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.
Italic: thoughts
-- --: locations
"...": spoken words
~*~*~*~*~: time gap
*...* : noises
-by Kittymui-
Conspiracy behind the curtains
Previously:
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...
~*~*~*~
The first couple of weeks after Sesshoumaru and his companions' departure was
truly hard for Kagome to endure. But with Inuyasha and his friends' company,
it became gradually more bearable.
They had rented a small house just like Sesshoumaru had told them to and time slowly passed by peacefully. Their house stood close to the marketplace at the center of Mayr; it was a row house with a small backyard. It had 2 floors: the ground floor with the kitchen, living room and hallway and the first floor with the bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
If you entered through the front door, you will be finding yourself in a small
hallway with the stairs to the upper floor to your right and the doorway to
the living room to your left. The living room and dining rooms were built in
the same space. If you entered the living room via the hallway, the dining room
would be the right halve of the space. The doorway to the kitchen was located
in the same wall as the doorway to the living room, only on the other side of
the space. You can go to the backyard via the kitchen.
[AN: The back and front door are on the same line if you look at the house from
above. But there is a wall between the hallway and the kitchen.]
The walls were made of bricks and the floor was made of wood.
They only bought necessary things for their house: two blue sofa's for the living room, a wooden table set for four in the dining room, two regular beds, two closets, useful kitchen stuff and so on. They didn't buy things like decorations for the house because they didn't want to spend too much money.
But there was one decoration hanging on the wall between the doorway to the kitchen and the one to the hallway: Kagome's bow and quiver with arrows. Since she had promised Sesshoumaru not to carry or use them, she had hung them to the wall. She would pick them up again as soon as her baby was born.
Two months passed and it was still possible for Kagome to go everywhere she
wanted, since her belly wasn't showing yet. She did all the errands, accompanied
by Inuyasha and Hiten and Bankotsu did the chores at home. They had made a compromise
that someone else would do the errands when it becomes difficult for Kagome
to move around.
These months were maintained with the remaining money of the reward of their
last mission (merchandiser). But then it was time that they should pay a visit
to the counselor.
~*~ One day ~*~
"Sesshoumaru told me that he demanded the first halve of the reward as insurance." Kagome explained to the rest. "He said that we should be able to claim it if we needed it."
Inuyasha nodded. "Okay, then it's decided. We'll go to the counselor's mansion." he suggested and turned to Hiten and Bankotsu. "You two stay here and guard the house until we return."
Hiten and Bankotsu nodded in reply. "Don't worry, we'll do some clean ups in the meantime." Bankotsu said.
Kagome and Inuyasha left the house and headed towards the mansion..
-- At the mansion --
"Who's there?" a girl's voice asked from behind the huge wooden front
door.
Probably the maid. Kagome thought. "Tell the counselor that it's the wife of Sesshoumaru who demands to speak to him." she replied with a haughty clear voice.
Kagome didn't realize that Naraku was actually standing right behind the maid. Hmpf! he snickered inwardly. Quite an arrogant woman...like husband like wife huh? he thought annoyed. "Let her in and tell her to come to my office." he ordered the maid before he walked away.
The maid opened the door as she was told. "Come in, he's waiting for you in his office."
Inuyasha entered the mansion after Kagome and followed her to the office. It
was not a big office. It had a white carpet, white walls and long red curtains
hanging in front of the windows at the back of the room. There were bookshelves
standing against the walls on the left and right side. Certificates and paintings
hung on the walls as decorations. A wooden desk stood in the center of the room
not far from the windows. If you entered the room you would find yourself facing
the person behind the desk and the red curtains behind him.
They both narrowed their eyes as they saw the person behind the desk. It was the first time that they met Naraku but they already knew by his looks that he couldn't be trusted.
He looks so much like___ Kagome's thoughts were cut off when Naraku's voice sounded through the office. "What is it that you wish to see me for, woman." he asked with a serious voice. This is Sesshoumaru's wife?! She's more beautiful and graceful than I've thought!! he thought surprised as he scanned Kagome from top to bottom.
