She sat alone on the floor of her new chambers, cross-legged in a meditative pose. She had been trying for hours to hone in on the power she was now aware was swirling within her, but whatever progress she seemed to make would leave her as soon as it came.
It all made sense now. The heightened senses, the clarity of thought... She wasn't becoming a demon, but it appeared she was feeling the effects of the youki she now seemed to possess. It wasn't always at the forefront, however.
Her reiki was still strong, and seemed to take the reins of her emotions when he was near, drawing it from her to war with his own forces. But when left to her own devices, Sesshoumaru's powerful essence wanted control over her still, and made her painfully aware of what the demon had endured until extremely recently.
The thoughts and feelings she was having mirrored the ones he himself had held before joining with her group to defeat Naraku. She had played no small part in bringing him into the light, and now it had seemed that the tables had turned. She could feel his influence to overpower the emotions whenever he was near, but it wouldn't be as simple as all that.
It was a catch-22. She needed him close to keep the youki in check, but the closeness she preferred was only adding fuel to the fire inside her. She supposed, in theory, she could be in his company enough to control it without succumbing to her feminine whiles in his presence, but the temptation was far too great; so for now, it would remain a theory. She was trying her best to handle this on her own.
Each time she could find herself drawing on her own powers of purity to win the battle in her soul, his youki would be there, to remind her of its might and dominance over her. It was made all the more difficult by the fact that she didn't really want to keep it at bay.
She could now understand Sesshoumaru's annoyance at, well, everything in the past. Not only was her sense of hearing much sharper as far as decibels, but she could hear the underlying messages from others clearer as well. Hidden meanings, veiled thoughts... it was all so obvious to her now. She would be frustrated when one would see fit to waste her time by trying to mislead her, or at least not be fully forthcoming with information.
Her vision had improved, but she could also see the true nature of those around her. Auras glowed in colors, alerting her to intentions, as well as emotions unspoken. There was no use lying to her now, for she could see it. Hear it. Even scent it.
She could see now his impatience with those around him, human or otherwise. With the fog of her once mortal mind now lifted, her brain power had increased. Things were easy to comprehend, and she found she had little time to squander on waiting for others to reach the same conclusions that were now so easy for her to come by; and no interest in explaining it to them. She didn't expect anyone else to be able to conceive what her enhanced mind now could, and didn't need them to.
Even before accumulating his youki, none were a match for her. Her reiki alone could exterminate any threat. Now, she simply had the tools necessary to put those powers to more effective use, and the strong will to do so.
It's not that she didn't still love him. She did. But her priorities were shifting. Love was nice, but power was great. The only reason she was even attempting to gain mastery over herself was so she could be with him again physically, as she longed to do. His body was addictive, and going cold turkey was a most unappealing option.
But she was frustrated with this as well. After once again failing to bring her priestess powers to the front of her consciousness, she pounded the floor beside her with huff; rose to stand, and made to leave. She had more important things to do.
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Kai had led Kashi to Sesshoumaru's war room, and the dragon was surprised to find it empty. He wondered if the soldier had been mistaken of the time, as it was news to him that they were having an additional impromptu council meeting.
It was also strange that Kai refused to enter the room to wait with him. Sure, he wasn't allowed to be present in the meeting, unless Sesshoumaru had wished it for some reason. But he seemed uncomfortable during their walk as he escorted him from his room, and nervous as they approached the threshold. He refused to linger, and seemed like he couldn't leave fast enough once they had arrived.
'What's taking so long? Where are they?' He wondered. What was all of this about? Sesshoumaru was always true to his word, but maybe he did intend on punishing him for Tanaka's comments regarding Inuyasha. 'I have never seen the pup so touchy...'
He was relieved when the door finally opened, but it gave way to confusion when it was not a member of the council who had let themselves in.
"What is this?" He demanded, annoyed by her presence, and unsure of her intentions. Sesshoumaru allowed this human far too much freedom. If that was how he wanted to run his fortress, that was his business. But the council was sacred, and he did not appreciate her recent attendance. Or her smugness.
"Kashi, I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I'm Kagome." She held out her hand in attempt to shake, but he only fixed her with an expression that left no doubt he considered her a fool.
"I know who you are." She withdrew her hand, but took no offense as she sat beside him.
"What is the meaning of this? Where is Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Don't worry about him. He is off on an errand; he won't be back until we are through."
He stood then, with the intention of leaving.
"I don't have time for this. Whatever games you are playing, I have no interest-"
The flaring of her reiki halted his protest, and he widened his eyes at the threat she presented.
"Sit. Down." He seemed to consider it, but ended up doing as he was told.
"I don't play games, Kashi. Do you wish to see how serious I can be?"
He tried to project irritation, but it came off much more trepidatious. "What do you want?"
"I just want to talk. Like I said, we have not been formally introduced. I am making an effort to get to know those who hold a position in Sesshoumaru's life, and I thought we could use his absence as an opportunity to learn some things about each other. What do you want to know about me?"
He didn't really care to learn anything about the miko. Not that he didn't have questions. The display of her purity was in the front of his mind, however. As it didn't seem that she was going to let up, he decided to move whatever this was along.
"They say you purified Naraku with your arrow? Is that so?"
