Faith and Good Credit
Sesshoumaru could tell Kagome was uncomfortable with being in the city that dwelled outside the confines of her castle. She was awkward with every movement clearly not feeling safe in her own skin. That would not do in Sesshoumaru's opinion. He had no intention of his future wife ever going into such a populated area as freely as she had been done in the past, but when she did he wanted her to walk with confidence. Her status made her a god among ants, but her eyes searched every corner as though she were terrified by anything that spoke or moved.
Sesshoumaru wasn't uncomfortable just annoyed. He disliked being among commoners and even worse human commoners. At least he wasn't trapped in that disgusting tavern this time having to witness his own ship yard servants act foolish and drunk this time.
"Stay away from me," Kagome thought to herself every time a child or housewife gawked at her in the streets, "I'm dangerous. I don't want to see anyone hurt again. Not again."
"Kagome," he tried to use his voice to keep her mind off whatever it was on, "these people are nothing more than your subjects. Them admiring you is part of the life you live."
Her being watched and admired wasn't the problem though Kagome wasn't really into that aspect either. It was times like this that made her really despise what she'd been born into.
"If you cannot handle it then put your mind on your task," he didn't know how to force her to accept it, "acquire what you need so we can retire for the night."
She took the advice though still kept her eyes low to the ground, "Fire and ice? If I'm the fire I might've ruined it since my dress is going to be blue, but I guess fire can be blue just everything around me needs to be red and yellow. Marigolds and roses for flowers?"
Just because he wanted her mind on her task didn't mean he wanted to be fully involved with it. He did not care what flowers she wanted as long as she was getting something accomplished. The wedding wouldn't be taking place in his land so he didn't require a grand show. This activity was for her to have something constructive to do. He didn't know if she appreciated the gesture he'd given her by letting her take the reigns, but doubted he'd get a shred of gratitude from the girl that declared she'd rather be dead than marry him.
"Roses might be too elegant," she continued to think out loud as though he were interested at all, "maybe just some poppies if we can get some. These marigolds would work."
They'd finally arrived at a seemingly small flower shop with many pots littering the front of the venue. Mostly such a small shop catered to selling single flowers and bouquets to lovesick folks out on the street while courting, the people Kagome considered free.
"Me and InuYasha passed this place all the time and he never got suckered into buying a flower," Kagome thought to herself with a frown, "not that I expected him to do what all the other men do but it should have been a sign."
Sesshoumaru glared as a young girl holding a basket of baby's breath offered him a flower. He kept a hard gaze on the filthy peasant. His thoughts weren't just rude they were the truth. The small girl had dirt all over her face and wasn't even wearing shoes, and apparently had no ounce of intelligence for she didn't even address him or try to sell him on one of those miserable looking flowers. She just looked stupid standing there holding it out.
"I want no flowers girl," Sesshoumaru spoke harshly making it clear he wasn't involved in any transactions at such a miserable little shop front.
Kagome shot Sesshoumaru a look since he was coming off way too cruel to just a child. Her first instinct was to put a smile on her face and apologize on the youkai's behalf, but Kagome was still keeping her distance. Even young children weren't free from her father's wrath if an incident were to break out in the streets.
"Rin!" a gruff man that was running the shop screamed at the little girl, "what are you doing you stupid girl? That is the princess you are in front of. Bow your head in respect and offer them something better than those weeds."
After he was done berating the small child he got on his hands and knees bowing to Kagome before noticing that the girl named Rin didn't mimic his actions. He stood up and went over to the girl roughly pulling her by the arm and forcing her down on the cobblestone path. The poor girl didn't seem to know what was going on.
"I apologize for this idiot's blatant disrespect," the man had a soft voice only for Kagome, "I fear she is just soft in the head. She doesn't talk and clearly doesn't listen."
Did the man think he could beat the girl into normalcy? That was what Sesshoumaru wondered as he noticed bruises all over the girl's arms and legs. They were fresh ones and old ones showing that the child was probably beat daily. Sesshoumaru did not like it, and not because a human girl he cared nothing about was being abused. The shopkeeper was clearly a violent man and might confuse Kagome for an easy target since she had her own bruise upon her face.
"Your daughter?" Kagome asked studying the girl and her obvious injuries.
"No," he admitted, "but unfortunately I got stuck with her when her parents passed from some sort of demon attack. Thought I could at least make her more than just a worthless mouth to feed if she could handle the simple task of selling quality flowers to beautiful women such as yourself, but apparently that is just too difficult for her. I apologize if she offends you. I'll send her away at once. Those weeds she's peddling does not represent our quality floral arrangements your majesty."
