Chapter 5 - Getting to Know You
(Lets backtrack a little)
Kagome sat bowing at his feet her eyes closed tightly hoping beyond hope he didn't hurt her. She'd heard about Lord Sesshoumaru and it was said he killed when someone didn't show him the respect he deserved. She just got away from her mother and no this. Could her life get anymore wrong?
She waited to feel his claws sinking into his flesh when she heard the most beautiful sound in her life. Fear shot through her when she heard his deep masculine laugh. 'Great he's laughing. Yeah I'm dead,' was the only thing going through her head as she raised her eyes to meet his.
For a second she thought she saw hurt within his eyes. Then she saw his hand reaching out toward her. Wonder and curiousity ran through her veins when she looked back up into his eyes. She could see a fire deep within and she felt like a heat rusted through her straight toward her lower region as he began to speak.
"Rise little one," she looked up into his eyes wanting to know if this was real, "no harm shall come to you while you're with this Sesshoumaru. I give you my protection my little butterfly for I am the Prince of Dogs, Lord of the Western Lands, and King of the Palace Moon."
Her mouth dropped open a little but she quickly snapped it shut as he raised her hand to his lips after she laid hers in his. The heat grew slightly when his lips touched her skin, little shocks running through her. She could just feel the heat in her face as the blush formed across her cheeks.
When she saw his smile her heart began to race faster then it already was. Finally when he released her hand she pulled it into her chest not sure if she was actually bowing before the cold hearted taiyoukai named Sesshoumaru? Turning from her she felt her cheeks flame even more and tried to calm her breathing.
She looked back at the smiling taiyoukai and grabbed her hair pulling it up into a bun and then pulling her hood over her face. She really didn't want to be seen and wished like hell the black cloth would just pull her into darkness. Never had she ever had a gentleman speak to her well not counting Rune and you couldn't say Miroku was a gentleman; she just didn't know how to act.
'No way can this be real… just no way,' she thought to herself. She blinked when he called out to her. Her name sounded so good coming from him and she found herself looking back toward him.
oOo
/Normal P.O.V./
Sesshoumaru watched as she turned back to him her eyes covered from his view. His mind raced with questions about her behavior if she was a noble. There had to be a reason and he was going to find out. His curiousity was getting the better of him and he thought about what to say first without making her angry.
"Why is one such as yourself out in the forest in the middle of the night?" he asked a small smile pulling at his lips.
Kagome glared at him through her hood. Just because in these times onna's weren't considered a lot she wasn't going to let him offend her. Her upper lip twitched and she fought down her inner demon.
Sesshoumaru chuckled at the when he felt her turmoil. "I mean no offence little butterfly I merely wish to know why a Shiro-Inu is sleeping in the forest during the night?" he said watching her lips with hunger. He was so close that he could have touched her when she fully turned and though the hood covered her face he could just feel her eyes gazing into his.
He knew she was a Shiro-Inu after he came back with his companions. Though her silver markings and cross showed she was not of his pack or family line he knew she was apart of his clan. Not many Shiro-Inu lived away far away from the village near the Palace Moon and he wondered why her family tree moved this far. She was such a kind, and strong creature that he couldn't help but wonder who her parents were.
"I ran away my lord," Kagome said bowing her head. She wasn't stupid and she wouldn't lie to a taiyoukai who might kill her. She glanced at Tokiron and saw the sword flare with power as if telling her all would be fine.
Sesshoumaru glanced at the sword and then back to the female before him. His eyes narrowed at the cloth hiding her face from his view. "I see. Tell this Sesshoumaru why you wear a hood over your lovely face," his voice was smooth like butter and he could feel the heat coming off her.
Rin watched the two with mild interest before bonding over to Ah Un and lying beside the dragon. A yawn came from her lips as her eyes once again closed as sleep took over.
Out side the barrier Jaken sat watching his lord and this new female inu. He was surprised his lord hadn't killed her for nearly attacking his person. He tapped the barrier once more and sighed knowing he wasn't getting in until his lord came to get him. The stupid thing seemed to only allow Lord Sesshoumaru and who ever he brought in to pass, so how did the female get in. Maybe she was already inside when his master found her.
Jaken shook his head trying to get all the questions to leave. Another sigh escaped him as he went to find something to lie against for the night. It was clear to him Lord Sesshoumaru didn't want him there so why keep trying?