Kagome was wearing a silky white dress embedded with sewed golden flowers. It was a tight dress to her ankles that accentuated every single curve of her body. There wasn't a single day that Kagome had not worn the necklace that Sesshoumaru had given her. The beautiful ornament added more gracefulness to her appearance with every dress that she chose to wear.
He snapped out of his thoughts when Kagome suddenly replied with the same haughty voice. "My name is Kagome, not woman, and I'm the wife of Sesshoumaru." she started. "I have come here to claim the first halve of the money that you've promised my husband."
Naraku's expression became slightly annoyed but he quickly hid it before the two noticed it. "Ah I see, yes indeed. My servant will give it to you when you leave." Naraku agreed with a casual voice. Impudent woman, you don't know who you are talking to... he cursed in his mind at the same time.
"Good, then I shall take my leave now." Kagome said before she turned around to leave.
"I believe your husband has already arrived at his destination. I hope he'll successfully accomplish the mission." Naraku suddenly started with a mocking voice, causing Kagome to stop.
Inuyasha growled at him but was stopped when Kagome held up her hand and looked over her shoulder to Naraku.
"It would be such a pity to lose a remarkable and strong mercenary like him." Naraku quickly added.
To his surprise, a smirk appeared on the girl's face. "Don't worry, I'm
sure he'll accomplish the mission without fail and return unharmed. I suggest
you better prepare the other halve of the money and wait for his return."
she responded.
With that, Kagome turned to leave again with Inuyasha following her.
The smile on Naraku's face dropped as soon as the door of his office closed.
He let himself drop into his chair and closed his eyes.
"What do you want?" he asked after a short moment of silence; slightly annoyed.
A shadow suddenly appeared behind the long red curtains behind Naraku's chair. "I trusted you that you would be able to fulfill my demands, but you disappoint me." the voice spoke calmly.
Naraku frowned. "I guess you weren't specific enough huh? How should I know that there were others?" he replied plainly.
"Hmpf...a nuisance...there are two more at her house, all youkai. Now take care of it!!" it demanded before it disappeared.
"Teme...!!!" Naraku cursed aloud. I can't believe I'm actually letting myself being ordered by him...but then again... An evil grin appeared on his face. I'll also benefit from this if I fulfilled his desire... he mused as he took some letter paper out of his drawer. 'Cause nobody messes with the powerful Naraku... he snickered inwardly.
-- Back to Kagome's house --
"You'd almost scared me with that haughty behavior." Inuyasha smiled.
Kagome grinned. "I'm not the same scared and quiet girl I used to be and I want everyone to know that."
"You were a scared and quiet girl? Now you're surprising me again." Inuyasha responded as he sat down on the sofa in the living room.
Kagome sat down next to him but the smile on her face disappeared as she did that. "Yeah...I used to be the outcast of the village..." she explained.
"A beautiful and brave girl like you?? No way...hahaha...must have been your strange hair color then..." Inuyasha said jokingly. But he stopped laughing when Kagome turned to face him with a sad expression.
"It was..." she replied.
Inuyasha became silent. Me with my big mouth... he cursed himself. "I-I was only joking!!" he quickly added.
Kagome averted her gaze and looked elsewhere. "I was hated and despised because of my hair- and eye color...even by my own parents..." Kagome continued. "I was punished everyday of things I didn't do...it was hard..."
Inuyasha's eyes hardened. What a cruel past...mine's not even comparable to hers. he thought sadly. He didn't know why but he felt the sudden urge to hold Kagome and comfort her. But he restrained himself from doing it as he recalled their relationship.
Suddenly Kagome turned to face him again; this time she wasn't looking so sad anymore. "But that was until I met your brother." she smiled weakly. "He saved me from those horrible memories and accepted me even thought I wasn't a youkai."
"Gomen nasai." Inuyasha suddenly apologized, causing a puzzled look
on Kagome's face. "For making you remember your past." he added.
Kagome smiled. "Share yours with me and all is forgiven." she stated.
