"How can you let him do that to you?" Sesshoumaru demanded angrily. His mother had led him back to the garden, and they sat at the bench she had occupied before.
"Sesshoumaru, it's not unusual for a man of high standing like your father to have concubines as well as a mate. He's had them for a while now…" she informed him, looking wan. Sesshoumaru could see that his father's infidelity offended his mother.
His eyes widened. "Does that mean I'm not—"
"No!" she was quick to reassure him. "No, Sesshoumaru, you're my son." She took him into her arms and rocked gently in a soothing manner. "Are you going to visit your friend tomorrow?"
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Good. I think you should. Someday, perhaps I could meet her."
Silence reigned.
"I still think he's wrong," Sesshoumaru protested.
"Hush, now. Let us go and prepare ourselves for the evening meal. And you had best behave."
Sesshoumaru scowled, but when he did not object, she knew he would do as she said.
They ate in a tense atmosphere. Sesshoumaru only spoke when asked a question, and then his answers were terse. Finally, Naomi informed her mate of Sesshoumaru's new friend.
"An Earth Angel? You truly met one, Sesshoumaru? Perhaps you ought to invite her here," Katsuro proclaimed.
"I made up that story, father. I've never seen an Earth Angel before. They probably do not even exist," Sesshoumaru replied coldly.
Katsuro narrowed his eyes at his son, but said nothing.
Naomi was shocked at her son's reaction, but reprimanding would get Sesshoumaru in trouble with his father. She knew Sesshoumaru had told her the truth earlier. His story was too real. But, perhaps she could understand Sesshoumaru's reasoning in not wanting to bring the girl to meet Katsuro. Her mate could become rather power hungry at times.
- - - - - -
The next day, Kagome was not hiding her aura, so he knew when she approached.
Sesshoumaru was sitting with his back against a tree trunk when she came into sight. He was surprised when she stopped and tilted her head slightly. Then her soft voice questioned him. "What's wrong?"
His claws dug into the ground beside him and his eyes began to bleed red. "My father," he growled reluctantly.
Kagome sat beside him, and he instantly felt himself calm as her scent enveloped him. He found himself telling her the happenings of the previous day.
"I hate that I have to call him father," he admitted.
Kagome was silent for a moment, then she said, "But you could learn so much from him. He's a strong fighter and leader, is he not?"
"Yes, but I don't care! I don't want to be near him."
"You're not going to turn into him, Sesshoumaru. Not if you don't want to. Learn what you can from him, and use it to live how you think is best. Once you're Lord, you can do anything you want and change anything you want."
Sesshoumaru sighed. "You're right."
Kagome gave a small smile. "That's not the first time I've said that," she replied cryptically.
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind. I'll tell you another time."
Sesshoumaru shrugged. "Well, when I'm Lord, I'm not going to going to hurt those who don't deserve to be hurt."
Kagome nodded. "A noble goal," she murmured.
"You don't think I can do it?"
Kagome thought for a moment. "I think you can," she finally replied. "But it's a very hard goal to reach." Before he could respond, she changed the subject. "Let's go play." She stood and he followed her example.
The two met each other whenever they could.
They had practice spars. Sesshoumaru gained insight to what his own training would be like while Kagome was able to improve on what she was learning. The matches, however, always became some sort of game in the end, so they never knew who would have won.
Kagome did not divulge much about herself. But Sesshoumaru never pressed her, perhaps for fear of scaring her away, or perhaps out of respect for her privacy. He did learn that, like other demons, Earth Angels began training at the age of fifty years for the duration of one and a half centuries. Though they preferred alternatives to fighting, they refused to be unprepared.
As the years passed by, seemingly unnoticed except by the changing of the seasons, Kagome and Sesshouamru's relationship continued to strengthen. Sesshoumaru confided in Kagome as his mother began to sink into a deep depression. At home, he began to grow reserved, detached. But never with Kagome. Kagome shared his worry and heartache for his mother. He found solace in their time together.
