Update time! Hooray! I'm happy that you guys liked the last chapter so much. ^____^ As a disclaimer again, I don't own Inuyasha. Yep, that's pretty much all as far as author notes go…
Anyways, here's the rest of Kaede's story. Enjoy!:
~~~***~~~
I woke slowly by the sun gradually filling the room.
How peaceful.
I rubbed my eyes a little and sat up. Ow! My back and feet definitely weren't feeling their best. For a moment I looked around, then went to the balcony slowly. I peered at the tree.
He wasn't there.
"Sesshoumaru…?" I looked down below.
"…Looking for something?" A voice asked behind me.
I turned around. "Sesshoumaru! I thought-" I stopped myself. He waited, but I avoided his eye and turned back to the sun.
"…I had happened to wake up before you, it seems." He said after a few moments. "And I got ready for the day." He paused and looked at me.
"…Oh." I answered. "Well, then I suppose…I suppose I will get ready as well." I felt his piercing gaze.
He looked out at the sky. "The sun…the sun is rising…" He remarked. "They day has come…" Sesshoumaru slowly moved next to me. "…So different from the night before…" Was he trying to tell me something?
"Um…I must get ready now, Sesshoumaru…" I repeated, and walked away from him. His expression changed, but he said nothing. I wasn't sure what just happened, but I decided not to dwell on it. I had to hear the rest of the story…
~~~***~~~
After breakfast I managed to slip away without anyone noticing. I hurried over to Kaede's house and knocked on the door. "…Kaede? It's me!"
The door opened and Kaede pleasantly exclaimed, "Ah! Yee have come here earlier than I thought…come! Come! Don't just stand there—enter!" I nodded quickly and went into the room. She sat down and handed me some tea. I accepted, and Kaede picked up some yarn of hers and began knitting rapidly. "…Just a habit, after all." She explained after awhile, pointing to her stitches.
I smiled. "Of course, of course."
"Now then." She said calmly. "Yee want to hear more of the story between Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome?" I nodded. Kaede chuckled. "If yee would forgive me for saying so, it IS a little strange telling Lady Kagome's past to Lady Kagome."
"I understand."
She shrugged. "…It's doesn't matter. Now, where did I leave off from…hmm…"
~~~***~~~
Sesshoumaru read and re-read her letter. He held it close—he could smell her wonderful scent. Because of his strong nose, it filled the room quickly, and it was as if she was there herself. He sat down on his bed and read it yet again.
Dear Lord Sesshoumaru,
I realize that your visit here was not long ago. I also realize that your father is of a higher power than you. However, I'm quite sure that he is busy enough, and I would never hope to be a bother to him. My late mother wished nothing more than to remain good friends with you and your father. A few issues have come up over here—one in particular that is distressing. Will you be able to pay a visit to this castle?
I fear that I could never be the leader my mother was. Already I have given six speeches in front of our own officials. Did I mention during last we met that I become terribly nervous when I talk to a group of people? Not a very fitting trait for a Queen at all. It's something that I wish to avoid. Please, if it's not too much trouble, could you ask your father about any advice for this problem? I'm sure that he was in the same position in the beginning of his career as well. I hope it's not too intrusive of me.
Again, as I emphasize, I would enjoy a visit from you sometime between today and tomorrow. We must discuss some matters that have come to my attention. I will be waiting in the royal courtyard for your arrival.
I send my regards,
Lady Kagome
Well, that certainly settled things. Sesshoumaru paced around a little more, then decided—he would go today. For weeks now he had wanted to see the fair lady of the human land, and now this was certainly an opportune moment. He understood fully well that she did not send the letter just for 'advice' or 'distressing issues.' For now though, Sesshoumaru would play along. He went outside to look for his advice on some advice about public speaking. He looked forward to seeing her kind face again.
~~~***~~~
Kagome waited quietly in the royal courtyard. There was no doubt in her mind that he would start off on the journey to here the moment the letter arrived. She also knew fully well that Sesshoumaru had wanted to see her a second time just as much as herself. It was only a question of when.
Admittedly, a morsel of dread lingered in her mind. What if he didn't want to see her? What if she made a total idiot of herself the last time they met? What if he sent over an ambassador here instead? What then. She didn't particularly like ambassadors. They would always press issues that didn't need to be pressed. Kagome sighed nervously. No, Sesshoumaru wouldn't do that.
Her thoughts were interrupted. "My Lady." A voice said behind here. "A visitor for you is here. Shall I send him here…?"
She smiled. "Yes, thank you." The man bowed and walked away.
A few minutes later Sesshoumaru was walking up to her. She rose and gestured to the garden's pathway. He nodded, and they started down it. After a little way Kagome said, "I'm so glad you could visit, Lord Sesshoumaru. Really, I'm afraid I'm such a bother…it's terrible of me to ask you to do this-"
"-Don't think that at all. It's no trouble."
"You're too kind, Lord Sesshoumaru." She said gently. "Here, let's go sit on that bench over there…" Together they sat down on it. They were fairly secluded with the brush from the gardens all around them.
"…Now then, what is it you would like to discuss, Lady Kagome?"
