She was in that chapter, by the way. If you caught her. She was only mentioned, but she was there.
*****
Gossamer Dreams
Part 15
*****
Kagura found her life to be rather routine and slightly boring, aside from the fact that she was, technically, the most powerful woman in all of Fukumaden. With the possible exception of the Empress Mother Kijo, who lost out only because Sesshoumaru was so set and determined not to hear her ideas out because they were, in fact, Kijo's ideas, and that did not sit well with him at all. She was growing restless, of course, quite displeased with the way Sesshoumaru was ruling her country, but as far as Kagura was concerned, anyone who shared such a questionable relationship with her nasty older brother had no room to voice their opinions on national policy.
It was Wednesday, which meant that after breakfast with Sesshoumaru, when he would tell her all about Kijo's thinly veiled incestual insinuations about helping Kagura and Sesshoumaru conceive, along with her even less subtle jabs about his lack of ability to govern the country correctly, she would accompany her husband to the throne room, where they would spend about four hours listening to pleads and complaints from locals, who were all, of course, Youkai, since humans were still disallowed from voicing their opinions in court thanks to Kijo's former policy making. They had not had the chance to disallow that one, quite yet. After that, there would be a "break" for lunch, an hour of listening to the accountant's report as well as poring over any intelligence that the chief guard was able to bring in. Then they would listen to the head servant's complaints about what they were out of and how much they would need, and why couldn't the accountant just approve these costs? Then it was back to the throne room for more complaints, for about three more hours before they were released to go back to their private chambers. If they had conceived an heir yet, they would surely be expected to spend much more time in that dreaded throne room, but as it was, the nation cared more that they have "private time" than that they hear out everyone's voice in one day.
Not that they would be getting an heir any time soon, if Kagura or Sesshoumaru had anything to say about it. And of course, they had everything to say about it. They were the best of friends, but nothing more than that. Kagura knew well enough that Sesshoumaru was a very beautiful man, but she personally found him a bit too feminine in appearance, besides the fact that he was her cousin, and the idea of it was altogether appalling to her, no matter how many nobles were turning a blind eye to the situation. Actually, more than a few had made private advances toward Kagura, since as long as she was pregnant with someone's child, everyone would just accept that it was the Emperor's. There were many rumors going about the court that Inuyasha had actually brought to their attention about the whole thing, and each was more amusing than the last. Some said that Sesshoumaru did not enjoy women's company, and some had even suggested that, in truth, he was a woman, a fact that Kijo had covered up so that it was her child on the throne, and not that of Inutaiko's dead consort. Another common opinion was that he actually slept with so many other women that he had nothing left for his Empress, or that she was sleeping with many others, thus keeping them out of each other's beds. Kagura had found it extremely entertaining when she had heard the rumor that she preferred women herself, which was why her sleeping around had yet to result in a pregnancy.
After a few hours of "private time," Sesshoumaru and Kagura would go to dine in the Great Hall, since it was not Tuesday, when poor Sesshoumaru was forced to dine with his mother, nor Monday, when Kagura was forced to eat with her father. There was no ball or special event this day, but that did not mean there would be a small crowd at dinner. As usual, about half of the nobles living in the castle (those that were not otherwise engaged with each other) would come down to the enormous hall, where they would all eat together. Sesshoumaru especially despised this part of the day, as it would always end in dancing and drinking, and he was almost always obliged to one ogling fan or another of his. It was that, or be left to dance with his mother, something that he described as being almost as pleasurable as having a bath in week old rancid vomit, since Kagura was almost always monopolized during the entirety of the time when the nobles decided she had finished eating until about nine o'clock, when on regular dinner nights she could acceptably claim fatigue, reclaim Sesshoumaru, and go upstairs. They would then stay up for a few hours, unless it had been a night of special magnificence, in which case they would not likely be allowed to leave before midnight, and then sleep in their separate beds, much to the eavesdropping Kijo's continual dismay.
