Tarnished Armor
Mission
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Naraku finished penning the note. His eyes read over his smooth, legible script. His lips curved upward into a smile. Kagome would pay for embarrassing him in front of the entire court. Oh hai, she most definitely would. Folding the thick paper up after penning the name of the scout the Western lands had investigating a possible rebellion. He was dead, of course, but he had had a seal on him, Naraku had it now. Dripping the green wax the soldier had carried with him onto the parchment, he pressed the seal into the top. He watched it indifferently as it dried.
Hai, he would follow through with his plans, and magnificent plans they were. He looked around his office. He was young for a Lord, the others were still alive, unlike Naraku's father. But then again, people like Sessho- Maru and Kouga hadn't killed their fathers, now had they? He chuckled in a way that brought goose bumps to the servants waiting on him. He picked up the dried parchment and quickly wrote 'Western lord' on the back. Then he remembered what he had tortured out of the soldier. Oh yes, it must be plain. He scowled and undid the writing with his magic before it dried. Then with a yawn barely stifled, he waved a servant over. The servant was smart enough to snatch it and leap away before he could be wounded.
"Take that to the Lord of the Western Lands, see to it that it arrives on the morrow morning. Do so immediately. Send the fastest cheetah youkai I have in my employ."
As the servant practically ran from the room, Naraku grinned. It was time, his plan was set in motion. That bitch would pay dearly, in a most horrific way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Kagome-Chan! Are you awake?"
Yisu bounded into the room only to find Kagome obviously sleeping like the dead, Sessho-Maru with his arms around her had his golden eyes narrowed at the shocked Yisu.
"Uhmmmmm...."
Then she noticed that they were both fully clothed. Her quick eye noted that there was nothing upset, and that Kagome was sleeping peacefully. Sesho-Maru growled lowly, her ears pricked forward as she slowly backed out of the room.
"Gomen..."
Then she went running once she had closed the door. Straight to Sango's room, of course.
Yisu grinned wickedly. "I wonder if Kagome knows he is in there. If she doesn't...well lets just wait to find out..."
Then both snickered as they poked their head out of Sango's door. "Here we go...3....2...1"
A deafening shriek was let out, followed by a thump, and then running feet. Sango looked at Yisu. "Kagome woke up, rolled over, saw Sessho-Maru, screamed, shoved him off the bed, then ran to your room."
Yisu grinned and nodded before walking to her room. "Well...maybe not, I think she may be standing in my doorway though.." She chuckled. "Poor Sessho-Maru!"
Both girls burst into laughter as they disappeared into their rooms, grinning. Yisu couldn't wait for Kagome to barge in. No doubt Sessho-Maru would tell her that Yisu had seen them. Kagome would of course burst in, insistin that it wasn't the way it appeared. At all. Yisu couldn't wait for that little 'lecture'. After all, they had been in their clothes, and the room didn't have that particular scent in it. She shook her head slightly, wondering if she should wait for Kagome to go down to the hot springs, or just go down with Sango and have Kagome meet them there. She decided on the latter, and ran off to Sango's room to get her.
"Lets give them a little privacy? We wouldn't want to embarrass Sessho-Maru by seeing how mutilated he is!" Then they walked down the hall laughing and chatting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Oi, woman! Why did you scream like that? And knock me off the bed?"
He grumbled, then realized that he sounded like Inu-Yasha, and that that was the reason that Kagome was doubled over in laughter. He glared at her, before resituating himself on the bed. "You were comfortable, and I was comfortable, come back. That's an order."
She sniffed and turned her back on him, grinning impishly until she was grabbed from behind and bodily dragged back into his arms on the bed. She chuckled quietly, but both of them soon fell back asleep. From both exhaustion and each other's warmth. She yawned, but snuggled back up against him.
Sadly, this bliss was obviously not meant to last. So said because a servant came and began to bang down the door for about 20 minutes. Kagome was practically unconscious with the lethargic heat Sessho-Maru was radiating, and Sessho-Maru was ignoring it. Either way he was not pleased when there became two presences outside Kagome's door, then he blinked and narrowed his eyes. His ki was hidden, completely concealed, thus why Yisu hadn't noticed it. Why were they coming in here if not for him? Kagome. But why? Then he narrowed his eyes to slits and slipped silently from the bed and into his room. There was knocking there too.
