a/n: I am SO SORRY! hehehe...kind of ironic that I started with that when
you look at the title for this chapter...anyway, since my last update, I
got bombarded with tons of final projects, papers, and finals, so I really
didn't have time to update. But now that the semester is over and summer
school shouldn't be as hectic, I hope to crank out about a chapter every
one to two weeks depending on my life-load. Also, the chapters should be
longer. Anyway, sorry for the long wait. Hope you like it.
disclaimer: Hold on a minute...let me check...*sigh* Nope, still don't own them, but that doesn't mean I won't play with them. Hiak Hiak Hiak Hiak Hiak ;op
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God Amongst Men
.::.Chapter Four: Sorry Just Doesn't Cut It.::.
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Once again sleep eluded Sesshoumaru as he tossed around on the cot. He could not forget the way that baka had leaned in so cozily, invading the girl's personal space. As if it would matter in the least to the Lord of the West who that backwater wench decided to snuggle up to. He knew it was a mistake to make any deal with that moron. Kouga had been purposely egging him on. And it worked.
It had been late when he retired to his tent last night.
Even with his sharply honed senses, he had failed to sense the approach.
One moment he was alone, the next...that stupid imbecile was in front of him. That annoyingly arrogant, all-knowing smirk plastered against his face. The same self-satisfied smirk that wench seemed to be so taken with. His eyes narrowed to mere slits of gold. He had seen them together earlier, whispering intimately. He expected as much from Kouga, but the chit was much more brazen than he had thought - not that he had thought of her much. However, it was unfortunate that he was forced to retract his given respect for a person, even if it was a woman. It had never happened before. He was usually more accurate with his estimations. A shame that she was born female; she would have made an admirable warrior.
"Ahem." The cough snapped him out of his admittedly shameful contemplations upon a certain ebony headed mystery to focus on his fool of an acquaintance.
He fixed his frostiest glare upon the unwanted intruder, with eyes colder than the arctic. Watching as Kouga reflexively flinched in upon himself in a defensive posture.
A tense stillness descended.
"I did not realize my tent posed such an attraction to insipid fools."
Unbelievably, Sesshoumaru was the one to break the silence. He smirked at the incredulous look etched into Kouga's face. Clueless confusion suited the dimwit.
Kouga continued to stare incredulously at the smug lord. Sesshoumaru was smirking. Whatever had gotten that stick out of his ass was certainly a good thing, or rather he should say good woman.
Sesshoumaru's patience grew thin when Kouga remained dumb. It had been a long, grueling day of reorganizing troops, fortifying defenses, tending the injured, surveying the damage, taking inventory, and restocking supplies. In other words, Sesshoumaru was exhausted and irritable from the tedious day. The fact that Kouga and Kagome had been too distracted with each other to lend a hand did not add to his charitable feelings for the man before him.
"If you have nothing of import to say, I shall be retiring."
"Well, I guess I'll just get straight to the point." A pause. Kouga seemed to be battling with himself whether or not to go on.
Sesshoumaru was intrigued.
Kouga was faced with a dilemma. If he took this next step, he would be admitting defeat, admitting that he had been wrong all those years ago. His pride revolted against such a concession. Kagome couldn't possibly have known the extent of his struggles, the severity of her request, else she would not have voiced her desire. He was knee deep in his conflict between his pride or Kagome's pleasure when Sesshoumaru did the one thing that always provoked Kouga into rash action.
Sesshoumaru lifted his left brow.
He was mocking him.
The decision was cinched.
"I think we should form an alliance." This statement, grit out between his teeth proved unsatisfactory for the lord. He did not respond, merely kept his unnerving gaze steady upon the man. Though of uncommon courage, Kouga fell before the assault.
"Alright already...it wasn't my idea." Suddenly, Kouga slid sly eyes upon Sesshoumaru as he stated his next confession. "It was Kagome's." He carefully noted the spark that darted across the western lord's eyes and filed it away for future reference.
Unreasonably uncomfortable under Kouga's minute scrutiny, Sesshoumaru shook the feeling off. They were finally getting to the heart of the matter. He knew that stupid, meddling bitch could not leave well enough alone. She had approached him before with a similar appeal but relented when he refused to budge from his steadfast refusal of the proposal. Now, she had gotten Kouga to do her bidding.
"You have not learned from your past mistakes, I see." Kouga immediately tensed at the reference. Thoughts briefly fluttering to a certain red-eyed broad. Snapping back to focus on the point at hand, his expression became so grim and stony, he seemed a marble sculpture. As if trampling on his pride were not enough. Noooo~ stupid Sesshoumaru had to go rub it in shit, too.
