A/N: Last chapter was kind of fluffy romantic. This chapter has romance
(of a sort) too. . . but it's definitely the darker side of having a
significant other.
Golden Fire
Chapter 10: The Female Heir
We traveled for three days without incident. Kouga's clan brothers were expert hunters, as expected, and Jaken knew every edible plant in the region, so we practically had a feast every night.
On the fourth day, the mountains came into sight. Yuki stopped and gazed at them with a frown. "Something wrong, Yuki?" I asked.
Before she could answer, Sesshoumaru walked up to her. "It must happen tonight. I have not thought of any other way. We cannot avoid it now."
"Avoid what? What's happening?" I looked back and forth between the youkai lord and Yuki. Everyone else had stopped too. Sesshoumaru and Yuki flashed their eyes around and the group began to talk amongst themselves. Or at least, they pretended to. Inuyasha and I just walked closer to the youkai pair. They were sharing one of those 'oh, crap' looks again.
Finally Sesshoumaru turned to me. "Lord Yama has several faults. Kindness is not one of them."
"So what? We already knew that we would have to steal this thing, so what new bit of information do you want to give us? Now that we've traveled this far?" Inuyasha was confused and I knew he was getting near his breaking point. Then again, he was always near his breaking point.
Yuki bowed her head. "Forgive me, Kagome. Inuyasha is right. We should have told you this long ago, when we first realized the reality of our situation. Lord Sesshoumaru and I just wanted to have a chance to think of a way out, before bringing the problem to you. It is a personal matter, but it affects us all."
"It's okay, Yuki. Just tell us what's wrong." I placed a hand on her arm. Sango and Miroku gave up on the pretense of talking and came up to us with questioning looks.
Sesshoumaru growled lightly. "It is almost sunset. Let the wolves hunt and the humans rest and we will explain."
An hour later, we had found a spot and Kouga had sent the entire wolf clan to hunt.
"Now why does this feel familiar?" Inuyasha distrust was back in full force as we circled around the fire, waiting for the demons to talk.
Yuki sighed, but it was Sesshoumaru who spoke up. "Lady Yuki will be in danger when we enter the Demon City."
"Wait, 'Lady' Yuki?" His ears were twitching again.
"Her father was a powerful snow demon in China. She has a right to the title." Sesshoumaru was waving the question away with his hand. "Back to the point. Lord Yama has the largest harem in the demon world. This is mostly because any single female youkai that walks through his gates will be taken, forcefully or not, to be a part of it."
"That's disgusting!" Sango exclaimed.
"While I can't advocate his use of violence, can you blame the man for wanting many sons?" Miroku ducked but didn't manage to avoid Sango's boomerang hitting him on the backside of the head.
Sesshoumaru waited quietly until Miroku got off the ground and sat down again. "It is deplorable that a youkai lord should act in such a way, but it cannot be changed. The simple fact remains that Lady Yuki will be subjected to this dishonorable station if we do not take action."
"And what would that be?" I asked, although I could already guess the answer.
Yuki ran her hand through her black hair. "Simply because I am the female heir to my grandmother's contract and technically promised to Sesshoumaru does not mean I am exempt from Yama's law. We must actually be mated to prevent Yama's advances."
"But can't you just stay here? And then we'll come and pick you up on the way back." I was revolted by the idea of Yama taking unwilling women into his harem.
Sesshoumaru slowly shook his head. "Lady Yuki is necessary to the plan, as you know Kagome. The young kitsune does not possess the abilities to disguise himself as well as everyone else."
I shook my head. "Maybe we should rethink the plan, Sesshoumaru."
Sango surprised me by speaking up first. "I don't think so, Kagome. We, as humans, can't go into the city as we are. And Inuyasha won't be exactly welcome. We need Sesshoumaru and Kouga to get into the palace. As powerful as they are," she said, nodding to the royal youkai, "but they can't take on a whole palace army after the theft is discovered. We are needed, and so Yuki must come along to use her illusion skills to hide our true selves."
"I guess so." I turned my attention to Yuki. "But, Yuki. What about love? Isn't that what you want before you mate with someone?"
