"What do you mean he isn't dead?!" ranted a disheveled woman. "The poison was MADE for him!"
As Mariko ranted, Ryuukotsusei merely watched in wry amusement. He had known about her harebrained venture to be rid of Sesshoumaru. He had also known that the lord would not have fallen for such a paltry trick. What surprised him, however, was the fact that it was the human miko Sesshoumaru had brought back who warned the demon of the danger. Perhaps the heir to the Western Throne was finally slipping. Regardless, having a miko at his side made Sesshoumaru all the more formidable. She had to be disposed of.
Raising a hand, Ryuukotsusei halted Mariko in mid-rant, a plan forming in the recesses of his mind. In an overly gentle tone, he coaxed Mariko out of her self-induced rage as he cooed, "Love, it wasn't your planning or the potion that was at fault. There was no way that you could have known about the little bitch that now follows Sesshoumaru. Get rid of her first and you'll have Sesshoumaru."
While he knew that the youkai would not fall so simply, Ryuukotsusei had no scruples about misleading the human woman. After all, she was but a tool to be used for his purposes. Having an affair with the mate of a cardinal lord was risky, there was no denying that. However, in this instance, the benefits outweighed the risks, especially since Inu Taisho seemed to have become blind to the occurrences around him.
The fool Mariko anything and everything that she cared to ask about. And of course, she in turn told the dragon all that she knew. Too bad she didn't realize that the death of her hanyou pup had already been planned. Drawing the woman into his arms, Ryuukotsusei hid a smirk in her hair.
Mariko allowed herself to be pulled to the dragon, a malice filled smile on her face. She had heard of this miko who had arrived with Yoshiro and Sesshoumaru, now under the protection of both youkai. She had also been informed of the Western Lord's "other" interest in the girl. Inu Taisho was a fool to think that he could shut her away from the rest of the world. Her sources were plenty; each well paid to give her as much information as possible. Sadly, she mused, her only spy in Sesshoumaru's household had died. And it had been so difficult to acquire him too.
Yes... The miko would die. If not for saving Sesshoumaru from his death, then for simply incurring Inu Taisho's interest. The Western Lord was hers and hers alone. And by all means, it would be purely accidental. Perhaps it would be a misguided arrow in the dojo while she trained or a poisonous snake while she took a walk. The possibilities were endless.
Mariko was no fool. The miko was under the protection of two of the most powerful youkai in the palace. Their wrath was not something to be brushed off. Assassination would not be wise in this instance. Settling herself on Ryuukotsusei's lap, the woman allowed her mind to wander, formulating plans to be rid of a certain priestess.
"Kagome, are you absolutely sure that you're ready?"
Blue eyes met amber ones in annoyance as Kagome huffed, "First you tell me that I don't have a choice and now you're asking me if I'm sure. Make up your mind already."
The elegant eyebrow on Sesshoumaru's face rose yet again, his monotonous voice belying his irritation. "You are fortunate that you are under Yoshiro's protection as well, miko. Were you under mine alone, you would be hard-pressed to keep your life with such a comment."
Deciding to push her luck further, Kagome replied, "No, I wouldn't. You have too much honour for that. And besides, you wouldn't tell me all the things that you did if you were gonna kill me afterwards."
Flashing Sesshoumaru a blinding smile, Kagome quickly turned back to the task at hand, cutting off whatever remark that the demon was about to make.
"So how do we do this?" her tone serious yet again. The two of them had arrived at Sakura's room about fifteen minutes ago. That was the amount of time needed to get rid of Kagome's nerves and Sesshoumaru's irritation.
The lord was somewhat disturbed by Kagome's ability to change moods so fast. He had expected the reluctance in the beginning, but the fact that she had made it seem as if he were the one who was hesitant while she was the perfect picture of serenity in the span of five minutes made him itch to tackle her and get retribution in any way possible.
Sesshoumaru quickly put a stop to that train of thought when he realized how childish it seemed. This woman seemed to have the uncanny ability to make him feel that way. Tucking the stray thought away for pondering at a later time, he too focused on the child lying unconscious before them.
Picking up Sakura's tiny hands, he used the tip of his claws and broke the skin that covered her palm. Blood began to trickle as Sesshoumaru turned to the miko. Almost tentatively, the demon held out his hand to Kagome. Taking a steadying breath, she placed her hands in his, wincing slightly as his sharp claws dug into her delicate skin. Closing her hand into a tight fist, she watched as Sesshoumaru did the same to his own hand.
Picking up one of the child's hands, Sesshoumaru motioned for Kagome to do the same, palm facing palm. The lord then took the miko's hand, lacing their fingers together, their blood mingling together. The world turned hazy, images swirling before Kagome's eyes. Memories of a long-past childhood with a silver-haired woman, then the same woman walking away to her death, appeared and dissipated. The raw emotions of joy turned to regret, then to pain and loss overwhelmed her, causing her to lose consciousness.