He did, however, refuse to bring her to meet his family. Though he knew his mother would love Kagome, he did not want his father to know about his friend. She never extended an invitation to him, either, so they never spoke of the matter.
One day, as Sesshoumaru was approaching half a century in age, Kagome encountered Sesshoumaru at their meeting place looking more incensed than she had seen him in a long while.
Before she could ask, he spoke. "My mother told me that I have to have a mate by the time I reach four centuries in order to continue our lineage," he grumbled. "And she said that Father will probably make an arrangement for the daughter of one of the other Lords in order to form a stronger alliance."
"You might like whoever your father chooses," Kagome suggested calmly.
"I do not want to be stuck with some female I don't know. She'll probably be greedy and conceited like all the others that I've met have been."
Kagome laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you shouldn't stress about it until you know for certain that you don't want to mate the girl."
"I do not like the idea of having to spend the rest of my life with a mate that was forced upon me." Abruptly, he brightened. He turned and grabbed bother of her hands in his. "I know! Kagome, why don't you be my mate?"
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome replied sternly. "You're not thinking rationally."
"Yes, I am! I do not care if you have status or not. If I am to live an eternity with someone, I'd rather it be with you."
Kagome's cheeks gained a faint blush. "That's sweet, Sesshoumaru, but—"
"Please, Kagome." He was actually begging her. Sesshoumaru rarely asked anyone for any sort of favor.
Kagome sighed. "Neither of us has lived for very long yet, Sesshoumaru, so I'll make you a deal. If you haven't found someone you want to be your mate by the time you've seen four centuries, I will become your mate, if you still wish me to."
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. "Then it's only fair that if you find someone, you don't have to mate me, either."
Kagome smiled and agreed. He was so principled.
Sesshoumaru nodded, knowing he would get no better offer from her. "It's a deal, then." They clasped hands, sealing the bargain.
Once Sesshoumaru began training, he had less opportunity to do as he pleased. Kagome told him that she understood, but he still became irritable. Though he would not admit the truth, he missed her. As his father continued to deprive him of time to spend with both his mother and Kagome, Sesshoumaru became frustrated. His contained aggravation was constantly released on his father, and Sesshoumaru would be punished.
Once, when Kagome tried to tend to a wound inflicted by his father, Sesshoumaru snapped at her. He immediately felt remorse at her hurt look, but he could not bring himself to apologize. The thought that he was becoming as arrogant as his father occurred to him, fueling his temper.
Kagome only gave him a slight, supportive smile and told him, "Try not to let your father's behavior affect you so much. I don't like seeing you hurt, okay?"
So he began to gain a mask of aloofness. When Katsuro approved of his self-discipline, he was surprised, but refused to be pleased at a compliment if it came from his father.
Do a DAMN GOOGLE SEARCH: I am glad you like the story so far. At least you had updates to look forward to upon your return, ne? Thanks for reviewing!
Midnightangel: Funny that you requested that I continue with my distractions, because another story idea, not as recurring, has come to me. But I have enough stories to work on for the moment, so I am postponing that story for later. Thank you for the review!
Inuyasha's hun: I am happy that you think I am off to a good start. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Thanks for the review!
Sesshie's Black Dominatrix: I hope you like this story as much as you enjoy my other one. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Okane-Tsuki: I updated this chapter rather quickly, but once school starts, updates will probably be less frequent. Thank you for the review, and enjoy!
Demoness of the Black Wolves: Yes, she is. A bit of a rarity, I suppose. Thanks for the review!
The Squabbit: I only have one chapter and you're excited about the story. I'm truly thrilled. Thank you very much for the review!
Kjinuyasha: Well, this story is AU. Also, I am setting the stage for why Sesshoumaru becomes so seemingly heartless later in life. Thanks for reviewing!
natasha: Thank you… I think, lol. Honestly, thank you for the review. I hope you enjoy the story!