Kagome was quite surprised he asked. Really what could she say to that since she really had no answer. Thinking about it she pulled the hood from her face before whispering, "Be gone." The hood vanished from the kimono and she opened her mouth to give him her answer.
"I'm just used to it I guess. My mother Lady Yukena has had me wear one since I was but seven summers old thus I am not used to others seeing my face or looking through the fabric," she said hoping he'd find satisfaction in her answer and leave it be.
"You said you ran away why?" Sesshoumaru said after nodding to her hood answer. He really couldn't see why a parent would do such a thing to a child. She seemed to be around 16 summers now so it was a wonder why her mother made her wear one for so long.
Kagome sighed and anger flashed through her eyes though she hid it well. "My mother was selling me off to a hanyou who has been lusting after me for years," she spat out the hanyou and mother during her sentence.
"Why would your mother do such a thing? Surely she could not have hated you that much?" he blinked in surprise when the words left his mouth.
"I do not know my lord but I do know that she does not like me," she stated her claws glowing a nice purple color as acid from a special type of Dakkasou handed down her family line formed at her tips. It held a hundred different toxins and kills a victim within minutes of entering the system.
Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow in silent question. He wanted to know more as to why and waited for her to continue. He noticed she wasn't looking at him but the ground and coughed politely causing her to look up at him. "Continue please," he said in a soft tone watching as she blushed.
"Gomen I didn't know you would like to hear more," she said quickly trying to make it sound innocent. She really didn't understand why he wanted to know about her? Kagome began to ponder on an answer and when she couldn't find one she decided just to tell him her life story in a shortened version.
Glancing up she noticed he was watching with interest and seemed to be listening to every word she had to say. This was very new to her and she began slowly, "I was born but sixteen summers ago my lord. I have an older sister named Kikyo who is not considered as beautiful as I. Her hair is straight and it seems dull to others. Her eyes are dark and show she keeps things to herself. From what the males say she has to many curves like my mother and thus my mother does not like me.
"Upon my birth my mother had already favored my sister and when she saw me she became surprised you could say. She never thought she could birth such a beautiful creature and was temped to ignore Kikyo and make me cold, distance, and everything she wished for so one day she could send me off to some high lord to join the two families together. After she decided she couldn't do that to her little Kikyo she was also temped to kill me. If my father had not been out side the door and entered at the time he did I would not be living.
"After that day, which was sixteen summers from the day before yesterday she ignored me mostly. That was only when my father was around though. When my sire was gone she would either beat me or try and get at my feelings. Neither worked for my father soon found out his mate had beaten her child and nearly killed her.
"Before this though their was a ceremony like all nobles have to show off their newly born children. At this ceremony I was placed inside a white crib next to my father's throne. A hanyou came to this ceremony and once he saw me he wanted me. My father… oh my father was called Bankotsu, well Lord Bankotsu in the estates. Well my father noticed the lust within Naraku the hanyou's eyes and told him to stay away.
"Like most my father didn't want hanyou children in his family line. He also disagreed with giving his pup away like some doll. He wanted the line to continue as it has for many centuries and so he told Naraku to either stay away from me or never return. Of course the hanyou did not listen and when he came to the estates he would cast glances at me. It was unnerving and I to came to hate the hanyou like my sire had," she sighed but he cut in from there.
Sesshoumaru blinked a few times when she said, 'had.' Did her sire no longer walk the earth and if so what happened to him? He decided it best to ask, "What do you mean your sire 'had' hated the hanyou Naraku?"
"My sire is no longer living. He was killed when I was but seven summers. We still do not know how it happened but I was sure it was Naraku who did it. He had been told by my father never to return because my father was going to show me to the Youkai Four Lords when I was ten summers old and get me into a family line worthy of his full-blooded one. That night he was called away and Naraku his worst enemy had trailed behind him and the next thing we knew there was a letter stating that my father had died during battle. I however don't think my father ever made it to that battle," she bowed her head.
"Your father was going to show you to the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Lords when you were ten summers old?" he stated making her look up with wide eyes. He knew the answer was yes but wanted her to either say it or nod.
Kagome looked up and nodded. She really wasn't sure she would like what he had to say after the grin that spread across his lips before it disappeared and he began to talk once again. She didn't like his answer when it came though she wasn't so sure at the time if she was or not.