She nodded. "I have been…I have been—threatened, Lord Sesshoumaru. By one of the demons in your land."
He looked at her in surprise. "In my land!? Who? What kind of threats are being made?"
Kagome sighed. "You have already told me about him—a demon who calls himself Naraku."
Sesshoumaru's anger immediately flared at that name. "Naraku…" He repeated in disgust. "If he is indeed the one bothering you, Lady Kagome, I will not hesitate to take his life. I have been meaning to do so for some time now…"
'He's willing to defend me so easily?' She thought. "Um, I guess you would know this demon better than I. I have never met him myself, so it's difficult to know what to do…"
He nodded. "Just what kind of threats has he been making?"
"Well, just last week…an arrow was shot into my room's window from nowhere. We're not sure who the archer was, but the message attached stated that this kingdom's end in near. It went on to say that I would personally be assassinated. It was always…signed by 'Naraku.'"
Sesshoumaru's blood had thoroughly boiled. How dare he…how DARE he!! "Don't trouble yourself over his doings, Lady Kagome." His eyes shined bright in anger.
She smiled. "I-I'm not really worried…my guards protect me well. It's…" Kagome hesitated. "…It's you that I'm worried about, Lord Sesshoumaru."
He looked at her in surprise. "Me? Why me?"
She sighed. "If this Naraku we speak of is unsuccessful in overthrowing me, then he will surely try with you and your family instead."
"Ridiculous! My family is too strong for the likes of him."
Kagome put her hand on his gently to calm him down. Sesshoumaru relaxed and sighed quietly. "…I know." She said. "I know. But, all the same, please be careful, Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Please," He replied with a different voice. "We are in a sense equals. There's no need to call me that."
She nodded. "Then you may stop calling me Lady Kagome." He agreed and they sat together for a few more moments in silence. Suddenly, Sesshoumaru looked up to the sky and began to inhale deeply. "…What is it?" Kagome asked after observing this action.
"Rain." He answered simply. "I can smell it." A second later there were indeed a few rains drops beginning to fall. "Quickly." He rose. "More will come in a few seconds."
"Over there!" Kagome pointed. "There's a protective tree that we can stand under until it lets up."
He nodded and together they hurried under the tree. Sesshoumaru smelled the air again. "It'll stop soon enough, I think." He looked back at her and saw that she was shivering. "…You're cold."
She shook her head. "I'll be fine…" Before Kagome could say anything else, and to her immense surprise, Sesshoumaru gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"You're cold…" He repeated with a softer, gentler voice. He was amazed at what he was doing, but it was an impulse, really. Sesshoumaru felt as if he had known her for a lifetime, yet this was only the second encounter they have had with each other. Therefore, he was in great disbelief when he say that not only did she make no objection, but Kagome was leaning a little into his chest…further…further…it felt…right. "Kagome…" He whispered. She looked behind and into his eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you, I give you my word."
"…Sesshoumaru…" Her eyes became glazed. Time outside of their shelter stopped, with the soft noises of the rain and the enclosed space they were in. They stood like that for several minutes, not saying a word. Sesshoumaru didn't care what the consequences might be to what he was doing—he just wanted to feel her. Just for a little while. That's all. But when she began to stroke his hand softly, all thought of restraint went out the window. Kagome was HIS. Not only for this moment, but forever and ever.
Sadly the rain began to die down once more and eventually dispersed. They walked slowly out from under the tree together and peered around cautiously. "Sesshoumaru, I…" Kagome began. He closed his eyes tightly. Her it comes—the rejection, the kind apology but the reminder that it would never work.
"Thank you." She smiled, and leaned on her toes to give him a small kiss on the cheek.
~~~***~~~
They walked back to the inside of the castle quickly. There, they could hear a lot of whispers and murmurs. Everyone was staring at Sesshoumaru. Finally a sobbing woman approached him. "Lord Sesshoumaru! Lord Sesshoumaru! Oh, it's so awful! So awful indeed!"
Sesshoumaru stared at her. "…Has something happened?"
She burst into tears, but managed to mumble, "An…an assassination! The Emperor, he's—he's—!"
He quickly gripped her shoulders. "What did you say!? Who!?" But at this point the poor old woman collapsed to the ground. He looked around himself wildly. "Tell me! Somebody! What has happened!?" They continued to look at him silently, with pity and sadness. Sesshoumaru gave a growl in frustration.
Finally a man stepped forward. "Lord Sesshoumaru, your father…he has been killed, not more than two hours ago."
He raced over to the man. "Liar! My father is the strongest demon that has ever lived! Where did you hear such nonsense!?" Then man avoided his eye. "Tell me!" He shouted.
"Naraku!" Kagome said suddenly. Sesshoumaru turned and looked at her in surprise. "Sesshoumaru, I can assure you my people would not joke about such a matter. Sesshoumaru, he'll be after you next!"
~~~***~~~
He leapt on a nearby horse, and would have taken off in his rage if not for the voice he heard behind him.
"WAIT! Sesshoumaru!" Kagome ran up to him.
"Kagome, I have no time to waste—I must go."