Sesshoumaru was impressed, the wench must have quite a grasp on Kouga for the pathetic creature not to have attempted to trounce him at once for alluding to the forbidden. Kouga's next sentence reaffirmed this notion.
"Even if it is Kagome's, it's still a good idea."
Sesshoumaru could no longer contain the snide remark.
"Yes, the wench is just bursting with good ideas."
Ah, sarcasm. Now that, Kouga could deal with.
"So you admit it." Though Sesshoumaru displayed no signs, years of practice made Kouga adept in picking up on his confusion. He sniggered. This was getting good. "You're just jealous that she came to me with the idea instead of you. That's why you won't agree. She's wounded your pride."
"There is nothing for me to envy. She came to me first." Insert smirk here. One for Sesshoumaru.
"But I accepted her proposal; I made her happy." Noting another flicker in Sesshoumaru's eyes, Kouga did the supreme internal victory dance. One for Kouga.
Amazing that one girl could bring them together; even arguing was better than the silently impenetrable rift that existed between them for years. Kouga was glad. He began to relax.
Sesshoumaru recognized the loosening in his frame and immediately tensed up. After all that had passed, he refused to accept any relationships other than the purely professional. The years had conditioned him to immediately go into the defensive in such situations.
Despite his lifetime trend of cool deliberation, he responded rashly.
"Do not think that any bitch has any effect upon this Sesshoumaru in any way."
Although Kouga knew Sesshoumaru only fell back to conceited phrasing such as "this Sesshoumaru" when he was the least confident, putting up a front of extreme arrogance to compensate for his uncertainty, he could not keep from firing at the message between the lines. Why did he always have to dredge up the past when they argued?
The tolerant atmosphere that had begun to descend immediately incinerated to dust under the intensity of Kouga's rage. But he had to keep it under tight leash, for Kagome. Kagome, Kagome. He chanted her name as a litany in his mind.
Deciding the direct approach, though painful, was the quickest and wisest course of action, Kouga took the plunge.
"The past, no matter how we both feel, has no place in this discussion. This conversation is purely for the purpose of securing the future. It is imperative that we overthrow Naraku. To do so, we need to augment power, and gain momentum...Which can only be done through teamwork. If you are not man enough to lay aside your pride and personal issues for the sake of the people, then you're no better than the rest of those prissy little lords you despise. Knowing your ever swollen head the way I do, I understand your bitterness and will take no offense...This time. Therefore, the offer still stands. Think about it."
With that, Kouga strode purposefully out of the tent, ushered by the chill wind. The only indication of his rage, the faint trembling of his white- knuckled fists.
Sesshoumaru momentarily saw the image of the past General of his forces, the fierce confidence and devotion to what was right, the straightforward honesty. He would have repined his harshness had he not recalled those very same admirable traits resulting in his ultimate betrayal. Steeling himself, he readied for bed, the only indication of his tumultuous emotions reflected in the lingering regret reflected in yellow orbs.
By the time he got into the cot, he had been as close to a frenzy as was possible for one as controlled and deliberate as Sesshoumaru could possibly be. Despite his fatigue, the Western Lord tossed and turned the rest of the night, unable to gain his much earned repose with all the thoughts floating about in his mind.
And now, even having rid himself of guilt and contention by allying with Kouga, he could not disperse the agitation that clung to him and refused to leave him in peace. Every time his heavy lids fell, he saw HER, them...in that genuine embrace that twisted something buried deep within him. Unfathomable as to what it was, Sesshoumaru remained in this suspended state of unrest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Screeches of torturous pain and desperate pleading saturated the air as the unhappy messenger groveled for his life. Why did he have to draw the short straw? What had he ever done to deserve such agony? The rickety dungeon door swung open as Naraku came in. If they hadn't already been paralyzed, the man's knees would have knocked together before they collapsed in upon themselves beneath him. He felt his stomach drop into his feet as the infamous crimson eyes leveled upon him.
"What rumors I have been hearing. They say you come bearing bad news. You know what they say about bearers of bad news, don't you?" Silence. "DON'T YOU?" A demand.
"n-n-no-o milord."
A deadly grin.
"They're the first to go." A metallic grating noise. Naraku brought his arm across in a horizontal line. The messenger found himself staring at his own decapitated body a split second before his soul left for the hereafter.
Naraku grinned ferally as he stared at the horrified look permanently plastered on the bodiless head. Noting the spray of blood that had splattered across his face and clothes, he pleasurably licked the bloody drops from the rim of his lips. Savoring the salty, metallic tang and putrid scent that engulfed his senses. Flicking the lingering blood off the katana before resheathing it, he stalked to his private chambers and called out.
"Kagura. Kanna."