"Any lord would have been happy to take you but only this Sesshoumaru would have been able to at the time," Sesshoumaru said coolly looking down at the small female. He was telling the truth when he said it too and waited for her reaction.
Kagome looked up confused and opened her mouth to say something but he raised his hand to silence her. Her blinked and waited for what he had to say.
"Six summers ago when your father would have taken you to the lords this Sesshoumaru was the only without a mate," Sesshoumaru smirked when she blushed yet again. "Onegai little butterfly continue with your story this Sesshoumaru didn't mean to stop you."
"Well after my sire's death my mother became head of the estates until Kikyo the heir was mated. After that she no longer ignored me but locked me within my room and would enter when I was on my balcony only to tell me not to run off and then leave. She kept me within the walls for at least a year before she gave a black cloak to me and ordered me to go into the village. The cloak had a hood upon it and I was forced to wear it over my face and it made my figure seem hmm…," she said trying to find a good word for it.
"Ugly?" Sesshoumaru said looking into her eyes. He saw her nod and waited until she kept on with her story. He couldn't see why anyone would make her seem ugly. Though if you looked where you could see her lips, chin, and neck you'd know she was anything but ugly. Ningen's though would have never noticed this and said she was because her body didn't look the way it really did.
"I wasn't allowed to have friends and so I went to the village often. Every night I would run in the forest or play with the wolf pups that lived in a cave near by. A few summers ago though a taijiya and monk came to the Village of High Stone and I became friends with them quickly. Around this time I came home one day in a different attire then I left in. I became friends with a kitsune family as well.
"Only the highest guard in my mother's new work men - since she got rid of anyone who knew what I looked like - was allowed to see me. His name is Rune and he is very kind. I was surprised that he asked my mother if he could mate me but my mother wouldn't allow any of her pups' no matter how much she didn't want them to a guard. I was always told I was ugly or hideous by my mother and sister and since I thought it true I was startled. However with my intelligence still growing I soon learned this to be false.
"You see at the estates there is this huge library and there are so many books. My father taught me many things before his death saying that even onna's should be able to learn. Since I loved learning he taught me all he knew. Like writing, reading, how to paint, and other things that males and females are thought. I spent most of my time inside the library before I was able to visit the village," she continued her story.
Sesshoumaru sat listening to every word she said. He was very interested to know that she had a better education then most demoness's. Most weren't taught half of the stuff her father must have taught her. She held a fondness in her voice when she talked of the library and he smirked at the thought of her seeing his library.
"I was also taught how to fight like a male inu after my father died. Of course my mother did not know of my training in the forest at night. I was given lessons by the man who trained my sire who was very skilled in battle. He gave me his sword meant for destruction after my training was finished. Tokiron I will never part with and if I must I'm giving it to someone close to me.
"Anyway things went pretty much the same everyday until yesterday. I knew something was wrong as soon as my mother met me at the door," she saw Sesshoumaru raise an eyebrow, "my mother does not do this. The only time she had ever met me at the door before going out was when I first started to leave from the estates. I found it strange because Kikyo would always try and get at me before I left but my mother never looked in my direction.
"I went to the kitsune's first and gave them money like I normally did. I couldn't just watch them go by without any while my family had so much. My father had always told me to treat others with kindness but to be fierce during battle. The kitsunes' gave me this outfit to wear and I took it as thanks.
"Afterward I went to the Village of High Stone and found Sango-chan. She seemed stressed so I asked her where Miroku-sama was. His monk duty's were usually done by that time so I figured she would go and find him. Like everyday we set out to find the monk with the wondering hand. Miroku-sama doesn't seem to understand groping women is not for the best.
"Finding him with the village girls made Sango-chan very angry. When Miroku-sama tried to act innocent she went to the girls and found he'd asked them to bare his children as ningen call them. She wasn't happy and dragged him back to their hut," she started before he could say anything about them sharing a hut, "They do share a hut. Mainly because Sango-chan and Miroku-sama are in love. They won't admit it to each other though thus they share a hut in hopes the other will say something.
"Like usually when I removed my hood he took my hand," she brought it out like someone was holding it, "and said 'Kagome-sama I wish you would bare my children, they would look so lovely should we make them'. On and on and on he went and since it was the fourteenth time he'd done it I grabbed his wrist and told him off. After that Sango-chan hit him over the head with her boomerang called a Hiraikotsu. I swear he likes pain."
