As per a mistake brought to my attention by Menoma-Minx, when I said that the story was already finished, I meant that I had written it out, not that it was typed up and uploaded. If it was, I would have just put up the whole thing at the same time. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding and some of you think I am a mean person.
Anyway, enjoy!
Tranquility
Chapter 3: The Lady (pt.1)
"Sesshoumaru…where are we?" Kagome whispered. Her bones suddenly felt as though a deep cold had settled in them. She always had that feeling when she was in an unfamiliar place; it was the same feeling she'd had when she had first traveled back in time, although she had never told Inuyasha. All of that seemed so far away, the demon that had pulled her in to take the jewel from her, finding out that it had been inside of her all of those years. It the beginning of a story that had taught her so much, no matter how heartbroken she was about it now and yet she still found herself wondering if she should leave and not come back. Inuyasha had hurt her deeply, to say the very least, and what made her so upset was that she was so vulnerable; she couldn't do anything about it at all.
Sesshoumaru was studying her, trying to pick up on her inner thoughts. The girl seemed to be under extreme duress, but other than the advice he had given her earlier about Inuyasha, he supposed that there was nothing more to say. "We…are in my castle, Kagome," the youkai said, feeling slightly awkward at saying the brunette's name out loud. It was not a name he said often.
"Welcome, Lord Sesshoumaru," The welcome came from a small girl with brown hair; she was bounding up to them, a large smile on her face, and Kagome recognized her at once.
"Rin," Sesshoumaru acknowledged curtly.
Jakken came into view by stepping from behind Rin. "Master," he said rudely, "Why is she here?" Sesshoumaru sent him a glare, and Jakken began to sweat as he always did. "I mean," he amended hastily, "To what honor do we owe the presence of this Human girl?"
Kagome couldn't help it; she giggled. Sesshoumaru turned his gaze to her. He was baffled. "Do you… find this amusing, Kagome?" he asked.
Kagome looked at Rin who, even though she was silent, was smiling, and decided that she should try to adapt some of her ways to remain on Sesshoumaru's good side. Despite the events that transpired between them in the forest, she had seen too much of what Sesshoumaru could do in a rage to forget it that quickly. She did not know the youkai very well, and at this point she could spoil her welcome just as easily as she had been invited.
"…Yes," she said, trying to wipe all traces of laughter from her face.
"Why…do you hesitate?" Sesshoumaru said, leaning close and lifting her chin with a claw.
It was unnerving to her when he did that, like he was seeing through her and not looking at her. It gave her the feeling that he could see more of her than she wanted to with just that one glance. "I—uh, I wasn't sure whether you were…pleased or not with my, er, giggling."
Sesshoumaru smirked at her uneasiness, making an effort to do her a kindess. "I will do naught but aide you, Kagome," he said tenderly, removing his claw from her face, then taking her hand and kissing it.
Still, Jakken and Rin said nothing. Kagome blushed slightly; no one had ever kissed her hand before, and there were other people about which made it more embarrassing for some reason. "Okay…"
"Rin," Sesshoumaru called suddenly, and the younger girl looked up. Kagome wished that she had the courage to look at directly at the youkai that way. "Accompany Kagome to a vacant room. Jakken, prepare some fresh garments then return to me." Rin immediately grabbed Kagome's hand, pulling her to follow. Kagome had agreed to come with Sesshoumaru, wanting to get away from Inuyasha and Kikyou, and the annoyances and silent insults that they brought with their coupling. Now she was having second thoughts. She had figured that Sango and Miroku would be alright, but the longer she had been away the more she felt like she was doing more harm than good, like she was making more trouble than she was worth. She hadn't thought things through—she had been emotional and depressed. The trek there, made easier by Sesshoumaru's personal carriage had cleared her mind a bit but it was too late to change her mind. She was here.
They traveled up some stairs, and walked down a large hallway, and to a door on the right. Rin spoke clearly and with conviction. "This is a guestroom. By my Lord's orders, it is yours until you decide otherwise." Kagome rose an eyebrow. Decide otherwise? Like leave…? A knock sounded on the door, and Rin opened it. It was Jakken, folded robes in his hands. Rin took them and Jakken left soon after, leaving the two of them alone again. "Kagome," Rin said softly. "I wouldn't mind helping you put on your robes."