As if from thin air, two figures appeared before him. A study of contrasts. One - tall, dark, and voluptuously built, fiery and defiant. The other - small, pale, barely a girl, quiet and subdued. Kneeling before him, they maintained their silence, waiting for the orders that were sure to come.
"Kouga has chosen to defect." Crimson eyes vigilantly probed every move the dark haired woman made. Not even a twitch. Good. "I want you to destroy him, Kagura." Ah, the perfect test of loyalty. How much was her lover worth to her? Her life? He reveled darkly in these beloved games of his.
"Hai, Naraku-sama," came the inflectionless affirmative.
"Kanna will be there to..._assist_ you." To watch you, monitor you, finish what you may not. The underlying message was clear to all three. "You are dismissed. Make the needed preparations. Leave before noon today."
As he watched the two depart to commence arrangements for their mission, or rather for his clever little diversion, the sun began to peak over the vast, dead valley of his lands. He scowled. He hated sunrise, the symbolic new beginning of life, eradicating his destruction in its path just like that pesky rebellion faction. His mood darkened and his face became so black and savage with rage that the ever-present servants quivered from their posts at the sight.
Deciding he needed to get his mind off of such depressingly good things, he thought he knew just what he needed. Never one to deny himself pleasures, he proceeded to the very end of his rooms. The last one, in the darkest corner of the house, the only room with no prying eyes and bumbling servants. Sliding the door shut behind him, he stepped into the dark embrace. Breathing out his malice.
"Kikyo."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The early dawn hours found Sesshoumaru already up and pacing, treading a path through the green clearing. Caught up in his contemplations, he failed to detect the new presence that appeared through the surrounding foliage until a sweet voice floated up to his ears.
"Sesshoumaru."
He knew it was SHE before he even turned. The owner of said voice had plagued his thoughts throughout the restless night. He just could not determine what to make of her. Was she the passionate heroine or the manipulative shrew? Both? Neither? His thoughts once again began to circle without disentangling any of the impossibly knotted matter of his intellect. He shook himself so that he could examine the girl's actions more scrupulously.
Kagome fleetingly cringed under the onslaught of heavy gold before recollecting herself and visibly straightening, tall and proud, exuding a confidence she did not feel. One thought echoed within her. This was all her mother's fault.
It was her mother's fault for instilling good manners in her when all others, including the lord before her, especially him, seemed to have forgotten even the existence of such a pretense. It was these manners that had kept her up and wretched with guilt until she decided to search out the pompous lord and thank him as her conscience stated she must...and to apologize. For what, she still, after being plagued for hours, didn't know. She felt as though she had betrayed him by going to Kouga with her plans for an alliance, and yet why should she. She had approached Sesshoumaru first, and he had rejected the idea...probably just to spite her for being a woman, to put her in her place. And _what_ was with his derogatory attitude for _all_ things female. Yet, still, the remorse persisted. She felt the growing guilt of having disappointed someone, deliberately or not.
Sesshoumaru found himself fascinated by the progressive emotions displayed upon her face. His curiosity grew as the wench seemed to go from meek, to shamefaced, to fuming AND guilty. What could possibly enrage her yet make her look so culpable? Remarking how the angry flush spread throughout her cheeks, prettily highlighting her features, he determined she was decidedly pretty when filled with self-righteous indignation. He watched on as she heaved a sigh that seemed to deflate her and release all her frustration as she composed herself.
"Thank-you."
Whatever the Lord had anticipated out of those small, full, rosebud lips, THAT had not been it. One eyebrow rose of its own accord, showing his not unpleasant surprise.
Kagome held to the hope that her contritely voiced gratitude would relieve her need to apologize. When the white brow went up, she knew it was not to be. Just great, he wanted the vocal apology, too.
"...and I...apologize."
Now Sesshoumaru was utterly befuddled as displayed by his other brow joining the first in altitude. What nonsense was the chit spouting now? Not that he wouldn't accept an apology since she had much to apologize for. About time she realized that he is always right. A pleased grin split his normally straight-lined lips, if it could indeed be called a grin, that brief upward twitch of his mouth. Unfortunately, then the girl continued.
"I apologize for any discomfort or awkwardness you may have felt upon Kouga's approaching you with the proposal of an alliance. In truth, it was my idea, as you no doubt knew. But I felt it was a very important strategic move, necessary to start amassing a coup against Naraku."
The whelp had not been apologizing for not deferring to Sesshoumaru's judgment as he had automatically assumed. Even as she was apologizing for his discomfort - not that he had felt any - she was still proud and firm in her belief that everything was done for the best. Sesshoumaru never knew it was possible to apologize sincerely and yet regret nothing. What use was an apology for all the wrong reasons? Who cared about his feelings? She should have been apologizing as an acknowledgement of his superiority over her in everything.