Sesshoumaru stared at her completely trained on her story and words. He could hear hidden laughter after she mentioned the monk being hit and smiled a bit. She must have thought it funny though he didn't like the idea of the monk touching her.
"I went home around the same time I usually do and my sister held sorrow within her aura when I saw her. My mother came down the steps saying she had the prefect person to give me to. After I asked her why and used her name she began yelling in inu tongue about not disrespecting. What a mother she is…
"Well when I asked her who she'd chosen she told me that filthy piece of hanyou dirt. I was nearly consumed by my inner demon when she did and she was lucky I didn't rip her to shreds. I will not dishonor the family line by placing hanyou's within it. I don't mind hanyou's or ningen but I will not do as she asks. Afterward I grabbed Tokiron, fled, found myself here, fell asleep by accident, and now I'm talking to you my lord," she finished her long story staring straight into his golden suns.
Sesshoumaru nodded and began to ponder as to why her mother would give her to a hanyou. Surely her mother knew of her beauty, sweet scent, and musical voice that any of the Youkai Four would have taken her. Damn even he would have taken her if her mother this Yukena had brought her to him. It seemed her mother did favor her sister Kikyo more by not doing so. If her mother had brought her to him then she would have forever had the whole Western Lands protection because she ended his lonely days. Now however he had found her and when she became his he would talk to her mother.
"Well also I wouldn't have gone with the bastard but he'd have to beat me first. My father taught me ancient rites of the inu stating that unless a male can defeat me in battle they can't mate me. Well if my father was still alive I wouldn't have decided to go upon these rules. Now though I will only go with someone stronger then I for I will not be stuck with anyone who cannot care for me," Kagome narrowed her eyes. It was true after her father's death she decided to go by the ancient rites of the Shiro-Inu and unless a male defeated her he couldn't have her.
"Most females do not go by these rites why do you?" Sesshoumaru asked. He really could have cared less if she was anyone else by this Kagome was just different. She wasn't like most females he been around. Even now he could pick up her early excitement in the air but her arousal left when she began her story.
It really was a sad story. His was worse he knew but the way she talked about her father and all the emotions she put into it made the story so sad. She made it seem real even if she had summarize sixteen summers of her life in an hour. He wondered what life would have been if his father had made it and like her mother hadn't loved her. He was sure it would be just as much heartache but at least she still had a parent. Both of his were long since dead.
'Sixteen summers she is young,' he thought, 'very young.' Even he was way past sixteen summers. She was still in her puberty years and would be for at least 50 more summers. He was over 300 summers since his birthing and wondered what it would be like having a mate still going through puberty. Though as a female her would last shorter then a male inus she was still going through it now. If she was that young she was going to be much fun since younger inus had more energy then older ones. Though even he was still considered a pup in other youkai's eyes she was like a newborn to them.
"I do, because my father would have done what was best for me but now I only have myself my lord. By using the rites I insure no male can take me without facing me in battle and until one beats me no male shall touch my person," she snarled at the male before her. She didn't care if he was a lord he was asking very personal questions.
"Indeed," was the only thing he said as he looked up at the sky above. "Now little butterfly you have told me about yourself so I will tell you my story." He sighed but before he could start she cut in. Her question was not expected and he shut his mouth waiting until she was done to say anything.
"Why do you keep calling me 'little butterfly' or 'little one'? My name is Kagome… Ka-go-me go that? Do you have a problem with my name or was the reason you asked why I go by ancient rites because you wish to have me?" she raised an eyebrow while keeping her lips in a straight line.
"You know little butterfly if you were anyone else you'd be dead by now," he whispered toward her. He smirked when she narrowed her eyes at him. She held so much spirit and he hoped while she was with him she never changed for anything. It made her so strong even if she was nearly yelling at the most deadly youkai in Japan. It made him respect her more that she would dare to do such a thing.
Kagome stared at the older male. She knew he had to be over 200 or more summers and she wasn't going to trust him completely. Come on she wakes up to the Ice Prince of the Western Lands and he starts using pet names and being sweet. "Your not answering the question," she said her expression hard. She hated when Miroku tried to get around a question and didn't like the fact he was doing it either. She didn't know why but she felt so calm around him. Her inner youkai was happy and it was totally weird to her to have her inner youkai happy.
