Chapter 24
Three days later, and Sesshomaru was arriving at the Shiro with Kagome on his arm. They had passed Miroku and the others on the way here, but Sesshomaru was anxious to get home and speak to his father. It was strange for him to admit that he was worried about Izayoi, but he was. She had not done anything wrong in the entire situation to warrant any negativity turned in her direction. He could see that now, he just hoped his mother did as well.
When his feet touched the ground, he let go of Kagome. They were outside the gardens, looking into the Shiro. Sesshomaru wondered if he could just walk in like he used to. Things between him and Touga had deteriorated to the point that Sesshomaru had been walking on a fine line. Perhaps he should announce himself first?
"Come on." Kagome grabbed his hand, urging him forward. She only let him go when they were inside, walking silently through the halls. He could feel her worry for him, and he knew she could feel his hesitation. He wasn't sure how this meeting with his father was going to go.
When they found Touga, he was walking from the dining room with Izayoi and InuYasha behind him. Immediately InuYasha ran for Kagome, yelling her name and hugging her around her waist. Kagome hugged him back, holding onto him tightly. "I'm sorry I missed my last three-month visit. I was still in China and couldn't teleport back."
"It's okay, Gome. I thought butthead stole you away." InuYasha flicked a glare at Sesshomaru, who just raised a single brow.
"Sesshomaru, Kagome. It's good to see the two of you well. How was your trip to China?" Touga smiled at them both, and Sesshomaru noticed Izayoi. She was looking at him, eyes kind, but she was tucked slightly behind Touga, as if using him as a barrier from Sesshomaru.
"There are things we need to discuss, Father." Sesshomaru motioned towards InuYasha. "Without young ears."
"Okay." Touga nodded, whistling loudly. An armed guard walked around the corner of the hall, his metal armor clanking with each step. "Take InuYasha to his sitter. If anyone asks, I am in an important meeting. I am not to be disturbed unless it concerns InuYasha."
"Stay with InuYasha." Sesshomaru added, tone serious. The guard nodded, then motioned for InuYasha to follow, who did happily.
"Is my son in danger, Sesshomaru?" It was no surprise Touga caught on to Sesshomaru meaning behind the guard. The fierce protective father that Sesshomaru knew was rearing his head, ready to destroy anyone that threatened his child.
"We will discuss it in private." Sesshomaru assured, then turned to Kagome. "You will come with us." His head swiveled to Izayoi. He could see the worry on her face, and he hoped he could soothe it. "Izayoi should come as well."
"Me?" Izayoi looked up at Touga, surprised Sesshomaru wanted to include her in anything at all. Touga shrugged, then held out a hand. Sesshomaru could see his father's impatience. Touga wanted to know what was going on, and he didn't want to wait any longer than they needed to.
Silently, they walked to Touga's study. It was when he shut the door behind everyone that Touga finally said something. "Tell me what has happened. I won't wait for a second longer."
Sesshomaru looked towards Kagome, who was sitting on the couch next to Izayoi. Touga moved to sit behind his desk while Sesshomaru claimed a chair in the middle of the room. When they were settled, Sesshomaru started. "As you know, we were in China. I ran into someone I never thought I would see again. Kagome was there. She can confirm what I'm about to say."
"Spit it out, Sesshomaru." Touga was leaning forward, anxiously waiting.
"Mother is alive and well." The room went silent, Touga's eyes getting large with surprise. Almost limply, he leaned back in his chair, processing what he just learned. Sesshomaru used his shock to continue explaining. "She faked her death because she wanted it hanging over your head while you found your happiness with Izayoi."
Taking a deep breath, Touga ran a hand over his face, covering his eyes for several seconds. When he removed it, they could all see the fury etched on his features. "The spiteful bitch." Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward in his chair, hands gripping the armrest. "The woman hid it well. I saw that vindictive side of hers more often than not. I never thought she would turn that on me." Suddenly Touga's entire body slumped, wide eyes locking on Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru, how are you handling this? You found the body, thought she was dead just to learn that she's not. That cannot be an easy discovery."
"It was… a shock. However, I have come to terms with it. She chose to throw me away; now she must live with that decision." Sesshomaru paused for a moment, his own hands tightening in his fist. "I will not grieve a mother who did not care."