"That's quite alright," Kagome shook her head, "I'm not offended by anything. I like baby's breath. All your flowers look fine, but I am hoping you have something else hidden away wherever you grow them. I need some red and yellow flowers. Some arrangements for decoration and one for a bacquet to be held by a bride."
Kagome wasn't going to say who the bride was. She didn't know how much the public knew about her and Sesshoumaru and really didn't want to attract more information to herself.
"Wedding arrangements in yellow and red?"
"Yeah I was thinking marigolds and some sort of red flower. Not roses, because it wouldn't look good amongst the marigold. These are marigolds right?"
Kagome was indeed pointing at some plain yellow marigolds in a pot. The girl was clearly unaware that those flowers also could be red and orange, therefore it would be all she needed to make a firey arrangement.
"Indeed. I can get you some fine ones, but I wouldn't count out roses. What is a wedding without roses?"
Kagome had already said she didn't want roses, but Sesshoumaru wasn't surprised if the man kept harping on them. After all they'd be a lot more expensive than the simple flower she wanted.
"What is this one?" Kagome asked finally discovering some red marigolds and then eventually ones that held all the colors she wanted on their own, "oh or I could just use these and I wouldn't have to combine. Do you have more of these? Like a lot of these?"
The man seemed disappointed she was going for the cheaper flowers, "Yes. I can get you plenty. All that you desire. It will be no problem your highness."
"Great," Kagome said already taking out the piece of paper she had crumbled up in her fist so Sesshoumaru wouldn't scold her for not writing the price down, "now I just need to know how much it will cost me. If I just take everything you have that is like this I can work from there."
"All of them? I can part with those of that color for seventy silver. It'd be no problem."
"And I can expect to have them delivered at the castle in at least five days? I know it's short notice, but I didn't have much of a choice in the deadline."
"It won't be a problem princess. I would just need half of the payment upfront to pay for transportation and the harvesting."
"Thirty-five silver for plucking them from the ground and throwing them in a cart," Sesshoumaru clarified before giving Kagome a look to remind her she was to pay nothing up front to insure the job was done to her liking.
Kagome countered him with an annoyed look. Thirty-five silver was nothing. Why was it a big deal if she paid the man up front? However, she could just tell by Sesshoumaru's cold composure he wouldn't listen to reason.
"Is there a way to get it all on credit?" Kagome asked shaking her head, "it'd really help. All debts will be settled when this little wedding is finished and over."
The man looked disappointed by her reply and seemed nervous trying to find a response.
"This is not kingdom run by savagery," Kagome shook her head, "you will not be taken advantage of. Please speak freely as though I were just any ordinary customer. I'm not expecting to be handed everything on a silver platter without paying for it."
"Well Princess Kagome I just don't do business that way," there was still a nervous tone in his voice, "if I were to hand over a good floral harvest without guarantee I'd be paid it'd be hard keeping a roof over my family's head."
"You have the guarantee of the crown. You will be paid in full once the event is over."
Guarantee of the crown paying debts when Naraku came off to Sesshoumaru as such a cheap man didn't mean much in the daiyoukai's opinion.
"Is it your wedding princess Kagome? If not perhaps someone else representing the crown can discuss payment?"
The man didn't trust her with paying him? That seemed to be a shock to Kagome while Sesshoumaru didn't seem surprised at all.
"I'm the one planning the wedding," was all she said, "and you have my word I'll pay you. I just can't yet. I won't be given the money until after it's over and accounts are settled."
"It's not that I doubt your ability to pay my princess it's just all about the guarantee. I need a guarantee you'll still be in the kingdom during the wedding and after."
"The man is implying you are not a trustworthy woman to give credit to," Sesshoumaru interjected, "it seems your recent escapes from the castle have become public knowledge. The man knows that if you are incharge of this and were to disappear when it comes time to collect your trustworthy honest king of a father would use it as an excuse not to pay him. Your credit is no good here."
He watched as Kagome took in his words now that Sesshoumaru had clarified what was going on. It wasn't just her own family and Sesshoumaru that couldn't trust her to stay put and behave. Even the people had lost faith in her. She knew it was best to avoid her people all together due to past incidents, but she didn't think she was thought of so lowly even her word didn't hold any weight.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Kagome stepped away from the man and the child wanting to discuss business with Sesshoumaru.
