finger at Rin.
Her answer was immediate.
"Anything in my power. Rin is important to Sesshoumaru… Lord Sesshoumaru, and to my son, and to me and she doesn't deserve to die for something she had absolutely no part in. Those days of senseless death should be over for all of us."
"Very good!" He loudly clapped his hands together causing three heads to whip around and stare from across the courtyard. Kagome waved Ren off and they all went back to playing. "That's all I needed to know, Lady Miko. Now, won't you please join us for the rest of the meeting?"
"I would rather not, my Lord, if it's all the same to you. I don't need to hear more insults thrown at me or my late husband's name, and I have nothing left to say about the battle two days ago. You know everything I know now. I am beyond ready to leave as soon as I get the all clear."
"All the same, it would please This One for you to attend. Consider it a favor in payment of sparing the small human's life."
He left the statement hanging between them, waiting for her to catch on. He was not disappointed. Katsurou almost laughed aloud at the speed with which her expression changed from exasperation to tentative hope. Her scent left behind the spicy and sour notes of her anger and nervousness in favor of a sweeter, undefinable aroma that left him wanting to know her better. Caution joined the joy in her eyes, however, as she questioned him further.
"Let me get this straight: I go to the meeting and you won't kill her? Ever? She lives a full life? Who dies instead, Katsurou-sama? If it's so important, I can't believe you'd just let it go."
"On my honor as warden of the North, Kagome. I will not harm the child or anyone else over the matter if you come back to the Council table for the rest of the day and hear what I have to say."
"Done. On one condition."
"Conditions? Miko, you are a bold one. Let This Katsurou hear it and I shall decide." He folded his arms across his chest and waited.
"You have to tell Sesshoumaru I'm coming back." Kagome raised her chin and turned to walk to the children, steps light and happy now that Rin was safe.
"Ha! Little one, you are amusing!" Katsurou laughed behind her and turned to stalk back into the shadows of the Palace. "And let us hope you mean what you say…" he added quietly to himself.
…
Sesshoumaru sat quietly in his study over an empty table thinking over the events of the morning.
'Rin.'
Could they be reunited here only to be separated by death yet again? Could he justify the loss of hundreds in a senseless war to save her? No. Could he best the entirety of the Northern clan alone for her sake? Perhaps he would have to.
He could. His claws involuntarily flexed at the idea. Inhuman pupils contracted at the thought of bloodshed.
A knock interrupted his dark thoughts and mental preparation for murder in the North. The hated subject himself strolled in, looking much too pleased.
"I wish to be left alone." Sesshoumaru growled, not turning away from his desk. "I will rejoin the Council within the hour."
"Oh, do not be so quick to toss me out. I just had a pleasant talk with your young priestess and we came to an agreement that should please you, Sesshoumaru."
The Lord of the West turned irritated golden eyes on Katsurou. "What would please This Sesshoumaru most at this moment is for you to begone."
The tiger picked up an errant scroll from a side table and turned it over in his hands. "I have agreed to relinquish my claim on your small human's life. What say you now?"
"Why?" Sesshoumaru narrowed his gaze on the toradaiyoukai.
Katsurou gave nothing away as he spoke again.
"The miko has agreed to do whatever was necessary to assure her life. She will join us for the rest of the meeting."
"Hn. Her presence at the Council is not necessary but what must the miko do to save Rin's life?"
"I shall tell you this afternoon but I wanted to let you know she would be present. She requested that I give you the news in her stead."
Thoughts raced through his mind about what scheme the tiger Lord had concocted. The memory of the Captain's report surfaced and his suspicion grew.
"Excuse me."
With no warning, Sesshoumaru was up and gone from the room and Katsurou dropped the scroll back on the table and strode out happily, off to find his wayward Mate and occupy the rest of the hour.
…
Kagome was helping Rin look for the hidden button when a familiar but oppressive aura appeared at her back and set her senses on overdrive out of an innate sense of self-preservation. She ducked and covered her head with one arm then covered Rin with the other as a breeze from Sesshoumaru's substantial youki settled around them. Seeing that it was actually him and not someone else trying to stop her heart this time, she stood and checked Rin over out of habit before glaring at him.
"What the hell, Sesshoumaru?! Why is everyone in such a damn hurry today?"