Though it seemed like the two were completely paying attention to the other their senses were on high alert. You could see an ear twitch toward sounds in the distance and claws flex when the heard footsteps near by. Neither were completely paying attention because their major senses were searching for anything not normal.
"I do know your name Kagome and yes, this Sesshoumaru can say it. I might fight you but not here," he said trying to get her to see where he was getting at. He saw her look to her left and scan the forest but her attention turned back to him afterward. Her eyes were burning within but he didn't know what it was.
Off in the distance they could both make out the cry of wolves. They howled at the moon above and were joined by their pack mates. Several others made by creatures lurking around the forest also joined this sound. If either looked toward the east they would see three wolves staring in their direction.
One with burning gold eyes shook his head and howled telling his pack mates that the hunt was to begin. This wolf was white in color and looked toward the black wolf with green eyes that had joined him in the calling. The third wolf brown in color ran toward the prey the others were sending word about before the others joined him.
"Why would you want to fight me?" Kagome asked looking off toward the east again. She could see a white figure walking in the forest and narrowed her eyes. Her mother must be looking for her but she sure as hell wasn't taking her back to the estate.
As if on cue she heard a howl from her distressed mother from the figure. "KAGOME! GET BACK HERE!" was roared into the sky as Sesshoumaru formed his own barrier to hide anything that might get out of the first.
"Is that your mother?" he asked not paying attention to her first question. He watched as Kagome's mother walked closer to the barrier. She looked deeper into the forest as if she couldn't see them and walked toward the barrier. Just as she touched it though she was gone, and looking toward the west they noticed her on the other side.
Kagome merely nodded and watched as her mother looked around before grumbling about how Naraku was going to be displeased. Let that damn hanyou be displeased she wasn't going to mate the damn thing. There was no way she would even let him touch her and he would be forced to fight her if she told her mother she was going by Ancient Shiro-Inu Mating Rites. She'd show that hanyou who was boss but first she just wanted to get away from him and run. If she couldn't run then she'd use the rites or maybe mate someone else that could love her in time. She rolled her eyes at the thought of Naraku ever loving her. Hell would freeze over before that happened hell even her father had thought so while alive. Where do you think she got the saying from?
oOo
Yukena turned back toward the estates and began her journey back home. She took one last look into the forest filled with trees and shook her head. She should have known Kagome would run. When she went to kill something she found herself mating with a random guard just to get off some steam. Then she travels to Kagome's room to find her daughter and no Kagome.
She sighed at what had happened only a few hours ago before she began searching the forest. It hadn't been pretty because Kikyo had glared at her when she entered Kagome's room.
FlashbackYukena walked down the hallway toward her youngest daughter's room. She had found a very nice looking male when going to go and kill whatever she could find. Well one thing led to the next and Yukena soon found herself in a passionate embrace with one of her personal guards.
The halls seemed more silent then before and she shivered a bit. Even she didn't like Naraku but when he came to her she couldn't refuse. Though she told them she was doing it by choice she wasn't. Naraku had threatened Kikyo's life if she didn't give him Kagome. Well she wasn't going to loss her favorite daughter so she told him to come and get her. Then he said he'd be there in a week and told her to leave him.
What else could she have done? She couldn't let her whole house fall over one little girl. She knew full well both daughters' were like their father and would fight her. She never expected Kikyo to be so forward though.
How could her favorite daughter be so cruel toward her? She didn't understand it but she was sure beating Kagome before she left would be nice. Shaking her head free of thoughts Yukena once again turned down a hall.
She walked for a while realizing she went the wrong way while in her daze. Growling she went back the other way and past several scared servants and finally she found Kagome's hall. No one else lived in this hall since her mates death.
Though she knew not why Bankotsu had favored Kagome talking about when she was older. He had always said they could offer Kagome to Lord Sesshoumaru and get better protection if the lord took her. Well she was beginning to believe that even now she was thinking about sending Kagome away so she didn't have to face Naraku.
Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't take her though. He was said to be cold, distant, and whenever a ball was held either didn't go or ignored the beautiful demoness' hanging over him. How could he want Kagome? Sure she was perfect but how could they get the lord to see the jewel lying within Kagome?
