Arrogant

The throne room was magnificent.

Kagome could understand why most business transactions happened here. It was an obvious sign of wealth. Deep blue silk draperies hung from the walls, and white marble tile with gold inlays lined the floor. She found the tile surprising, because it was so nontraditional. It was incongruous to the rest of the palace, which featured all hardwood floors.

Sesshoumaru's mother sat on a bench on top of a dais. She had no idea what she was expecting his mother to look like, but the beautiful youkai who gazed back at her was surprising. Her hair color was similar to her son's, but much lighter, closer to a stark white, than silver. She wore an elegant crimson three layer kimono, that made her glowing yellow eyes much more pronounced. Fur draped around her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

Kagome held her head high. She refused to cower or appear weak in front of the Lady of the Western Lands. She shuffled lightly, and held her hands together in a polite manner. Her eyes scanned the room for Sesshoumaru, but found him absent.

A guard that she had never seen before appeared to Kagome's right.

"The Shikon Miko, widow to Prince Inuyasha, and mother to the heir, the Lady Kagome." He announced, then bowed and left the room.

A slight stinging sensation ran up her back, as the pressure of Lady Manako's youki rose around her. Like a wave it crashed down on her, trying to smother her under its weight. Her limbs felt heavy and numb. She fought the rising panic as her chest hurt, and it became difficult to breathe. It seemed as though the immense youki had driven the oxygen from the room.

If it were not for her training with Sesshoumaru, she might have been driven to her knees by the sheer force of it. However, now she was used to the feeling of such enormous power. She would not be bullied. Reiki rose up around her like a bubble of protection, pushing away the ill effects.

She approached the woman on the dais, and bowed respectfully. Lady Manako raised a delicate eyebrow in question. Kagome smiled despite herself. It was remarkable how much the Sesshoumaru resembled his mother.

Cool citrine eyes examined her from head to toe. Kagome shifted awkwardly under her stare.

"Shikei no Miko. Why is it that you are here?"

Kagome furrowed her eyebrows, confused. "My Lady, you summoned me here."

Lady Manako shot to her feet. "You are disgusting! From the moment you walked through those doors, you have been arrogant and disrespectful!" Her voice boomed across the room.

Kagome took a step back. Her eyes wide with shock. "I did not mean to disrespect you."

"Yet, you continue to show me defiance! You refuse to submit to me in my own home!" The Lady of the Western Lands shouted and pointed an a clawed finger at her.

Kagome felt her ire grow with every accusation. She clenched her fists. "Lady Manako, the last time I checked, this home belonged to Sesshoumaru-sama."

Lady Manako stalked down the steps toward her, anger rolling off her in waves. Kagome blinked and the daiyoukai was in front of her. Fury burned from her eyes, as she grabbed Kagome by the throat.

"Not only are you arrogant, but you are a fool! I should kill you for your offenses!"

Kagome gasped and reach up to pry her hand from around her neck. Her delicate clawed hand was like a steel trap around her throat. Her sharp claws dug into the side of her neck. Hot, white panic stabbed through her. She couldn't breathe. Spots were beginning to dance in front of her vision.

Reiki swelled up in her, ready to attack.

"If I feel so much as a flicker of your reiki, I will snap your neck." Lady Manako said softly.

Kagome closed her eyes, and painfully willed her reiki to subside. How could this meeting have gone so badly?

"I have ruled these lands for many generations. My insolent son did not gain these lands through his father, but through me."

Manako let go of her throat, and Kagome crumpled to the ground gasping for air. Hard indifferent eyes looked down on her.

On all fours, she took several a deep breaths. Her throat burned with each breath. Shame filled her. His mother was right, she had assumed too much. Rin was always reminding her to act submissive. Why couldn't she ever learn?

Kagome knelt and bowed her head to the floor. Lady Manako stared curiously at her prostrate form.

Silence stretched between them for several moments.

"A thousand apologies, my lady, I did not know." Her voice rasped.

Lady Manako lifted her nose, and eyed her. "You speak the truth. Now rise."

Kagome rose from the ground, and stood before her.

"Why are you here?" Lady Manako asked once more.

"I sought aid from Sesshoumaru-sama, in order to protect my son." Kagome held her bruised throat as she spoke.

Lady Manako folded her arms into her sleeves. "I had been informed of the hanyou's death." Her eyes softened a degree. "It is...devastating to lose a mate. You have my condolences."

The sincerity in her words confused Kagome, given her violence against her person only moments before.

"I…uh...thank you."

"I have heard many tales of you and your son's exploits, but I do wish to see for myself."

She bowed her head. "I understand."

"It is abundantly clear you do not understand. As a miko, you are uneducated in the area of youkai manners. You will have to learn these things before you mate Sesshoumaru. Who knows how many wars you would start." The Lady quipped.

Kagome snapped her head up. " Wait...W-what?!"

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