"Talking"
'Thinking'
StressedKagome gazed the Eastern castle in slight awe. In her eyes it didn't compare to the greatness of the shrines she had seen. Bankotsu kept his hands on his sword knowing that it would be improper to touch the 'Miko'. He snorted at the thought, but he could see why it was important to keep up appearances. The castle gates slowly opened toward the castle and she was granted a full view. Bankotsu gazed at the castle and thought that he pillaged better places. Tachi kept his face impassive to any impression he received about the castle.
'I wonder how they got Sesshoumaru into this place,' Kagome thought. The place didn't seem to fit the persona of Sesshoumaru, even if he was just visiting.
She was pulled from her thoughts as the soft clacking of shoes stole her attention. Kagome followed the echoing sound to the stone path in front of her. The woman's face was sharp and her eyes held a dangerous glint. Kagome took note the eyes were a dark shade of blue that left you searching for the pupils. Her hair was held up in bun and a few bangs caressed her chin as she kept her gaze on Kagome. The woman held her head high and Kagome caught a glimpse of the mark on her forehead. The symbol of indigo diamond was on her brow. Kagome frowned at the color of that.
The woman stood a few feet from Kagome and they both began to size each other up. She wore a Sakura colored Kimono with a golden obi. Patterns of falling flowers were spread over the material. Kagome then caught sight of the item lying against her back. It appeared to be a black animal pelt, but when she looked closer, she saw it was thousands of black crow feathers. Kagome bowed her head making sure not to take her eyes off the woman.
"I am the Miko Kagome," Kagome politely introduced.
"I know who you are, and it disgusts me that you will speak for those vermin," the woman hissed. Kagome could feel Tachi's youki begin to rise and she knew this was going downhill.
"Your opinions don't concern me," Kagome coldly said as she allowed her Miko ki to rise. "What concerns me are your true actions."
"Lady Kagome!" A voice rang out.
Kagome took a step back from the woman and turned to see a figure descending from the sky. The black wings ruffled as he landed and bowed to her. His Aralia leaf was tucked behind his back. Kagome couldn't see his face because of the crow helmet he wore. She bowed to him; luck had graced her today.
"Maro-sama," Kagome greeted with a smile.
Bankotsu raised an eyebrow as he tried to recall the youkai. His eyebrow lowered when he remembered the Karasu-Tengu. Maro removed his helmet and allowed his glazed sapphire hair to fall around him. His pearl blue eyes landed on Bankotsu with a grin. He could clearly see that the man had succeeded in becoming human. Maro turned to the angered lady and bowed.
"Lady Mai, I introduce Kagome the Betsushimiko," Maro said with a hidden grin.
"I was not informed that she was a Betsushimiko," Lady Mai growled.
"I have trained her myself," Maro said as his grin showed. The woman turned her dark blue eyes to Maro and glared.
"I also introduce my traveling companion Bankotsu and Lord Tachi of the Eastern Kamaitachi clan," Kagome spoke with ease.
"I am Lady Mai of the Eastern Lands," Mai huffed with a frown.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Kagome dryly said.
"I would watch your tone," Mai warned with a glare.
"And I watch who you try to intimidate," Kagome softly said with a smile.
"You dare threaten me?" Mai growled as she raised her hand to slap Kagome.
Kagome smiled as the hand pushed her face to the side. Mai yelped as she cradled her hand to her chest. She looked at her hand, saw that the skin was burned off, and still smoking. Mai's eyes widened as she began to look panicked.
"I hope that we can get along," Kagome said as she turned her eyes to the crow youkai.
"I will have your head for assaulting me!" Mai warned.
"Lady Mai," Maro began. "I believe we have three people who saw you hit Lady Kagome first."
Mai glared and turned an icy stare to Kagome. Kagome kept smiling as the youkai glared at her.
"This is not over," Mai promised as she turned around to stomp away.
"Have a nice day!" Kagome called out with a wave.
Bankotsu slightly chuckled as he turned Kagome to face him. His fingertips softly pressed against her cheek. She winced but continued to smile at him. He sighed and pressed a quick kiss to her nose. Kagome blushed and looked away.
"She won't get away with that," Bankotsu softly promised. Kagome turned a gaze to Bankotsu and softly smiled.
"She's a Taiyoukai, so she will get away with it," Kagome corrected.
"Not with me around," Bankotsu promised.
"No making false promises Ban-Chan," Kagome scolded.
"It's a real promise," Bankotsu declared as he pinched her cheek.
"I guess I'll lead you to your rooms," Maro sighed.
Kagome nodded and followed him inside the castle. They traveled up about three flights of stairs before they reached the first floor. Crow youkai liked to live above the ground. After going up another two flights of stairs, they reached the third floor. Maro turned right and showed them that the first three doors were where their rooms were.
"The youkai are on the other side," Kagome stated more then asked.
"Most didn't feel comfortable sharing quarters near a Miko," Maro supplied.
"I understand their reasoning," Kagome spoke.
Kagome looked to Tachi and knew the reason why he was with them. He was still considered low on the food chain.
"When does the council begin?" Kagome questioned.
"When the sun sets," Maro answered.
"Very well," Kagome sighed as she walked to her room. Bankotsu went to follow but was stopped by Maro.
"If your image is tarnished then they won't take your word seriously," Maro warned.
Kagome tossed a sympathetic look to Bankotsu. He shrugged even though he was a bit upset. Kagome smiled and blew him a kiss before they turned to go to their own rooms. She closed the doors and sighed as she leaned her head against the wood.
'After this, we can be normal,' Kagome thought.
