Cold Feet Swift Feet

Sesshoumaru had been right, the tulips she paid a steep price for were everything she'd hoped they would be. They weren't as distracting as roses, but stood up straight and couldn't been seen as pitiful as marigolds. She ran her fingers over the orange, yellow, and red petals while noticing there had also been a shipment of white and blue. She didn't even know flowers in such a brilliant blue existed and had her even more curious about the land across the ocean, her rumored sanctuary. To think she thought Sesshoumaru didn't truly care for her theme but yet he had extra flowers brought over as well as had shown her the beautiful necklace he got for her. Everything was going according to plan with the added bonus of Kagome being more use to her betrothed and less afraid. Everything was so according to plan she wasn't surprised that her evening was on the verge of collapsing. At least it wasn't her fault this time, but his.

Sesshoumaru watched her in the throne room looking over all the tulips and telling the servants how they were going to be arranged and used. His gold eyes intensified as he studied the banners of their family's sigils mounted up on the wall and the streamers with matching colors that rained down from the ceiling. It was all evidence enough to him that there would indeed be a wedding tomorrow and now that Kagome had admitted in front of him that she wouldn't be running away everything was going according to his plans.

"Such an ugly family crest," Sesshoumaru took in the crimson banner of a black spider that hung above Naraku's throne.

"At least it's an honest crest," Kagome admitted standing next to him and looking up, "it makes me think that when he came up with it was the only time he didn't try to hide his true self. He's an insect through and through. At least it means something though. Why do you have the crescent moon? Why not a dog?"

"I do not need a banner to show others I am a dog," Sesshoumaru remarked pleased she would come to his side without much coaxing now, "my father created it in honor of my mother. That is all I know about it."

"I guess it's not so bad holding an air of mystery," Kagome released a sigh hoping he had been just joking with her when he discussed his plans for the evening, "now that everyone has their orders I can retire for the night much earlier than I presumed. You should get some sleep to. It wouldn't hurt. We should be well rested for tomorrow."

Was Kagome trying to get out of what they agreed upon? Did she believe his words carried no weight? That was another thing Sesshoumaru would need to correct. He didn't say things just to humor her.

"Why do you have flour in your hair?" was all he was willing to ask her publically noticing a light white dusting over her ebony hair as well as the scent of raw egg, "are you plotting something in those kitchens?"

"Yeah but nothing dishonorable," Kagome admitted, "so bed now?"

"The sooner you go to sleep the sooner you will be wed. Is that what you are trying to tell me Kagome? You are interested in expediting the process? I'm sure you can fetch your man you'll use to say the words and we'll commence right now if that's what you want."

Kagome said nothing only blushed. He took her no longer fearing their wedding as an excuse to taunt her and she wouldn't play into it. The warmth he was able to flare up within her didn't die down as the daiyoukai managed to sneak behind her and wrap his arms around her chest pulling her close to him. He knew he was coming off as improper, but he was doing his best to make it seem like he wanted nothing more than to enjoy his bride as soon as possible, which wasn't deceitful on his part.

"We have business you and I," he whispered with his lips so close to her ear he almost made contact, "have you forgotten or do you have cold feet?"

"I haven't forgotten," a shiver went through Kagome as her body reacted to his, "I just- I haven't done anything like this."

Cold feet might have not been far off from the truth. Kagome found it ironic out of everything to have cold feet about it was something that had nothing to do with her wedding. Sesshoumaru wanted her to demonstrate her talents, and that had her a bit worried.

"I can understand the feeling," his voice sounded like silk as it continued to soothe her ears, "when someone issues me a challenge there are times when I almost hesitate. It is one thing to make mistakes when launching an offense or being attacked, but another when one demands to test your skills. Your soon to be husband, however, won't allow his woman to fail nor will he accept any excuses. We'll assist each other this night Kagome."

He could sense that Kagome was nervous, but got distracted by his own thoughts of what it meant to issue a challenge.

"Have you put any thought into bringing your maid overseas with you?" his question to Kagome was seemingly out of nowhere and shocked her.