Did she just call Kagome a jewel? Yukena became sick as she neared Kagome's door. She was sure of it now, that girl was getting into her heart somehow. She didn't like that thought and rubbed her temples trying to get ready for Kagome's yelling. She was sure her daughter would invoke Ancient Shiro-Inu Mating Rites so she didn't have to mate the hanyou.
That might get rid of the problem though and then maybe she could get Kagome into Lord Sesshoumaru's bed. If she could get Kagome to mate Lord Sesshoumaru liked her father wanted and remind her that's what he wanted then she would be the grandmother to the next heir to the Youkai Four. She would hold some type of power though not a lot more then she already had since Lord Sesshoumaru would probably only protect them.
If Kagome killed Naraku then Yukena would hold a meeting with the lord. When he saw Kagome maybe her perfection would get to him and he'd take her. Damn whatever male offered her that didn't take her as soon as seen was gay. Yukena was positive on that one at least. She would even have Kagome go with her hood on and when Lord Sesshoumaru asked to see her face he might be enchanted by it so much he'd say, "yes" or "I accept your offer" as soon as shone.
Yukena pushed open Kagome's door and was hit with the smell of Kikyo and tears. Why was Kikyo in Kagome's room crying? She opened the door more and indeed found her oldest daughter crying upon her sister's bed.
Kikyo had looked up and narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?" she hissed and went to slam the door but the look her mother gave her stopped her from doing so. She stood in the middle of the room as her mother looked around.
"Where is she?" was the only thing Yukena could manage. She should have known Kagome would try and get away. Her mind gave her a picture of Naraku destroying the estates roaring about them letting her go or telling her to run.
"Kagome is gone because of you," Kikyo whispered. She truly did miss her sister and the loss of her was hard. She never knew how much her sister meant to her until now and wished she could make amends. Ever since she saw Kagome she had been mean to her because her mother told her to and she did as her mother asked. Maybe just maybe if she hadn't of listened they could have been friends as well as sisters.
"WHAT?" Yukena roared sniffing at the air around her. Kagome's scent was still strong and she found it going out the balcony doors. Following it she was led into the forest and stopped only to sniffed around some more.
Deep down she was worried that something happened to her baby girl when her scent stopped. She couldn't see anything but trees and yelled, "KAGOME GET BACK HERE!" Really she hadn't meant it but she wanted to make sure her daughter was safe and maybe hiding herself. She knew for a fact Kagome could hide her scent and aura very well for long periods of time and turned back.
End FlashbackTaking one final look Yukena walked back toward her home. She hoped to every kami she knew her daughter was at least safe. Moving more quickly she began running at top speed toward the estates. Dodging trees was easy and she quickly made it to her home.
She would wait until tomorrow and when Naraku came tell him that Kagome ran. He would probably ask why she ran and Yukena would have an answer ready. She'd tell him Kagome didn't like the idea of being mated to a hanyou and fled. Then she'd tell him to go look for her himself and step out of his way.
She would tell him though that if Kagome said she invoke Ancient Shiro-Inu Mating Rites that he had to fight and beat her to mate her. If he did not go by the rules though and fight her but try and take her she wouldn't tell the hanyou what happened. Though the rites were usually done for only Shiro-Inu it could be used against other types of youkai and hanyou when it's a female who uses it. If the male tries to just rape her his heart would stop because of the spell cast over every Shiro-Inu when born making it so the rites had to be followed.
oOo
Sesshoumaru began telling Kagome of his family and life when Yukena went out of sight. He watched as her eyes began to water when he spoke of certain parts of his life or she would pay full attention to him even going as far as to block out all sounds.
"I am much older then you Kagome… at least 300 summers. When I was younger I went through many things a male of my status does with my father commanding me the whole way. I loved my father and my caring mother as well. Both in turn loved me, and things were great until my 150th summer.
"On this summer this Sesshoumaru was going into battle with my father. My mother was going to because she was a fighter as well. We went out and when the battle began we weren't sure if we would win this time. We were fighting different kinds of youkai that just wanted to take my sire's position as taiyoukai. Of course if they had managed to kill us they would have had to kill each other first but we fought on. It was five days into the battle and we were taking out the youkai watching as comrades fell around us. My mother and I were fighting beside on another, but soon we were separated and the last thing this Sesshoumaru remembers is a howl of pain before this Sesshoumaru looked over to find my mother with a sword in her back. Something hit this Sesshoumaru and I blackened out. After that I woke to find my crying father beside my bed and he told me she had not made it," Sesshoumaru glanced at the teary eyed Kagome. She had a bigger heart then he thought since she was ready to cry for his loss.