When she saw the serious expression on his face, Kagome quickly waved her hand and quickly added. "Just joking!! Just__"
"My mother was human..." Inuyasha started his story; cutting her off. "People hated her for marrying my father, who was a full-blooded youkai...and then...I was born...a hanyou..." he continued. "I was hated for not being pureblooded. Youkai didn't accept me for being partly human and humans didn't accept me for I was partly youkai. After both my parents died, I had to become strong in order to defend myself from those who wanted to get rid of me."
A moment of silence took place.
"Then I met Hiten and Bankotsu, who shared the same past and we became
good friends." Inuyasha finished with a small smile.
He turned to Kagome. "My past may not be as sad as yours." he spoke.
"But I know how you have felt or must have felt back then."
Kagome responded with a warm smile. Arigatou...Inuyasha... she thanked him inwardly.
"Well then...am I forgiven??" Inuyasha suddenly asked with a smile.
Kagome nodded and stood up from the sofa. "I wonder where Hiten and Bankotsu are..."
"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen them since we got back from the counselor." Inuyasha replied as he followed her example.
"Maybe upstairs." Kagome suggested and headed towards the hallway with Inuyasha following her.
They've searched Kagome's bedrooms and stopped when they reached the other one. "Found them." Kagome whispered.
Hiten and Bankotsu were sleeping inside their bedroom (AN: Inuyasha, Hiten and Bankotsu share the same bedroom). Hiten was lying on the bed and Bankotsu was leaning against the bedside on the floor.
"I guess they were tired of doing chores huh?" Kagome smiled. "Let's not wake them up until dinner."
Inuyasha agreed and they went downstairs again after closing the bedroom door.
~*~ After dinner ~*~
Kagome was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling. I wonder how Sesshoumaru
is doing? she thought to herself as she closed her eyes. Sesshoumaru...I
miss you... Were her last thoughts before sleep claimed her.
--- Deep in the forest, somewhere far from Mayr ---
Sesshoumaru was sitting on a high thick branch and leaning against the trunk of the tree with his eyes closed.
He, his companions and another large group of mercenaries led by a tiger youkai called Tigre were staying put in the forest not very far away from the Valkyrie stronghold.
It was as though he heard Kagome's voice in his mind; Sesshoumaru slowly opened
his eyes. "Kagome..." he whispered her name as he took something out
of his sleeve. Kagome's scent filled the air as he held it in front of him.
It was a lock of raven black hair tied together with a thin navy blue sash.
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air and closed his eyes again. I miss you too...koishii...
he replied in his mind.
--- Back to Mayr ---
Another 4 months have passed peacefully and it became winter; a soft winter.
Kagome was washing the dishes and Inuyasha stood next to her, helping her with drying the dishes. Hiten and Bankotsu were sparring in the small backyard of the house.
Kagome's belly was starting to show now but it wasn't very big that it would trouble her with the household.
"Ne Inuyasha? Why did it take longer than 6 months for my little Yuri to grow this little?" Kagome asked worriedly as she untied her apron. "There's nothing wrong with her, is there?"
"Don't worry too much Kagome." Inuyasha reassured her. "I'm sure it's nothing serious."
Kagome gave him a look filled with uncertainty and fear.
"I recall my mother once told me..." Inuyasha quickly added, not wanting to see such expression on Kagome's face. "...that she carried me for 12 long months before I was born. She also said that it was partly because of me being a hanyou and not completely human or youkai. That's why you shouldn't worry too much about it, okay?"
Kagome relaxed after hearing Inuyasha's explanation. "Thank you." she said relieved. I wonder how long it will take for my little Yuri...I hope he'll make it back in time. she thought at the same time.
"How do you know it's going to be a girl?" Inuyasha suddenly asked.
"Instinct." Kagome replied. "And I want the baby to be a girl." she added.
"What's her name again?"
"It's Yuri."
"It's a beautiful name." Inuyasha smiled. "Here let me help you." he said as he offered her his hand to help her walk into the living room.
Kagome took his hand and slowly made her way to the sofa.
[AN: Kagome is wearing a loose navy blue dress. She had decided not to wear anything tight for the time being, for she didn't want her baby to be uncomfortable in her belly.]
"Thank you." Kagome thanked him again as she settled herself comfortably on the sofa.
"You don't have to thank me that much you know." Inuyasha responded, sitting down next to her.