The flower shop owner, of course, seemed flabbergasted as he hadn't expected Sesshoumaru to boldly tell the princess what he was thinking. He tried apologizing, but Kagome didn't pay him any mind as she was only concerned with getting what she needed from Sesshoumaru.
"No," Sesshoumaru said immediately knowing what she wanted.
"It's only like thirty silver!" Kagome still didn't see a problem with it, "the full price isn't even equal to one gold coin. We have plenty."
"The cost isn't the point. You do not touch the gold until after the wedding when you settle your accounts. That is my demand and you will follow it to show you know how to obey your husband in these matters. You pay that man half you have no guarantee those flowers won't be wilted by the time you receive them. Sure you could deny paying the other half if you are displeased, but it'd be too late to find another vendor by then and you'd be without any flowers at all."
"I don't care about your budget then I'll just pay for it all myself. I have my allowance."
"No. I am paying for our wedding not your father. I do not want to see him put one coin into this. This whole thing is my gift to you to assist you in losing that distasteful ignorance and entitlement you carry."
"It's not entitlement! It's just I am the princess so why wouldn't the guy believe me that I'll pay him back?"
"Do you even know the meaning of entitlement or is your vocabulary lacking as well woman? You told the man to treat you like any other client and that is how you are being treated. You are untrustworthy therefore being denied credit. I recommend looking elsewhere to buy your flowers. You won't get a coin from me before the wedding and I do not like the way this man carries himself. Yes you are much better off looking elsewhere."
"I can't," Kagome said quietly staring over his shoulder.
Sesshoumaru turned to see what Kagome was looking at. It was the little dirty orphan girl her concern was on. What did the girl have to do with anything?
"Why are your eyes on the peasant girl?" he asked.
Kagome frowned, "I just have a feeling if we don't buy something he might take it out on her. He knows you're going to try and talk me out of this and the whole time he was looking at her so spitefully. He'll hit her."
That look the man was burning into the innocent child was one Kagome recognized. It was the one her father always honored her and her siblings with when something wasn't going his way and someone needed punished for it even if they weren't at fault. At least Naraku had to pretend he cared for his children in the public, but there was no social contract that would keep the shop owner from hurting Rin. Kagome just knew there was a bad situation brewing and she couldn't handle it. It'd be her fault if something happened.
"That girl is none of your concern," Sesshoumaru refused to get dragged into Kagome's sensibilities, "she is nothing more than a subject that has been labeled as a burden. That man can beat her until she blue and bloody it doesn't put a bouquet of flowers into your hand for your wedding day."
Kagome's tone was one of pure disappointment as his words really upset her, "Are you really that cold? You are aren't you? Why am I even surprised anymore?"
Unlike all the other times she'd been upset with him there was no fire to be found in her eyes. Sesshoumaru didn't care for it one bit. There was a huge difference between her simply being defiant with his control over her and pure disappointment. She was to be his wife and he needed her to be trusting of him. He didn't need her love or willing affection of him, but he did need her to have her faith in him. Her expecting to be let down would not do at all.
"Girl," Sesshoumaru snapped at the child while keeping his eyes on Kagome the whole time, "I'll buy one of those so called baby's breath."
"Don't bother with those silly weeds princess," the shopkeep interrupted, "they are unworthy of-"
"I am the one purchasing them not her," Sesshoumaru made it clear as he stared at the shop's owner with contempt in his eyes, "do not tell me what I am to purchase or not to be purchase. I'll take your entire basket."
Sesshoumaru knew the girl wouldn't give him a price. She seemed like just a bothersome mute probably traumatized from whatever befell her parents. Sesshoumaru didn't need to hear anything from the runt nor expected anything. He simply removed the basket from her hands and gave her a gold coin. He didn't have anything less than that so it would have to do. That single gold coin would have paid for more than all the flowers Kagome wanted, but it was the principle of the matter.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome noticed the amount of money he'd given the girl.
Sesshoumaru wasn't going to hear her try to tell him that they should have just used the gold to buy her flowers. The gold was being given to prevent the orphan from being beaten that night and that was it. However, Sesshoumaru knew it would do no good. He'd been beating that child before Kagome stopped at his shop and would continue after. At least this way Kagome couldn't blame herself for it.
"Enjoy," Sesshoumaru growled forcing the basket of baby's breath in Kagome's arms, "now don't bother me with another word of it. Let's be on our way and find your flowers elsewhere. I'm sure we'll find much better."