Why was Sesshoumaru concerned about Sango of all people? There had been something in his tone of voice that suggested Kagome might be better off leaving her friend behind even if Sango hadn't made up her mind in that regard.

"Sango doesn't wish to leave Havenbrooke," Kagome replied with a shake of the head, "I'm not going to force her. I didn't even know it was an option for I thought you disliked her."

"As you stated the relationship between a female and her servants is something intimate. I don't want you to waste time getting use to another when that time could be used for something better."

It was Sesshoumaru being ignorant for once not realizing how off putting it could be to talk about another woman in front of his betrothed in such a tone of voice almost as though he were hungry for the maid. Kagome didn't know what Sesshoumaru actually wanted, which was Sango to accept his challenge and attempt to kill him again for a good fight, something he'd been lacking for a while. Now was probably not the best of times to pursue that part of him, but the demon slayer was running out of time to redeem herself and Sesshoumaru had no intention of ever returning to Havenbrooke.

"I'm not going to make her come with me if she doesn't want to," Kagome declared feeling what little bit of mood there was had been disappearing, "I think I should just go to bed."

He shook his head going back to holding her tightly, "No. I don't trust you yet. I don't care how many guards are watching over you tonight is the perfect opportunity for you to spoil things. This is merely an exercise to embrace your vices and curve your wedding anxieties and in the process you'll show me what you can do."

"It's not that easy Sesshoumaru. My father has ways of spying on people. Magical ways. I'm sure he'll be watching me tonight it's not safe."

"Amateur thief," he called her with a shake of a head, "you simply need to grow your collection of tools. Whatever magic your father has is nothing in comparison to mine, and I don't even prefer magic."

It was true. Most of the 'magic' Kagome had been exposed to her in her land was simply demonic skills used correctly while Sesshoumaru seemed to have other techniques up his sleeve. After all he somehow managed to make himself look like a human that Kagome hadn't at all been suspicious of.

Before Kagome could think more on it she could feel one of her hairs violently plucked from the top of her head. He wrapped it in some sort of a piece of paper while explaining what a shikigami was. Somehow using just a small strand of her hair he was going to be able to create a replica of her that would remain in her room so if Naraku were to gaze in there he'd see her.

Kagome had never heard of any such magic and was still unsure of Sesshoumaru's plan. She thought they were doomed to fail, after all she didn't put it past her father to not be spying on Sesshoumaru as well.

Sesshoumaru really didn't care about getting caught by Naraku. He had his excuses lined up if they were caught. There was more to this than just stealing from his host and allowing Kagome to exercise her talent. With the Shikigami replica all the guards entrusted with keeping Kagome confined wouldn't know she was out and would give her the perfect opportunity to escape. He was curious if she'd recognize that and take advantage of it as well as see her reaction to discovering several truths.

Once Kagome was escorted back into her room where the Shikigami was created Sesshoumaru had gone from being her hungry soon to be husband to taking on the role of the partner in crime as he discussed what they would be doing and how it would be done.

"There is a record missing from your library," Sesshoumaru informed her while she hid in her storage closet dressing into something with darker colors, "I assume it didn't just get lost. Your father doesn't want something to be public knowledge, so where would he keep such a thing?"

They really were going to steal from her father? Kagome could see that this was indeed a test. In order to prove her loyalty and want to control her skills she had to steal for Sesshoumaru and that meant committing treason against her king. He was making her choose a side. Why was simply marrying him not enough? She told herself she had to put up with it though. This would possibly redeem her from stealing the Tetsusagia and she had to do something to Naraku to hurt him in exchange for all the pain he caused others.

"Since the treasury is only for gold and gems it's got to be the study next to it that's just as secure," Kagome informed him coming out wearing a black dress, "there are a few guards and we'll need a key to get in."

Sesshoumaru gave a nod as he swallowed yet another potion that made him look human in front of Kagome's very eyes, "I'll leave the key to you and I'll clear out the guards if they become a problem. I'm looking for the record anything you decide to take is at your discretion."

Fear shot across her face, "You're not going to hurt anyone are you?"