Kagome noted the displeasure mounting in his aura. He radiated resentment, even after she had apologized, too. He was more stuck-up than she had given him credit for. If he thought he could lord it over her, he had another thing coming. She told him just that.
"If you think you can just lord it over me that I've displeased you, ever- revered _LORD_, think again! I truly am sorry that you may have felt any displeasure - "
She was mocking him.
"You have no need to concern yourself with the state of my emotions."
The nerve of the creep. He cut her off! Why was she still here again? Oh yeah, her mother.
"Then why are you upset with me just because I didn't listen to you about the alliance - "
"My displeasure is not over your lack of deference for my opinion."
Once again, he interrupted. Kagome's upper cheek muscle began to twitch due to the extreme strain of irritation coursing throughout her body. 'The stubborn, pig-headed mule!'
"Why can't you just see that the alliance is necessary?!"
"If I did not see it requisite to combine forces, I would not have agreed to it no matter how many idiots you sent to me."
Startled out of her rage by this concession, Kagome gave pause before picking up again.
"Then what the _Hell_ is it?"
Realizing her mistaken slip of the tongue, a quick squeal consisting of equal parts exasperation and chagrin escaped from that delicately not-so- clean mouth of hers. Sensing her mortification and somewhat amused by the discharged sound, Sesshoumaru allowed the unruly incident to pass unnoticed and attempted to proceed with the subject matter at hand; however, upon finding he had nothing to state, he settled for looking unperturbed by the preceding events.
'Leave the wench to figure out what she did wrong.'
Had Kagome not known better, she would have sworn that, at the moment, the Western Lord looked like a spoilt brat of a child. His posture greatly resembled the one her younger brother often assumed when they got into some childish spat. Kagome could practically hear the lord sniffing whilst stating that if she couldn't see what she had done wrong to displease his _highness_, make that his hind-ness Kagome thought smugly, then the ass (pun intended) wasn't going to tell her. Add an emphatic "humph" here. With that, Kagome promptly erupted into a fit of giggles.
Sesshoumaru became irate at this new turn of events. It seemed the wench was always laughing at him. He saw nothing particularly humorous with their discussion at the moment.
'HUMPH!'
Had Kagome heard that particularly eloquent sentiment, she would have graduated from lightly tinkling giggles to downright hearty guffaws. Lucky for Sesshoumaru, she didn't.
"If you are quite done, there are issues to be discussed, plans to be made. But if you would rather laugh yourself into an early grave, I can handle all matters personally, perfectly, and efficiently."
That did the trick. The gales of laughter quickly ceased as Kagome abruptly shut up.
"You wish," was stated with such a smile as to gentle the would-be-rude-and- reprimanding comment into something more teasing. "Shall we work in your tent, my hut, or neutral ground?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. Now began the scheming.
"Where is this 'neutral ground?'" he questioned, preparing for some sly answer that would attempt to catch him off guard.
"Here, of course." Succinct and matter-of-factly to the point.
Well, he was half right. Startled, but only temporarily so (of course), out of his wits, he gave an automatic response.
"This clearing is fine."
Now it was Kagome's turn to be startled. She had expected the control freak in him to demand that it take place in his tent where he would be more advantageously in control. Perhaps she had been wrong to judge so hastily...Why was he staring at her like that? Realizing that he was waiting for her response, she numbly nodded her head.
"Alright. I'll just run back home and get my maps and battle plans that I drew up; you do the same. We'll meet back here in half an hour."
Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru was about to put in his two-yen worth, so she scurried to prevent further argument by teasingly tossing the next comment behind her as she disappeared into the now sunlit forest.
"Oh, and milord, I do believe you need to brush up on your idioms, your previous expression about laughing and graves...the saying is 'laugh yourself to death'."
The look on the cad's face was indescribable and had Kagome cackling evilly to herself. The self-proclaimed impeccable Lord was scoffing. With an infuriating smirk donned upon her gleeful features, she pranced out of sight.
'The nerve of that little chit.' That was as far as his rant got before another, more urgent thought caught him as what she said slowly processed. 'She has "battle plans?"'
A groan was permitted even for the Great Western Lord Sesshoumaru in such situations.
Sesshoumaru began to feel that familiar tension right between his eyes indicative of an incoming migraine from being surrounded by stupidly stubborn women who just didn't know her place. He was in no condition to detect his slip from plural to singular.