Kami, would they never desist. He went back to Kagome's room, tucked her in, closed the door between their rooms, rolled on his bed for a moment, then got up to answer the door. His glare was endless. The servants backed up a pace, but their obvious leader stepped forward a pace.
"Lord Sessho-Maru, your father has requested your immediate presence and told us to continue until we roused you out of your betrothed's bed. His exact words."
Sessho-Maru growled. "I will be there when I please."
Then he slammed the door on them and made quick working of clothing himself. At this rate he doubted he would work out Kagome's defenses enough, to get her completely comfortable with him. He growled again then set off to his father's office.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inu-Taisho (?) sat reading the missive again and again. It just didn't make any sense. It was not only not his soldier's handwriting, for they had their own way of writing things, but the seal was on sideways and what they said was happening was impossible. Either way, he had to send someone to check it out. Sessho-Maru was the person to do it. Especially since it was happening in his betrothed's borderlands, bordering their own. Inu-Taisho shook his head in annoyance. Oh well, Sessho-Maru would not be happy, but he would go because Kagome would probably never forgive him if something happened to the lands. The last thing Sessho-Maru wanted was to be dumped for his brother. Eventually they would learn to love each other.
Kagome and Sessho that is. He doubted Inu-Yasha and Sessho-Maru would ever admit any brotherly feelings for each other. T'was a shame, but no matter. He was also hoping that that Lady Yisu would have an effect on Inu-Yasha. It was Yisu, wasn't it? Kagome's friend that she had brought along? Well he was going to play a little matchmaking either way. He glanced up as he felt Sessho-Maru's presence outside the door before the obviously annoyed Sessho- Maru entered. His cold, indifferent mask matched his voice. Sometimes Inu- Taisho really wondered if he was alive under there.
"Nani? Why did you call me up here?" Inu-Taisho's face grew solemn.
His claws clasped the missive. "Read.'
He tossed it to Sessho-Maru whom deftly caught it, casting a glance at his father before reading through it. His gaze hardened. "Hai? And?"
His father arched a brow, as if to say, Are you really that naive? "Check out the problem. It borders both ours and your betrothed's lands. You do realize that this mating will give us both lands, don't you? I am only hoping you will give Inu-Yasha some control over the Northern lands that hanyous, mikos, and the regular ningen population overrun.
Very few youkai live there, so Inu-Yasha would fit right in. This is, however, not important at the moment. Right now you need to go there and save our lands. Now. If there is a problem report back here unless you know without a doubt you can fix it. I will expect you back in about two days. If you are not back in four then Inu-Yasha will go after you. Not to fight, but to follow your scent and find out what has become of you. Now go wake Kagome and say your goodbyes before gathering what you need and setting off." Inu-Taisho left no room for argument, so Sessho-MAru left with a growl. That was easier than I expected, Inu-Taisho sighed. Now for Inu- Yasha and Yisu...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome stretched and yawned before turning over into the warmth that wasn't there, blinking and nearly jumping off the bed backwards. She could feel Sessho-maru moving around in his own room. Doing...what...packing? Why? Her scent became nervous and slightly panicked. Sessho-Maru noticed this at once and opened the door between their rooms, only to find her intent gaze focused on his door, and then him.
"Why are you leaving?"
It was indifferent, but from her eyes he could tell she was worried. How strange. This hanyou girl was already worried for him when he himself was not worried and she did not know what was going on. Hai, very strange, but no matter. He would ponder it later on the ride out alone. He truly had many things to think about, perhaps this would be good for him...? Maybe, maybe not.
"I need to check our bordering lands. We received a missive that a rebellion has started. While my father and I doubt it, there is always the possibility and I must see to it. You will remain here. I will be back in around two days or less. Do not worry."