"What was said between you and the Northern Lord?"
"Hi, how are you? Oh, I'm fine, thanks for asking. Sorry for almost knocking you over, Kagome." the miko said sarcastically, tired of these demons and their disregard for her personal space today.
Rin was trying and failing not to look appalled at the way the miko was speaking to her Lord.
"Rin." He barked, not taking his eyes from the priestess who was now indignantly staring him down above crossed arms.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin beamed brightly from beside Kagome.
"The button is in the fork of the cherry tree ten steps to the north."
"Thank you, milord!" she giggled and went off happily to win the game.
When she disappeared, he leveled Kagome with a glare but she was too busy hiding her mouth with a sleeve and stifling a laugh.
"Miko."
"How did you know where it was? And that's cheating, by the way."
"Miko!" he growled.
"What?" she groaned. "I didn't purify anyone this morning, I minded my manners for the most part, I'm still in this ridiculous kimono because your mother made me promise to 'remain presentable,' and now you've ruined our game. So, what have I done now?"
"Katsurou just came to see This Sesshoumaru and informed me you made a deal to save Rin. What was said?"
His face was taut as he leaned down ever so slightly to loom over her and she found the anxiety in his serious, golden eyes made her feel regret for having teased him. He was concerned for Rin's life and she was making jokes. Kagome blinked her mirth away, clasped her hands at her waist, and looked earnestly up at the Lord of West.
"He said all I had to do was come to the meeting this afternoon, listen to what he had to say, and he wouldn't kill her."
"Is that all?" Disbelieving eyes narrowed but her scent did not change. She was not lying.
"He asked me what I would do to save her life and I told him-"
"What did you tell him?"
"Let me finish… Anything. I'd do anything in my power to save her."
"Why?" Another sniff told him she, again, was not lying.
The sweet and metallic scent of her natural infusion of fresh rain mixed with the ionic sting of the impending storm rapidly approaching from the southeast and the combination did nothing to assuage the irritation growing within him.
"Why?" she parroted, disbelieving. "She's a child, Sesshoumaru. Just like Shippou." Kagome gestured to the kit behind her. "I'd give them a kidney if they asked me for it."
He straightened, satisfied with her answer and the validity of it, but was confused.
"Do humans make it a habit to donate organs in payment?"
He was surprised and frowned when she erupted in giggles at his question, but waited patiently for an answer.
"I'm sorry for laughing and no. No, they don't. It's just an expression meaning I'd do anything to see them safe and happy even if it cost me something precious. Satisfied?"
"Then you will be present this afternoon?"
Kagome tried not to make fun of him for sounding slightly unsure and anxious. She couldn't blame him. If the situation were reversed, and Shippou was in danger, she might be much less calm. Had been much less calm. What else was his mask of Lordly indifference hiding, she wondered?
"I will be there, yes. I won't run away to spite you. I'm a woman of my word."
"See that you are."
Kagome sighed and turned around to get back to the children and a shocked Ren, who had overheard the whole exchange.
"And, priestess?"
"What now, milord?" she said, exasperated.
"I thank you." He said quietly, inclining his head just to her before walking quickly back into the shadows of the overhang.
Kagome smiled and was glad she could do something useful for the first time since coming here. Returning to the children, Ren had a raised eyebrow and a look of disbelief waiting for her.
"Don't look at me like that. He deserved a little run-around for making me do this whole thing anyway."
"I can count on one hand, my only hand, the number of youkai who have spoken to him like that and still draw breath."
"I feel emboldened by the idea that he can't kill me until this afternoon at the earliest." she giggled and walked back over to the children, noticing the darkening sky and first telling gusts of wind from the south.
…
Kagome was finally feeling more secure in the strength of her legs after a few laps around the gardens, and some warm and satisfying lunch with Rin and Shippou. Once Tomomi was settled with the children once again, Ren and Kagome walked companionably back to the meeting room together.
"Do you feel stable now?" Ren asked from behind her, watching her steps for signs of fatigue.
"Finally, it seems like. Though I'll be more careful this time when it's over. How long will this afternoon last I wonder?"
"I do not know. I have never been required to attend in any capacity. Some years, Ryota-taishou is needed but not this year. Oh, and Kenshin would like me to remind you to come to the infirmary when you are finished. The worrywart wants to make sure you are healing properly."
