Hey everyone, it's time for a new update. This has probably taken me the most time yet, but alas, I've been very busy. Vira gets little breaks! Anyways, before we get to the story, some A/Ns:
1) What a surprise, yet again I don't own Inuyasha…
2) Did anyone see the last week's episode of the new Inuyashas and Wolf's Rain? Oh MAN! XD They could NOT have left off with a bigger cliffie, I'm telling you. Evil! Evil I say! Well soon I'll see what happens, I suppose. Heh heh.
3) C2!? What's that!? Vira is highly confused and hasn't been around that much to know…if any of her readers would be kind of enough to fill her in, that would be very useful and much appreciated!
4) It's here at last—this chapter has the first lemon in the story. Yes you heard me. However, and I can't stress this enough because there's always someone who doesn't understand, this is the edited version because this site doesn't allow lemons. Nevertheless, to view the lemon (and the correct version of this story…it'll make more sense that way) go to my homepage, which is in my profile. This one isn't too graphic, but I took it out of here just in case. So yeah.
I think that's all. With that in mind, here is the next chapter of this story, I hope you guys like it!:
I walked down the hallways with a fast pace. There was someone I knew I had to see as soon as possible. My hope was that a great number of my questions would be answered. And I had many, many of them. By this time, I knew the way by heart, and so I traveled quickly.
Soon, I came to a small home with a sizable garden. After knocking swiftly three times, the old woman of the household came and opened it half a minute later. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything, Kaede."
She did not look surprised to see me. "Ah, Lord Sesshoumaru. Ye have been expected for some time now since I heard of your arrival. Please, come in. I just came back from fixing up the garden." She motioned me inside briskly. I had only been here once, but by judging from the neat, orderly way things had been kept, much had remained unchanged. The old woman gestured to a nearby chair, but I declined.
"I won't stay here long."
"Ah." Kaede nodded and went over to take the kettle off while she continued talking to me. "I suppose then, that ye have turned out to be much like your father. As an ambassador over here, he was never at full ease. 'Tis a trait ye must share."
I didn't come here for light chatter from an old, rambling woman, and I was fully prepared to move straight to the point. "Tell me, how has the Princess been doing now that her mother has passed away?"
"…A very curious affair. She does not seem to be as grievous as one might have expected. 'Tis almost as though her mother's death does not trouble her that much. Strange, too, that Kagome loved the Queen deeply, and was always concerned until her final days…"
"And what of their half of the Shikon no Tama?"
"It's well hidden within the castle's walls. Ye need not be concerned about it." She moved over to me and handed over a cup before sitting down comfortably on a chair to the side. "In fact, only Kagome and myself know where it is currently."
This was an interesting piece of information. "We have a powerful enemy in our kingdom. Have you heard of Naraku?"
There was no reaction from her. "No, I have not. Perhaps…is he the foul creature that murdered my sister?"
"So you did hear about Kikyo's death."
"Hai. I told Kikyo she was a fool for living in the youkai kingdom, but she didn't listen of course." Kaede sipped her tea with apparent regret. "…But what could an old woman like me do about it, after all…"
I didn't need to hear about the spinster's laments. "Naraku may come over here and attack as well. You should be fully prepared for it."
"…I know." Kaede answered. "But the Shikon no Tama half will protect us. He'll be of no match."
But I needed to be absolutely sure that Kagome would be safe if something like that were to ever occur. "It might not be enough. Tell me, how many warriors does the castle hold?"
"Several hundred." Kaede answered smoothly. "And plenty more in the villages and farms."
"That won't stop Naraku." I insisted. "He could sweep away your army with one finger. You need more than mere mortal men."
She shrugged. "But by then your kingdom would have already take care of that problem, would ye have not? Or is our alliance about to be broken over such a simple matter?" Kaede eyed me carefully.
"…No." This conversation had taken a wrong turn from the crafty old woman, I realized. Did she know more than I thought she knew? "We will deal with Naraku ourselves. But you should still protect everyone here just in case."
"Ah." She murmured. "But if mortal men and the Shikon no Tama aren't enough to stop this Naraku ye talk about, then what means do we have of protection?"
I flexed my claws slightly from my seat. "…Then, send a message over to me and I will deal with him personally."
Kaede nodded in comprehension before another sip. I rose up to leave, but she motioned to me. "…Will ye be attending the dinner tomorrow night? It would be an honor, of course, to see one of the Emperor's sons there."
I stopped. "Dinner?" I had planned on eating something, of course, but…
"Yes. 'Tis part of the funeral process for the late Queen. Some speeches will be made, and after that, Kagome will be crowned the Lady of the Humans. We think of it as one more, final farewell for the Queen."