Yuki shook her head. "I had love once. It nearly killed me. Besides, Lord Sesshoumaru and I knew that this was our fate from the moment the duel ended."
Inuyasha widened his eyes. "You mean, you fought him and got beat, so you decided that this jerk was the one for you? You have serious problems, Yuki."
"Very amusing, Inuyasha. You should know that the strongest male is chosen as a mate, not necessarily the one you fall in love with." She paused. "It's hard to explain, but this is right. This is the fate chosen for us. Now, my family can once again be honorable."
"Who will perform the ceremony?" Kouga asked. "Usually a female conducts it."
"Kagome will," said Yuki immediately. I saw her glance at Kikyo and knew that she didn't want an undead miko performing a mating ceremony.
"I don't know the words though."
"I do. I can tell Kagome the words," said Inuyasha quietly. He received an odd look from Kouga. "What are you looking at, wolf? My mother told me the exact words of her ceremony with my father so many times, I could recite them in my sleep. That's all. Don't think I'm into woman stuff."
Sesshoumaru made a soft noise of disgust but finally nodded his agreement.
Yuki stood up. "Kagome, come on. I need some help with this." She picked up her bag and noticed my confused look. "Just because it's not all roses and chocolate doesn't mean I don't want to look presentable."
"Of course," I responded, getting up and following her. We walked into the thick trees towards the nearby stream.
She washed quickly and asked me to get out her clothes as she climbed out of the water. "I picked it up in the sword-smith's village. I had a feeling I would need one."
"Well, it's beautiful," I said as I lifted it out. I ran my hands over the cream colored silk. It was embroidered with dark blue snowflakes. The obi was dark blue with cream snowflakes. "It's perfect for you." I helped her into the kimono.
"I hope it fits. Here, help me with the obi."
"I think it's too long," I commented, looking at the three inches dragging on the ground.
"Nonsense, Kagome. I'm taller in my demon form."
"Shouldn't you transform now so it doesn't drag?" I asked as I folded the obi in the most elaborate way I could remember. It still didn't look the same as the ones I had seen at the festivals, but it would do.
"I'll transform soon. I think my new mate should be there when I do. It is the first time I have shown my true self in seventy-five years."
I nodded and we walked back to camp.
Sesshoumaru looked up as we came into the circle of warmth created by the fire. He kept exchanging annoyed glances with Inuyasha, who would be whispering my lines to me. I started to feel nervous when I realized how close he would be during the ceremony.
Yuki walked up the youkai lord. Neither was smiling. "I resume my demon form for you, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said, bowing slightly. Her body began to glow softly. Her unbound black hair flowed down her back, growing longer as Yuki herself grew taller. Her skin glistened and then paled to an impossible white, while her hair, now down to her calves, turned ice blue. When she opened her black-edged eyes, I saw they had changed from brown to a deep ocean blue. She was both beautiful and terrifying. I knew in that moment that she was the perfect match for Sesshoumaru.
As for the youkai lord, he simply smirked as they knelt onto the grass facing each other. Kouga, Jaken, Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kirara and Kikyo sat on the other side of the fire.
I took that as my cue and knelt between them, with Inuyasha at my side. I trembled slightly. As Inuyasha began to whisper the words, I forgot all about the couple before me. My head knew I was reciting them to Yuki and Sesshoumaru, but my heart wanted to hold onto them, like they were meant only for me.
"This union cannot be broken Forever shall one protect the other The bonding of the hearts will live eternal And one life takes the place of two May this love provide shelter from the rain May it erase the loneliness of earthly life May it give warmth in the cold It will destroy any obstacles Like the golden fire this love will burn"
Inuyasha's voice stopped whispering in my ear and I shook myself, realizing Yuki had drawn a dagger. "I choose you," she murmured, slicing her palm with the knife. She held it out, palm up.
Sesshoumaru took the blade and cut his hand like Yuki's. "I choose you," he said as he placed his hand, face down, on top of his new mate's.
Inuyasha handed me a sash that I noticed must be an extra from Sesshoumaru's wardrobe. I tied it around their hands, thinking about how the modern era's health care professionals would wince. I heard a soft gasp and looked to see a crescent moon forming on Yuki's forehead. She gave me a small smile.
