{Disclaimer: See chapter one}
Chapter Three: Sesshoumaru's Experiment Revealed
"How are you?" Kagome asked as she entered the room. Sango was just waking up, and hadn't noticed Kagome in the door. 'She's becoming as bad as Inuyasha, sneaking around like that.' The thought brought up the events between her and Sesshoumaru three nights ago. Since then, Sango worried about how her body was receiving his blood. It didn't help that she had not seen him, or Inuyasha, since then. She smiled as Kagome set her breakfast tray over her lap.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
Kagome nodded and smiled at her. "Good. I was hoping we could take a walk today along the northern wing of the castle. I've wanted to explore this place since we've been here." Sango nodded. After they finished their breakfast, they changed clothes and started toward that part of the castle. As they passed a room, a little voice piped out at them.
"Rin wants to go, too."
Rin grabbed both their hands and, with one more person, they entered the doors that lead to the northern wing of the castle. As they ascended a flight of spiral stairs, Sango glanced over to Kagome.
"How is Sesshoumaru? Where is he?"
Kagome sighed. Sango wondered what was wrong, and was about to ask when Kagome unwittingly answered her question. "He and Inuyasha have been busy for the past three days. Something about training."
*********
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha stood in the study, reading over some old scrolls of their father's. Over the past three days, Sesshoumaru trained Inuyasha, showing him how to rule over his part of the lands. Their father split everything between them equally, even the army. So a meeting was called to introduce them to their new lord. Inuyasha had been nervous, for what full demon army would willingly agree to follow a half breed? To his amazement, twenty of the surviving forty-five generals gladly left Sesshoumaru's part of the army and kneeled in front of him, their left arms crossed over their chests. Inuyasha motioned for them to stand.
"Why are you so willing to follow me?" he asked.
The generals glanced at each other before one, another dog demon, kneeled at his feet and spoke. "My lord, you risked your life for us, you fought beside us as our equal, and your miko saved our lives. We are willing to follow you because you were willing to lead us when we needed you."
So said, more of Sesshoumaru's army divided, until at least three hundred demons kneeled in front of him in the Grand Reception Room. Sesshoumaru stared at the rest of his army, the other three hundred that stood before him. Inuyasha glanced at him before addressing his new army.
"I appreciate your loyalty. This army will serve both the north and the south, and not be used to overthrow either. My brother is my ally, and that will not change with time. Thank you all for your trust in me, and I hope to live up to your expectations."
Both armies cheered as he and Sesshoumaru shook hands before being dismissed. Sesshoumaru now instructed him on certain affairs of the state, including his roll as judge. They were studying some of the old laws when Inuyasha sighed. He placed the scroll describing taxes to the state on a nearby desk and sat down on the chair beside him, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. Sesshoumaru sank beside him, leaning back against the other chair, his eyes closed. Inuyasha glanced at him, then realized he forgot to ask him something.
"Sesshoumaru, what did you do to Kagome?"
Sesshoumaru stiffened. He wasn't expecting that question, although he knew Inuyasha and Kagome watched as he as Sango performed the initial mating ritual.
"What are you talking about?"
"I know about you mixing my blood in her. I just want to know what happened."
Sesshoumaru sighed and sat up, his eyes slowly opening to look at his younger brother.
"There are four parts to the mating ritual. The first part is what you saw three days ago, the exchanging of blood. That's to see if the female is destined to be yours. The second is the actual ritual. The ritual is in three parts: The Gift, The Sacrifice, and The Declaration. There are no certain rules for the mating ritual itself, only that they are to be performed by the male. But the first one the exchange of blood, is to be done in a way as to not hurt the female. You understand so far?"
Inuyasha nodded and motioned for Sesshoumaru to continue.
"One way is the way I did it. Another way is to cut her lip, then cut yours as you kiss her. I don't think Sango would have appreciated that, do you?"
At that, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha chuckled, envisioning how Sango would have taken to having her lip cut in such a way. 'She probably would have smacked him,' Inuyasha thought, his chuckle turning into a barely held giggle. Sesshoumaru stopped laughing and looked at him curiously. "Why do I have the feeling you're laughing at something else?"
Inuyasha breathed in deeply to calm down. "So what if I am, you still haven't answered my question. What did you do to Kagome?"
Sesshoumaru frowned. "So impatient. Anyway, I did almost the same thing to Kagome. When she fell back, your blood entered her body, assisting in her healing process. You pressing your wound against her when you became conscious was an unexpected plus. Her blood seems to have fused with a little of yours, which is why her senses have become stronger. They're not as strong as ours, mind you, but pretty good for a human." Inuyasha nodded.
"But why is Sango waiting three days? What is she waiting for?"
Sesshoumaru hung his head between his knees. Inuyasha placed his hand on his back gently.
"Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, can it?"
Sesshoumaru straightened and stared into the distance, his mind a million miles away as he spoke. "Sango is waiting to get sick. You see, Inuyasha, if your mate to be doesn't want to be your mate, or isn't strong enough to be your mate, then she becomes violently sick in three days. It's because of your blood, trying in vain to merge with hers. After three days, your blood wanes in her, and she becomes well." Inuyasha propped his head on his hand, the elbow on his knee holding him up.
"That's not what happened to Kagome. She changed."
"Yes, I know that. I think that has something to do with her powers. However, it seems you've missed the point."