"A good healer does. Help me remember to do that. But who's Ryota-taishou?"
"General Ryota is a kumadaiyoukai from the north serving under Sesshoumaru-sama. Have you not met him yet? I'll take you to the barracks when you are well so you can be introduced. I can show you the dojo while we are there."
"Good. I need to get back to training anyway as soon as I can. I feel doughy and weak. I miss my staff but that's too much yet. I could probably handle my bow now, though."
"'Doughy?' You have the most peculiar way of speaking at times, my Lady."
'Oops.'
"It comes from living in a remote village, I suppose." she tried, hoping he wouldn't ask for an explanation.
"I will try to find someone for you to train with. We don't have many females in the army but there are a few. Someone still in training might be able to spar with you."
"What about you?"
"I think not." Ren said quickly.
"Why?"
"You are human."
The lilt his voice took as he said it caused Kagome's eye to twitch. She raised her chin and the hair ornaments she wore flitted about for a moment.
"Ah, there's the attitude I expected after being raised by Sesshoumaru. I've been wondering where it was."
When Ren only blinked in confusion, she elaborated, stopping to turn and face him with a sly grin.
"If you're too scared to take me on, that's on you. I, for one, appreciate a challenge. I'll even promise to go easy on you. What do you say?"
"You are too headstrong for your own good. But I accept. I will not hold back as it is not in my nature. Expect to be disappointed, Kagome-sama."
His predatory, fanged smile gave her pause. It was easy to forget he was a daiyoukai when his manner was usually so jovial and familiar. Kagome shook her head at his confidence and heard Ren clear his throat as they started walking again and rounded the last corner.
"Miko-sama..." Ren began quietly.
"That pride is Sesshoumaru talking again-"
"My Lady, wait!"
"Oof!" She collided with a wall that was fluffy, very tall, and oddly standing in the middle of what should still have been an empty hallway. To her left, Ren looked terrified. The wall spoke after another moment.
"This One was not aware he was already speaking."
'Oh shit. Why me?'
Kagome took a large step back in mortified amusement.
"And you are late once again." He said, absently dusting away whatever debris she might have left on his voluminous pelt.
"I am so sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. We were discussing-"
"The impossibility of your besting the Captain in combat?"
"It's not impossible." she said seriously. "And didn't someone once tell me to seek new masters? I'm merely taking his sage advice." Kagome grinned mischievously up at him, now fully recovered from her embarrassment.
Sesshoumaru considered her for a moment. She had displayed masterful skill with her reiki on the battlefield but average skill at best with the staff when he had observed her in the valley. Perhaps, however, she would not make a total fool of herself in front of his household for the few days she might be forced to remain.
"When she is recovered, you have my permission to take the miko to use the dojo once the soldiers are done for the day." Sesshoumaru spoke over her head to Ren, who only stiffly bowed in acknowledgement, still waiting for retribution over her collision with his person. Sesshoumaru took one more step over to her to speak quietly but was confused when she backed away in parallel.
"Are you going to lick me again?" she asked, grimacing.
When his jaw clenched and eyebrows furrowed, she realized she could've asked in a more delicate way.
"No, your position is established. A scent mark is no longer required." He exaggerated the words so she would understand his actions were normal and acceptable. He did not lick humans.
"Thank the kami for that. No offense." She held up placating hands.
He merely straightened himself and gathered her attention with the seriousness in his eyes.
"I will remind you once again not to lose your temper, release your aura, or otherwise give cause to end your life, do you understand? If not for your sake, then for Rin."
"I am in control of my emotions much more so than this morning. Though why I need to come at all is a mystery to me."
"Hn. But your agreement that no matter what is said, you will control yourself?"
"Yes, I will. Why? Do you know why I have to be here? What he wants?"
Ren and Sesshoumaru shared a look.
"I am not certain but Katsurou is not known for being forthcoming."
"Expect the unexpected then?"
"Hm."
When she nodded, Sesshoumaru opened the doors and walked in, his long, silver ponytail set into motion as he turned. The miko took a moment to shield herself with reiki once again, taking comfort in its slight recovery. Looking around the room, Kagome noticed everyone but the Northern party was present already. To Sesshoumaru's left, Kikuko looked bored and unamused by the human's re-entry.