The darkness seemed like such welcome relief.
The Western Lord was not happy. He had been frustrated enough by Sesshoumaru's interference on the miko's part. Needing to relieve his tension, he had sought out his mate, only to find her missing as well.
A sharp knock on the door of his study pulled Inu Taisho out of his thoughts. Bellowing out a response, he waited impatiently as a servant timidly walked in carrying his hanyou son.
"Forgive me, Lord Inu Taisho, but I wished to see if you knew of the whereabouts of Lady Mariko. It is time for Lord Inuyasha to feed and I cannot find her," the servant said, bowing as best she could with the wriggling bundle in her arms.
Taking a deep breath to avoid beheading the servant who held his son in her arms, he growled out, "No, I do not. It would seem that your mistress doesn't feel the need to be accessible." A cruel smile found its way to Inu Taisho's lips as he thought of the perfect punishment for his dear, beloved mate. "Find a wet nurse for the pup. Mariko is no longer to see him. If she disappears from both her mate and pup, she no longer deserves that privilege." Waving a dismissive hand, the Western Lord became lost in thought once again.
Perhaps Inuyasha would be the perfect bridge that he needed to get to the miko. After all, she was here to protect, was she not? What greater honour was there than to protect the Lord of the Western Land's son? And what greater opportunity would there be for him to catch her alone? He would simply be visiting his pup. Whatever happened after that couldn't be blamed on him.
The idea became more and more appealing with each passing second. A smirk appeared on the face of the taiyoukai.
'Yes, little miko. You will be mine.'
Soft. That was the only thing that registered in Kagome's still hazy mind. Slowly, the young priestess came back to the world of the living, the dark fading.
Blinking slightly, Kagome's eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room that she was current in. Groaning slightly, she became aware of the fact that she was tangled up in a white fur pelt. Realizing that she still had a death grip on the poor thing, Kagome released it, instantly missing the silky warmth.
Reality suddenly slammed into the miko at full force, causing her to bolt up from the bed that she currently occupied. A wave of nausea hit her from the suddenly movement. Moaning slightly, Kagome sank back onto the bed.
As her vision came into focus, she glanced around. There was something indescribable unique about the room that she was currently occupying. She was currently lying upon a western style bed, much like the ones that occupied the rest of the rooms, although this one was more ornately decorated. Yet that was not what stood out.
While the colours and textures were the same as that of her own chamber, there were certain aspects that gave a distinctive personality to the room not seen anywhere else in the palace. Though the curtains were drawn, there was still enough light to carry on her assessment. Continuing her scrutiny, Kagome failed to notice a certain demon lord who stood in the shadows beside the bed. Which would explain her startled squeak when he spoke.
"I see that you're awake, Kagome. Have a nice nap?"
Try as she might, the priestess couldn't sum up the anger that usually followed such a statement. Instead, her mind filled with the images that she had seen during the ceremony. Reaching out a hand, she pulled Sesshoumaru to sit on the bed and then give him an impromptu hug, trying with all her might to fight back the tears at the emotions he had suffered through.
The silver-haired lord looked down at the woman that was currently occupying his arms. Since his mother's death, she had become the first to move his barricaded heart. Yoshiro had been the only being that he had ever come close to calling a friend before. Even then, it was nothing like what was occurring with Kagome.
Yoshiro seemingly knew of everything and neither demon discussed their feelings. It was an unspoken pact between them. Yet with Kagome, it was all he could do to not tell her everything that had ever plagued him. Turning his attention back to her, Sesshoumaru held her tighter, knowing that her current state was due to the memories that he had allowed her to see.
Using a soft tone, one that he had thought that he would never employ, he said, "Perhaps it was unwise to let you see those memories. It seems that you are far too upset by it."
Shaking her head fervently, Kagome replied, "No, I'm glad you did. It was just so intense..." Taking a deep breath, she slowly calmed. "How's Sakura?" she asked.
"Sakura is sleeping. She'll most likely wake up in the morning. And she will be fine for now." Seeming to think slightly on it, he added, "Perhaps it would be wise for you to do the same?"
Nodding slightly, Kagome managed a wavering smile as she moved to stand. She nearly made it, too, before Sesshoumaru rested a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.
"Rest here. No one will disturb you. It would be unwise for you to move after such strenuous activities."
With no choice but to consent, she sank back onto the bed only to let out a frustrated moan as someone rapped the door to Sesshoumaru's chambers sharply. Seeing her obvious annoyance, the young lord swore that unless there was an incredible explanation for the disturbance, someone's head would roll.
Putting his cold façade on again, he called out, "Enter."
