Disclaimer I don't own much. Of course this means Inuyasha and his crew.

Of Fates Unknown

Chapter Sixteen

Inuyasha bade them good night in the hallway and returned to his own apartment, pausing only briefly at the locked door that led to the tower. He knew there was no way she could get up there on her own, and he was as yet unwilling to take her there.

Whenever he thought about her- that was all to often- he found himself caught in a tangled web of emotions. Besides the fact that she was Ceadda and therefore a serious threat to him and his throne, but she was also the most desirable woman he'd ever known. It was enough to throw both his human and youkai sense into a fit every time. Being a hanyou was good in some aspects, but trying in others. She was beautiful, strong, smart, and defiant. Not to mention her smell he found often times soothed the youkai in him. He learned that not to long ago, and it was enough to stager his mind as to why it was.

Granted the youkai part was often times as basic as it was complex, add in the human part of him and it was no wonder why he had yet to settle for just any pretty woman as a mate. All those things that made up Kagome called to his youkai and human side, but the power she may posses… that was the unknown factor. Both parts of him were both attracted yet repelled by it. He had found himself more on edge then he was before any battle he ever fought. And the damning thing of all was that he had a sneaking suspicion that he liked it.

Inuyasha was accustomed to taking what he though was his with little thought. And he had come across many women who would have been eager to warm his bed, even for the night. They would have been invariably compliant and eager to please him in anyway.

Kagome, however, barely acknowledged him as her lord and displayed a thinly veiled contempt towards him. "Compliant" was a word that would never be associated with her. She was possessed of a formidable will, not to mention the considerable courage it must have taken to come here after the death of her people. Perhaps it was that that called to him. Her will not to submit, drawing his youkai like a moth to a flame.

He thought about that single moment of vulnerability he'd seen when she'd told him about that, and how he'd wanted to take her into his arms and comfort her and promise her that she would never have to flee again.

But he knew that what he'd seen had been no more than a momentary weakness in a very strong woman- and that led him to wonder what she would become if he allowed her to confront the very source of Ceadda power.

)O(

Her long-anticipated confrontation with Inuyasha had come and gone, and left Kagome very confused. She had a strong sense of something unfinished- never mind the fact that she had come here hoping to be accepted and that seemed to have happened.

Was it possible that Inuyasha regarded her Ceadda origins as nothing more than a curiosity? Or that perhaps he felt some small amount of guilt over his brutal father's behavior towards her people?

She began to doubt her theory that he intended to use her and her powers. It was possible that he didn't believe in Ceadda sorcery at all, and that the tower contained nothing but dust and crumbling stone.

A subtle but important change had come over the residents of the keep. She was treated with a respect that was almost the equal of that accorded to Inuyasha himself, and frequent references were made to her Ceadda heritage.

She discovered that Souta now referred to himself quite proudly as being Ceadda. When she questioned him about it, he told her that Inuyasha had said he should be proud of his heritage. Much of the time, he seemed to behave like the young heir to the keep.

Four days after their conversations on the wall, Inuyasha's guest arrived. She knew about the arrival of Lord Naraku very quickly, because one of his men was brought into the surgery suffering from chest pains and a ragged cough. Tadiz was away at the time, checking on the progress of a soldier wounded in arms practice. Kagome gave the man a potion and made a poultice he could apply as well. Then, when Tadiz returned, she left the surgery.

No time seemed more propitious for attempting to get into the tower. Inuyasha and the staff would be preoccupied with their guest and even if she encountered anyone, they'd be unlikely, given the high level of activity, to report her presence in that area.

Her dreams had continued and the seductive lure of the tower was unabated, but Kagome no longer expected to discover any great secret there. She was convinced that Inuyasha's acceptance of her origins meant that Ceadda sorcery was merely the stuff of legends.

True to her expectations, the corridor was empty and silent. There were only two doors in this small corner of the keep and she knew that one must lead to the tower and the other to Inuyasha's apartment. The doors were identical and it was impossible for her to guess from their positions, which one led up to the tower. So she paused before the first one and pressed her ear to it. Then, hearing nothing, she cautiously tried the gleaming brass handle.

It was locked, and therefore told her nothing. She then tried the other one, after pausing to listen and hearing nothing but the rapid beating of her own heart.