"Sesshoumaru, dear, why is the human returning? I thought we were done with all that hanyou nonsense." Her claws flashed in the afternoon light as she waved a delicate and dismissive hand.
Kagome shuttered her eyes and allowed the insult and stab of grief to pass as she sat down as gracefully as she could on weak legs under thirty pounds of silk.
"The Lord of the North has requested her presence." Sesshoumaru told his mother as much as everyone else as he, too, effortlessly and silently settled back down to the table.
"Why, I wonder?" Fushijirou asked genuinely to Kikuko, still ignoring Kagome completely.
"Perhaps he will enlighten us when he deigns to grace us with his presence. Katsurou! Haruna! We are waiting only for you!" she spoke up, knowing his demonic hearing would pick up her request if he was anywhere on the ground floor.
Kagome and the young man from the South to her immediate right both jumped at the Lady Mother's loud yell. He and his crimson eyes were smiling when he recovered and Kagome found his gaze and smiled in return, shaking her head.
When Katsurou did not appear, Kikuko sighed and threw a disinterested-sounding request over her shoulder.
"Ren, dear, fetch the Northern Lord and his Mate. Gods know what they're up to in the Lord's quarters upstairs and so unable to join us."
"At once, Kikuko-sama."
Ren left on his errand and suddenly Kagome felt the pressure of being very much alone in the room despite the many youkai packed around the table. Swallowing the feeling, she instead made plans in her head for the return trip home with Shippou. Her imaginings of fishing, training, and camping with her little kit were cut short when Kikuko raised her fan and made conversation.
"I am sorry you all shall have to be away from your packs for a few more days but I suppose it cannot be helped now. At least for poor Kouhei and Ryouzou."
"No, and it is a shame. I was anxious to get back to the pyre after so many days away. But Ietsuna is a capable male and will make sure they are all safe." Fushijirou commented, huffing a disappointed sigh.
"If I may, Lady Kikuko, what do you mean?" Kagome asked politely, leaning forward to look around Sesshoumaru.
"Oh, I forgot about the feeble and unsensitive noses of humans. There is a typhoon bearing down on us from the southeast and we shall all be delayed by the time this Council meeting is over. I hear the rain beginning as we speak." She cocked her head slightly and closed her eyes to focus of the patter of rain just beginning on the southern face of the mountain. "It would be dangerous even for This One to be out in days of bad weather at this high altitude. Not to mention what it does to one's appearance." she shivered.
The Lady mother fluffed her pelt about her shoulders and resumed waiting in silence.
'Longer? I have to be here even longer? I just want to be home…'
But did she really? Home would be a plethora of reminders of Inuyasha day in and day out and maybe, just maybe, staying here a little longer gave her more time to make peace with that idea. But peace didn't seem to be something in large supply at the Palace at the moment, wherever she was.
The double doors slid open and Katsurou and Haruna strolled in both wearing scowls and lowered brows. Kagome was shocked to see four angry gashes that started at Katsurou's shoulder to trail down his chest before disappearing beneath the plain forest green kimono he was now wearing. Blood soaked through the fabric in long, darkened streaks but the youkai in the room seemed completely unconcerned.
Ren closed the door and took his place behind Sesshoumaru once again.
"Shall we begin?" Kikuko asked innocently. "What had we left to decide?"
"Succession in the West, Kikuko. Your son has yet to decide how to overcome the death of the only option to him. All Lands are secured but your own." Fushijirou said curiously.
"And This One wonders how you plan to secure an heir, Sesshoumaru, given that there are no silver inu left now to choose from."
"We know, Ryouzou. Thank you for reminding us once again. But there are the kitsune and the ookami at the least. Did you not bring your niece? And why bring her if not to introduce her as a candidate?"
"She was brought at your request, Kikuko, and under duress. Like many of the un-Mated females brought here, I imagine." Ryouzou's silver eyes narrowed and his disgust for the idea of tying his clan to theirs was obvious but he dared not say it out loud.
The Lord of the West squared his shoulders to the table, raised his chin, and made a declaration.
"Succession of the West will no longer be in question. Once the Council is concluded, This Sesshoumaru will begin the search for a Mate."