"I-I'm okay. I can put then on myself." Kagome said. She really wasn't, though; these robes were made in the old style, and while she had put them on sometimes for her grandfather, she wasn't used to doing it every day.
"Alright." The young girl said, leaving the room. "I will come back to check on you soon. It's almost dinner time and we are always on time."
"Wait—" Kagome called.
"Yes…Kagome?"
Her curiosity got the best of her. She had seen their obedience on several occasions, but something was nagging at her mind. "Do…you like being here, with Jakken and Sesshoumaru?"
Rin blinked. "Yes. It pleases me to be with my Lord Sesshoumaru."
"He isn't… unkind?" Kagome said, trying to choose the right words; she didn't want to insult him. He had been pretty nice to her so far, even if these circumstances were a bit suspicious.
"My Lord Sesshoumaru? He cannot be unkind. He is impartial, merely a neutral figure in the turmoil of this world. He is that way by choice." Rin said.
Kagome sighed. Rin's language was so official and it sounded stuffy, like something she had learned instead of something that was true. "Doesn't that mean…that he has no feelings?"
"My Lord Sesshoumaru is impartial," she repeated, before leaving the room.
Kagome looked around the room. It was simple; burgundy drapes hung about the windows, and a bed with matching sheets stood nearby made up in a way that would outshine the best hotel in her home time. She tossed the robe across the bed, laying herself down next to it. "My Lord Sesshoumaru is impartial," Kagome murmured into the pillows. "What is that supposed to mean?" She sighed again, getting off of the comfortable bed. She stared at the clothes. She didn't even know what they were outside of general description of a robe. Well, maybe you should unfold it, doofus, she chided herself. So she did.
It was beautiful. It was a long, satin, deep green kimono. Kagome wouldn't have been surprised if Sesshoumaru had picked it out himself. She did know why she had left with him—he was the bad guy, supposedly; someone that would get Inuyasha's panties in a bunch when he discovered her missing. But, when she had looked into his eyes earlier, she's seen something else apart from their stereotypical view of him. Even if it was there for only a second, it had convinced her to forget everything that she thought she had known about Sesshoumaru, and go with him. She felt that she had nothing to lose anyway. Come to think of it, she did remember that Sesshoumaru had taken the Tetsusaiga from Inuyasha… Where was it now? Why wasn't he using it to destroy the world and everything in his path? It was further proof to her that the demon wasn't evil.
When Rin came back into the room, Kagome was newly dressed in her kimono—not perfect, but good enough.
"Come on, Kagome," Rin said, taking her hand, "We have to go downstairs for dinner. Jakken has prepared lotsa sushi and onigiri today, since I asked him. Yay!" Kagome smiled. She was glad that someone appreciated her being there, and that someone seemed a bit more normal. Rin led her to an extravagant dining room, with a large table and four chairs. The table was large and wooden, ornate symbols carved not only on the surface, but the underside of the table held grips on the corners that were shaped into demons. The legs curled in an ornate pattern that Kagome had never seen before, and there were jewels embedded into the edge. It was a table unlike any other Kagome had seen, and she had the feeling that the jewels were nothing but real. She felt like she was gaping impolitely, and she focused on watching Jakken, who was rushing from one end of the table to the other, setting places.
"Never in my life," Kagome heard him mumble, "have we ever sat at this table… never… wretched human filth!"
"Jakken!" Rin said loudly, giving Kagome an apologetic look. But Kagome didn't mind. She was used to Jakken's ridiculing from their run-ins. It was all the same to her.
"Yes, Jakken…" A deep voice came from behind them all. "What were you saying?" Kagome jumped, but Sesshoumaru steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Lord Sesshoumaru…I said nothing. I was simply…setting the table for our guest."
"Are you saying that I heard nothing? That I am lying, Jakken?"
"No, Lord Sesshoumaru!"
"Two strikes, Jakken. One more…and you will be punished severely."
Kagome turned around. "No, that's okay," she said. "I don't mind."