This door was unlocked, and when she carefully pushed it open, she saw that she was in a small anteroom to Inuyasha's quarters. She stopped and listened again, wondering if she could find a key to the tower. It seemed likely that it would be here someplace.

Emboldened by her need to get to the tower and her certainty that Inuyasha couldn't possibly show up anytime soon, Kagome slipped into his apartment and closed the door behind her.

The anteroom opened into a large, richly furnished room hung with the most beautiful tapestries she'd yet seen. They were so full of detail that she was slow to realize just what was being depicted in the vibrant colors.

Her purpose for being here was temporarily forgotten, Kagome stood before the largest of them, staring at what was clearly a pictorial description of the lives of the Ceadda.

It was all there, overwhelming in its abundance: the healers, curing by the laying on of hands form which a blue-tinged white light issued, figures in the midst of farm field, haloed hands raised to bring the rains or ward off the snows- and numerous battle scenes in which enemies tried to storm the city, but were driven back by figures standing on the walls, calling down bolts of blue-white lightning.

There were many humbler scenes as well: dancing and eating and children playing. Many figures were playing lythras like the one she owned. And the wolf like samsets roped through many scenes.

In the very center of the largest tapestry was a depiction of the keep itself. From the tall tower, shafts of blue-white light poured forth, spilling into other scenes.

Standing before this magnificent history of her people, Kagome felt that same surge of power she'd felt the day of the runaway cart incident. She was no longer one of a people who had hidden themselves away in a remote valley. She was no longer a terrified young woman fleeing to a place where she hoped she would be accepted. She was Ceadda, and this place was hers.

She tore herself away from the tapestry with great difficulty, but then immediately recalled why she'd come here. Assuming that if the key were here at all, it would be in his bedchamber, she went there.

This room, too, was huge, and contained the largest bed she'd ever seen. Its headboard reached nearly to the high ceiling and was the same richly carved black wood of the jewelry box and her lythra, and she saw thee same strange figures that Inuyasha had called "runes" carved into it.

The room also contained three large chests, as well as a cupboard that nearly filled one wall. She had just begun to search the drawers of the first chest when she heard voices.

She froze, and then looked around desperately for a place to hide. The only places of concealment she could see were the huge cupboard and the space beneath the high bed. Uncertain what would be in the cupboard, she gathered her skirts about her and quickly slid beneath the bed. Barely a moment later, she could see a large pair of highly polished boots approaching. A second pair followed in short order, and then she recognized Miroku's voice.

"Are you sure about this right now Inuyasha? I wish he had come just a day later."

Inuyasha snorted but sighed, "His timing can't be helped. Granted I am lacking, but I must do this now, least he becomes offended if I put him off for a day."

"His Lordship's already inquiring about a woman to warm his bed," the captain said with unconcealed disgust. "Perhaps we could maybe entice his interest in other aspects."

"Why would you expect him to do otherwise?" Inuyasha answered in the same tone. "At least the man's true to his nature."

"He buried his wife only weeks ago," Miroku stated.

Inuyasha snorted again, "That makes no difference to him. Naraku had never demonstrated any sense of decency in the past, and since he wasn't faithful to his wife when she was alive, it's unlikely that he'd change now. Besides, you know it wouldn't be enough to make him hold off the meeting till tomorrow, when my youkai flows again. 'Tis bad enough that it ebbs enough for me to be on par with a human right now."

"You had better make some arrangements with a prostitute or he'll be after the women here."

"Like Kagome, for example?" Miroku asked.

Inuyasha chuckled, "Not even Naraku would try to seduce a Ceadda. Have you told your men to make sure his men find out about her?"

"Naraku should be hearing it soon enough," Miroku responded. "I understand that one of his men already met her, in the surgery."

"Good. Now if only there were some way to persuade the lady to act as though she'd rather be sharing my bed then plunging a dagger into my back. I'll ask her to play tomorrow night. Let Naraku wait a wile for his first glimpse of the legendary Ceadda."

"If she plays as she did at the festival, he'll have no doubts about her origins," Miroku observed.

"And I agree that that's likely to bring him into line, all right. He's heard the same stories about the Ceadda that we have."

"If only I could be sure they're true," Inuyasha said.

"And if only you could be sure of her cooperation," Miroku added, with a chuckle.