"Ah! Finally, Sesshoumaru, my dear!" Kikuko beamed, clapping her hands. "Some sense at last, my stubborn pup! I shall call on the packs to the south and-"
"No. I will journey alone."
"But Sesshoumaru, why? Surely they will travel here once they know of your intent?"
"Patrolling the Land is the duty of its Lord. I trust no other. I will combine the tasks."
"Sesshoumaru, you wish only to run away and galivant about the countryside unchecked once again." Kikuko folded her arms and scowled.
'I can understand. I'd want that, too, with you all for company.' Kagome thought sardonically.
"Tasks? A Mating is not a death sentence, pup." Katsurou scowled then paused and closed one eye as he sipped his tea. "Besides, you will have no longer than this day to wait."
"Katsurou, you seem very certain about the prospects of your absent females. Why I wonder?" The Lady Mother's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Not of my own family, Kikuko, though they would prove formidable Mates to your Sesshoumaru, of course. No, the miko and I have an accord." The tiger's grin grew wide and knowing.
"Huh?" Kagome blinked. "I don't know anything about this. I'm only here because you asked me to be, Lord Katsurou."
"Indeed, I did. And to save the life of the small human Sesshoumaru seems so fond of."
"Get to the point, Katsurou. This babbling is infuriating." Kikuko spat.
"There sits your future Mate, Sesshoumaru." Katsurou outstretched an arm, palm up, toward the human. "Shikon no Miko and widow of your packmate. Marked as honored by your house and saved from death by your hand. By all rights, she is nearly yours already."
The vacuous silence was pierced by the ribbed sound of an unfurling fan.
"Your humor has not grown more effective with age, Katsurou. Whatever joke you are playing, this is not the time." the Lady Mother growled, flitting the fan back and forth.
Katsurou lowered his gaze and steeled gold met Kagome's confused, sapphire blue. "This is my demand, little one. To save the life of the human, Rin, and to satisfy the blood debt wrought by your hanyou, you will remain here as Lady of the West and Mate to the inudaiyoukai Sesshoumaru."
More silence. A minute ticked by then two. Finally, Kagome found her voice and sputtered her confusion.
"Wh- What?!" Kagome gasped across the table, confused azure eyes accusing Katsurou.
"Done." Sesshoumaru stated flatly, his face unreadable.
"What?!" Ebony hair whipped around her shoulders as Kagome turned to yell at Sesshoumaru. "No! Not done!"
"In this alone, I agree with the human! You cannot be serious, either of you!" Kikuko growled as she stood and flexed her claws. Nearly a millennium of planning and hoping for a resurrection of her once great house was about to come crashing down about her head over a human. Just like last time.
"Sesshoumaru, you surprise me. Why do you agree so easily?" Katsurou raised his chin in challenge, ignoring the growling Lady Mother beside him. The pup was too calm. Something was wrong.
"Rin. Should this appease your blood payment, and release her life from your hold, I agree."
"What the hell is happening right now?! I'm not marrying him! My husband just died two days ago! And he hates humans!" She leveled an accusatory finger at Sesshoumaru.
"Think carefully, little one. I will have your agreement." Katsurou tipped his head forward to meet her eyes under dark and serious brows.
"No, what you'll have is a dead woman and an enraged daiyoukai! Sesshoumaru, say something!" She swept a pale arm out toward Katsurou just in case he had forgotten which youkai was damning them both.
"Rin's life, miko. You gave your word." He looked casually over at her and remained emotionless.
"Her life for mine? For yours? That's the deal? Lord Katsurou, why on earth would you do this to him? To me? I can't understand it." she pleaded.
"The hanyou, second son of the Inu no Taishou, born of two worlds but welcomed by neither, brought lasting ruin to my house. Now I return the favor."
Beside him, Haruna growled menacingly and bared her fangs. Kagome wished she could do the same. Beside the impassive Sesshoumaru, she felt her face flush, heart hammering in her ribcage, and her breath felt thick and impossible as she tried to inhale.
"My lovely Mate does not agree." He absently stroked the healing gashes across his chest.
"You dishonor a noble house with your games, Katsurou. Whatever the cub has done does not deserve the punishment of laying with a human. A priestess." Haruna sneered.
"See? Haruna understands! Sesshoumaru, I forbid it. You absolutely will not Mate the priestess." Kikuko fumed, slamming her hand down on the table.