He shook his head repressing a growl as he thought on the man that beat and murdered the little mute flower girl, "I will not kill anyone in your father's kingdom. This will be clean."

It seemed it would also be an exercise in trust as Kagome was forced to believe them. They headed out taking a secret passage Kagome was aware of that would get them from the royal keep to where she wanted to go without being questioned. The castle had plenty of short cuts that most never thought of using, but ever since Kagome was a small child she'd learned of all of them to try and find ways to conquer a demon like Byakuya in games of hide n seek.

Sesshoumaru remained a couple paces behind her this time listening for her heartbeat knowing she was nervous. Naraku's defenses were quite lacking if he left such hallways abandoned with no one keeping an eye on them. This would be too easy, but it was an appropriate heist to start out with. Once they got further to their destination Sesshoumaru snuck into the shadows without saying a word.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome turned around to discover him missing, "hey?"

No answer. She looked around unable to find her betrothed. Where had he gone? Was she left alone. Left alone in the secret passageways with a fake Kagome left behind in her room. Did he think she was that stupid and she'd take the bait? The moment was ideal but it wasn't what she wanted anymore. Goshinki had been the one to impart the truth on her.

"I'm not leaving you behind," Kagome shook her head continuing on her way, "I usually do this kind of thing alone but you wanted to be my partner in crime so deal with it. Ah perfect."

Kagome doubted that a random guard would have the key to her father's secret study, so she went to the only place she thought she could find it. There was a small room on the outside of the guard tower where extra keys for everything other than the treasury was stored. It was to ensure those of importance could be locked away or freed incase of emergency as well as a means to replacing lost keys. Of course places like that weren't heavily guarded. What were doors and locks to those with demonic strength? The only doors in the castle that were secured with magic and barriers were the treasury and Goshinki's cell.

"Who is there!?" a female cat demon asked emerging from the hallway able to see something moving with her feline eyes, "stop in the name of the king."

"Just me," Kagome sounded as innocent and clueless as she could emerging from the hallway to drop the cat's guard.

"Princess Kagome?" the cat bowed, "what are you doing here princess? I thought you'd be asleep by now."

"Last minute wedding preparations for something already so short notice," Kagome put on a face of a naive child, "I was careless and locked myself out of the supply room. The candles I was going to use for the reception are all in there and if I don't get them arranged correctly I could start another fire on accident."

Sesshoumaru scowled from the behind the pillar where he hid. That girl really needed to learn her strengths and weaknesses and that lying just wasn't one of them. Did that innocent face she put on really work on anybody?

"I'm sure one of your servants has a key," the neko quickly stood up shaking her head, "should you even be wandering these halls so late? You need to return to where a better eye can be kept on you. You know for your safety."

"Come on Karan," Kagome pouted at the red headed cat putting both her hands on her shoulders, "my servants are so proud of me for doing a good job with the wedding they'll think less of me if they find out I locked myself out. I'll be a laughing stock. I can just see it now, how can a girl who locks keys inside a room be worthy of being Sesshoumaru's bride, that's what they'll say about me Karan. Is that what you wish for your princess?"

"There are worse things that can be said I'm sure," the cat was unbudging until she heard the sound of another moving through the hallway behind Kagome, "stay put princess! Who goes there? Stop in the name of the king!"

As the cat demon took off to pursue an intruder Kagome revealed the key she'd just stolen and let herself into the room of the keymaster where everything was labeled just as she expected. Keys were the easiest for Kagome to take as they were small and barely made a noise once loosened from their rings. Demons such as Karan who didn't wear a uniform made of armor always hid them in unsuspecting places so all Kagome ever had to do was get her hands on their silks in just right the spot.

"Too easy," she said to herself as she looked through a drawer and found one that was labeled 'king's auxirelly study'. She was growing quite the collection of keys now for she still had the one she stole from her father's desk earlier thinking she'd perhaps find what the key went to among his personal items.

"Much too easy," Sesshoumaru's cold voice came from behind her as he seemingly appeared out of thin air.