"But—but you could get killed, Sesshoumaru!" She looked at him with worry. "Don't forget that Naraku probably has your half of the Shikon jewel now! You won't be able to beat him in that state!"
His eyes softened with her concern, but they held their determination. "My family will NOT fall to the like of Naraku. I WILL avenge my father."
"Then…then I will come with you!" Kagome prepared to jump up on the horse with him.
Sesshoumaru gave a great growl in fear. "NO! I cannot allow you to!" He sighed a leaned closer to her. Tears began to fall. He hated seeing them, so he took a thumb and gently brushed them away. She took this opportunity to grasp his hand. "…If it is true…if it is true what they say…that my father is…dead…then I wasn't able to protect him. The same could happen with you. And I…I would never forgive myself—don't you see, Kagome?"
Something became caught in her throat. "Oh…Sesshoumaru!" She gasped and reached around him for a tight hug. "I WILL be waiting here." She said after she let go. "Please…don't make me worry. Come back quickly."
He nodded. "You have my word. I would never want you to worry over my sake. Dry your tears—I'll come back for you." With that, Sesshoumaru pulled on the reins and rode away.
~~~***~~~
Kaede paused from her tale. "Oh dear…it seems as though I've dropped a stitch somewhere…hang on…"
I waited patiently. "So…what happened after that?"
The old woman chuckled absent-mindedly. "Oh! Well, the rest explains itself. With the power of the Shikon jewel half Naraku was about to thwart Sesshoumaru and overthrow his family. The demons began to turn against Sesshoumaru and follow Naraku as their leader. They never DID like being allies with the weaker human as Lord Sesshoumaru's father had done, and Naraku offered them more power with the Shikon jewel half. To this day he is still trying to steal the other half. And so, Lord Sesshoumaru had no other place to go but here. Ever since, the human kingdom and the demon kingdom have been bitter enemies. Every day after, Lord Sesshoumaru would map out all sorts of different ways to avenge his father and take back the throne. In the meantime, however, he came back and after a few more months of caring for his emotional wounds Lord Sesshoumaru asked yee to marry him. Naturally, you were delighted, although not that surprised. And so it was like it is today. Some say that a war is mounting between the two lands. I believe it's inevitable—that is, unless Naraku is overthrown."
"Ah." So that's what happened here. Admittedly it wasn't the happiest of all stories, but it was the truth. I stood up and smiled. "Thanks for telling me the story, Kaede. It's interesting to know."
She nodded. "Yes, 'tis no trouble at all!"
"Well, thank you. I'm afraid I must return to the castle now. They're probably wondering where I am." She nodded warmly, and I left her house. A million thought raced through my head as I walked, but right now…well, all I wanted to do was sleep.
Review Responses:
ChibiTenshi5: Meh, well we'll just have to see! =D
mandyfanforevr: BAH! *shakes fist* lol, no you don't…
Shadic Belmont: Yes, it was about…oh, I don't know…a year ago? I'm guessing? It was on the announcement page, and has naturally disappeared since then.
bloodbunny: Aww…kawaii bunnies finding shiny stuff for me…^___^ hooray! *pets teh bunnies, hands them some carrots*
sakurapetal13: Lol, I was hoping it wasn't…oh well. *shrug*
jasters jester: Yeah, you can watch Iunyasha on Adult Swim at midnight Eastern time on weekdays and some other time on Sundays, I'm not really sure…anyways, you can't get the fanart unless you e-mail me! ^___^ hehehe…
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Skitzoflame: Thanks. ^_____^ Hope you like this chappy!
Cali1043: Read author notes! Particularly my third one for that lemon chapter.
Vegetas4Life: Oh, okay…lol…phew…!!! CHIBI VASH!!! OMG!!! OMG!!! YAY!!! *pets teh Chibi Vash* =D You can have him though…but I get Chibi Kenshin *runs away from the Kaoru fans quickly*
Guardiun Angel15: Aww, hope you feel better! *hands Angel another chappy* That should do it, hopefully…
tellu444: Arigato! Glad to hear I'm doing such a wonderful job! Read this chappy too!
BeyondWords: Hehe, yes…it's only a matter of time I'm afraid. ;)
Sapphire-StarLight: Lol, normally I luffs teh Shippo, but his role won't come up for awhile…but he'll definitely be in this story!
mark: Will do! Thanks! ^___^
Kagome-Ann-Saturn: Heh heh, I'm so evil…
LoveLandKiss: Well thank you! Hope you enjoy the next chappy!
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zeddy200: Hehe, arigato! Glad you think so!
Miko-Princess: Will do! Hope you'll like this one!
Satu-Chan: Yeah, I was thinking it was a little too soon as well…it'll happen though…and the other characters will appear soon enough! Hehe.
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Killer Potatos: Teh pwnage screename… =D and I agree, Kagome/Sesshoumaru fics get really redundant after awhile, that's very true…
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…That took a long time…man…heh heh, it's cool though—I'm beginning to memorize all the different numbers some of you have on your screename. Hehe. Anyways, R&R! The next chapter will be here soon enough! Hope you enjoy this one! Arigato! Ja ne! ^_______^