The low warning growl in Sesshoumaru's throat was heard by all. Kagome leaned away ever so slightly, feeling the disapproval radiating from him in stark contrast to his calm face.
"No! Centuries of waiting for you lift your nose from the ground only to bury it between the legs of some- some human?! This is madness and I will not stand for it!"
Kagome flinched at her outburst and a snarl roared from Sesshoumaru as he snared Kikuko by the throat and pressed his mother's thin neck firmly to the floor to still her, fangs bared and lowering them closer to her throat.
"Cease this weakness and remember yourself." he said lowly, bearing down on her.
He was prepared for her ire, her rage, but not for the tears gathering in her golden eyes that were so much like his own. Her voice wavered as she threatened him once more but quietly, brokenly.
"I will be reminding you of the same thing very soon, Sesshoumaru. Hear me now."
When he released her from the floor, she was gone from the room in a flash and the telltale roar of her true form could be heard fading into the distance as the thunder began to rumble outside. It was anger and rage but Kagome also heard a wail of sadness in the howls that followed her retreat.
Kagome was gasping and the room was starting to spin. This couldn't be happening. Her whole life, all of the minute and tentative plans to move forward now that Inuyasha was gone, it was all thrown into chaos. She had so many emotions surrounding Inuyasha's death still to sift through, so much of her life was already thrown into chaos. What did it mean to Mate Sesshoumaru? How could she get out of it? What would happen to Rin if she did? What would Shippou do if she couldn't? Why the hell did Sesshoumaru agree so easily? Why was it so hard to breathe?
"Sesshoumaru… I can't- I can't-" Kagome tried to get out the words but nothing was making sense. The world didn't make sense.
"Perhaps your vengeance will be short lived, Katsurou." Ryouzou grinned, folding his arms and resting back from the table.
"Miko."
Kagome looked to her right, breast heaving, and found his eyes. He looked so calm. So at peace. Why was he so still while her life was falling apart again?
"Calm yourself." he said quietly. "You gave your word."
She nodded shallowly and her breathing slowed only a fraction as new tears formed in her eyes. Convinced she would regain control of herself and not die at the table, Sesshoumaru turned back to the Lord of the North.
"This Sesshoumaru makes one request, Katsurou."
"I am listening." he said suspiciously, folding his tawny arms.
"The woman should be allowed a period of mourning and we will observe the usual courting rituals. When both are satisfied, we will complete the Rites and not before."
"And how long do you propose this mourning should take?"
"How does fifty years sound to you?" Kagome said bitterly, hands braced against the table for support and her voice gaining strength.
"Ha! She is funny, Sesshoumaru. Perhaps she can teach you something." Katsurou said, relaxing his arms.
"I fail to see the humor. Will the human not most likely be dead by then?" Kouji asked innocently from beside Kagome.
"Kouji, pet, that was the point." Samidori spoke up for the first time, gentle vermilion eyes finding Kagome to her left and warming with motherly affection for the panicked human girl.
"How sad, Lady miko." Kouji replied, turning to look her over.
"I'm not joking." Kagome said, finally feeling most of the weight of anxiety lift from her chest but a warming anger taking its place.
"One year, little one." the tiger said finally.
"Ridiculous. She will only run away and disappear between now and then." Ryouzou said easily.
"And if she does, my rights to the human ward's life resumes and I will exact my vengeance that very day. Do you hear me, priestess? Mated and marked, and nothing less will satisfy This Katsurou."
"I don't even know what that means! All I know right now is you want to make the two of us miserable for as long as I live and I don't get it. I have a life out there! Responsibilities, duty, a purpose. A whole village depends on me and that's not my pride talking, it's just the truth. What happens to them when I leave?"
"Who would care? A small village of humans is of little consequence." Ryouzou waved an indifferent hand at her concerns.
"Not to those humans!" Kagome countered. "And not to me."
"I shall give you the mourning period to decide that for yourself. One year."
"One year? No way. I'll agree to five."
"One."
"Fine, two. Bare minimum to train my replacement."
"Very well. Two years will pass and then you will return for the Council to witness the Rites. After that, you are free to waste your life any way you see fit, I care not."