"She cared, Sesshomaru, she's just… I don't know." Touga sounded defeated, guilty even. "I never should have made that promise with her. I should have known that I wouldn't be able to turn from my soul bonded. I could never regret loving Izayoi. There will never be a part of me that will wish that I made a different decision. However, there are things regarding Satori that I wish I had done differently. Part of this is my fault, Sesshomaru. I am sorry that I have brought you into this whole mess."
"I don't want your apology, Father. You chose your soul bonded. No one can blame you for that." Sesshomaru could see the shock on both Touga and Izayoi's faces. "Izayoi… I am… sorry for the way I treated you. I took my grief out on you, and I should not have. You were not in the wrong in this situation. I understand if you can never forgive me, however I-"
"That's enough." Izayoi stood, walking over to Sesshomaru. She cupped his face, making him look up at her. "I know you were an adult when Touga and I met. You had your mother and your father, and I never wanted to take that from you. But when Touga told me he had a son, I accepted you as my son immediately. That means I have loved you through it all, good and bad because that's what a mother does. She loves her children no matter what. You are forgiven, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru's mouth parted, taken aback. He had never taken the time to get to know Izayoi. All this time, he had thought Kagome was the only woman with a pure and kind heart, but he was wrong. Izayoi was just as kind as Kagome. All he could do was manage a nod, his throat too tight to speak. He had hurt people that didn't deserve it.
"There's more." Kagome spoke up this time. She could feel Sesshomaru's emotions, knew that he needed a moment to compose himself. "Satori knows Izayoi is alive. Sesshomaru nor I are sure of what she will do with that knowledge. It's possible that she may find another way to retaliate."
"I would like to say that she wouldn't, but I am not sure anymore." Touga clasped his hands together in front of his face, pressing his forehead against them. "This is distressing. For over fifty years, she has been wandering China. She could have been building her own empire for all we know. She could be a threat, especially if she hasn't gotten over what happened." Pausing, Touga looked at Kagome. "She saw you? Does she know that you and Sesshomaru were Soul bonded at one point?"
"She assumed that we were. We didn't correct her." Kagome shrugged, flicking her eyes towards Sesshomaru, who was watching her. He was curious what she would say. So far, they hadn't talked about making their relationship public, and he wasn't going to push it until she was ready.
"She may come after you as well, Kagome. I doubt she would stop and listen to reason. Even with the two of you not being together, she may still target you simply because you're human. We need to keep you safe like InuYasha and Izayoi." Touga leaned back in his chair, suddenly exhausted.
"We are together." Kagome announced, and Touga snapped up in his chair, staring at her with wide eyes. It was like he couldn't process what she said. Giggling at his expense, Kagome stood and walked over to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru grabbed her hand, bringing her fingers to his mouth to kiss each one. Touga's mouth dropped, and Sesshomaru smirked. It was rare his father was rendered speechless, and Sesshomaru had managed it twice in one go.
"I'm so happy for both of you." Izayoi clapped her hands together, smiling at them. When Touga still didn't say anything, she walked over to him and patted his back. "Aren't you happy for them, Dear?"
"W-What?" Touga looked up at her, dumbfounded. When she pointed back at Sesshomaru and Kagome, Touga let out a howl of happiness. Before they could react, he had both Sesshomaru and Kagome wrapped in his arms, hugging them tightly. "I am so proud of you, Son. I was so worried you would lose the best thing for you, but you were able to salvage it. I am happy for you. You as well, Kagome." Touga let them go, keeping a hand on their shoulder. "Now tell me, when do I get grandpups."
"It will be a while, Father. I have asked Kagome to court me. We are not yet mated." Sesshomaru brushed away any wrinkles from his clothing that his father may have left. Touga seemed to pout for a moment but then smiled anyway.
"We are going to celebrate. Tonight, we will have a feast. The heir of the West is courting his soul bonded!" Touga bellowed. In his excitement, he ran to the window, shoving it open roughly. "Do you hear that? My son is going to be mated."
"Perhaps we should have kept this a secret." Sesshomaru had a hand over his face. He hid it well, but he knew Kagome could feel his embarrassment. She chuckled, grabbing his hand and smiling up at him.