~*~ end chapter four: sorry just doesn't cut it ~*~
a/n: Welp...that's about it for this chapter. Not much happened in terms of moving the plot along. Does anyone else feel like this story is going too slow? I feel like I haven't really gotten anywhere with the story, but at the same time, I'm trying to develop the relationship between my protagonists...is it working? I'd love to get feedback about what's working and what's not, or any other suggestions for the story you might have. Oh yeah, I almost forgot...for all those who have been wondering about InuYasha, Miroku, and Sango, they'll be entering soon. InuYasha and Miroku will actually be appearing next chapter. OK, well, ja!
disclaimer: Hold on a minute...let me check...*sigh* Nope, still don't own them, but that doesn't mean I won't play with them. Hiak Hiak Hiak Hiak Hiak ;op
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God Amongst Men
.::.Chapter Four: Sorry Just Doesn't Cut It.::.
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Once again sleep eluded Sesshoumaru as he tossed around on the cot. He could not forget the way that baka had leaned in so cozily, invading the girl's personal space. As if it would matter in the least to the Lord of the West who that backwater wench decided to snuggle up to. He knew it was a mistake to make any deal with that moron. Kouga had been purposely egging him on. And it worked.
It had been late when he retired to his tent last night.
Even with his sharply honed senses, he had failed to sense the approach.
One moment he was alone, the next...that stupid imbecile was in front of him. That annoyingly arrogant, all-knowing smirk plastered against his face. The same self-satisfied smirk that wench seemed to be so taken with. His eyes narrowed to mere slits of gold. He had seen them together earlier, whispering intimately. He expected as much from Kouga, but the chit was much more brazen than he had thought - not that he had thought of her much. However, it was unfortunate that he was forced to retract his given respect for a person, even if it was a woman. It had never happened before. He was usually more accurate with his estimations. A shame that she was born female; she would have made an admirable warrior.
"Ahem." The cough snapped him out of his admittedly shameful contemplations upon a certain ebony headed mystery to focus on his fool of an acquaintance.
He fixed his frostiest glare upon the unwanted intruder, with eyes colder than the arctic. Watching as Kouga reflexively flinched in upon himself in a defensive posture.
A tense stillness descended.
"I did not realize my tent posed such an attraction to insipid fools."
Unbelievably, Sesshoumaru was the one to break the silence. He smirked at the incredulous look etched into Kouga's face. Clueless confusion suited the dimwit.
Kouga continued to stare incredulously at the smug lord. Sesshoumaru was smirking. Whatever had gotten that stick out of his ass was certainly a good thing, or rather he should say good woman.
Sesshoumaru's patience grew thin when Kouga remained dumb. It had been a long, grueling day of reorganizing troops, fortifying defenses, tending the injured, surveying the damage, taking inventory, and restocking supplies. In other words, Sesshoumaru was exhausted and irritable from the tedious day. The fact that Kouga and Kagome had been too distracted with each other to lend a hand did not add to his charitable feelings for the man before him.
"If you have nothing of import to say, I shall be retiring."
"Well, I guess I'll just get straight to the point." A pause. Kouga seemed to be battling with himself whether or not to go on.
Sesshoumaru was intrigued.
Kouga was faced with a dilemma. If he took this next step, he would be admitting defeat, admitting that he had been wrong all those years ago. His pride revolted against such a concession. Kagome couldn't possibly have known the extent of his struggles, the severity of her request, else she would not have voiced her desire. He was knee deep in his conflict between his pride or Kagome's pleasure when Sesshoumaru did the one thing that always provoked Kouga into rash action.
Sesshoumaru lifted his left brow.
He was mocking him.
The decision was cinched.
"I think we should form an alliance." This statement, grit out between his teeth proved unsatisfactory for the lord. He did not respond, merely kept his unnerving gaze steady upon the man. Though of uncommon courage, Kouga fell before the assault.
"Alright already...it wasn't my idea." Suddenly, Kouga slid sly eyes upon Sesshoumaru as he stated his next confession. "It was Kagome's." He carefully noted the spark that darted across the western lord's eyes and filed it away for future reference.
Unreasonably uncomfortable under Kouga's minute scrutiny, Sesshoumaru shook the feeling off. They were finally getting to the heart of the matter. He knew that stupid, meddling bitch could not leave well enough alone. She had approached him before with a similar appeal but relented when he refused to budge from his steadfast refusal of the proposal. Now, she had gotten Kouga to do her bidding.
"You have not learned from your past mistakes, I see." Kouga immediately tensed at the reference. Thoughts briefly fluttering to a certain red-eyed broad. Snapping back to focus on the point at hand, his expression became so grim and stony, he seemed a marble sculpture. As if trampling on his pride were not enough. Noooo~ stupid Sesshoumaru had to go rub it in shit, too.
Sesshoumaru was impressed, the wench must have quite a grasp on Kouga for the pathetic creature not to have attempted to trounce him at once for alluding to the forbidden. Kouga's next sentence reaffirmed this notion.
"Even if it is Kagome's, it's still a good idea."
Sesshoumaru could no longer contain the snide remark.