'Kagome will be crowned…' Excellent. After the ceremony, when everything would quiet down, it would be a perfect time to tell her all that she wanted to know. "Very well." I answered. "I will attend it."
"Oh, excellent, excellent." She beamed. "Everyone will be anxious to see your face, I imagine. Well, goodbye for now." With that, Kaede nodded farewell as I made my exit from her home.
My next task was to find Kagome. The sun was coming down and dinner would come soon enough in the castle. Therefore, the chance was good that she would be in the royal dinner room. So, that was where I would look for her first.
As I walked away down the path, I thought about my mistake earlier when she discovered me in her room. What would be the best way to remedy it? "A gift." Perhaps I could present something to her. I remembered the idea that most female humans like a small present from her affectionate other. But what would be sufficient enough for Kagome and her forgiveness?
"The best gift that I could possibly give her," I decided, "Would be information. How she came to be here, and…why."
'That is, of course, if she'll allow me the chance to talk with her…' The wretched hole in my heart grew a little larger with the concept that she might be exceptionally mad at me. 'If Kagome is the same woman that I once fell in love with, and she for myself, then she will soon soften with her sediments.' If my love was true, and it was, then destiny only needed to run its course. 'At any rate, Kagome is starting to remember everything little by little. It's only a matter of time.' There was hope for us yet, and I did not intend to lose it.
After dinner (Kagome was not present when I sat down to eat), I made my way wearily to the room set for me during my stay. As I climbed in, the sheets felt cold and the mattresses felt lonely and spacious. I sighed with full discontentment. Soon, sleep came to me.
The next day, a swift knock on the door from a servant pulled me from my dreams (they involved me saving Kagome bravely from a huge youkai that looked to be seemingly undefeatable, while afterwards my prize was her heart and a thankful kiss). I groaned and sat up numbly with a sense of overall grogginess. But this didn't last for too long, because I knew many things had to be done today, and a lot of it would involve seeing Kagome. This would be enough of an incentive for me. After preparing for the day, I walked calmly out of my room while glancing about in the hallway.
I smelled the various smells of breakfast. Already it was on the table ready for me as I entered the room. The bubbly cooks greeted me with a smile, and I sat down to eat quickly. The food was not exactly what a youkai was used to, especially since there was a considerable shortage of fresh meat (more specifically, there was…none). I ate what I could and then inquired to one of the servants where "I might find Lady Kagome at this hour." She told me promptly that was Kagome was still sleeping.
Excellent. I smirked with satisfaction.
Without another word, I left the room and hurried along the hallways to see her awaken. I had longed for many mornings to see Kagome in her fullest, most beautiful form. The image of her raven locks to each side and that blissful expression made my heart jump to a quicker pace.
With the castle being so busy at this general time of the day, there were no servants about. I moved up to her door silently and began to open it. All good judgment had now been instantly placed with my need. My youkai senses were telling me with instinct that something was about to happen. Something good.
And there she lay. The window to the side was open about a quarter of the way, and I could see that the gentle breeze was pushing against her sheets and hair softly. At this point I was no longer able to help but move closer to Kagome's sleeping form. 'Humans always look so fragile when they're in the state of sleep.' I observed. 'She reminds me somewhat of Rin. Innocent.'
Suddenly, Kagome stirred slightly, and I froze completely. After a moment or two of watching her carefully, I saw that she was still yet asleep. 'That was too close of a call.' I reminded myself bitterly. 'She's going to wake up, startled, and then she will never speak to me again. She's already mad as it is.' But this voice of reason was faint in my mind and I quickly chose to ignore it.
A few minutes later, I saw Kagome walk out of her room with a new robe for the day. She saw me from afar almost immediately. Her face flustered and she turned away quickly. "Se…Sesshoumaru! What are you doing outside of my room!? How long have you been there!?"
I looked back at her calmly, with no traces in my expression that I knew something I should not have. "I have only just arrived here—in fact, I was passing by…"
"…Oh. I see." I chuckled quietly with amusement as I watched her trying to conceal the redness that had grew. 'Kagome is vulnerable now with her feelings. It's time for me to make amends.'
"Should I be joining you with breakfast?"
Kagome's eyes shifted with embarrassment. "N-No, that's okay."
"Do not worry…I insist." I ushered her down the hallway before she had a moment to object. After a few moments, I spoke again. "I wanted to…apologize for my actions earlier. I should not have looked around without your permission." I prayed silently that Kagome would accept it. This was the only chance I had, and it certainly was a rare thing enough for a taiyoukai to bend his pride a little and admit a mistake…
"Um, it's okay…I think…" Kagome looked confused. "But will you at least tell me now why you were in there?"