SHe didn't react to that command, she still looked worried, and he wasn't quite sure what had brought him to say those particular words to her. Did he owe her an explanation or any comfort? Damn, his instincts were really messing with his head. Suddenly his eyes widened as his felt her small torso pressed against his, her small, but strong arms wrapping around his own. He found himself awkwardly putting his arms around her. He blinked down at her. No chance she was in love with him. Love was definitely _not_ that fast. But she did obviously trust and care for him. He was satisfied with that. It was a start, and he did need a mate. For some reason his bestial youkai half had approved of her instantly, though he still couldn't figure out why. So why couldn't his more ningen youkai half decide? He sighed mentally, he didn't know. In any case, somehow this position was comfortable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He glanced back up at his mansion. Kagome was crying and looking angry at the same time. Angry because when she had begged, pleaded, and groveled to come he had refused her emotionlessly. She had then began screaming about it being her land too, at which point he had begun ignoring her. Then she had clung to him and demanded to know what would happen to her if something happened to him. He had arched a brow at her, but before he could respond she had begun shrieking about being forced to change her betrothsl to Inu- Yasha, whom she obviously did not like.
One thing he had noticed was that Kouga was not even in her said list of prospects. It almost made him laugh about the poor wolf-youkai who so obviously yearned for Kagome's affections. It had been the comments about Inu-Yasha that had amused him though. Her obvious distress at being stuck with Inu-Yasha was not worth worrying about however. Inu-Taisho was already plotting over Inu-Yasha and Yisu, he could see it in his father's eyes. He was mounted on his two-headed dragon-youkai as Kagome was being held back by the simple iron grips of the smiling, unstressed, Sango and Yisu. Kagome was screaming about being left behind, of course.
It was all rather comical. Inu-Taisho had very slowly been edging Inu-Yasha towards Yisu, and Miroku had been edging himself towards Sango. What, was the mansion full of love-sick puppies? He rolled his eyes, without waving, he cast off towards where he was going, he didn't want to be gone for long. He flew with the top speed, his knee-length silvery white hair was whipping in the wind behind him, but he didn't notice that either. He held the reins tightly in his left hand, while he other rested close to his katana. A decidedly emotionless mask was on his face as he sped by.
Mission
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Naraku finished penning the note. His eyes read over his smooth, legible script. His lips curved upward into a smile. Kagome would pay for embarrassing him in front of the entire court. Oh hai, she most definitely would. Folding the thick paper up after penning the name of the scout the Western lands had investigating a possible rebellion. He was dead, of course, but he had had a seal on him, Naraku had it now. Dripping the green wax the soldier had carried with him onto the parchment, he pressed the seal into the top. He watched it indifferently as it dried.
Hai, he would follow through with his plans, and magnificent plans they were. He looked around his office. He was young for a Lord, the others were still alive, unlike Naraku's father. But then again, people like Sessho- Maru and Kouga hadn't killed their fathers, now had they? He chuckled in a way that brought goose bumps to the servants waiting on him. He picked up the dried parchment and quickly wrote 'Western lord' on the back. Then he remembered what he had tortured out of the soldier. Oh yes, it must be plain. He scowled and undid the writing with his magic before it dried. Then with a yawn barely stifled, he waved a servant over. The servant was smart enough to snatch it and leap away before he could be wounded.
"Take that to the Lord of the Western Lands, see to it that it arrives on the morrow morning. Do so immediately. Send the fastest cheetah youkai I have in my employ."
As the servant practically ran from the room, Naraku grinned. It was time, his plan was set in motion. That bitch would pay dearly, in a most horrific way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Kagome-Chan! Are you awake?"
Yisu bounded into the room only to find Kagome obviously sleeping like the dead, Sessho-Maru with his arms around her had his golden eyes narrowed at the shocked Yisu.
"Uhmmmmm...."
Then she noticed that they were both fully clothed. Her quick eye noted that there was nothing upset, and that Kagome was sleeping peacefully. Sesho-Maru growled lowly, her ears pricked forward as she slowly backed out of the room.
"Gomen..."
Then she went running once she had closed the door. Straight to Sango's room, of course.
Yisu grinned wickedly. "I wonder if Kagome knows he is in there. If she doesn't...well lets just wait to find out..."