"Very well, Lady Yuki," said Sesshoumaru, standing up. He left his hand bound to Yuki's. "We shall be back by dawn."
"Back? Where are you going? Don't you want to celebrate just a little?"
"Kagome," Yuki began. She gave me a knowing smile. "You know we have to finish the ceremony in private."
My eyes widened and I blushed furiously. "I didn't mean. . . I mean, I would have thought that the ceremony was enough. I mean, you're mated, right? You don't actually have to. . . mate, do you?
"Youkai depend largely on smell, Kagome. And to put it lightly, I don't smell like Sesshoumaru. Yet." She smiled wider at my shocked face. "And it's not like it's the first time for me."
Sesshoumaru growled.
"Oh, like I'm your first," she said to him. He just frowned.
"Go, please," I begged. "Before I start to glow red."
The youkai couple nodded and walked away.
Sango smacked Miroku.
"I did not say anything, Lady Sango," he complained, rubbing at his head.
"You were thinking it," she answered.
I laughed. Sango was failing miserably at looking angry, while Miroku had clearly forgotten any pain. Those two defined 'furtive glances'. I leaned over to Inuyasha. "I think there's going to be another wedding sometime soon."
"Let's hope we live to see it," murmured Inuyasha darkly.
A/N: One of my wonderful reviewers asked if this was going to be a Sess/Yuki fic. Here's my answer. Yes, they are probably going to be one of the couples (barring any sudden inspiration I get for another pairing.) HOWEVER, this is mainly a Inu/Kag fic. I know it might not seem too much like that, but have any of you read Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen (or at least seen the movie)? About 90% of the action concentrates on the heroine's (Eleanor) sister's love life, but it is Eleanor's love life that drives the book. Her sister's suffering is more outward, like Yuki's, but Eleanor's suffering is deep and quiet, like Kagome's. This is what I'm at least trying to go for - the actions of one couple make the main couple appreciate what they have all that much more in the end. Anyway, I really couldn't see Sess and Yuki getting together if they weren't forced into it. They both have the big fault of pride.
Golden Fire
Chapter 10: The Female Heir
We traveled for three days without incident. Kouga's clan brothers were expert hunters, as expected, and Jaken knew every edible plant in the region, so we practically had a feast every night.
On the fourth day, the mountains came into sight. Yuki stopped and gazed at them with a frown. "Something wrong, Yuki?" I asked.
Before she could answer, Sesshoumaru walked up to her. "It must happen tonight. I have not thought of any other way. We cannot avoid it now."
"Avoid what? What's happening?" I looked back and forth between the youkai lord and Yuki. Everyone else had stopped too. Sesshoumaru and Yuki flashed their eyes around and the group began to talk amongst themselves. Or at least, they pretended to. Inuyasha and I just walked closer to the youkai pair. They were sharing one of those 'oh, crap' looks again.
Finally Sesshoumaru turned to me. "Lord Yama has several faults. Kindness is not one of them."
"So what? We already knew that we would have to steal this thing, so what new bit of information do you want to give us? Now that we've traveled this far?" Inuyasha was confused and I knew he was getting near his breaking point. Then again, he was always near his breaking point.
Yuki bowed her head. "Forgive me, Kagome. Inuyasha is right. We should have told you this long ago, when we first realized the reality of our situation. Lord Sesshoumaru and I just wanted to have a chance to think of a way out, before bringing the problem to you. It is a personal matter, but it affects us all."
"It's okay, Yuki. Just tell us what's wrong." I placed a hand on her arm. Sango and Miroku gave up on the pretense of talking and came up to us with questioning looks.
Sesshoumaru growled lightly. "It is almost sunset. Let the wolves hunt and the humans rest and we will explain."
An hour later, we had found a spot and Kouga had sent the entire wolf clan to hunt.
"Now why does this feel familiar?" Inuyasha distrust was back in full force as we circled around the fire, waiting for the demons to talk.
Yuki sighed, but it was Sesshoumaru who spoke up. "Lady Yuki will be in danger when we enter the Demon City."