She was pleased with the question. He was uneasy with her abilities, as most demons tended to be. She relished the opportunity to remind him of what she was capable.
"That is so," she bragged. "Just about every demon of power had attempted to end his wretched life. They gave it all they had, but even Sesshoumaru couldn't finish him off. One simple arrow from me and poof! He was dust in an instant. You would do well to remember that."
He bristled at the threat. He was The Lord of the Southern Lands. He was not accustomed to any outside the council trying to prove their dominance over him. Especially not a human girl. But he couldn't deny her power. If she had done as she said- and he definitely believed that she had- he was going to have to push down his rage of it and simply allow her to finish.
When it didn't appear that she would say anymore, he ventured another question in an attempt to keep things cordial.
"How is it that you came in the company of Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Inuyasha, his brother. I used to have a little crush on him. You could say that I have traded up, ne?"
"I'll say," he agreed; and she finally got to the reason she had summoned the dragon.
"We all know what happened to your nephew. Do you plan to seek vengeance?" So, that was what this was about. But why send her?
"I have told Sesshoumaru that I hold no ill will. His actions were justified."
"I'm happy to hear that. Who will replace your heir?"
He didn't see how it was any of her business, and fought down the urge to tell her so.
"I have a general in mind who I am considering. I will decide after I have returned to The South."
"This general of yours... you think he is a match for me?" He was getting sick of her threats, but managed to contain his upset. He was not looking for a reason to go to war with Sesshoumaru.
"I suppose no demon would be, given your abilities," he admitted to them both.
"Exactly. I can defeat any who would try to challenge me. That is why I suggest you consider me for the position." He could only regard her with a dumbfounded expression for a moment.
"You?"
"The strongest being wins with you guys, right? Well, let's just save us the trouble of the fight. I don't need to purify anyone, just accept that I would beat any who would think to go against me, and name me as your heir."
His incredulity threatened to keep him rendered silent.
"You are to be The Lady of the Western Lands! You have no business in The South!"
"I can spread myself over a 500 year period, I think I can handle a short flight to your lands," she announced as she leaned back into her chair. He had no idea what she was talking about.
"Look. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Sesshoumaru has barred me from attending any future council meetings. If I am a member of the council, however, his hands will be tied. You need my input. I'm the only one who can talk any sense into him regarding the human issue. If you want to protect your race, you are going to want me in your corner. You despise his cohabitation plans, do you not"
He did, of course. He had no interest in involving humans in their great society. He was not planning on following the dog demon's lead within his own lands; but if that was what Sesshoumaru had wanted in The West, he would not stand in his way. Sesshoumaru was not to be trifled with. Why did it seem like that is what she was doing?
He wanted no part in whatever it was she was up to. Did he really have a choice?
"Why do you not simply persuade him in private? The power a mate wields within the council tends to be most effective in the bedroom."
"Sesshoumaru is strong willed. I believe I have done all I can in that regard. I need a position in the council to gain any footing in this." Seeing his hesitance, she decided to clue him in further.
"I meant what I said, you know. I come from 500 years in the future. Not only do I have knowledge of what will come to pass, but I have valuable knowledge regarding many things. Your lands are desolate, I hear. I can fix that. I have technology. I know of ways to help you get The South up to code. I believe you will find that in a short time under my rule, you will see The Southern Lands flourish." This seemed to get his attention.
"If Sesshoumaru isn't interested in utilizing me to strengthen him in this regard, then use that to your advantage. I am an asset. Your lands stretch farther than his. Once I make it into a place fit to live, your population will grow. So will your armies. You will have the best of everything, and you won't have to bend to his every whim, as you do now."
He couldn't deny that the prospect was appealing. But her defiance was niggling at him.
"Will he not be cross with you? I cannot see Sesshoumaru being on board with such an arrangement."
"You leave that to me. As you said, there are things only a mate can do to persuade their lord. I am not completely without resources in that regard. What do you say?"
"You're crazy." She only smiled at that. She knew she had him.
"But I don't see that I have a choice," he admitted with a sigh. After a lengthy silence, he proceeded. "I will announce you as heir at the next meeting."
"Let's just keep this between us for now. I need some time to work on him. When I think he will be more receptive to the idea, I will let you know. Until then, just keep your mouth shut."
He only inclined his head in response. He remained seated as she rose to leave.
Her intimidating demeanor turned deceptively sweet on the drop of a dime.
"It was so nice to finally meet you, Kashi." She held out her hand in offering.
This time, he shook it.
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A/N: Hang in there with me guys! Its gonna be worth it, i promise XD
On a side note, I have a favor to ask...
I wrote a story called Waterfalls, and I haven't gotten any feedback on it yet.
If you get the time, could you give it a read and let me know what you think? Good or bad, I'd be curious what you think. It isn't terribly long, so it shouldn't take too much of your time.
As a reward, if I get a few reviews on it, I will post another chapter of this story when I get home tonight. Deal? Thanks a bunch! I appreciate you guys!
PPS: My other stories Only Human and That Night have also been updated. So if you are following those, you can enjoy a few new chapters of each! I was busy this weekend. I also wrote a crack oneshot called That Sesshoumaru, if you are in the mood for a laugh. (drops dead from exhaustion). ok, im done. XD