Kagome had to stop herself from releasing a scream as he scared her just showing up like that. It had been Sesshoumaru that distracted the cat and hadn't had a problem losing her in the mess that was the secret passage way and returning to Kagome's side.

"Don't do that!" she hissed at him pocketing the key and doing her best to get out of the room as quickly as possible, "thought you abandoned me there for a second."

"You didn't abandon me so I won't abandon you," he replied returning to staying a couple paces behind as she took a different passage to get to the treasury area, "you had access to many other keys. Keys that could have bought you your freedom in an ideal situation but you did not take them. Only that one."

"Do I look stupid to you?" she pouted keeping a quick pace, "you have eyes and ears everywhere remember? It's not my father's guard I'm worried about. Never have been. They just got lucky last couple times I tried to runaway."

"I wouldn't need luck. One works better when they enjoy their work. It would have been a hunt, and I enjoy a good hunt with ideal prey."

"Just don't try and eat me and we'll be fine," he could hear her heartbeat pick up when she snuck around the corner.

"Delicious prey," was all she heard as he reached for her hair and gently stroke it.

Kagome tensed up obviously not use to being freely touched in that manner despite how many liberties Sesshoumaru took. Before she could scold him he was already gone having moved past her like a blur. There had been one human guard in their way that Sesshomaru swiftly dispensed with knocking out and leaving in the corner of the hallway so they could proceed to the study without issue.

The princess thought knocking someone out wasn't exactly the safest course of action either as it would raise questions, but what was done was done and fighting with him had never done her any good. As far as their mission went she'd done her part as she used the key to get into the office that had no light and carried a whiff of decay.

"I do not need light," Sesshoumaru told her shutting the door behind them leaving her in complete darkness, "hold on to my kimono and stay close to me."

Kagome could not see a thing was clearly terrified of being in that room unable to see even her own nose in front of her face. She couldn't even follow his instructions not finding him so he took it upon himself to hold on to her wrist tightly as he studied a bookshelf. First thing he did was shed and human disguise before quickly finding what he was looking for, but it would do him no good if Kagome couldn't see it.

"Ah," Sesshoumaru turned to discover a large mirror on the wall, "so he has an enchanted looking glass? An older model. I bet this one can only peer into one location, but the magic should provide you with some light."

The daiyoukai lightly tapped on the glass which created a small glow letting Kagome see a few feet around them. The moment she felt like she didn't need him anymore she tried to pull her hand away from him but he seemed unable to let go as he held a firm grip. He hadn't been expecting to find such a mirror, but when he saw what the mirror was looking at it was something that would serve his purposes if he could force Kagome to look into it.

The mirror seemed to show the viewer the chambers of queen Kikyo and most importantly who was in those chambers. Kikyo wasn't alone despite being completely nude. Someone who wasn't her husband was in her bed looking on to her. It was InuYasha.

"We shouldn't be looking," was Kagome's first reply before seeing InuYasha, "what- I-

"Not all rumors are baseless," Sesshoumaru reminded Kagome of what he'd told her before.

The mirror was indeed a simple model. They couldn't hear a single word exchanged between Kikyo and InuYasha just what they were doing. It seemed they were cooling down after enjoying certain nocturnal activities.

Broken was the best way to describe the reaction on Kagome's face. Once he discovered the mirror he was hoping that would be the final nail in the coffin that was her feelings for his bastard brother.

Indeed Kagome was hurt. She had thought about forgiving InuYasha, after all he was just following orders by giving Sesshoumaru information on her and she'd probably have to do the same in his position, but now that she saw the truth she didn't think she ever could.

"Anyone high up in my ranks could have represented my family at your father's wedding to look into you," Sesshoumaru made sure to clarify, "but InuYasha volunteered. There was someone he wanted to see in Havenbrooke. Seems that someone was the queen herself."

Kagome's eyes remained on the floor, "Goshinki was right. All you wanted Kagome was for someone to rescue you because you were worth it, or at the very least have anyone want you for just you. InuYasha didn't keep coming back for me. He never cared."