"Wait, 'Lady' Yuki?" His ears were twitching again.
"Her father was a powerful snow demon in China. She has a right to the title." Sesshoumaru was waving the question away with his hand. "Back to the point. Lord Yama has the largest harem in the demon world. This is mostly because any single female youkai that walks through his gates will be taken, forcefully or not, to be a part of it."
"That's disgusting!" Sango exclaimed.
"While I can't advocate his use of violence, can you blame the man for wanting many sons?" Miroku ducked but didn't manage to avoid Sango's boomerang hitting him on the backside of the head.
Sesshoumaru waited quietly until Miroku got off the ground and sat down again. "It is deplorable that a youkai lord should act in such a way, but it cannot be changed. The simple fact remains that Lady Yuki will be subjected to this dishonorable station if we do not take action."
"And what would that be?" I asked, although I could already guess the answer.
Yuki ran her hand through her black hair. "Simply because I am the female heir to my grandmother's contract and technically promised to Sesshoumaru does not mean I am exempt from Yama's law. We must actually be mated to prevent Yama's advances."
"But can't you just stay here? And then we'll come and pick you up on the way back." I was revolted by the idea of Yama taking unwilling women into his harem.
Sesshoumaru slowly shook his head. "Lady Yuki is necessary to the plan, as you know Kagome. The young kitsune does not possess the abilities to disguise himself as well as everyone else."
I shook my head. "Maybe we should rethink the plan, Sesshoumaru."
Sango surprised me by speaking up first. "I don't think so, Kagome. We, as humans, can't go into the city as we are. And Inuyasha won't be exactly welcome. We need Sesshoumaru and Kouga to get into the palace. As powerful as they are," she said, nodding to the royal youkai, "but they can't take on a whole palace army after the theft is discovered. We are needed, and so Yuki must come along to use her illusion skills to hide our true selves."
"I guess so." I turned my attention to Yuki. "But, Yuki. What about love? Isn't that what you want before you mate with someone?"
Yuki shook her head. "I had love once. It nearly killed me. Besides, Lord Sesshoumaru and I knew that this was our fate from the moment the duel ended."
Inuyasha widened his eyes. "You mean, you fought him and got beat, so you decided that this jerk was the one for you? You have serious problems, Yuki."
"Very amusing, Inuyasha. You should know that the strongest male is chosen as a mate, not necessarily the one you fall in love with." She paused. "It's hard to explain, but this is right. This is the fate chosen for us. Now, my family can once again be honorable."
"Who will perform the ceremony?" Kouga asked. "Usually a female conducts it."
"Kagome will," said Yuki immediately. I saw her glance at Kikyo and knew that she didn't want an undead miko performing a mating ceremony.
"I don't know the words though."
"I do. I can tell Kagome the words," said Inuyasha quietly. He received an odd look from Kouga. "What are you looking at, wolf? My mother told me the exact words of her ceremony with my father so many times, I could recite them in my sleep. That's all. Don't think I'm into woman stuff."
Sesshoumaru made a soft noise of disgust but finally nodded his agreement.
Yuki stood up. "Kagome, come on. I need some help with this." She picked up her bag and noticed my confused look. "Just because it's not all roses and chocolate doesn't mean I don't want to look presentable."
"Of course," I responded, getting up and following her. We walked into the thick trees towards the nearby stream.
She washed quickly and asked me to get out her clothes as she climbed out of the water. "I picked it up in the sword-smith's village. I had a feeling I would need one."
"Well, it's beautiful," I said as I lifted it out. I ran my hands over the cream colored silk. It was embroidered with dark blue snowflakes. The obi was dark blue with cream snowflakes. "It's perfect for you." I helped her into the kimono.
"I hope it fits. Here, help me with the obi."
"I think it's too long," I commented, looking at the three inches dragging on the ground.
"Nonsense, Kagome. I'm taller in my demon form."
"Shouldn't you transform now so it doesn't drag?" I asked as I folded the obi in the most elaborate way I could remember. It still didn't look the same as the ones I had seen at the festivals, but it would do.
"I'll transform soon. I think my new mate should be there when I do. It is the first time I have shown my true self in seventy-five years."
