DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha or the book called 'Hasse Simonsdochter' written by Thea Beckman, nor do I own the characters of these two stories!! But I do own the idea of mixing these two ingredients into a new story.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS OF THIS CHAPTER:
Naraku: He was the former personal advisor and lapdog of the king of the Eastern Lands. He claims to be banned from the East by the king, whom he disobeyed. In spite of all the negative advises and bad rumors about the 28 years old man, the king of the Western Lands still took him in the castle as his advisor.
Italic: thoughts
-- --: locations
"...": spoken words
~*~*~*~*~: time gap
*...* : noises
-by Kittymui-
Separation
~*~*~ The next morning ~*~*~
Kagome and Sesshoumaru were the first ones to wake up in the morning and the
merchandiser the last. They continued their travel shortly after breakfast.
Now and then, Musou would still peek at Kagome. Her beauty never seemed to tire him.
Although her back was always facing Musou, Kagome knew his eyes were locked
on her from time to time.
Sesshoumaru noticed this also and finally looked over his shoulder to give Musou
an icy glare.
Musou averted his gaze from Sesshoumaru as soon as he received this glare of death. After that, Musou didn't look at Kagome anymore and paid all of his attention to the road.
~*~ Later ~*~
It was late in the afternoon and the group finally reached Mayr. A thick high
brick wall surrounded it and the only way to leave was via the two big gates
of the city. Or, if you could jump very high, you can enter or leave the city
by jumping over the walls.
One gate was located at the North side and one at the South. Kagome and Sesshoumaru
were standing in front of the latter one.
When they arrived at the huge gate, Musou jumped off his carriage and showed some sort of pass to the guards. Within minutes, they found themselves within the thick walls of Mayr. It was a very wealthy city, with much more buildings and pieces of art than Paedra. Mayr had a museum, a theater, a lot of taverns, inns and a very big library, or so Kagome heard as she walked pass a guide who was explaining things to some travelers.
Every house within eye reach had its own garden, no matter what kind of house it was. The people of Mayr were dressed very richly and high class. Even youkai who lived here were wearing expensive armor and garments. It was truly a city for wealthy people.
[AN: Humans are indeed afraid of youkai but being friends with wealthy ones with high statuses, is good for their own reputation. Same goes for youkai. Greedy, aren't they?]
Kagome and the whole group made their way to the inn, which was located near
the city gate.
-- In front of the inn --
"Well I guess this is farewell." Musou smiled. "Thank you for
escorting me here." he said as he bowed slightly in front of Sesshoumaru,
who stood in the front, and handed him a letter. "This will prove that
I've safely reached Mayr, give it to the counselor of Mayr and he'll give you
your reward." he explained.
Sesshoumaru nodded and took the letter.
Before Musou turned around to leave, he took one last look at Kagome behind Sesshoumaru. Till we meet again... he thought as he walked away.
When the merchandiser disappeared with his carriage around the corner, Sesshoumaru
turned to Kagome. "You go get us a couple of rooms for the night."
he ordered and then turned to Inuyasha. "You stay here with Hiten and Bankotsu,
I'll go to the counselor with the rest. I know him from previous missions and
he doesn't like too many visitors." he explained.
They nodded and watched Sesshoumaru leave with Kyoukotsu, Kouga and Renkotsu.
Kagome turned to the three. "Well then, shall we?" she smiled. And the three of them entered the inn to rent some rooms for the night.
-- At the mansion --
"Please come in." a maid welcomed them as she opened the huge wooden
door. "The counselor is expecting you in his office."
Sesshoumaru and his companions entered the luxurious building and followed the
maid to the counselor.
Sesshoumaru was quite shocked, though he didn't show it, when he entered the office.
"Ah, you must be Sesshoumaru." the man in the chair behind the desk spoke. He had long curly black hair and ominous black eyes. He was dressed in a night-black suit without any trinkets hanging on it.
"Where is__" Sesshoumaru asked, not recognizing the unfamiliar counselor.
"He retired." the man cut him off, knowing what he wanted to ask. "I'm the new counselor of Mayr and my name is Naraku.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. He knew about this man called Naraku. He was
the infamous lapdog of the king of the Eastern lands. He was banned from the
East, or so he said, and after that he searched for shelter in the West.
Since he had worked for the East, he should know a lot about their military
information and other useful things. Everyone said that he could not be trusted
but the king of the Western Lands would not listen and took this man called
Naraku in as his advisor, despite of what everybody said.