Overall, it was a dreary life, made bearable only by Sesshoumaru's friendship, Inuyasha's visits, and the vaguely satisfying thought that her father was very disappointed in her for not copulating with her cousin. But it was Kagura's life, such as it was, and she found pleasure where she could. She had taken well to the life of the Empress, the demands and the intrigues and the subtleties of political maneuvering and reversing all the damage Kijo had done in her seemingly brief stay in the top spot. Kagura had yet to convince Sesshoumaru that one of the pieces on their political agenda was the abolishment of the Apartment and the fair treatment of Gifted individuals, but she had hopes that yesterday, Rin had helped move that case forward considerably.
"She says that if we have yet to present her with some good news by my next birthday, she will be most displeased." Sesshoumaru spoke as they both ate their breakfasts with an efficiency born of necessity. It was all they would get to eat until a not-too relaxing luncheon over the tax books.
"That would be quite a change from the ordinary." Kagura offered, spooning a bit of sweetened plum sauce over her porridge. She liked a relatively plain breakfast, nothing that might upset her stomach for the rest of the day. "Did she also say she would start listening at our door every night, as though she does not do so already?"
"Kagura, she told me that having my brother here is clearly a distraction I cannot afford, and that if I do not take my role more seriously where you are concerned, she will have him shipped out to the country for his education." Sesshoumaru told her, his tone utterly sober. "To your father's estate."
Kagura choked slightly, but caught herself with practice from years of having to eat through her father's disgusting commentary and conversation pieces. "She would do no such thing. She has no right."
"She does, and you know it. As Empress Mother, she is ultimately in charge of Inuyasha, as his father and mother are both deceased, and until he is eighteen, she can treat him as her own child. Even we cannot interfere." Sesshoumaru reminded her. "It is a loophole that only she would utilize, but you know she would not hesitate to send him away."
"Can you not simply take a consort?" Kagura asked finally, unable to believe this was happening. "You would have no shortage of willing females, as I am sure you are well aware. You would have no need of utilizing the Apartment, of course."
"Actually, if the mother is anyone but a member of the Apartment, she will take a role more powerful than your own as new Empress Mother over you when we retire, or when I die." Sesshoumaru pointed out. "I cannot be sure if there is any Youkai woman I trust the way I trust you to not abuse that power, Kagura."
"I am sorry, Sesshoumaru, but I am not going to bear your child." Kagura shot in immediately. "I just…will not. We would never get through the act, I think, even once. I would start laughing halfway through. No offense, of course."
"None taken." Sesshoumaru shrugged, wiping his mouth to signal the end of his breakfast. "No, my suggestion is that you find someone you can trust. A young Youkai lord…no one too ambitious, though. We do not need anyone to make presumptions as to their position in court. If you are pregnant, everyone will assume that it is my child, whether they know the truth or not does not matter; they will want it to be mine. We are all so driven by traditions we have been fed since the womb that everyone will go along with what they want to believe. What they need to believe. Do you know of anyone you could utilize thus?"
"You make it so utterly romantic, you know." Kagura rolled her eyes. "Someone I can utilize. Truly, Sesshoumaru, it would have to be someone no older than us. No older than me, actually. Someone easily suggestible, and yet utterly under my thumb…someone who fears me enough that I know entirely he would never turn his allegiance to Kijo and Naraku. Their influence could cause things to go rather poorly, indeed. How could I possibly find someone who would be easily accessible, and so utterly…"
"Kagura? You drifted off just then." Sesshoumaru told her as she stood when he offered his hand to lead her to the throne room. "Do you feel well?"
"You know, I think I feel a bit devious." She told him, a smile forming on her lips. "You are clearly a poor influence on me, Sesshoumaru."
"You have thought of someone, then?" Sesshoumaru asked her, and she nodded while walking alongside him.
"It will take some time, but the boy will listen to me, most definitely." Kagura smiled softly, her thoughts drifting to a pair of electric blue eyes.
Of course, it does not hurt a bit that he is far too attractive for his own good.