Inuyasha laughed, "There is that. The situation reminds me of that old saying about being wary of what you ask for, because you might get it."

Then the two men switched to a discussion of the upcoming negotiations with their guest. Kagome turned them out as she concentrated on controlling her anger. So she had been right, after all. Inuyasha did intend to use her for his own ends. He hoped to persuade Naraku that he already had a powerful ally in her, a Ceadda sorceress, and it sounded as though he thought he could use her as an ally in war as well.

Suddenly she realized what a position she put herself into. She had forgotten about his hanyou abilities, and forgotten about his ability to smell and hear. Surely he should of known she was here. But then maybe it had to do with what they were previously talking about, the flow and ebb of his youkai.

Quickly putting that thought aside for now, huddled uncomfortably beneath the bed, she recalled that scene on the tapestry of the Ceadda fighting off their enemies with lightning bolts. Could Inuyasha actually believe she was capable of that? And if so, didn't that suggest that he knew she could regain the lost powers of her people?

The two men moved back to the other room, and then remained there. While she waited for them to leave the apartment, Kagome considered what to do. It would be difficult for her to refuse his request that she play tomorrow night, and in any event, she doubted that would change things. Naraku would already know of her existence.

The scene on that tapestry kept haunting her. A part of her very much wanted to reclaim the heritage of her people, but another part feared those powers greatly. She wanted them for the good uses to which they could be put, but she had not intentions of aiding Inuyasha in his war.

The men's voices dwindled away, and then the outer door closed. She waited a few minutes longer to be sure he didn't return. And as she waited, she smiled grimly at Inuyasha's remark about Naraku's being afraid to try to seduce her. It sounded to her as though he might be speaking for himself as well. However much he might want her, he too feared her- and that suited her just fine.

She scrambled out from under the bed and resumed her search for the key, more determined than ever to gain entry to the tower. If there were secrets of the Ceadda locked away in the keep, they must be in the tower. And she was more than ever certain that Inuyasha knew that.

It is time, she thought that I find more than mere legends to protect Souta, Shippou and me.

She found the key when she'd almost given up the search. In the very back of the big cupboard, beneath folded quilts was a sizable chest in that ornately carved black wood. It took her a few moments to figure out how to open it, but when she did, she gasped in amazement.

The large chest was filled with jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, rings- all of them clearly Ceadda in design. On top were two large discs on gold chains. The one with the heavier gold chain was the Val-Ceadda that Inuyasha had worn at the festival. And beside it was a slightly smaller version on a more delicate chain.

When the Ceadda had been rulers of Rhea, a king and queen had been elected for life. Each had his or her own sphere of influence, but they had ruled as equals.

Before she quite realized what she was doing, Kagome had lifted the Queen's Val-Ceadda from the chest and slipped it over her head. It settled against her neck and chest. Strange, deep warmth suffused her, leaving her whole body with a tingling new self-awareness.

Although she knew that he would undoubtedly discover its absence at some point- perhaps even tomorrow night, if it was to be a formal occasion- Kagome could not bring herself to put it back. The moment she'd put it on, it had become as much a part of her as her hands or feet.

Let him discover it, she thought angrily. How would he dare to try to reclaim it?

Then she belatedly remembered why she'd opened the chest in the first place and turned her attention back to it. The key was fitted into a small pocket in the soft lining of the chest, and she had no doubt that it was the key to the tower.

She hesitated for only a moment, realizing that when he discovered the missing Val- Ceadda, he would also discover the missing key and know that she'd been to the tower. If he accused her of stealing both items, she would simply level an accusation of her own that he had been keeping her from things that were rightly hers.

She slipped the Val-Ceadda beneath her dress, pocketed the key and replaced the chest, then went to the apartment door and listened to be sure no one was about. Moments later, she was fitting the key into the lock on the other door. It opened easily.

Kagome gasped as a great weight suddenly pressed down on her. The pendant grew very warm against her skin. She grabbed at the doorframe, fearing that she was about to faint. But then the feeling passed, leaving in its wake a growing sense of exhilaration. She stepped through the door and pulled it shut behind her, then ran up the twisting stone staircase, which, contrary to what she'd been told, was in excellent condition. With each step she took, she felt more exultant, until by the time she reached the door at the top, it seemed almost as though she were about to part company with her own body.