"How could she?" her thoughts then turned to Kikyo, "she married my father with eyes on another? They are both committing treason. No one can find out about this! They're both so stupid."

"You still worry about my brother's life even though he made his own choices?" Sesshoumaru rose an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Both their lives. I don't want to give father another excuse to spill anymore blood. They are stupid, but father is just cruel. He won't forgive this."

"He has a mirror simply for the purposes of spying on his queen or the queens that occupied that room before her. Your father is already aware Kagome, that is why he hates my brother so much. Why he allows this I do not know. I do not understand the views of a depraved insect."

Her father knew? The anger in Naraku's eyes that had been unleashed upon her when she talked about how she wanted InuYasha to propose to her now made sense. For whatever reason he was already having to allow InuYasha to court his queen so the very notion of him also being able to steal his daughter had to be salt to the wound. Whether or not this was some complex assassination plot his words seemed true when he said he'd rather marry his daughter off to a possible enemy than that bastard born hanyou.

"What did you take?" Kagome wanted to talk about anything else even if it was about their own sins.

Sesshoumaru showed her the leather bound book he had. It was a record of her father's reign, one focusing on the time period he'd taken Kagome's mother as a bride. Like Sesshoumaru had said that volume was missing from the library while the others sat there for anyone in the public to take a look at. Was there something to hide?

"I barely know anything about my mother," Kagome admitted, "only that she came from a small settlement rather than a kingdom and her people committed treason while they were still married. Father had to kill them all."

"Small settlement?" he flipped through the pages, "that is all you know. You didn't question why a king of a large empire married someone such as her?"

"Well he married Kikyo, someone who is having an affair and that's treated like no big deal so I'm done questioning his logic. I was often told he married her for her beauty."

"Beauty?" Sesshoumaru shook his head turning to a page describing the marriage, "the woman in that portrait that hangs in your room is a marvel but can be seen as much more than that. Learn the truth Kagome."

"Lady Kazikume of the last remaining first born clan had her hand sought out by king Naraku first of his name," Kagome read out loud from the paragraph he pointed to, "first born?"

"First borns were creatures that lived in the forest near her," Sesshoumaru explained, "they were not human nor were they demon. They had powers that neither were capable of. Magical was the best way to describe them a lot of scholars believing that their existence brought magic into this world. Your mother was a first born Kagome and so are you. You appear as human but you are not. As I said you are an oddity."

The look on her face as she was learning all of this for the first time held a lot of hurt, hurt that vital information was being kept from her and she'd been thought about as a freak for seemingly being no more than a human. She was allowed to be thought of that way for no one revealed the truth to her until Sesshoumaru took it upon himself.

"Read this," Sesshoumaru pointed to another paragraph.

"All that is known about the relationship between King Naraku first of his name and Lady Kazikume is she accepted the marriage in the name of her clan to better solidify their existence into society in exchange for allowing the king to use her blood for experimentation to grow his power. When the first bloods learned of how dangerous the experiments were becoming they began a rebellion to free her. As punishment for taking up arms against the king the clan was eradicated with every man woman and children being put to death. Naraku's marriage to Lady Kazkiume continued until she died in childbirth. The child between Naraku and Kazkiume was born healthy. Kagome was the name bestowed upon the princess and she is believed to be the very last being with the blood of the firstborn in her veins."

Blood. It was all about blood. It was there plain as day the thing Goshinki told her she was afraid of learning. She'd known it all along that she had been tortured during her childhood for a reason and it should have been easy enough to figure out all on her own if only she hadn't been too afraid. If the book had remained in the library where it was supposed to be it would have been public knowledge that her mother was experimented on the exact same way.

Kagome was faced with the full truth now behind everything and was visibly shaking.

"No one cares about you or wants you because of who are Kagome," she told herself turning away from Sesshoumaru, "not even him. They all just want your blood and whatever it can do. No one really cares about you. No one will ever love you. Goshinki was right I did want to marry Sesshoumaru because I thought there would be a chance, but I was so stupid. Stupid to think it would go anywhere. He told me the truth because he wants to be cruel. He wants to see me cry. I'm nothing more than property."