Sesshoumaru had hoped never to meet this person, yet now he was standing in his office. I should be careful around this Naraku... he thought alerted. "I came here to report our mission." Sesshoumaru spoke calmly.
"Ah yes, the merchandiser of gems." Naraku responded. "Do you have the proof of his safe arrival?"
Sesshoumaru handed the letter to Naraku.
Naraku didn't open or read the letter; instead he called out for his servant.
"Give them their reward after they leave this room." he ordered.
The servant obeyed and left the office.
Then Naraku turned to Sesshoumaru again. "I believe you are also here to retrieve your next mission, am I right?" he asked with a strangely excited office.
Sesshoumaru nodded in reply.
Naraku opened his drawer and took out a letter. "This will be a very tough mission...but I'm sure you'll not decline and disappoint me." he smirked.
Sesshoumaru grinned. "The tougher, the bigger the reward, huh?" he said coolly.
The smirk on Naraku's face dropped and his expression became serious. "Good, now listen up carefully." he said.
~*~*~ Some time later ~*~*~
It was already evening when Sesshoumaru, Renkotsu, Kyoukotsu and Kouga left
the mansion with the reward of 7000 gold coins and they made their way back
to the inn.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." Kouga called after his leader and caught up
with him. "...are you sure about this?" he asked worriedly.
"I have already accepted the mission, Kouga." Sesshoumaru sighed, not stopping or looking at his loyal companion.
Renkotsu and Kyoukotsu also caught up and walked next to Sesshoumaru on the other side. "But you could have declined." Kyoukotsu added.
"Didn't you look at his eyes? It was as if they wanted to devour me." Sesshoumaru explained without lowering his walking pace. "He does have the power to do that if I had declined."
"We'll kill him before he tries!!" Renkotsu growled. "He doesn't look that strong to me!!"
"The king will know about it and pursue us until we are six feet under." Sesshoumaru reasoned.
"We're youkai! We can handle that!" Kyoukotsu argued proudly.
As soon as he heard those words, Sesshoumaru finally stopped walking but he still didn't look at his companions.
"What about Kagome?" he finally said after a moment of silence.
Kouga, Kyoukotsu and Renkotsu suddenly didn't know how to respond anymore and became silent.
"She is not a youkai." Sesshoumaru continued. "She is my mate...I do not want to endanger her life."
They dropped their gazes to the floor, except for Kouga. "What about her safety when__"
Kouga was cut off by Sesshoumaru's slightly annoyed voice. "I'll talk to her about this and besides..." he said as he looked over his shoulder to Kouga. "...I still have my brother and his companions."
With that Sesshoumaru started to walk again. The rest followed silently; they knew Sesshoumaru was the one most bothered with this situation; they knew their leader was just as powerless as they are.
-- Back to the inn --
If you're back was facing the front door; the doorway to the kitchen would
be located to your left, the stairs to the first floor right in front of you
and the living and dining room to your right.
[AN: Similar to Sango and Miroku's inn; only bigger and including a living room.]
The dining and living rooms were built in the same space, with the dining room
in the front and living room in the back. The fireplace was built in the wall
in the far end of the living room. A big red round tapestry lied on the floor
in front of the fireplace and there were two red diva's placed on it.
The dining room looked more like a restaurant. There were large and small wooden
tables suitable for different amounts of visitors.
Except for some tapestries, most of the floor was just dark wood. There were
all sorts of decorations hanging on the wall: paintings, dried flowers or bouquets,
animal trophies of hunts and so on.
Sesshoumaru entered the inn soundlessly and saw Kagome sitting on the red tapestry
in front of the fireplace with her back facing him. She was dressed in a blue
satin dress to her ankles and her hair was resting loosely on her back. She
was talking to Inuyasha who was sitting on the windowsill near the fireplace.
They were so deep in conversation that they didn't notice Sesshoumaru until
he had almost reached the fireplace.
"Oh! You're back!!" Kagome said surprised as she quickly got to her feet. "And?" she asked.
Sesshoumaru didn't reply, he only looked straight at Inuyasha.
"Kagome, could you and the rest go upstairs to your rooms first? I need to discuss something with Inuyasha alone." he finally spoke after a moment.
Kagome opened her mouth to ask what's wrong but was halted by Kouga when he put his hand on her shoulders and shook his head. So Kagome did as she was told and went upstairs to her room, followed by Kouga, Renkotsu and Kyoukotsu.