"So generous of you." Kagome spat, no longer caring about the total lack of respect. Clearly, they had none for her or, she now wondered, for Sesshoumaru either.
"Then we have your agreement?"
Kagome paused. The gravity of the moment was not lost on her. Her life up until now had been a collection of moments, decisions, and events that connected and created a life she had control over. This was not that. Consenting to this was permanent and irreversible, though she didn't yet know to what extent. But Rin deserved to live. Her life wasn't in danger, per se, but it would no longer be hers alone. Looking around the room, the faces turned to her were angry, bored, or disinterested. A human stolen away meant nothing to them. A tick of the clock and she would be a memory.
"I… have questions." she said firmly to the tiger, still formulating what they were.
To her surprise, it was Sesshoumaru who answered.
"Ask."
Kagome sat up straighter to sit taller next to him and meet his eyes. The inudaiyoukai was wearing an indecipherable expression but he was offering to help her understand and she silently thanked him for it.
"What does this mean? Mating? I want to know what to expect."
At Katsurou's snort of laughter, she wondered what it was she had asked that was so funny. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the Northern Lord and then closed his own for a moment before answering her. It was a fair question but not one he relished answering before his fellow Cardinal families.
"That is a conversation best held in private, priestess."
"Kagome."
"What?"
"My name. You'd better start using it, whatever all this means. A 'priestess' is what I am, not who I am. Unless, you want me to start calling you 'youkai.'"
"Very well. But this conversation will have to wait until we are alone."
"Yes, please. I have no desire to hear whatever of our customs you want to explain to her. I have had enough human smells in my snout to last a lifetime from today alone." Ryouzou released a cloud of smoke from his nostrils to clear them and prove his point.
"She deserves a basic explanation, I should think, before she agrees. Surely, you could grant her that, Sesshoumaru." Fushijirou said sincerely, tenderly stroking the leg of his Mate.
Sesshoumaru, to his eternal credit, did not sigh or scowl but turned his chest to face her and answered her sincerely.
"It is similar on the surface to your human concept of marriage though physically binding and irreversible. There is a ceremony which we will both observe and afterward, you will have possession of a small amount of my youki as evidence."
"My whole life." She was quiet for a moment, considering. "I'll ask about the details later, I suppose." Her scent amplified once again to incorporate the sweet and tangy smell of yuzu and Sesshoumaru waited patiently.
"And what about children?" Kagome asked shyly.
"What about them?"
"They would be hanyou. Aren't you worried about that?"
"There do not have to be children." he said obviously, looking down his nose at her for the first time today. Delicate, dark eyebrows furrowed and she opened her mouth to ask something else but was interrupted.
"Indeed! Should another half-breed whelp inherit your late father's abilities, Sesshoumaru, this whole situation would repeat itself." Ryouzou accused.
"Impossible. This One inherited his mother's abilities and is well past development. There is no longer a risk of my father's ability returning."
"Is that how it works?" the miko asked innocently.
"Hm."
"That's… a relief to know. And what if I want children?" Because she did. Someday. And now they might affect him, too.
"We will discuss the matter in private but options will be given to you."
"Okay. So, what will I do for the rest of my life as your- um, Mate? Live here? Sit alone day after day? Pay calls?"
"You will live here. You may take care of Rin and the kit. Her human experiences are limited and I am sure your presence would be welcome."
"Shippou can stay here with us?"
"I will allow it."
"Thank you." Her smile was genuine knowing she would not be separated from her son. "So, raise the children? That's it?"
"You may find something to occupy your time, miko, and we can discuss it later."
'So, you either don't know or don't care what I might to do all day for the rest of my life and the one person who does hates me enough to storm out into a typhoon.'
Now, Sesshoumaru was growing frustrated. This was all best left for a later discussion and he loathed having to bow to her questions with the Council present. Logically, he knew it was wise of her to inform herself before agreeing but impatience at the length of the discussion and a vague sense of self-consciousness entered his mind at exposing himself even so little.
"So, your agreement, Kagome?" Katsurou tried again, yawning.
"Yes." Kagome nodded firmly. "I'll do it. Now Rin is safe, correct?"
"Of course. I keep my word, little one."
"Then we are finally concluded?" came the question from the impatient black dragon.
"Hm. Request anything you may need in the coming days from the staff already assigned to you. They have been informed of the extended stay."