Inuyasha's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"
Sesshoumaru shook his head in disgust. "Think back to when you were coming back to the village. Was Kagome sick at all? Any violent chest pains? Nausea? Dizziness?" Inuyasha shook his head to all three, still confused. Sesshoumaru stood up and walked to the window.
"Were you listening to anything I've said in the past few minutes?"
Inuyasha scowled, then reviewed what Sesshoumaru said while Sesshoumaru went back to reading the scrolls. 'If Sango gets sick, then mixing his blood with hers made her sick,' he thought to himself. He closed his eyes, remembering Kagome as they returned back to the village from the tournaments. 'But Kagome wasn't sick. As a matter of fact, I've never seen her with so much energy. I even had to tell her to stop so the others could rest.' Inuyasha picked up the scroll he was reading, his mind returning to Kagome's condition. 'The only thing to go wrong with her was her senses sharpening on the new moon. But if that's it, then Kagome….' The scroll fell from his hands to the floor with a clatter.
Sesshoumaru turned toward the sound and smirked. "That's right, Inuyasha. She is strong enough. And she loves you."
Before Inuyasha could respond, a soft knock came from the door.
"Yes?"
"Sesshoumaru. Sango asked for you," came Kagome's small voice from the door. Inuyasha ripped his gaze from Sesshoumaru to the door.
"Does she know about what you did?" he whispered.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No. I know you love her, but you are killing her with that undead miko. You've got to let her go if you plan to be happy. If you plan to make Kagome happy. " Sesshoumaru walked to the door and opened it a crack.
"Kagome, tell her I am a tad busy. Are you alright? You look a bit pale."
Inuyasha turned his ears in their direction, trying to hear the conversation.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru, I'm fine. Just a little tired. Sango, Rin, and I explored the northern part of the castle today, and Sango saw a beautiful golden kimono that she couldn't take her eyes off of. It seemed to be the same color as your eyes, or that's what she told me. Just thought you'd like to know."
Her footsteps pattered down the hallway before disappearing entirely toward her room. Sesshoumaru sighed and closed the door.
"Sango misses you."
"Kagome misses you."
For a moment, they both stood there. Then, with only a nod in understanding, both demons left the room in different directions, each with a goal in mind.
*********
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha met in the hallway to Sango and Kagome's room, each with a small offering. Tomorrow would tell of Sango and Sesshoumaru's future, but Inuyasha knew what the outcome would be. He nodded in approval at Sesshoumaru's gift, as did Sesshoumaru at his. They each set down their present at the door of the intended and crept silently back to their rooms.
------
SF: {::blushes as she looks over bio page::} Woah.
Kagome: That's what we said.
SF: I didn't mean to vent like that. Man. Where is Inu-chan? {::Inu-chan comes on stage. Smoke rises from his ears and soot covers him from head to toe::} Oh no! {::hugs Inu-chan::} I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!
Inu-chan: {::cough::} You are a real trip, you know that?
SF: I'm so sorry. How about I make it up to you?
Inu-chan: How are you going to do that? {::SF whispers in Inu-chan's ear:: ::Inu-chan immediately perks up::} Alright! I think I can hang out with you fellas for a while then!
Kagome: {::to SF as Inu-chan walks past::} What did you say?
SF: Just promised him something. Anyway, the preview and the responses are below.
Chapter Four: Thank You
"Jakken, Rin is not to be treated in such a way. Neither is Kagome. As for Sango, take a good look at her neck."
Three pairs of eyes focused on Sango, who turned a deep crimson under their intense stare. Jakken scowled, then gasped as his eyes fell on the small crescent on the side of her neck. Kagome saw it too and smiled.
Responses:
Del_Kaidin: I did! They were great, especially the one with the {::blushes::} well, you know the pic I'm talking about. {::blush darkens::} You know the one. {::finally gets to the shade where she could stop traffic::} ANYWAY, thanks a lot!
Bikutoria: I do too! I'm lucky to remember the names of the chapters in the first place. Could be his little way, but you never know. You spelled it right, by the way. I like that little stinker too.
Reality: There's no competition. Inu-chan's just teasing Sesshou about his decision. Sorry for the confusion.
Sunkistchick: I think this name is rather cute. There are only four parts, so the next one is the last one. {::blushes::} I don't know about owning or co-owning Inuyasha. My schedule is hell on earth as it is. Thanks for saying that though.
Flambeau-Willow: LOL. I thought the same thing when I started this. I'm not going to make Kagome assist too much. Sesshou likes to do things on his own.
Jack Sparrow1: Not a prob! I'm glad you reviewed at all! Thanks for taking the time!
Namesake: I know. Ears are ringing today. Oh well.
Em Starcatcher: Yeah, Inu-chan and his ulterior motives. The chick fight is one of at least three I've written between the two. I have a what if fic where they beat the brakes off each other too. Quite funny if you ask me. Oh yeah, um, thanks for the love!
Silver Phoenix7: Of course I'm going to finish this one! It's the only one of my current fics that's actually finished!
Nankinmai: It was rather short, but the other chapters will be longer.
Cryxxy-chan: I used to update twice a week, but since the next part of the series isn't finished, I decided to update once a week to get my stuff together. Thanks for the love and the fav list.
PasoLover: You can have mine! She doesn't know you, so she'd work hard without the blackmail! I need a new one anyway. This one won't work on a sequel to 'You Don't Know What You Have 'Till It's Gone' on mm. {::sigh::} Lazy child! Good luck with class!
Amethyst Hanyou: Thanks for the luck. I need it to keep from hurting my teachers.