"I do," he quipped, "and that is enough." He spoke in finite tones, and Kagome did not argue. "Jakken," he called afterward.
"Y-yes, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Continue your duties."
"Aye, Lord Sesshoumaru." Jakken said, and ran into what Kagome assumed was the kitchen.
Rin climbed into her seat excitedly, and Sesshoumaru paused, looking at the child for a moment before he pulled out a chair for Kagome. "I apologize," he said in his monotone voice, "I did not officially request that you dine with us."
Kagome sat, and he pushed her chair to the dining table with ease. Kagome turned to look at him and smile, trying her hardest to meet his eyes. "I don't mind. I'd love to eat dinner with you." And it was a wonderful dinner; despite his faults, Jakken was an excellent cook. The food reminded her of home, as her grandfather had always been fond of the old cooking styles and her mother was eager to please him. The group ate in silence, besides Rin asking for more food or Jakken requesting to have a platter passed to him. Sesshoumaru said nothing during the entire affair, eating with proper etiquette, Kagome noticed, which prompted her own. After dinner had passed—Kagome had been kind of glad; the silence was creepy—Sesshoumaru said not a word to anyone and left the table, his plate clean. Kagome did not question his actions but simply followed Rin back to their guest room when they were finished, where Rin provide Kagome with a night robe, burgundy to match the room—once again reminding Kagome of a hotel. When she had finished dressing, Rin came back into her room. Kagome was a bit weirded out about how timely she was; she had arrived just after Kagome had slipped the garment over her head.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," she yawned sleepily, "Would like to request an audience. With you," she added in haste. "I apologize. I am very tired."
"That's all right," Kagome said. "But…could you show me the way?"
Rin bowed slightly. "Of course," she said, yawning again. Rin led her down the large hall, away from her room, decorated in burgundy and gold tapestries and carpets to a huge set of double doors. Rin stopped before the door. "This is as far as I can go for now, Kagome." Rin said.
Kagome cracked the door slightly, opening it. Rin pushed her in 'by accident', and closed the door and it took everything Kagome had to not stumble in front of Sesshoumaru. So she stood there, waiting for the youkai to begin the conversation. Maybe Rin had set her up from the beginning? She should have knocked instead of peeking in.
His room was bigger than her guestroom but housed very few items. A large bed, a closet and a dresser, on top of which sat an oil lamp—all of them colored black. Sesshoumaru had not changed his clothing, but was standing near his bed when she entered. He eyes immediately fixed themselves on her, even as she was contemplating her awkward entrance. "Kagome," he said softly, walking toward her. "I am not…one to play with words. I have brought you here to ask…summoned you here to ask—" he leaned close. "If you, Kagome, would become my Lady."
Kagome smiled and it almost seemed as though her thousand questions became clear. Why he had he been so different with her near Kaede's hut in the ford, why had he brought her here. Why he had gone out of his way to be so polite, to give her the room and to provide her with such beautiful clothing. Before Sesshoumaru had finished the question, she had already decided on the answer. There was no doubt in her mind; in fact, it was the best suggestion she'd heard all day. "I would love to," she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him softly to emphasize it.
Now, she could finally get over Inuyasha.
EDIT 6/08/10: Oh, goodness. I added so much to this it isn't even funny. There was so much detail missing, even for a vague story like this! I still stand by some of the notes that I made before, which can be seen below; I realize that Sess isn't supposed to eat, but I doubt that human food will harm him as several demons are depicted as devouring human made food in the series and Inuyasha, too, consumes human food without any adverse effects. Also, yes, he has his arm back in this. I don't think I need to substantiate that with an explanation.
On the other hand, I'm announcing that I'm ridding this story of all author's notes that may be written in parenthesis. It looks tacky, messy and overall unprofessional and I like showing the development in my work. I hope that you all enjoyed this newly revised chapter!
OLD COMMENTARY:
Okay, I just wanted to let you know, that Sesshoumau (obviously, I think, by the way I've been writing) has both arms. And yes, I know, he's not supposed to eat actual 'food' but, it helped to fit the story together, so he does. I doubt that there would any peace at a table with Kagome, Rin, and Jakken all alone with no one to watch them.
"I willl return, for I am the darkness..."