"Princess that gold is enough for-
Another hateful gaze from Sesshoumaru shut the man up. He nodded in fear knowing he should have just been happy enough with the money he'd made that day with little to no effort. The young girl however did not look scared. Instead of cowering and being left in disappointment that Kagome wasn't going to use their shop's flowers the girl managed to give a smile. One aimed at Sesshoumaru. Too bad it would be wasted was Kagome's first thought, but she had to give the daiyoukai some credit. He'd found a good compromise, but unfortunately Kagome wasn't so sure Rin was insured safety.
"Let us be on our way Kagome," Sesshoumaru made it clear with his gaze that Kagome had no other choice but to follow him.
If that girl got a beating tonight Kagome would be a fool to believe that the blood was on her hands. Sesshoumaru had thought he'd done enough to put her thoughts on ease though he still didn't know why she cared so much about a meaningless orphan.
"Alright," Kagome sighed in defeat, "we'll look elsewhere. Thank you for the flowers Rin. They're beautiful."
As they walked away to the other side of the city where they hoped to find a different florist Kagome held the basket of baby's breath tightly admiring the small white pedals. When the stems were taken away from each other they did kind of look like an ugly sparse flower with little to give, but together they were a nice bouquet of white delicate petals. She removed all of them from the basket holding the stems as close together as possible as though trying to make a makeshift arrangement.
"Those will be wilted by the time of the ceremony," Sesshoumaru told her just incase she found use for them.
"I know," Kagome shook her head, "but still beautiful. Thank you."
"Those flowers are not what I bought you."
"Was my piece of mind what you were aiming for? It's not that simple, but you tried. Thank you Sesshoumaru."
"Let's not speak of this again," he said harshly wanting Kagome's mind off the orphan and onto their wedding planning, "we only have so much daylight left."
Unfortunately the shop they had headed to was already closed for the day with no one to speak with while the only other one Kagome knew of had the same issues with her. The florist there seemed to not have faith that Kagome would be around to pay them if they were to accept the task solely on credit, but when they saw Kagome was disappointed they'd gone ahead and offered her anything she wanted for free.
"I'm not going to take advantage of anybody," Kagome quickly said leaving the storefront as night was drawing near, "but thank you for your kind offer. Sorry we couldn't come to an arrangement."
Sesshoumaru looked upon the woman in confusion as she walked away as briskly as she could still holding onto her white flowers.
"What is it now?" he seemed annoyed with her, "if you don't desire free services why not prey upon their kindness and force them to take your deal? You'll pay them when the wedding ends and they'll lose nothing since they were prepared to give them to you anyway. Even if you didn't pay it would not be taking advantage since they'd be serving their princess."
"They didn't offer me those flowers for free out of respect," Kagome stayed quick in her steps as though she wanted to flee the city altogether, "they knew they insulted me when they refused to give me credit and feared I'd cry to my father and he'd flay them or something horrible like that. I'm not going to take someone's flowers because they are afraid of me. Best I can do is just stay away."
"The way you let these commoners get to you is ridiculous Kagome."
"They are all right about me though," she shook her head, "it'd be stupid to give me credit. I've never actually done anything for my own people other than cause them trouble. Each time I escaped the guards rang the castle bells and probably woke everyone up in the kingdom. I'm just the stupid irresponsible girl that doesn't think of anyone else but myself."
Now the girl was beating herself up. Sesshoumaru wasn't enjoying that aspect of her disappointment either. It was his job to keep her line not herself or whatever problems she'd had in the past. He wanted her to learn from him not dwell on her shortcomings that her poor upbringing was mostly to blame for.
"You are not being irresponsible you are following my orders in regards to financial decisions," he reminded her, "if they do not agree to give you credit then it is not a failure simply a limitation you must work around."
"It's just I'm out here making a fool of myself for what though? We're talking about small amounts of money aren't we? We should have just paid the first man what he wanted and been done with it. Even wilted flowers is better than no flowers."
"Kagome do you understand why I am putting such limitations on you?"
"So I don't go overboard and spend all your gold?"
"There is more gold where that came from. If I were allow you to fill everyone's pockets with gold for anything less than expected services I'd be the one failing you if you were taken advantage of. As I told you I am to be not only your alpha and husband, but also your comfort. You might not want me, but you will never be unable to rely on me when it's for your betterment."
"You wouldn't be failing me if it was my fault," Kagome shook her head just not understanding, "did you want to watch me feel bad? You know when I realized the people don't trust me. I'm not mad at you it's probably what I needed and deserved."