Sesshoumaru finally relaxed and started to walk closer to his brother after he heard the closing sounds of the bedroom doors.
"What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked with a serious voice.
"I have retrieved our next mission." Sesshoumaru replied as he handed the letter from Naraku to his brother.
Inuyasha took the letter and began to read it.
His eyes became wider as he read more of it. "For a whole year?!?" he cried disbelieving, jumping up from the windowsill.
"Lower your voice!" Sesshoumaru growled. "I do not want Kagome to know before I have got the chance to tell her myself."
"Y-you're not planning to take her with you?" Inuyasha asked surprised.
"I cannot do that." he replied.
"Why not?"
"She's with child."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Whaat?! H-how do you know?! D-does she know??"
Sesshoumaru looked at his little brother impatiently. "I can smell it on her, it's the same smell your mother had when she was carrying you." he explained with an annoyed voice. "But I do not think she knows about this yet since it has only been several weeks."
[AN: Inuyasha doesn't know because his parents died before they could teach him.]
"So...you're leaving her here?" Inuyasha asked worriedly.
"I do not want to leave her unprotected." Sesshoumaru answered. "That's why I'm asking you..."
"To...?" Inuyasha added.
"I want you and your friends to stay here by her side until I return."
Inuyasha gave his brother a puzzled look.
"The mission only mentioned me and my companions; you and the rest aren't involved in it." he explained as he averted his gaze. "You're the only one I can entrust her safety to, although she's pretty strong herself." he sighed.
Inuyasha smiled. "Don't worry, aniki, I'll protect her with my life, I promise." he reassured him. "Now go to her, she should be told about this as soon as possible. I'll tell Hiten and Bankotsu about this later."
Sesshoumaru nodded and headed towards the stairs.
-- At Sesshoumaru and Kagome's room --
It was a quite luxurious room (5 by 5 meters) compared to the one they rented
at Sango and Miroku's inn.
There were four lanterns standing in each corner of the bedroom; all four coated
with silver and creating a very romantic and comfortable atmosphere with a very
dim light.
A queensize bed stood in the back of the room. The pillows were as white as
snow and the quilt was as blue as the ocean. Next to the bed, there was a small
wooden table with a round-shaped mirror standing on it. And next to the doorway
stood a large closet made of dark Oakwood.
Kagome was polishing her arrowheads when Sesshoumaru entered their room. Her
bow and quiver were resting on her lap as she continued to polish them.
"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru called out her name hesitatingly.
"Hm?" she replied, without looking up.
Sesshoumaru sat down on the bedside next to Kagome. "I need to tell you something." he said.
Kagome didn't reply, but Sesshoumaru knew she was already listening.
"I've retrieved the next mission." he paused before he continued. "It requires me to travel to a very far place. The mission is to take over a stronghold called Valkyrie and defend it until the Imperial army arrives. It will take about a year to accomplish it...and__"
"That's not a problem...we'll always stay together and fight alongside eachother, right?" Kagome cut him off, still not looking up at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru swallowed hard.
"Kagome...I cannot take you with me..." Sesshoumaru finally managed to say.
Kagome finally stopped polishing and raised her head to look at him. "What...did you just say?" she asked surprised.
Sesshoumaru didn't reply; he didn't know whether he should tell her about she
carrying their pup yet. "Inuyasha and his friends will stay here by your
side and keep you company while I'm gone." he said, trying to ignore her
question.
He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "The letter did not mention you...so
I do not want this mission to involve you... it will be too dangerous..."
he explained, not using her being pregnant as an argument.
Kagome dropped her face until her bangs were hiding her eyes.
"I have demanded the first halve of the reward of this mission as insurance and they have agreed to it, so if you need money, you can claim it at the counselor's house. You can rent a small house for the four of you." he continued as he gently stroked her cheek. "Kini shinaide, I'll accomplish the mission and return to your side as fast as I can. Then we can retrieve the other halve of the money and___"
Sesshoumaru froze when he felt something wet hitting his hand that was cupping Kagome's cheek.
The moonlight shone through the window and lit up the liquid crystal that traveled diagonally from the middle of his index finger to the other following fingers. The crystal left a small trail of tiny crystals as it continued its way down. It stopped when it reached his pinky.
It didn't take long before Sesshoumaru realized what it was that caused the
tiny milkyway on his fingers.
To him, the sight of Kagome's tear was just as rare as seeing the last dew drop
at dawn; hanging at the tip of a blade of grass; ready to be let go and fall
to Mother earth.