"Summers had come and gone and people had said this Sesshoumaru was possessed by the devil after my mother died. This Sesshoumaru became emotionless and tuned everything trying to help this Sesshoumaru out. This Sesshoumaru didn't need their help and so I made it my mission to become as strong as my father. Without my mother the palace seemed colder, quieter, and didn't feel like the home this Sesshoumaru once knew.
"After this Sesshoumaru's 175th summer my father brought home a hime. A ningen from a near by village who wanted to help him. She tried everything to become like my mother but this Sesshoumaru didn't spare her a second glance. I didn't want another mother and so this Sesshoumaru paid her no mind and went on my way. At first it was fine but after my father took her… I'm afraid this Sesshoumaru's has forgotten her name Kagome," he saw her nod and continued, "after my father took her as his mate for life this Sesshoumaru was lost to the world.
"Then a few summers later a pup was born between them. A hanyou in my family line and this Sesshoumaru yelled at his father saying he was crazy and he should kill the mutt. Of course my sire hit me and snarled about how everything deserves to live when given life. This Sesshoumaru did everything in his power to make the pup seem unwanted and was forced one day to make an oath that I would not kill him. The pup's name was Inuyasha and this Sesshoumaru still doesn't understand the choice he made.
"Summers once again went by but only a few and my father was called off to battle. His opponent was a dragon youkai who was his death in the end. My sire had managed to contain the beast and lock him away in sleep forever but he had also been given fatal wounds. When he arrived home he called to Inuyasha and placed a black pearl inside his eye. Then he called to me and before he died he gave me the Life Giving sword Tenseiga and said goodbye. After that he vanished into what this Sesshoumaru found inside his half-brothers eye summers later.
"Inuyasha was given the sword called Tetsuigia a sword, which can kill a hundred youkai in one swing. I wanted this sword and set out to find it. This Sesshoumaru did find it but only Inuyasha had been able to pull it from its place then he ran. The boy couldn't use the sword because you must be protecting a ningen for it to work. Inuyasha and this Sesshoumaru were alone so Inuyasha ran before I could deliver a death blow.
"This Sesshoumaru traveled after that listening to rumors of my little half-brother protecting his friends. He had traveled with a miko named Mika; a neko, a dragon, and two-thunder youkai. After a few summers this Sesshoumaru caught word my half-brother had used a jewel called the Shikon no Tama to change into a ningen. This rumor proved true but the miko, Mika did not see the next sunrise for a youkai attacked her while she was alone with no ways to protect herself and Inuyasha ningen.
"This Sesshoumaru then found the child Rin and used my sword to save her life for she cared for me while injured. She has been with me ever since. Ah Un the two-headed dragon has been with me since the days of playing in the forests long ago; and Jaken the gami this Sesshoumaru saved by accident and now I'm stuck with him because he will not leave," Sesshoumaru looked over at Kagome. Her mouth was hanging open and she seemed to be deep in thought about everything he'd said.
"Now, now little butterfly you shouldn't let your mouth hang open like that its not lady like," he mocked smiling when she snapped her jaw shut. He had to wonder though if she'd kept it open for any longer if something would have flown right in without her noticing.
His beast purred throughout the whole time he spent with her. It seemed calmer then usual around her and he wanted to reach out and touch her once again. Her hand had been so soft against his. Her fingers were so nimble and strong and he wanted to hold it within his once again. His beast had almost been asleep when she had touched skin against skin even if it had only been his hand.
Kagome blinked and wondered why he just gave her the shortened version of his life story? She looked around and noticed the sky was becoming a lighter shade of blue and the sun was coming up. Really she didn't understand why he was telling her all of this and why he didn't seem like the lord she'd heard about. They'd both learned much and yet so little about each other.
Thinking back she narrowed her eyes. Looking over at the silent taiyoukai she asked, "Why do you want to fight me?" She really wanted the question answered and glowered at the youkai before her.
Sesshoumaru was surprised and sighed because he hadn't told her why? "I found you attractive and this Sesshoumaru feels like he is whole once again when near you… I remember this feeling when younger but cannot name it at this moment," he said watching her face.