Then both snickered as they poked their head out of Sango's door. "Here we go...3....2...1"
A deafening shriek was let out, followed by a thump, and then running feet. Sango looked at Yisu. "Kagome woke up, rolled over, saw Sessho-Maru, screamed, shoved him off the bed, then ran to your room."
Yisu grinned and nodded before walking to her room. "Well...maybe not, I think she may be standing in my doorway though.." She chuckled. "Poor Sessho-Maru!"
Both girls burst into laughter as they disappeared into their rooms, grinning. Yisu couldn't wait for Kagome to barge in. No doubt Sessho-Maru would tell her that Yisu had seen them. Kagome would of course burst in, insistin that it wasn't the way it appeared. At all. Yisu couldn't wait for that little 'lecture'. After all, they had been in their clothes, and the room didn't have that particular scent in it. She shook her head slightly, wondering if she should wait for Kagome to go down to the hot springs, or just go down with Sango and have Kagome meet them there. She decided on the latter, and ran off to Sango's room to get her.
"Lets give them a little privacy? We wouldn't want to embarrass Sessho-Maru by seeing how mutilated he is!" Then they walked down the hall laughing and chatting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Oi, woman! Why did you scream like that? And knock me off the bed?"
He grumbled, then realized that he sounded like Inu-Yasha, and that that was the reason that Kagome was doubled over in laughter. He glared at her, before resituating himself on the bed. "You were comfortable, and I was comfortable, come back. That's an order."
She sniffed and turned her back on him, grinning impishly until she was grabbed from behind and bodily dragged back into his arms on the bed. She chuckled quietly, but both of them soon fell back asleep. From both exhaustion and each other's warmth. She yawned, but snuggled back up against him.
Sadly, this bliss was obviously not meant to last. So said because a servant came and began to bang down the door for about 20 minutes. Kagome was practically unconscious with the lethargic heat Sessho-Maru was radiating, and Sessho-Maru was ignoring it. Either way he was not pleased when there became two presences outside Kagome's door, then he blinked and narrowed his eyes. His ki was hidden, completely concealed, thus why Yisu hadn't noticed it. Why were they coming in here if not for him? Kagome. But why? Then he narrowed his eyes to slits and slipped silently from the bed and into his room. There was knocking there too.
Kami, would they never desist. He went back to Kagome's room, tucked her in, closed the door between their rooms, rolled on his bed for a moment, then got up to answer the door. His glare was endless. The servants backed up a pace, but their obvious leader stepped forward a pace.
"Lord Sessho-Maru, your father has requested your immediate presence and told us to continue until we roused you out of your betrothed's bed. His exact words."
Sessho-Maru growled. "I will be there when I please."
Then he slammed the door on them and made quick working of clothing himself. At this rate he doubted he would work out Kagome's defenses enough, to get her completely comfortable with him. He growled again then set off to his father's office.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inu-Taisho (?) sat reading the missive again and again. It just didn't make any sense. It was not only not his soldier's handwriting, for they had their own way of writing things, but the seal was on sideways and what they said was happening was impossible. Either way, he had to send someone to check it out. Sessho-Maru was the person to do it. Especially since it was happening in his betrothed's borderlands, bordering their own. Inu-Taisho shook his head in annoyance. Oh well, Sessho-Maru would not be happy, but he would go because Kagome would probably never forgive him if something happened to the lands. The last thing Sessho-Maru wanted was to be dumped for his brother. Eventually they would learn to love each other.
Kagome and Sessho that is. He doubted Inu-Yasha and Sessho-Maru would ever admit any brotherly feelings for each other. T'was a shame, but no matter. He was also hoping that that Lady Yisu would have an effect on Inu-Yasha. It was Yisu, wasn't it? Kagome's friend that she had brought along? Well he was going to play a little matchmaking either way. He glanced up as he felt Sessho-Maru's presence outside the door before the obviously annoyed Sessho- Maru entered. His cold, indifferent mask matched his voice. Sometimes Inu- Taisho really wondered if he was alive under there.
"Nani? Why did you call me up here?" Inu-Taisho's face grew solemn.