We rounded a corner. The forgiveness was satisfactory, I decided, but not enough. "…My father had told me to inspect the castle personally and make sure that it is properly secure."
Her eyes widened. "Secure? For what?"
Lying was becoming more and more difficult in front of her. "From Naraku." I studied her surprised expression. "You know of him?"
"…Yes." She breathed. "He's here too?"
"He won't harm you." I answered firmly. "Our land will be sure of that."
"Oh? And how do you know that? Are you even aware of just how strong he is?"
"Yes." I said simply.
Kagome stopped walking suddenly. I stared back at her with alarm. "What is it?"
"…Are you ever going to tell me what's going on, Sesshoumaru? I mean, what's really going on?" She looked at me with determined eyes. My heart softened, and I knew in that moment that I needed to speak the truth, directly.
"I will explain all that you need to know." I said to her. "After the dinner gathering tonight for the Queen's funeral, meet with me afterwards to learn everything." Kagome's expression turned puzzled again, but she nodded. With that, I left her to the breakfast room with many thoughts.
Review Responses:
Supreme Neo slytherin Countess: Thanks, will do!
Katgome: So sorry to hear that you have eye problems! Of course by now it may have gotten better, lol.
Tsuki Yume: Gomen…yeah, I know, I know. I just really didn't know how else to word it though…
augustsunset: Heh, well don't worry, I'm sure she'll remember in time…
m1s7ress: That's actually an Anglo Saxon poem. Anyways, thanks for the review, and I hope you like this part…
sweets427: Hai hai, poor Sess…hehehe! D
xypherscompany: Hahaha well yes, it's certainly true that school has been taking up a lot of my time. Bah!
cubanblood: Well we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? ;)
Youkai no Yume: School problems too eh? Yes well, now all my reviewers hate me for being so slow…hope things become better!
Wyntermajik: Hehe I sort of lost the picture…Vira will have to look for it again! Yep yep…
Yuna of Paradise!: Yes it's a scene in the game. Sounds like you've been having fun…until school starts again! Heh.
Blue Rhapsody3: Heh heh, actually, I didn't make it per sé, it's an Anglo Saxon poem.
Hell's Angel-Heaven's Demon: Chances are it'll end with them killing Naraku again, but I still haven't properly decided…
Sakurapetal13: Heh, I take a hard History class as well. This won't be from Kagome's POV, unless Sesshoumaru dies…hehehe.
Dragon of Sesshomaru: Sweet, pocky! D Hmm, I wonder how many different flavors there are…
AngelMiko69: Haha! Wow, and it's sure not easy being more evil than Naraku…
Nafyessheseyar: Lol…glad you like it!
DarkPyroPlanet: Poor thing…well, do tell me when you're able to beta again, okay? Don't worry, I won't give up on ya!
Sesshyz Koishii: Hai! Lots and lots! D
sorata-chan: Yes, well, Vira is very evil…hehehe.
Sesshoumarulovesme: Inuyasha better not spoil it! His older brother will make sure that doesn't happen! Lol.
Earth-Goddess: Sorry dear, but I can't. Why don't you explain what you're confused about and I'll try to answer your questions?
Sesshys Hime: Well thank you very much! D Vira is blushing now. I kind of wanted to remind my readers that Sess isn't always perfect, ne?
puffin: Well it's just like the story that went before it, everything was in Kagome's POV until she died.
fluffys-sidesick: Arigato, hope you like this chapter too!
ThunderingWolfDemonOfTheNight: Hehe, yes Sess can be silly sometimes, ne? D
snowy-angel: Thanks! Glad you like it so far!
SugarCube: Yeah I'm pretty picky when it comes to stories too. I don't have a lot of favorites. Anways, I'm glad you like it!
jovanna: Nope, I didn't do the poem. It's cool that you like it though.
KouseiJL: Hmm, you know, I've never had lemon sugar…oooh! Lemon! Hehehehe! XD
Kikadpyro: Perhaps she will, but maybe not! We'll just have to wait and see…
Beautiful Witch Hunter Robin: You poor thing! Man, you must be really getting hit hard with those hurricanes…hope things work out soon!
Again, thank you for all the reviews! It really makes me happy that so many of you are stickin' around even though I won't be able to update as often. Once again, you can view the unedited version from my website in my profile for the complete story. Next chapter…more fluff! Or will it involve more angsty stuff? Who knows!? I know I don't! D Anyways, R&R! Arigato, ja ne!