"If I wanted you to feel whatever you are feeling I wouldn't be a reliable partner would I? All I can do to help in these regards is to continue as I am. This wedding is a gift to you. You wanted some control and proof that you can be responsible and I am giving it to you. The gesture would be soured if I allowed you to make a poor decision. Whatever you do will not be failure because I will not allow you to fail. That is what our relationship will be built on. You might not feel like it now since I require you to be obedient, which will be a difficult task for you, but we will strengthen each other. You will understand better with time."
"Kind of like these flowers," Kagome was thinking about his words before shaking his head, "why are you thinking on his words so much Kagome? They might be nice words, but married to him and us strengthening each other just isn't my destiny. Put those thoughts out of your head, but let him know you don't reject them."
Before Kagome could thank him for allowing her so much responsibility in hopes she could reclaim what little reputation she had she was met with a scowl.
Sesshoumaru was already bothered that he'd had to see her look upon him with disappointment that day, but now he was disturbed that he could hear her stomach growling. His bride to be was hungry.
"There are some regards in which I won't be infallible," he admitted shaking his head, "you never got the opportunity to eat this day and I didn't think on it. I will have to become more responsible for you as I often forget creatures such as yourself require food daily."
Kagome did feel really hungry, "Creature? Sesshoumaru you can just say it you know? It won't offend me. I'm pretty much a human through and through."
"Never will I utter such nonsense. It is time for you to be escorted back to your chambers. I'll instruct your father's men to make sure your supper is brought to you."
"My father's men?" there was another brief look of disappointment, "you're not going to take me back?"
"I have other matters to attend to," Sesshoumaru planned on confronting InuYasha about having his sword stolen which would be none of Kagome's business, "and you should have tulips."
"Tulips?" she was confused.
"A flower that does not grow around these parts, but I've seen them in my land. They are not as common as those marigold things you wanted, but are not as distracting as roses. They will do you fine and be brought to you in the colors you desire."
"You said you weren't going to let me cheat. You can't just give me the flowers after all of this."
"I will not give you flowers they will be sold to you. I'll have my men return to Winter Spiral where they shall purchase them and bring them in by deadline. It is not cheating simply you relying on me. You'll pay the debt to me when you settle all your accounts at the end of it."
"And how much are these tulips going to cost me?"
"Eighty gold."
"Again with the eighty gold? None of these vendors were going to charge me anywhere close to one gold coin."
"My services are better. I am having them imported to you quickly and I'm assuring you they will be good quality. If they are not you have the right not to pay me."
"Fine I trust you. If even you are speaking so well of a simple flower I'm sure they'll be beautiful. It's a deal."
"You're not writing my estimate down. You need it to deduct from the budget."
"I really don't think I'll forget that daiyoukai Lord Sesshoumaru is yet again charging me outrageous prices compared to everyone else. I know it'd be improper for me to ask but I have to. How many tulips would my body buy me? The same as eighty coins?"
"None," he shook his head, "I'll not be paying for that. My patience is the price I'm paying in those regards."
Before Kagome could get upset or nervous that he was being so crass Sesshoumaru hunted down a soldier loyal to Naraku with instructions to have her escorted in her room with no freedom to go elsewhere. Of course, his form of a goodbye to her was a clear warning that if she tried anything he'd track her down and she'd find him less generous. That seemed to put her in line as he was now free to do his business.
"I am the one who is to take care of her," Sesshoumaru reflected on his feelings as he was left without her, "so that means I am the one responsible when she is angry at herself or me without those flames in her eyes. I do not wish to see that vacant look of disappointment ever again. Is it a fool's wish I am making on my honor as a husband? I will see it again when she learns of her purpose. It is not her I desire but that blood of hers. I cannot feel guilt for this I am compensating her. She will be unhappy with me and this arrangement, but in exchange she's at least getting something new and better out of her lot in life. I'll allow my flower to grow unlike Naraku who let it wilt in fear."
As Sesshoumaru passed a residential part of the city he stared up towards some run down building that probably housed five or more families of filthy low born commoners. The only reason the place got his attention was because of the sound of violence. He wanted to ignore it, but couldn't when he got the scent of blood. It was the blood of that girl Rin. That peasant girl that had meant nothing to him, but yet her scent had him stopping in his tracks and growling in anger.
(End Chapter)
AN: I promise the wedding will be soon I just need Kagome and Sess to at least be on friendly terms cause I don't want it to be a good chapter with no dark feelings or regrets. Kag has had enough of those for the time being.