Kagome nodded and turned toward the rising sun. She couldn't believe she'd spent that much time with a male and didn't feel nervous though she had felt embarrassed. Only when he used pet names and stuff though. If he wanted to fight for the rite to claim her she couldn't stop that and she'd have to do it if he ever asked. Looking over at the gorgeous taiyoukai she decided that wouldn't be to bad if she were to lose. Though it would hurt her pride it would prove he would be a good male to birth her pups with.
Sesshoumaru glanced to where she was looking and noticed for the first time in many summers how beautiful the sunrise was. It cast a ray of different colors upon the lands and filled the place with warmth. He looked at Kagome once again and smiled.
His head snapped up when the barrier lowered around them. Something in his head said to leave quickly and thinking about it he remembered Kagome said Naraku would be coming to get her today. That meant he needed to get Kagome away from this place since he was pretty sure the High Stones Estates, which was only a few miles away was the ones she was talking about.
oOo
Naraku looked toward the rising sun as he road toward the estates where Kagome was living. He couldn't wait to taste her blood. He could still remember the taste he got by accident when she cut open her leg and he tripped onto the floor where it had been spilled around.
It was a deep gash and bleed quickly and bad. Blood had been everywhere on the floor and at first he had licked his lips not sure if he should taste it. Afterward though he started to devour everything around him even if it was on the floor.
He snorted when his horse reared back. He really did hate the animals but he didn't want to walk, run, or ride in a carriage. He just didn't like any of them and would put up with the mindless beasts if he had to.
Naraku licked his lips as he came closer to the estates. He would get into Kagome's kimono before the end of the day if he had anything to say about it. He knew how she felt about hanyou's but he would change her mind with his skills. He really didn't want to rape her but he would if he had to.
When the gates opened he got the black stallion into a run toward the main house. He couldn't wait and as soon as he reached the stairs he got off the animal and handed the reins to a guard near by. Looking up though he narrowed his red eyes when Yukena began walking toward him Kagome nowhere in sight.
"Where is my onna Yukena?" Naraku asked looking at the female inu before him. He could tell this wasn't going to be easy and asked again. Sighing when he didn't get an answer he said, "How 'bout I go get Kikyo if you don't tell me where Kagome is?"
Yukena looked up with fearful eyes and bowed her head before mumbling something. She didn't want to tell him because he'd probably kill them. She had to protect her home and she would try though she wasn't sure if she could.
"I can't hear you mumble, onna speak," Naraku said raising a claw to her throat. His eyes deepened in color when he finally got his answer and he roared with rage.
"Kagome isn't here she ran away," Yukena spat and watched as Naraku reared his head back roaring in rage. She took a step back and watched as he looked around until his eyes landed upon the horse. She saw his claws rip into the beast and him shred it to pieces before he was covered with its blood and he turned to her.
"I will find her since you cannot," Naraku said as he walked away from the estate. He would take care of the place later but right now he needed to make sure no one took his onna. "BITCH, REMEMBER I WILL BE BACK," he yelled back as he walked into the forest.
oOo
Kagome pulled on her armor and put the boa back over her shoulder when Rin and Jaken woke from their slumbers. She didn't know where she was going to go but she knew she couldn't go back so she started off.
"Where are you going Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked stepping in front of her and raising an eyebrow. She had nearly gotten past the first line of trees but he found she was just a bit slower then him.
Kagome looked up at him and sighed. "I don't know but I'm not going back home," she said and nearly pouted when he didn't move aside. She turned her head suddenly, her nose flaring. "Naraku is coming," she said looking from side-to-side.
"Come you will travel with this Sesshoumaru and his companions. This Sesshoumaru will protect you from the hanyou," he said holding out his hand. He watched as she took it and looked over at Ah Un. "Ah Un carry the others and follow me," he said gathering energy around his feet forming a cloud beneath them.
Flying off toward the Palace Moon he glanced back to find Ah Un carrying the others flying peacefully behind them. Looking at Kagome Sesshoumaru saw her watching the forest below. He could feel the hanyou and knew he'd find the direction she went in but because they were flying it would take a while. Flying a bit faster Sesshoumaru knew he'd either have to deal with the hanyou, or mate Kagome before he arrived. Well thinking about which one would be best he decided to go with choice number two.