"Yes, the wench is just bursting with good ideas."
Ah, sarcasm. Now that, Kouga could deal with.
"So you admit it." Though Sesshoumaru displayed no signs, years of practice made Kouga adept in picking up on his confusion. He sniggered. This was getting good. "You're just jealous that she came to me with the idea instead of you. That's why you won't agree. She's wounded your pride."
"There is nothing for me to envy. She came to me first." Insert smirk here. One for Sesshoumaru.
"But I accepted her proposal; I made her happy." Noting another flicker in Sesshoumaru's eyes, Kouga did the supreme internal victory dance. One for Kouga.
Amazing that one girl could bring them together; even arguing was better than the silently impenetrable rift that existed between them for years. Kouga was glad. He began to relax.
Sesshoumaru recognized the loosening in his frame and immediately tensed up. After all that had passed, he refused to accept any relationships other than the purely professional. The years had conditioned him to immediately go into the defensive in such situations.
Despite his lifetime trend of cool deliberation, he responded rashly.
"Do not think that any bitch has any effect upon this Sesshoumaru in any way."
Although Kouga knew Sesshoumaru only fell back to conceited phrasing such as "this Sesshoumaru" when he was the least confident, putting up a front of extreme arrogance to compensate for his uncertainty, he could not keep from firing at the message between the lines. Why did he always have to dredge up the past when they argued?
The tolerant atmosphere that had begun to descend immediately incinerated to dust under the intensity of Kouga's rage. But he had to keep it under tight leash, for Kagome. Kagome, Kagome. He chanted her name as a litany in his mind.
Deciding the direct approach, though painful, was the quickest and wisest course of action, Kouga took the plunge.
"The past, no matter how we both feel, has no place in this discussion. This conversation is purely for the purpose of securing the future. It is imperative that we overthrow Naraku. To do so, we need to augment power, and gain momentum...Which can only be done through teamwork. If you are not man enough to lay aside your pride and personal issues for the sake of the people, then you're no better than the rest of those prissy little lords you despise. Knowing your ever swollen head the way I do, I understand your bitterness and will take no offense...This time. Therefore, the offer still stands. Think about it."
With that, Kouga strode purposefully out of the tent, ushered by the chill wind. The only indication of his rage, the faint trembling of his white- knuckled fists.
Sesshoumaru momentarily saw the image of the past General of his forces, the fierce confidence and devotion to what was right, the straightforward honesty. He would have repined his harshness had he not recalled those very same admirable traits resulting in his ultimate betrayal. Steeling himself, he readied for bed, the only indication of his tumultuous emotions reflected in the lingering regret reflected in yellow orbs.
By the time he got into the cot, he had been as close to a frenzy as was possible for one as controlled and deliberate as Sesshoumaru could possibly be. Despite his fatigue, the Western Lord tossed and turned the rest of the night, unable to gain his much earned repose with all the thoughts floating about in his mind.
And now, even having rid himself of guilt and contention by allying with Kouga, he could not disperse the agitation that clung to him and refused to leave him in peace. Every time his heavy lids fell, he saw HER, them...in that genuine embrace that twisted something buried deep within him. Unfathomable as to what it was, Sesshoumaru remained in this suspended state of unrest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Screeches of torturous pain and desperate pleading saturated the air as the unhappy messenger groveled for his life. Why did he have to draw the short straw? What had he ever done to deserve such agony? The rickety dungeon door swung open as Naraku came in. If they hadn't already been paralyzed, the man's knees would have knocked together before they collapsed in upon themselves beneath him. He felt his stomach drop into his feet as the infamous crimson eyes leveled upon him.
"What rumors I have been hearing. They say you come bearing bad news. You know what they say about bearers of bad news, don't you?" Silence. "DON'T YOU?" A demand.
"n-n-no-o milord."
A deadly grin.
"They're the first to go." A metallic grating noise. Naraku brought his arm across in a horizontal line. The messenger found himself staring at his own decapitated body a split second before his soul left for the hereafter.
Naraku grinned ferally as he stared at the horrified look permanently plastered on the bodiless head. Noting the spray of blood that had splattered across his face and clothes, he pleasurably licked the bloody drops from the rim of his lips. Savoring the salty, metallic tang and putrid scent that engulfed his senses. Flicking the lingering blood off the katana before resheathing it, he stalked to his private chambers and called out.
"Kagura. Kanna."
As if from thin air, two figures appeared before him. A study of contrasts. One - tall, dark, and voluptuously built, fiery and defiant. The other - small, pale, barely a girl, quiet and subdued. Kneeling before him, they maintained their silence, waiting for the orders that were sure to come.