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Kouga shook slightly as he knocked on the door to the chambers he had henceforth only vaguely imagined being invited to. Of course, no one hoped to be brought to the Imperial Quarters under the pretense that he had been summoned, and so he was not quite as pleased with himself as he otherwise might have been. Eldest son of a wealthy family, he had been living in his own quarters at the Palace since he turned fourteen nearly a year ago. He had been enjoying himself immensely until today, or more accurately, until last night when the Empress Kagura had clearly expressed her displeasure at discovering one of his erstwhile favorite pastimes, aggravating the enormously unpopular and friendless Prince Inuyasha. He had never realized what high regard the Empress held him in, as everyone knew well enough that the Empress Mother herself encouraged such pursuits. And now, he had almost shamed his entire family and besmirched their name for years to come. He still could, if he was not careful.
Just do whatever she wants. He told himself, steeling himself for his confrontation with the unearthly beauty whose equally intimidating wrath he had not heard nor seen a shred of before his run in with her the night before. The Empress Kagura was not someone to be feared by nobles of his age, but someone to gaze at, and to pray that they might be lucky enough to warrant a dance with her one night at dinner. Of course, it was nearly impossible to have a chance at her when there were so many elder lords about. If Kouga was head of his family, he would be powerful enough to earn a dance or two with the legendary beauty, but as it was, his father held that place, and while he had told Kouga that she was a lovely dancer and a skilled conversationalist, Kouga had only been able to watch with his friends from the sidelines, and to spend his time pursuing more accessible creatures. Like the dozens of noble daughters, all of them beauties in their own right, that made up the Maidens of the Empress, a royal entourage whose main purpose was to look pretty so that they might attract proper husbands. Every noble his age had a favorite or two, and Kouga was no exception. It was well and good to gaze at the Empress, but one must look for a wife elsewhere.
"Wait here." He nodded dumbly as the servant directed him to the Empress' sitting room and then left to retrieve the Empress herself. Kouga hoped he did not wet himself. It would not be a very good second impression to go with his utterly dismal first. At this rate, he would be the lowest ranked family in the Palace by the time he was head. If his father found out, he'd be disowned, and his younger brother Shinga would take his place. How horrible could his life possibly go?
"Ah, you have come as directed." Kagura entered, and Kouga stood so fast he nearly lost his balance bowing low to her.
"Your Majesty." He intoned, just as practiced countless times to his father's satisfaction. "It is a pleasure to be here."
"I am very sure it is not." She told him, and he lost his feigned composure then, looking up and finding himself right before her and her ridiculously bright red eyes, a shade he had seen on no other being, Youkai or human in his entire life. "Please, do not be afraid. I did not bring you here for some horrible punishment. Sit, please."
"Yes, Your Majesty." He bowed again before sitting, a mistake in that it caused him almost to miss the seat and fall to the floor. Even though he felt he covered it rather well, the mirth on Kagura's porcelain-pale face told him she had noticed.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked, ringing a bell that brought a servant with a tray of tea and cakes rushing in. Kouga nodded, and they both took their selection before the servant left. He managed to fill his mouth with tea before she could ask him anything, and she apparently did not notice, as she was busy with her own afternoon respite. After nearly five minutes that felt more like ten years to him, she set her cup down with an empty clink and smiled up at him in a kind matter he found completely suspicious. "Kouga, you may call me Kagura. Not Your Majesty, My Lady, or any of that rubbish. Not when you are in here. I know something about you, Kouga, and I have taken a liking to you, despite your treatment of my dearest brother."
"Really?" he did not mean to sound so young, but he was so shocked that his voice actually cracked on the word, and he wished he had more tea. He seemed to be thirsty again.
"Of course, in public, you must always address me more respectfully, but I want you and I to be friends. Would you like that, Kouga?" she smiled again, sweetly, and he felt a twinge in his gut. His mind was currently battling within itself.
She's gorgeous. How can anyone be that gorgeous?
You only think that because her gown is cut so low her breasts look like they're about to fall out.
Look at her eyes, when she smiles like that. It looks like she knows the answers to all of life's mysteries.
Like how to get you off?
Shut up, why are you even suspicious of her? She's the Empress! And she's beautiful, and she wants to be friends! This is the best day ever!
What if it's a trick?
What sort of trick? A trick that means I have to be seen with the Empress, thus making me the envy of all my friends? That's a really cruel trick to play.