The upper door was closed, but not locked. She pushed it open, then stopped with her hand still raised. A new feeling washed over her- a far more powerful version of that sense of completeness she'd felt during the runaway cart incident.

Before her stood the object she'd seen in her dreams: a softly glowing obelisk. And as she stood there transfixed, she knew that she'd found the secret of Ceadda power, and there was now no going back.

She walked slowly towards the obelisk, feeling a gentle heat and then hearing a low, humming sound that seemed to come simultaneously from the obelisk and from within her. She stopped before it and her hands came up in slow motion to touch the glowing surface. Deep within the obelisk, strange symbols were appearing, and the pearl sized stone inside the clear crystal, pulsed.

)O(

Review responses:

Jeff16 – I have yet to see the third movie of LotR. Thank you for letting me know about defining the city more. When I go back over chapters I will keep that in mind. Inuyasha's father didn't exterminate all who stood in his way, just Kagome's ancestors, because of the threat that race represented. Actually the real reason of why he did so to Kagome's people will be explained in later chapters. You have to understand that she is under the impression that his father is nothing more then a bunch of murderers. Neither knows exactly what the other knows of what they were told exactly happened back then. (two-side to every story) As the story progresses, the true recounts of what happened will surface.

Also, one will learn later on more of the fact that Inuyasha got basically rule of Domna when he was 14. He had to learn early on to do things his own way, and so a lot may not seem like he does things like his father. (like his father being afraid of the Domna people and him being more or less intrigued by what he could do with their so called "power".)

The people are content under him because: A. he keeps his people well-off compared to some. (will be further explained) and B. if he becomes King, there wouldn't be as many wars. (got to understand this is poor peoples p.o.v. not that it may really cease all problems.) The people praising Inuyasha to Kagome don't realize that she has never lived under a lord before, and even though he is one of the better ones, she just sees the bad out-way the bad right now. Sort of like telling a person how one car's engine is much better mechanically then another, when the person has no idea what a car is to begin with.

Again all this will be covered, as Kagome learns more about it herself. This is mostly a Kagome P.O.V. and she is use to living in a small peaceful village. But as she learns more and more about the inner-workings of living in a kingdom, it will cause her to not change her ideas, but come to understand better. LOL, like I said, we are still somewhat near the beginning, and so views change, people change, only death and taxes are a constant. (lol, sorry could NOT resist that. :S) But yeah, most of what you touched on will be addressed later. Wonderful issues brought up though. And I apologize about the length of my reply, I love a good discussion and it was great that you brought up the issues. Thank you for your review!

Redroses – Thank you. I am glad you have enjoyed it so far. Yes, about the issue of spelling and grammar issues. I have just had someone offer to beta test and will take them up on it. It is so hard to make sure you get everything sometimes, and my little old spell check only goes so far. So hopefully these issues will be addressed shortly. And thanks again for the review.

hana no tenshi – LOL, thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I think the reason behind the few reviews is because my story isn't that old. (been posting 2-3 chapters a day) So, it really isn't even a week old yet. About the beta, I will e-mail you. I have to get a .net passport first so I can get msn messenger. (don't know why I didn't get that yet)

Vali just seemed so right for Sesshy's kingdom. Don't get me wrong, I like him, I just couldn't resist. Kagome having magical powers… Wow, big shock right? :P And Yes she does adapt quickly, she has no choice really. (especially since I am the one writing her. Hehehe.) People who tend to hide their past, do so for a reason.

LOL, your reviews are just too much fun. (glomps) Myouga as a flea, married to Kaede… Mental pictures of kids… then mental pictures of how they had ki… er, never mind… DON'T WANT THAT MENTAL IMAGE! (runs around holding head screaming, "AAGGGHHH!") ROFLMAO!

Chap. 7 was shorter due to Chap. 8's size. I couldn't chop it up any better really. :S Thanks for reading my story, just don't get in trouble at work, cause that would be bad. :P And thanks for: A. the reviews, B. the offer of beta, and C. referring the story to a friend. I will e-mail you later today. I am trying to wait for hotmail to finish processing my darn info…

Wow, so many wonderful reviews for my story so far. I am so touched. :) Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond! And also to bring up some good issues too!

Brightest of Blessings,

Lady Banshee 999