"K-Kagome...?" he whispered.
Sesshoumaru widened his eyes when Kagome lifted her head to face him. Her eyes were filled with tears. Sesshoumaru was shocked to see his mate this vulnerable for the first time.
"I...I don't want the money....I don't want their company..." Kag said with a trembling voice. "I only want you..."
Sesshoumaru gave her a pained look. "Kagome, I__"
He was caught off guard when kagome suddenly threw herself to his chest and
buried her head in his haori.
Clattering sounds filled the quiet room as her bow and quiver with arrows fell from her lap to the floor.
*Clatter...crackle...*
"Why!! Why are you leaving me when I need you by my side the most!!"
she cried as she landed several frustrated punches on his chest. Tears were
now streaming on her cheeks and disappearing into his haori. "What am I
going to do on my own?! I-I even gave her a name already..." Kagome sobbed
hard.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. She...she's talking about our child... he realized. "You already knew..." he whispered.
Kagome clasped his haori. "Of course I knew!!" she cried. "It's my baby!! Our baby...our little Yuri..." Her voice gradually faltered.
Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Yuri...kirei na namae..." He whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Onegai...don't go..." Kagome begged as she pulled back to face Sesshoumaru.
"Gomen nasai...Kagome, it is for you and Yuri that I must go." he apologized, wiping away the tears on her cheeks.
More tears appeared as Kagome dropped her face. "Doshite...why you...why now..." she sniffed as she gradually became calmer.
"I would sell my soul to the devil to be by your side when you're bringing our child to this world." Sesshoumaru answered with a sad voice. "But I cannot endanger you or Yuri's life."
Suddenly Kagome freed herself from his embrace and got off the bed.
"Kagome...?"
"Gomen..." Kagome responded. "...but I really need to be alone for a while..."
Sesshoumaru was hurt by her words. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning at noon__"
"Do as you wish..." Kagome cut him off and walked towards the door and left.
After Kagome closed the door behind her, she made her way to the balcony, which was located at the end of the hall. She collapsed to her knees as soon as she closed the door of the balcony behind her and cried.
Sesshoumaru remained alone in their bedroom. He bared his fangs and clenched his claws. "Damn you, Naraku..." he growled.
~*~ The next day ~*~
Renkotsu, Kyoukotsu and Kouga had already prepared themselves for the mission
and were standing outside the inn, waiting for their leader. Inuyasha, Bankotsu
and Hiten were also there to see them off.
Sesshoumaru, who was fully equipped and ready to leave, closed the bedroom door and made his way to the stairs. Kagome had not returned to me since last night... he thought disappointed and began to regret for accepting the mission.
"Sesshoumaru!!" a voice sounded from behind.
Sesshoumaru stopped walking. He recognized Kagome's voice and turned around. His eyes widened when they fell on Kagome's figure at the end of the hallway.
Her raven hair shone under the bright sunlight that came through the balcony door behind her. Beautiful locks were resting loosely on her shoulders. Kagome was wearing an azure colored dress to her ankles, with a V-shaped neckline. The dress accentuated every curve on her slender figure. The sleeves of her dress were three-quarter sleeves and the ends were decorated with long silky lace.
"You thought that I'm still mad at you and that I wouldn't be there to see you off, didn't you?" Kagome suddenly spoke.
To Sesshoumaru's surprise, a smile appeared on her beautiful face. "These clothes suit me better, don't you agree?" she said cheerfully as she looked at herself. She started to walk towards Sesshoumaru after a short moment of silence. "I'll take that as a yes, since my beauty has made you speechless." she giggled as she stopped in front of him.
Sesshoumaru didn't know how to respond to her sudden cheerfulness and gave her a hard look.
"Now...don't look at me like that. Heki desu...Inuyasha will keep me company..." Kagome insisted. Damn it...why doesn't he say something...? It's so hard to stay strong while looking into his eyes... she swallowed, pushing back her tears as hard as she could. "H-hontou ni...daijoubu d-desu..." Kagome's voice started to tremble.
Sesshoumaru widened his eyes as he realized Kagome was crying again. She's acting strong in order to make me feel better... he realized with a pained look on his face.
"Chikusho...I thought I had cried out all the tears last night..." Kagome sobbed, not looking away from the golden orbs. "G-gomen...I didn't want to make you feel guilty..." she cried as more tears appeared. "I___"
Kagome was cut off when Sesshoumaru suddenly pulled her into his embrace and sealed her lips with his.