"I think it's sweet. He really is happy for you." She whispered, and Sesshomaru couldn't argue with her. Touga may be embarrassing, but all this time, he had only wanted what was best for Sesshomaru. Leaning down, Sesshomaru kissed Kagome, squeezing her hand with his own.
When he pulled away, he noticed his father and Izayoi staring at them with big, all-knowing smiles. Now that the meeting was over, Sesshomaru was ready to escape his overbearing father. However, before he could, he noticed Izayoi's smile slip suddenly.
When she saw him looking up at her, she leaned up and whispered into Touga's ear. His smile faded as he looked down at her. "I forgot." Touga looked back up at Sesshomaru, then rushed to his desk, bringing out several letters, some opened, others not. "The ones unopened are for you." Touga looked at Kagome, then back towards Sesshomaru. "They are from Kagura. The ones opened are to me, from Naraku. They want you to marry Kagura and align the West with the North."
"Tell them no. Burn the letters from Kagura; I do not want them." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the letters as if they had offended him. He could feel Kagome's excitement fading away to be replaced with worry. Pulling her to him, he wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her temple. "I have all that I want."
"I know. Obviously, I would tell them no. I have a few times already. I always said that your future would be your decision, and I hoped that you and Kagome…" Touga threw the letters onto his desk behind him, then stepped forward. "You know how these things work, Sesshomaru. They will likely both visit before they accept your refusal. Kagome will have to worry about more than just Satori. Kagura and Naraku may cause problems as well."
"Let them. I will kill any who try to harm her." Sesshomaru snarled, eyes bleeding red in the corners. "Invite them, Father, so that I may destroy them for even thinking of harming my mate. I will not leave a piece of them alive. I will melt them with my poison. I will-"
"Sesshomaru." Kagome cupped his cheek, feeling his anger melting away instantly. "Give them the benefit of the doubt. We don't know how they will react, just like we don't know how Satori will." Knowing Sesshomaru was now calm, she turned to Touga. "Tell them that Sesshomaru is courting me, and then we see what they do. We don't want a war between the North and West. Not after the war with the invaders. Our army is still healing. Pacify them. Let them visit, and hopefully, when they see that Sesshomaru will refuse, they accept it."
"I don't like it. I don't want them near you." Sesshomaru pulled Kagome to him, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Kagome. You do know who Kagura is. She is the woman from the meadow." Touga was warning her, but Sesshomaru hated feeling Kagome tense from the reminder. When Kagome gave a nod, Touga asked the question they were all wondering. "Can you handle being face to face with Kagura, knowing that she will be here to win Sesshomaru over?"
"I can." Kagome pressed her face into Sesshomaru's chest, gripping his clothing tightly. Sesshomaru could feel her doubts and insecurities. She was comparing herself to Kagura while putting on a brave face. He knew he would have to reassure her, to make her understand that Kagura meant nothing to him, that she was the most important thing to him. However, he knew it would take time. Time that he hoped he had.
...
I know this is going to make several of you mad, but I really don't think izayoi did anything wrong in this situation. She met her soul bonded, and he made the decision to end things with his wife the way he did. Izayoi wasn't apart of that. However, at this point, Touga has apologized for his actions to Sesshomaru. He knows it is partially his fault Satori did what she did, and he has admitted it. I think Touga has earned that forgiveness. Sesshomaru also knows that Izayoi hadn't deserved his treatment of her, and he has always apologized. In my opinion, everyone in the family has earned their redemption. Now we get onto the rest of the story. I hope you all enjoyed.
Last week, we didn't make the twenty-five reviews that I normally ask for. I posted the chapter anyway because I wanted you to have the chapter with their first kiss. If ya'll don't want to do the challenge, that will be fine. Just let me know. For this week, it will be the same. Twenty-five reviews from different people by Wednesday. Here is the teaser: Can Sesshomaru find a way to bridge that gap between him and his brother? What gift does Kagome receive, and how does she react to it? What is Naraku and Kagura really up to? Good luck everyone.
Thanks to Didithereaper for editing.
P.S. I got my first sunburn of the season. Ouch.