Ever the oblivious one, Jaken shuffled into the room only to come to a dead halt. Sniffing slightly, the already bulbous eyes of the toad grew even larger. Pointing his gnarly fingers at Kagome, he stuttered, "You... you... WITCH! How could you trick my lord into mating with you?! You've defiled his body, you've defiled his blood! My poor ma- URK!"
Finally having enough of the hysterical rant, Kagome had chucked an ornament from a nearby table and hit Jaken in the stomach, deciding to as Sesshoumaru what Jaken had meant with the whole mating thing. The aforementioned demon, meanwhile, was fuming. Not only had the toad defiled the sanctity of his suite, but he had accused Kagome.
"Jaken," Sesshoumaru's frigid tone said bitingly, "For you sake, this incident will remain a secret. I believe that there is an explanation to your intrusion."
Grovelling on the floor, Jaken muttered out, "Lord Inu Taisho requests the miko's presence my lord. The messenger said that it's of the utmost importance. He will be waiting in the Great Hall, my lord."
The stoic demon nodded once and gave the toad a glare that sent him skittering out the door. Turning to Kagome, he said, "I have no doubt that this is another ploy of his. I will accompany you to see him. Do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to be alone with him."
Turning alarmed eyes to Sesshoumaru, Kagome said, "Do I have to go? After what happened... Can't you say that I'm sleeping or something?"
"That would only result in him coming to you. And that would inform him of which room you are occupying."
Seeing no way out of it, she nodded dejectedly, clambering out of the bed, and almost fell had it not been for a certain someone who caught her. Leaning on him, Kagome took a shuddering breath.
"What if he tries something and you're not around?" she whispered.
Looking down at her, Sesshoumaru squeezed her hand. "I will know. You and I are linked now. I will know of anything that is happening to you."
Nodding slightly, Kagome let go to him, covered their scents to prevent anyone else from discovering the bond, and both headed for the Great Hall.
The tiny bundle of red kicked and twisted and the baby inside moved constantly. Looking down at his son, Inu Taisho smirked, thinking, 'It would seem that you're already going to be useful to me, Inuyasha.' Hearing footsteps, Inu Taisho settled himself on the dais, waiting for the arrival of the miko
The heavy doors swung open to reveal a fidgeting Kagome and a stoic Sesshoumaru. Damning his luck, Inu Taisho cursed his eldest son for being there. Nothing could be done now, however, and there would be many chances after this to claim his newest toy.
Standing, the Western Lord moved to the cradle holding the hanyou, motioning for the duo to follow.
Turning to Kagome, he said, "Miko-san, there has been much unrest in the Western Lands and I fear that the life of my son will be endangered. You already have one charge to protect and I would appreciate it greatly if you would take Inuyasha under your protection as well." With a melodramatic sigh, he continued, "His mother is not one for responsibility. In fact, no one has any ideas of her whereabouts at this moment. Therefore, Inuyasha will stay with you all the time. Mariko will not be allowed to see him. And of course, I would visit my son on occasion. I do hope that you'll agree."
Using the link that Sesshoumaru had established the day she arrived at the palace, Kagome asked, Sesshoumaru-sama... what do I do?
Feeling his anger, she already knew his answer. You have no choice but to agree. It would be a grave insult to deny this apparent honour.
Smiling as best she could, Kagome answered, "It would be my privilege, Lord Inu Taisho."
"Then I would like you to take him immediately. Of course, I will provide servants to accompany and aid you in this task."
Furious almost to the point of losing control, Sesshoumaru cut in, "That will be unnecessary, Lord Inu Taisho. Should the miko require any assistance, those under my employ will provide it for her. Good day."
Motioning for Kagome to pick up the writhing bundle, the demon swept out of the Hall at a mad pace, waiting only for Kagome when he had reached his own wing again. Growling slightly, he closed in on the miko who was currently fascinated with the squirming mass in her arms.
Sensing his approach, Kagome looked up and smiled, almost thrusting the baby into Sesshoumaru's face.
"Isn't he CUTE?!" she squealed, completely oblivious to her piercing tone.
Ignoring both the baby and her comment, Sesshoumaru tipped up Kagome's chin, saying in a soft, yet intense, tone, "You know as well as I do that Inuyasha is merely an excuse to allow Inu Taisho constant access to you. You must take care. I will try my hardest to protect you but I cannot be there constantly. Your training will intensify to prepare you for this new peril. Be prepared."
Turning, the silver-haired demon began to walk away before Kagome's voice stopped him. "Out of curiosity, why didn't you let Inu Taisho supply servants?"
"They would have been spies," he answered promptly before resuming his course.
Calling out one last time, Kagome said, "Why are you so concerned for my welfare, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Because I consider you to be a friend."