"Kouga has chosen to defect." Crimson eyes vigilantly probed every move the dark haired woman made. Not even a twitch. Good. "I want you to destroy him, Kagura." Ah, the perfect test of loyalty. How much was her lover worth to her? Her life? He reveled darkly in these beloved games of his.
"Hai, Naraku-sama," came the inflectionless affirmative.
"Kanna will be there to..._assist_ you." To watch you, monitor you, finish what you may not. The underlying message was clear to all three. "You are dismissed. Make the needed preparations. Leave before noon today."
As he watched the two depart to commence arrangements for their mission, or rather for his clever little diversion, the sun began to peak over the vast, dead valley of his lands. He scowled. He hated sunrise, the symbolic new beginning of life, eradicating his destruction in its path just like that pesky rebellion faction. His mood darkened and his face became so black and savage with rage that the ever-present servants quivered from their posts at the sight.
Deciding he needed to get his mind off of such depressingly good things, he thought he knew just what he needed. Never one to deny himself pleasures, he proceeded to the very end of his rooms. The last one, in the darkest corner of the house, the only room with no prying eyes and bumbling servants. Sliding the door shut behind him, he stepped into the dark embrace. Breathing out his malice.
"Kikyo."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The early dawn hours found Sesshoumaru already up and pacing, treading a path through the green clearing. Caught up in his contemplations, he failed to detect the new presence that appeared through the surrounding foliage until a sweet voice floated up to his ears.
"Sesshoumaru."
He knew it was SHE before he even turned. The owner of said voice had plagued his thoughts throughout the restless night. He just could not determine what to make of her. Was she the passionate heroine or the manipulative shrew? Both? Neither? His thoughts once again began to circle without disentangling any of the impossibly knotted matter of his intellect. He shook himself so that he could examine the girl's actions more scrupulously.
Kagome fleetingly cringed under the onslaught of heavy gold before recollecting herself and visibly straightening, tall and proud, exuding a confidence she did not feel. One thought echoed within her. This was all her mother's fault.
It was her mother's fault for instilling good manners in her when all others, including the lord before her, especially him, seemed to have forgotten even the existence of such a pretense. It was these manners that had kept her up and wretched with guilt until she decided to search out the pompous lord and thank him as her conscience stated she must...and to apologize. For what, she still, after being plagued for hours, didn't know. She felt as though she had betrayed him by going to Kouga with her plans for an alliance, and yet why should she. She had approached Sesshoumaru first, and he had rejected the idea...probably just to spite her for being a woman, to put her in her place. And _what_ was with his derogatory attitude for _all_ things female. Yet, still, the remorse persisted. She felt the growing guilt of having disappointed someone, deliberately or not.
Sesshoumaru found himself fascinated by the progressive emotions displayed upon her face. His curiosity grew as the wench seemed to go from meek, to shamefaced, to fuming AND guilty. What could possibly enrage her yet make her look so culpable? Remarking how the angry flush spread throughout her cheeks, prettily highlighting her features, he determined she was decidedly pretty when filled with self-righteous indignation. He watched on as she heaved a sigh that seemed to deflate her and release all her frustration as she composed herself.
"Thank-you."
Whatever the Lord had anticipated out of those small, full, rosebud lips, THAT had not been it. One eyebrow rose of its own accord, showing his not unpleasant surprise.
Kagome held to the hope that her contritely voiced gratitude would relieve her need to apologize. When the white brow went up, she knew it was not to be. Just great, he wanted the vocal apology, too.
"...and I...apologize."
Now Sesshoumaru was utterly befuddled as displayed by his other brow joining the first in altitude. What nonsense was the chit spouting now? Not that he wouldn't accept an apology since she had much to apologize for. About time she realized that he is always right. A pleased grin split his normally straight-lined lips, if it could indeed be called a grin, that brief upward twitch of his mouth. Unfortunately, then the girl continued.
"I apologize for any discomfort or awkwardness you may have felt upon Kouga's approaching you with the proposal of an alliance. In truth, it was my idea, as you no doubt knew. But I felt it was a very important strategic move, necessary to start amassing a coup against Naraku."
The whelp had not been apologizing for not deferring to Sesshoumaru's judgment as he had automatically assumed. Even as she was apologizing for his discomfort - not that he had felt any - she was still proud and firm in her belief that everything was done for the best. Sesshoumaru never knew it was possible to apologize sincerely and yet regret nothing. What use was an apology for all the wrong reasons? Who cared about his feelings? She should have been apologizing as an acknowledgement of his superiority over her in everything.
Kagome noted the displeasure mounting in his aura. He radiated resentment, even after she had apologized, too. He was more stuck-up than she had given him credit for. If he thought he could lord it over her, he had another thing coming. She told him just that.