I nodded and we walked back to camp.
Sesshoumaru looked up as we came into the circle of warmth created by the fire. He kept exchanging annoyed glances with Inuyasha, who would be whispering my lines to me. I started to feel nervous when I realized how close he would be during the ceremony.
Yuki walked up the youkai lord. Neither was smiling. "I resume my demon form for you, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said, bowing slightly. Her body began to glow softly. Her unbound black hair flowed down her back, growing longer as Yuki herself grew taller. Her skin glistened and then paled to an impossible white, while her hair, now down to her calves, turned ice blue. When she opened her black-edged eyes, I saw they had changed from brown to a deep ocean blue. She was both beautiful and terrifying. I knew in that moment that she was the perfect match for Sesshoumaru.
As for the youkai lord, he simply smirked as they knelt onto the grass facing each other. Kouga, Jaken, Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kirara and Kikyo sat on the other side of the fire.
I took that as my cue and knelt between them, with Inuyasha at my side. I trembled slightly. As Inuyasha began to whisper the words, I forgot all about the couple before me. My head knew I was reciting them to Yuki and Sesshoumaru, but my heart wanted to hold onto them, like they were meant only for me.
"This union cannot be broken Forever shall one protect the other The bonding of the hearts will live eternal And one life takes the place of two May this love provide shelter from the rain May it erase the loneliness of earthly life May it give warmth in the cold It will destroy any obstacles Like the golden fire this love will burn"
Inuyasha's voice stopped whispering in my ear and I shook myself, realizing Yuki had drawn a dagger. "I choose you," she murmured, slicing her palm with the knife. She held it out, palm up.
Sesshoumaru took the blade and cut his hand like Yuki's. "I choose you," he said as he placed his hand, face down, on top of his new mate's.
Inuyasha handed me a sash that I noticed must be an extra from Sesshoumaru's wardrobe. I tied it around their hands, thinking about how the modern era's health care professionals would wince. I heard a soft gasp and looked to see a crescent moon forming on Yuki's forehead. She gave me a small smile.
"Very well, Lady Yuki," said Sesshoumaru, standing up. He left his hand bound to Yuki's. "We shall be back by dawn."
"Back? Where are you going? Don't you want to celebrate just a little?"
"Kagome," Yuki began. She gave me a knowing smile. "You know we have to finish the ceremony in private."
My eyes widened and I blushed furiously. "I didn't mean. . . I mean, I would have thought that the ceremony was enough. I mean, you're mated, right? You don't actually have to. . . mate, do you?
"Youkai depend largely on smell, Kagome. And to put it lightly, I don't smell like Sesshoumaru. Yet." She smiled wider at my shocked face. "And it's not like it's the first time for me."
Sesshoumaru growled.
"Oh, like I'm your first," she said to him. He just frowned.
"Go, please," I begged. "Before I start to glow red."
The youkai couple nodded and walked away.
Sango smacked Miroku.
"I did not say anything, Lady Sango," he complained, rubbing at his head.
"You were thinking it," she answered.
I laughed. Sango was failing miserably at looking angry, while Miroku had clearly forgotten any pain. Those two defined 'furtive glances'. I leaned over to Inuyasha. "I think there's going to be another wedding sometime soon."
"Let's hope we live to see it," murmured Inuyasha darkly.
A/N: One of my wonderful reviewers asked if this was going to be a Sess/Yuki fic. Here's my answer. Yes, they are probably going to be one of the couples (barring any sudden inspiration I get for another pairing.) HOWEVER, this is mainly a Inu/Kag fic. I know it might not seem too much like that, but have any of you read Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen (or at least seen the movie)? About 90% of the action concentrates on the heroine's (Eleanor) sister's love life, but it is Eleanor's love life that drives the book. Her sister's suffering is more outward, like Yuki's, but Eleanor's suffering is deep and quiet, like Kagome's. This is what I'm at least trying to go for - the actions of one couple make the main couple appreciate what they have all that much more in the end. Anyway, I really couldn't see Sess and Yuki getting together if they weren't forced into it. They both have the big fault of pride.