His hold tightened as he started to kiss her more passionately. And Kagome answered by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him back.
After they broke their kiss, Kagome leaned her head on his chest, right under his chin and Sesshoumaru stroked her hair with his hand.
"I'll wait for you...." Kagome whispered contented as she leaned closer to him. "...dakara onegai...come back alive."
Sesshoumaru pulled away a little and took something out of his sleeve. He held
his hand in front of Kagome. "Here...I want you to have this." he
said as he unfolded his hand, revealing a beautiful silver necklace and a pendant,
shaped like a flame, attached to it. The silver blue cat's-eye stone shone like
a crystal at the center of the pendant.
"This belonged to my mother. My father gave it to her when he proposed
to her." Sesshoumaru explained. "I want you to have it."
"Kirei..." Kagome gasped at the sight of the ornament.
"Here, let me help you put it on." Sesshoumaru offered as he leaned closer to her.
He took a step backwards after he finished. "It looks perfect on you." he smiled.
The pendant fitted perfectly in the bare spot caused by the V-shaped neckline of Kagome's dress. Kagome took the pendant in her hand and stroked the silver blue stone carefully. "Arigatou..." she whispered.
"I promise you Kagome..." Sesshoumaru spoke with a serious tone, causing Kagome to look up at him again. "...that I will return to your side alive."
Kagome smiled and slightly nodded, before she took a step forward and leaned her head on his chest again,
"Aishiteru..." she whispered softly as she closed her eyes.
Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her waist and held her closer. He was happy to hear her say those words for the first time. He knew she meant it. "Aishiteru..." he replied with a gentle voice.
They broke their embrace when they heard someone coming up the stairs.
It was Inuyasha.
"Aniki, they are already waiting for you outside." he said, knowing that it was hard for them to separate. But he also knew that his brother couldn't turn back anymore.
Sesshoumaru nodded and went downstairs together with Inuyasha and Kagome.
Just before he reached the door, he turned around to Inuyasha, who was now standing
next to Kagome. "I entrust her safety to you now Inuyasha, so take good
care of her while I'm gone." he said.
And then something followed in a language that Kagome didn't understand. The
youkai language.
Kagome noticed the increasing seriousness on both their faces. After Sesshoumaru
finished, she saw Inuyasha nod in reply.
Sesshoumaru relaxed after receiving his brother's acknowledgment and turned to Kagome. "I'll come back...kanarazu..." he said as he took her hand in his.
Kagome responded with a warm smile. "Kyotsukete...koishii."
Sesshoumaru then released her hand and turned around to leave the building. Kagome and Inuyasha followed him outside.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." the three faithful youkai greeted in unison.
"Iku zo." Sesshoumaru ordered with a clear voice, before he started to walk towards the city gate.
Kyoukotsu, Renkotsu and Kouga turned to Kagome. "Kagome-sama, stay healthy and take good care of yourself." Kouga said worriedly.
"We'll return as soon as we've accomplished the mission." Kyoukotsu added.
"None of us will be left behind and we'll return safe and sound." Renkotsu finished.
Kagome nodded and smiled. "Kyotsukete and take care of your leader for me."
The three youkai nodded and turned around to catch up with Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru didn't take another last look at Kagome before he walked out of
the gate, because the image of her warm smile was already burnt inside his mind.
He wanted to keep the same image in his head until he returns.
Kagome understood this and waved happily in the air until he disappeared out
of sight.
I'll wait for your return...zutto...
Vocabulary:
Kini shinaide: Don't worry
Kirei na namae: Beautiful name
Onegai: Please/I beg you
Gomen nasai: I'm sorry
Doshite: Why
Heki desu: Slang for "I'm fine."
Hontou ni: Really/I mean it
Daijoubu desu: It's alright/I'm alright or okay
Chikusho: Shit/Damn it
Dakara: That's why
Kirei: Beautiful
Arigatou: Thank you
Aishiteru: I love you
Aniki: Older brother
Kanarazu: Surely/Definitely/Without fail
Kyotsukete: Take care (of yourself)
Koishii: Beloved
Iku zo: A less polite form of "Let's go."
Zutto: Forever
-sama: This is for people that you respect deeply when you say this after
their name (name-sama). Sometimes parents, but mostly reserved for rulers
and god.
Posted: 12 September 2003
Last Edited: 12 February 2004 (re-edited because of tag problems)
Spelling check: YES