Whatever, don't say I didn't warn you.
"Yes, that would be very nice." He answered, his face flushing as she reached across the table to pat his hand, a move that caused her cleavage to strain against the top of her gown and his eyes to therefore strain in their sockets.
Her face, look at her face.
"Very good, Kouga." She squeezed his hand and then released it. "So then, please, tell me about yourself."
My name is Kouga ka'Ookami, I'm nearly fifteen years old, and I am staring at your breasts.
Face, look at her face, for the love of everything dear to you.
What, they are nice breasts, aren't they?
You are utterly hopeless.
"Well, as you know, I am the eldest son of the ka'Ookami family." He tried his best to ignore his inner dialogue. And Kagura's cleavage. It was painfully distracting. "I have seven younger siblings, four of which are brothers, and three of which are daughters."
"I had heard your family was large. What a trial, growing up with so many children in one house." Kagura clicked her tongue and shifted her position to one that showed her cleavage even better. "I have only one sibling, a younger sister."
"Father told me it was like practice for being a successful lord, having to deal with so many people at once who all want their own way." Kouga told her, trying to stare at the tapestry on her wall. It did not have breasts, and therefore was not going to get him into trouble if he did not stop staring at it in precisely thirty seconds. Kagura started laughing then, and he realized she had been amused by his comment, but the sound took him by such surprise that he turned and found his eyes glued on her cleavage yet again.
How does it even stay in when she laughs like that? It has got to be seconds from breaking out.
Stop staring before she notices and has you castrated, idiot!
"Kouga, would you like to see a picture of my sister?" Kagura asked, her head tilted to one side slightly, and he found himself nodding before he even thought the question over. "Come with me, then." She stood, and he rose immediately, following her through a doorway that he realized only too late led to her private bedroom. Kagura was sitting on the bed, leaning over the nightstand drawer and rustling through its contents while her tongue found its way to her upper lip. Kouga realized belatedly that he was experiencing a tightening in his lower abdomen that would get him in trouble as soon as Kagura noticed, so he hid himself by moving over to her bed and standing just behind the red velvet drapes hanging from the canopy.
Think of something other than her chest and her mouth, idiot! You are going to become a eunuch if you don't!
Come on…remember that time you walked in on mother and father?
Ew, okay, that worked.
"Just over here." She patted the bed just beside her, and he gulped, moving to sit next to her as she produced a small sketch of two girls, one of which was clearly a younger Kagura, and the other of which he could only assume was her sister. "There I am, and that is Kanna. It was done just before I came here, you know. Nearly six years ago, now. It makes me feel a bit old, looking at it."
"You are not old, My Lady." He told her immediately, and when she turned her gaze to him, he felt his face flush. "I mean, Kagura."
"Yes, that is right, we are friends, are we not?" she asked, and she smiled again. Her mouth was very fascinating, this close up. "Kouga, would you keep something secret for me, from all of your friends and your siblings and even your parents?"
"A…anything you want, my…Kagura, I mean." He was having a hard time concentrating on propriety, especially when he was expected to address the Empress by her first name only.
"Well then, now that we can trust each other," she leaned forward, her lips burning like flames against his, and that tightness was back, and he could not banish it no matter how he tried to think of something else. "I want you to do me a favor, Kouga, dear." And then her hand moved to somewhere no one had ever touched him before, and he thought he might explode, or at least lose all function in his brain and body all at once, but that was not necessary. Kagura took care of everything, and when it was ended, she helped him dress, patted him on the back, kissed his cheek, and sent him on his way.
After he was gone, Kagura went to tell Sesshoumaru that she had found a breeding stud for them, and they both laughed over it before having tea with Inuyasha, and then going to dinner.
Kouga watched Kagura blissfully as he ate his dinner, not hearing more than three words his friends were saying, but noting with displeasure each and every noble who danced with the beautiful Empress before she bid them all goodnight and left with the Emperor. He could not be too upset, though.
She had invited him to tea next Wednesday, as well. That would be very nice.
*****
The End (Of Part 15, That Is)