"It's for all the things you've done for me and Yuri." Kagome continued. "You take care of us and protect us...really I can't thank you enough."
Inuyasha turned to her and smiled. "My brother would kill me if I didn't and besides..." he said as he raised his hand to her face and brushed away some strands out of her face. "...we're family, right?" he added after a short moment of silence.
Kagome smiled and nodded as she raised her hand to touch his.
Suddenly some knocking sound on the front door surprised them.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"I'll get it." Inuyasha said as he stood up and made his way to the hallway.
He opened the door and realized it was a messenger dressed in a formal green suit.
"A letter from the Imperial Force. Good day." After handing the letter to Inuyasha, the messenger turned around and left.
Kagome watched Inuyasha as he entered the living room and sat down next to her again.
"Here, you read it." he said as he gave the letter to Kagome. "I don't think I can read the human language."
Kagome took the letter. Imperial Force...? News from Sesshoumaru?!? she thought wide-eyed and quickly unfolded the letter.
Her face dropped as soon as she read the letter.
"What's wrong? What's it saying?? Is it Sesshoumaru??" Inuyasha asked worriedly.
Kagome shook her head but her expression, which was showing a little bit of fear and puzzlement, remained unchanged.
After finishing the letter, she put it on her lap and sighed. " It says that an army of the East has been discovered not very far from Mayr and that the Imperial Army are planning to launch a pre-emptive attack." she explained. "But their amount of soldiers isn't enough...so they're recruiting youkai with this letter."
"So what about it? We won't leave you here behind." Bankotsu suddenly spoke from the doorway to the kitchen. He and Hiten finished sparring and had heard Kagome's explanation as they entered.
"This isn't all of it." Kagome continued. "This letter is practically a threat...it's obligating every single youkai to join the army..."
"Or what?" Hiten growled angrily.
"Or they will have you executed...along with every single person who were involved." Kagome replied with her gaze averted.
All three youkai widened their eyes. "They...WHAT?! They can't do that!!" Inuyasha roared angrily but calmed himself when he saw Kagome whimper at his rage. "Chikusho..." he cursed.
"I rather die than be ordered by a threat." Hiten snarled.
Bankotsu shook his head. "We all do...but we cannot involve Kagome in this." he reasoned.
Then everyone became silent until Kagome decided to speak again. "I know that you all care for me and my safety." she started. "As much as I don't want to be separated from you three, I have to admit that the only option for you is to go."
"But..." Inuyasha began.
"There's no other way...don't worry about me; I'll be fine." Kagome cut him off as she stood up.
~*~ The next day ~*~
Kagome stood at the doorway and the three youkai stood outside in front of the
house.
"Thank you for taking care of us until now." Kagome smiled as she handed a bag of nourishments and clothes to Bankotsu.
Inuyasha looked at Kagome with a hard expression.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Kagome reassured Inuyasha as she turned to him.
Bankotsu and Hiten decided to leave the two alone and headed towards the city gate.
Inuyasha averted his gaze.
Kagome raised her hand to his cheek and forced him to look at her. "Listen Inuyasha, really, I'll be fine so don't worry, okay?" she repeated herself as if she was ordering Inuyasha not to worry.
She was surprised when Inuyasha suddenly grasped her hand. "Take really good care of yourself Kagome." he said with a gentle voice as he squeezed her hand a little.
Kagome replied with a warm smile and a nod.
After seeing that, Inuyasha turned around and walked towards Hiten and Bankotsu who were standing near the gate.
Anyone who dares to lay his finger on Kagome will be ripped apart by my own claws... Inuyasha growled inwardly as he took one last look at the waving Kagome before he exited the gate.
After watching them disappear out of sight, Kagome dropped her arm to her side. She was now all alone again.
Vocabulary:
zutto: forever
youkai: demon
teme: a very very rude way to say 'you', like 'you bastard'
gomen nasai: I'm sorry
hanyou: half demon
arigatou: thank you
koishii: beloved
chikusho: damn/shit
Posted: 19 September 2003
Last Edited: 12 February 2004 (re-edited because of tag problems)
Spelling check: YES