"My love and I will be leaving, Sesshoumaru." Katsurou said quickly and happily. "We are not affected to the north and will be headed away from the storm. So, until next year, my friends."
The Lord of the North left the room and Haruna followed behind him, casting one last glare at the seated miko before raising her chin and leaving.
"Hmph." Ryouzou stood and waited impatiently for Kouhei to catch on and rise as well. When the heir did finally get the nudge to leave, he moved quickly and seemed embarrassed at being herded out like a hatchling by Ryouzou.
The Lord and Lady of the South rose and patted the head of their son before walking single-file out of the room. The son, Kouji, stopped in front of Kagome and knelt down. He took in her wide eyes and quick breaths and knew she was still overwhelmed.
"My Lady, I live here at the Palace with my Mate and I would be honored if you- you and your intended, that is-" he glanced over at Sesshoumaru, "would join us for dinner one night before you leave. You have much to unravel, I know, but I would like you to feel you have a friend here in this lowly messenger."
"I- I'm sorry. I have no idea what tomorrow looks like. I- I can't plan. Forgive me."
"I will consider your offer, Kouji." Sesshoumaru cut in. Kouji stood and bowed respectfully before meeting his parents in the hallway.
"I shall await you outside, Lady Miko." Ren said quietly, closing the doors behind him.
And with Ren gone, the room was emptied and only the priestess and the inudaiyoukai remained.
Kagome thought she nodded when the Captain said he was leaving but she couldn't be sure. The silence between her and her companion was uncomfortable and deafening. Kagome didn't know whether to just leave him alone or to try to reason with him now. She couldn't find the courage yet to look up at Sesshoumaru. Was he furious? Was he waiting for there to be no witnesses to her murder? No, Rin's life was still on the line until… it was done.
But until what was done exactly? What was going to happen after the two years she had bought herself? Images of being forced to stand beside him in silence, forced to live here among those who hated her, forced to watch as the children grew up and moved away so that only she would remain. She and Sesshoumaru.
She heard more than felt the rustle of silk to her left and knew he was standing. Without her consent, her insecure and fearful gaze found his clawed hand stretched down and opened to her. Kagome followed the trail of his long arm upward to meet his eyes. Softened, golden eyes that were no longer so guarded. His face seemed at ease, relieved, and Kagome realized that Rin was safe for the first time today, and Sesshoumaru's relief was there for only her to see.
She looked at the hand offered to her. It was a simple and polite gesture but from him, in this moment, it felt like much more. This was the same hand that ended Inuyasha's life. The hand that had tried to kill her, as well. But it was also the hand that had saved a small human girl from death, defended her friends in their time of need with mutual purpose, and had recently saved Kagome from a tragic death. If she accepted it, she was accepting their past and agreeing to their future. If she rose alone, the road would be harder but, in the end, the result would be the same if Rin was to live.
Slowly, her arm raised and the silk of her sleeve whispered down to her elbow just before their fingers touched. Her fingertips brushed his pale palm and the calloused feel of it raised her awareness of his prowess with a sword. She slid her fingers gently forward, trying not to grab him roughly when she hooked her fingers around his slim wrist and felt the warmth of his skin in her own hand. His fingers closed around her forearm as he applied minimal strength to lifting her from the floor.
Sesshoumaru felt the trembling in her small hand, the dampness from her nerves, but also her warmth and the strength of her grasp.
Kagome felt the heat of his touch but the tips of deadly claws brushed against her forearm and the magenta markings that circled his wrist were strange and inhuman.
As she stood to her full height, he still towered over her but she immediately looked up to his face to find some sense in this, as if the explanation would be written there. He met her eyes and she watched his nostrils flare subtly, trying to figure out what she she was thinking. They stayed still for a moment, considering each other with guarded curiosity, hands clasped.
He gave only three words to end their moment of mutual consideration.
"Walk with me."
...
AN: So it's done! Set in motion. 'Hide the Button' is indeed my nod to Unspoiled, a wonderful fanfic posted here by the talented forthright. I imagined that a phoenix's home might be called a 'pyre' and we merely borrowed the term. Two years isn't drastically long for either of them but what will they do in the mean time? As always, I hope everyone is well and safe, and let me know what you think, if you have time!