Unfortunate

Sesshoumaru's mother made good on her promise that afternoon.

Kagome, with bandages wrapped around her head, sat among furs and pillows scowling at Lady Manako as she calming sipped her tea. His mother had insisted that they meet in her personal quarters, instead of the den.

The miko's fury had not abated since that morning, and her head throbbed from her injury.

"Why am I here?" Kagome asked, having lost all patience with the daiyoukai.

The demoness leveled her eyes at the miko over her cup of tea.

"You are in dire need of instruction, and I am here to help you." She explained, taking a dainty sip from her cup.

Kagome wanted to slap the cup right of her hands.

"Help me? You call this helping?" She said pointing at her bandaged head.

"Yes, well, this morning did not go as planned. It was regrettable."

Kagome grit her teeth, but knew that was probably as close to an apology as she was likely to get.

"May I ask why you interfered?"

Manako slowly blinked at her. "I wanted to see what would happen." She took a sip from her cup. "It has been ages since I have felt a holy energy like yours. I wanted to explore it. You were holding back so much for Sesshoumaru, that I felt like it wasn't enough."

Kagome threw her hands up. "You are impossible! I am so confused. I thought you wanted me to mate Sesshoumaru? Why do you keep trying to kill me? Is it because I'm human? Is it because everyone thinks I should mate him?" She rambled.

Manako set her cup down and looked genuinely surprised.

"I don't want to kill you. What made you think I would hate you because you are human?"

Kagome's mouth opened and closed, unable to formulate her words.

"I...I…just thought because of Inuyasha..."

Manako tilted her head to the side. "What about the hanyou?"

"Inuyasha always told me that youkai ostracized him, not to mention the hatred between him and his brother."

Manako reclined back. "Ah, that is most unfortunate."

Pure rage bubbled up within Kagome, and came spilling out.

"Unfortunate? Inuyasha was tormented and neglected by his family, and you consider that unfortunate?!"

The daiyoukai's eyes narrowed. "Your anger is misdirected."

"How so? You could have helped him!"

"You are only partially correct."

Manako's nonchalance withered and a deep sadness crossed her face.

"Allow me to explain. It happened about 200 years or so, give or take. I cannot remember anymore..." Manako began her tale.