"If you think you can just lord it over me that I've displeased you, ever- revered _LORD_, think again! I truly am sorry that you may have felt any displeasure - "
She was mocking him.
"You have no need to concern yourself with the state of my emotions."
The nerve of the creep. He cut her off! Why was she still here again? Oh yeah, her mother.
"Then why are you upset with me just because I didn't listen to you about the alliance - "
"My displeasure is not over your lack of deference for my opinion."
Once again, he interrupted. Kagome's upper cheek muscle began to twitch due to the extreme strain of irritation coursing throughout her body. 'The stubborn, pig-headed mule!'
"Why can't you just see that the alliance is necessary?!"
"If I did not see it requisite to combine forces, I would not have agreed to it no matter how many idiots you sent to me."
Startled out of her rage by this concession, Kagome gave pause before picking up again.
"Then what the _Hell_ is it?"
Realizing her mistaken slip of the tongue, a quick squeal consisting of equal parts exasperation and chagrin escaped from that delicately not-so- clean mouth of hers. Sensing her mortification and somewhat amused by the discharged sound, Sesshoumaru allowed the unruly incident to pass unnoticed and attempted to proceed with the subject matter at hand; however, upon finding he had nothing to state, he settled for looking unperturbed by the preceding events.
'Leave the wench to figure out what she did wrong.'
Had Kagome not known better, she would have sworn that, at the moment, the Western Lord looked like a spoilt brat of a child. His posture greatly resembled the one her younger brother often assumed when they got into some childish spat. Kagome could practically hear the lord sniffing whilst stating that if she couldn't see what she had done wrong to displease his _highness_, make that his hind-ness Kagome thought smugly, then the ass (pun intended) wasn't going to tell her. Add an emphatic "humph" here. With that, Kagome promptly erupted into a fit of giggles.
Sesshoumaru became irate at this new turn of events. It seemed the wench was always laughing at him. He saw nothing particularly humorous with their discussion at the moment.
'HUMPH!'
Had Kagome heard that particularly eloquent sentiment, she would have graduated from lightly tinkling giggles to downright hearty guffaws. Lucky for Sesshoumaru, she didn't.
"If you are quite done, there are issues to be discussed, plans to be made. But if you would rather laugh yourself into an early grave, I can handle all matters personally, perfectly, and efficiently."
That did the trick. The gales of laughter quickly ceased as Kagome abruptly shut up.
"You wish," was stated with such a smile as to gentle the would-be-rude-and- reprimanding comment into something more teasing. "Shall we work in your tent, my hut, or neutral ground?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. Now began the scheming.
"Where is this 'neutral ground?'" he questioned, preparing for some sly answer that would attempt to catch him off guard.
"Here, of course." Succinct and matter-of-factly to the point.
Well, he was half right. Startled, but only temporarily so (of course), out of his wits, he gave an automatic response.
"This clearing is fine."
Now it was Kagome's turn to be startled. She had expected the control freak in him to demand that it take place in his tent where he would be more advantageously in control. Perhaps she had been wrong to judge so hastily...Why was he staring at her like that? Realizing that he was waiting for her response, she numbly nodded her head.
"Alright. I'll just run back home and get my maps and battle plans that I drew up; you do the same. We'll meet back here in half an hour."
Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru was about to put in his two-yen worth, so she scurried to prevent further argument by teasingly tossing the next comment behind her as she disappeared into the now sunlit forest.
"Oh, and milord, I do believe you need to brush up on your idioms, your previous expression about laughing and graves...the saying is 'laugh yourself to death'."
The look on the cad's face was indescribable and had Kagome cackling evilly to herself. The self-proclaimed impeccable Lord was scoffing. With an infuriating smirk donned upon her gleeful features, she pranced out of sight.
'The nerve of that little chit.' That was as far as his rant got before another, more urgent thought caught him as what she said slowly processed. 'She has "battle plans?"'
A groan was permitted even for the Great Western Lord Sesshoumaru in such situations.
Sesshoumaru began to feel that familiar tension right between his eyes indicative of an incoming migraine from being surrounded by stupidly stubborn women who just didn't know her place. He was in no condition to detect his slip from plural to singular.
~*~ end chapter four: sorry just doesn't cut it ~*~
a/n: Welp...that's about it for this chapter. Not much happened in terms of moving the plot along. Does anyone else feel like this story is going too slow? I feel like I haven't really gotten anywhere with the story, but at the same time, I'm trying to develop the relationship between my protagonists...is it working? I'd love to get feedback about what's working and what's not, or any other suggestions for the story you might have. Oh yeah, I almost forgot...for all those who have been wondering about InuYasha, Miroku, and Sango, they'll be entering soon. InuYasha and Miroku will actually be appearing next chapter. OK, well, ja!