The elegant figure calmly walked down the youkai hallway. He snorted at the other Taiyoukai's fear of a Miko. His father would have never feared a Miko, because it was no use giving more power to an opponent. He passed out of the youkai hall and into the human section. His nose lightly twitched as he found the human he was searching for. He normally didn't associate with humans, but there was something coming. The door opened and he stared down at the woman. Her eyes were a bit brighter then last time. He could no longer sense the hate in her.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," Kagome greeted as she stepped aside.
"Miko," Sesshoumaru acknowledged as he stepped inside her room.
Kagome didn't want to speak first; she knew he disliked idol chitchat. She waited for him to speak. His amber eyes studied her as his pupils narrowed in thought. Kagome swore she saw pity flash through his eyes once more. It annoyed her that he would look upon her with pity.
"Death is upon you," Sesshoumaru stated as Kagome's eyes widened.
Kagome softly laughed at this and then noticed he glared at her. Kagome cleared her throat while figuring that she had better explain.
"Death is always upon me," Kagome clarified.
"You find your death amusing?" Sesshoumaru questioned.
"Yes," Kagome confided.
"The Tenseiga allows me to see when death is upon a being, and it crawling on you," Sesshoumaru spoke.
"Do you wish to know why?" Kagome questioned as she leaned against the wall.
"Your death doesn't concern me, but the Tama does," Sesshoumaru supplied.
"I will take the Tama with mewherever I go," Kagome assured as his eyes narrowed.
"That did not work with your incarnation," Sesshoumaru reminded.
"That was because her soul was reincarnated," Kagome supplied.
"Regardless, you need a plan for that cursed object," Sesshoumaru coldly said.
"I already am debating my plans," Kagome assured with a bow.
Sesshoumaru glanced at her one more time before he left the room. He had decided that whatever the Miko planed to do would go wrong. It was something that he couldn't control, but it didn't mean he couldn't try. All he knew was that there was a battle coming and he didn't know exactly when.
Kagome stared around the room and felt as if she were on trial. She was sitting beside Tachi at a low level table. Seven seats were in front of them; they were left open for the seven Taiyoukai. Kagome could see Bankotsu leaning against a wall in the corner watching her. Maro was sitting in the front row, as what she guessed was an ambassador of the Tengu. Kouga was in the front to the right of her with Ayame at his side. Kagome smiled at this, everyone was going to get a happy ending.
The doors swung open to the left and Kagome watched as a crow youkai stepped to the edge of the stairs with a list in hand. His voice was rough.
"I present Lord Tai and Lady Yumiko of the Northern lands," the crow announced.
Kagome watched the Taiyoukai step into the light. She first noticed the three silver feathers on their foreheads. They had a light air of peace around them. She watched the male and noticed that he wore a yellow hakama and haori. He adorned chest armor with small spikes coming from his shoulder. He had appeared completely human save for his ears. They were pointed, and even his teeth were like a human's. Kagome noticed that he held his mate's hand and his brown eyes would drift over to her. His dark brown hair was cut short and appeared to fine.
The Lady of North didn't appear to be what Kagome expected. Instead of wearing the traditional garments of a Lady, she wore a long skirt that came down to her ankles. The skirt was made of a fine deerskin. She wore a white haori with a sash to connect the two items. She turned around and Kagome saw the white spots of a deer on the pelt and a small tail that twitch. Her hair was soft beige and her eyes were a dark brown. Her mate helped her sit before he himself sat down. They both appeared to be only in their late twenties.
"Presenting Lord Fujiko and Lady Akicho of the Southern lands," the crow dully announced.
Kagome wanted to scream cute and run toward the monkeys. Their tails were curled together as they walked inside the room, both of them had a blue raindrop on their forehead. Lord Fujiko wore a pure white hakama and haori with a suit of armor over it. He held his helmet under his right arm as held his mate's hand in his left hand. The armor was black, but what caught her attention were his pink eyes. She wondered if he was an albino. His hair was gray and in the process of turning white. He appeared to be about fifty. Lady Akicho wore her long white hair in chopsticks with a small butterfly accessory. Kagome noticed that she wore a silver kimono with a black obi. Her eyes shone a happy pink as she led her Lord to his seat. She helped him sit down before she sat.
'He's blind,' Kagome thought as she stared at his blank eyes.
"Announcing Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western lands," the crow quickly said as he backed away.
Sesshoumaru stared ahead as he walked down the stairs. His Mokomoko-sama flowed behind him as he descended. He paid no mind to the cooing females that were present. His hair swung against his lower back as he took his seat. Kagome noticed that his sash was a pure yellow without the splash of purple at he end. His amber eyes stalked across the room and he silenced everyone with a simple stare.
"Announcing Lord Yugake and Lady Mai of the Eastern lands," the crow announced as his mood dropped. He deeply bowed as the two youkai entered.
Kagome had already personally met Lady Mai. They woman looked no different from the first meeting. She still held her head high and swam in arrogance. Kagome turned her focus to the male that accompanied her. He didn't hold her hand or show any attempt at offering affection like the other lords. His head was held just as high and his eyes were devoid of everything but superiority. Instead of having a pelt of feathers, he displayed his proud wings on his back.
Kagome noted that his hair braided and swung between his wings. His sharp indigo eyes landed on her and she shuddered. There was hate and malice in those cold depths. They both walked down the steps and toward the table. The two Taiyoukai sat down at the same time without looking at each other. Kagome guessed that they didn't have the best marriage.
"State your name and why appear before the Youkai council," Lord Yugake coldly ordered.
"I am the Betsushimiko, Higurashi Kagome and I appear here to speak for the Eastern Kamaitachi clan," Kagome announced.
Whispers broke out amongst the crowd of youkai. Kagome softly smiled as she bowed to the Youkai council.
"The matter of Kamaitachi rank in Youkai society will be dealt with last," Lord Yugake stated as gazed at her. "You may sit."
Kagome bowed and sighed, it was going to be a long night.