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru's eyes finally focused on her this time rather than seemingly going through her, "I want you to be my wife so I can use your blood to strengthen my power and my rule over my father's lands."

"Of course you do," she kept trying to look away so she couldn't see how heartbroken she was, "that's all my father wanted from me. That's all anyone wants from me. I was a fool to even think for a minute there was something else special about me. That's why I refused to ask you why you wanted me. I just wanted to pretend Sesshoumaru, but you had to ruin that to."

"Pretend?" he closed his eyes shaking his head, "that won't do Kagome. You will marry me whether you want to or not, but I won't take you under my custody without you understanding what will be happening to you."

"Why are you even marrying me!?" she began to shout thinking her anger would prevent any tears from falling, "why not just lock me into a dungeon and cut into me like he did? Bleed me out until there is nothing left. I'd rather be dead, but I guess you can bring me back and do it all over again."

"Your father ceased cutting into you Kagome and is seemingly giving you away because his methods didn't work. My methods are different. You're worthless to me locked up in a cage having your blood drained. What we'll be doing is not the same. I will not hurt you, you have my word. I cannot discuss the process in this place, but unlike your father I will allow you to grow. You've already begun growing with this wedding planning and thinking outside of yourself for once. I'm offering you the life of a queen for your services. Nothing will change the outcome of tomorrow, but I need you to know I won't forsake you and I will not abandon you and I merely ask the same in return. We will strengthen each other."

His words were odd to her. He was never denying that he'd be using her while at the same time was promising her something different than she was use to. It felt like a trap and she'd be making a deal with the devil if she sat by and allowed him to use her for her blood. It was like she was trading the horror of something that had happened to her what felt like a lifetime ago for a daunting future.

"I could have not brought you to this book," Sesshoumaru's voice wasn't cold but yet remained serious, "I could have not said anything but you passed every test thrown at you this night. Kagome I have complete trust in you. You will not run away and you'll see to your duties. I now need you to have faith in me that I'll keep my word to you. I'll protect you as your husband. I'll take care of you. You will see me as your comfort one day and you'll be my only female as long as you live. This is not us playing pretend."

Kagome didn't want the devil to tempt her, but his words were making sense. If she was nothing more than a bag of blood to him he wouldn't have gone through all this. He would have just had InuYasha kidnap her off the streets. He wouldn't have humored her in the tavern, he wouldn't have been understanding of her weakness for thievery, and he definitely wouldn't have brought her to the book and told her his true intentions before their wedding. Sesshoumaru couldn't have been the same as her father, and for him to make her so many promises there had to be something real he was looking for, something real that she'd always been looking for.

"Do you promise you won't hurt me?" Kagome tried not to think on the feeling of her warm blood coursing down her back, "you won't betray me?"

"I will promise you that now and you can make me vow it in front of everyone you know tomorrow. You have my word Kagome. I'll never betray you."

Did the promise even matter? She wasn't going to get out of the marriage, so there was no reason for him to even make such a promise yet he was doing it anyway. The way he spoke to her was working. She could catch the scent of real and raw affection somewhere even if her blood was the only thing that made her special. That fact didn't matter because she'd give anything for even a taste of being genuinely wanted and cared for.

Before Kagome could make anymore protests or find anymore excuses he decided to give her that taste she was looking for. Through all of it Sesshoumaru had never let go of her wrist and his grip only got tighter as he pulled her into his chest. He'd said all he could say to assure his words and intentions were true so the only thing he could do to prove it to her further was to give her something she'd never had before.

"No," Kagome protested when he grabbed hold of her chin and forced her to look into his amber eyes.

"Yes," he tightened his grip before his gaze intensified, "mine. My wife, my power, my comfort."

The last thing Kagome could remember about the night before her wedding was Sesshoumaru pressing his lips to hers stealing her very first kiss. She'd expected his lips to be cold, but instead they were like fire to her. A consuming wanting fire that was unlike anything she'd ever felt before.

(End Chapter)