His claws clasped the missive. "Read.'
He tossed it to Sessho-Maru whom deftly caught it, casting a glance at his father before reading through it. His gaze hardened. "Hai? And?"
His father arched a brow, as if to say, Are you really that naive? "Check out the problem. It borders both ours and your betrothed's lands. You do realize that this mating will give us both lands, don't you? I am only hoping you will give Inu-Yasha some control over the Northern lands that hanyous, mikos, and the regular ningen population overrun.
Very few youkai live there, so Inu-Yasha would fit right in. This is, however, not important at the moment. Right now you need to go there and save our lands. Now. If there is a problem report back here unless you know without a doubt you can fix it. I will expect you back in about two days. If you are not back in four then Inu-Yasha will go after you. Not to fight, but to follow your scent and find out what has become of you. Now go wake Kagome and say your goodbyes before gathering what you need and setting off." Inu-Taisho left no room for argument, so Sessho-MAru left with a growl. That was easier than I expected, Inu-Taisho sighed. Now for Inu- Yasha and Yisu...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome stretched and yawned before turning over into the warmth that wasn't there, blinking and nearly jumping off the bed backwards. She could feel Sessho-maru moving around in his own room. Doing...what...packing? Why? Her scent became nervous and slightly panicked. Sessho-Maru noticed this at once and opened the door between their rooms, only to find her intent gaze focused on his door, and then him.
"Why are you leaving?"
It was indifferent, but from her eyes he could tell she was worried. How strange. This hanyou girl was already worried for him when he himself was not worried and she did not know what was going on. Hai, very strange, but no matter. He would ponder it later on the ride out alone. He truly had many things to think about, perhaps this would be good for him...? Maybe, maybe not.
"I need to check our bordering lands. We received a missive that a rebellion has started. While my father and I doubt it, there is always the possibility and I must see to it. You will remain here. I will be back in around two days or less. Do not worry."
SHe didn't react to that command, she still looked worried, and he wasn't quite sure what had brought him to say those particular words to her. Did he owe her an explanation or any comfort? Damn, his instincts were really messing with his head. Suddenly his eyes widened as his felt her small torso pressed against his, her small, but strong arms wrapping around his own. He found himself awkwardly putting his arms around her. He blinked down at her. No chance she was in love with him. Love was definitely _not_ that fast. But she did obviously trust and care for him. He was satisfied with that. It was a start, and he did need a mate. For some reason his bestial youkai half had approved of her instantly, though he still couldn't figure out why. So why couldn't his more ningen youkai half decide? He sighed mentally, he didn't know. In any case, somehow this position was comfortable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He glanced back up at his mansion. Kagome was crying and looking angry at the same time. Angry because when she had begged, pleaded, and groveled to come he had refused her emotionlessly. She had then began screaming about it being her land too, at which point he had begun ignoring her. Then she had clung to him and demanded to know what would happen to her if something happened to him. He had arched a brow at her, but before he could respond she had begun shrieking about being forced to change her betrothsl to Inu- Yasha, whom she obviously did not like.
One thing he had noticed was that Kouga was not even in her said list of prospects. It almost made him laugh about the poor wolf-youkai who so obviously yearned for Kagome's affections. It had been the comments about Inu-Yasha that had amused him though. Her obvious distress at being stuck with Inu-Yasha was not worth worrying about however. Inu-Taisho was already plotting over Inu-Yasha and Yisu, he could see it in his father's eyes. He was mounted on his two-headed dragon-youkai as Kagome was being held back by the simple iron grips of the smiling, unstressed, Sango and Yisu. Kagome was screaming about being left behind, of course.
It was all rather comical. Inu-Taisho had very slowly been edging Inu-Yasha towards Yisu, and Miroku had been edging himself towards Sango. What, was the mansion full of love-sick puppies? He rolled his eyes, without waving, he cast off towards where he was going, he didn't want to be gone for long. He flew with the top speed, his knee-length silvery white hair was whipping in the wind behind him, but he didn't notice that either. He held the reins tightly in his left hand, while he other rested close to his katana. A decidedly emotionless mask was on his face as he sped by.