Game of Words
So was it real or not? Was Kagome really at the mercy of the fur boa now known as the 'Magnificent Mokomoko' and its desire of her, or had Sesshoumaru been in full control of the entire situation? There just wasn't a clear cut answer. Whatever had just happened between her and that fluffy thing wasn't anything normal or proper and despite Sesshoumaru being a cruel creature at times it'd be out of character for him to seemingly take pleasure in it. The girl was just left confused, and obviously that was Sesshoumaru's full intention. He had taken her mind off of everything else as she was stuck trying to solve the mystery he refused to answer until she became his mate willingly.
Just to irritate her further Sesshoumaru spoke nothing more on the subject and really didn't say anything at all while escorting her back into the populated throne room. He was back to having a somewhat emotionless demeanor as he stared upon all the wedding guests with disinterest in his eyes while Kagome seemed absolutely flushed.
The warmth against her flesh and those vibrating purs against her most private areas hadn't been anything she could just put away into the back of her head for even a moment.
"I know what a husband and wife do," Kagome thought to herself knowing she must've looked like a pale mess, "they present their manhood to their wife who receives it and that's how children are born but I don't even know what it will feel like. I'm sure it will hurt, will it even fit? I don't even know how big he is. I'm terrified, but can I like it? Kind of how I liked that fur vibrating against me? No I can't admit any of that. It's so wrong. I'm not married to a piece of fur dammit. Sesshoumaru and I- we'll have to do that stuff tonight. I don't think I can do this."
Kagome had a banquet table setup that was now being filled with platters of meat and cheese to keep everyone fed and most importantly an assortment of wine. She quietly reached for a bottle wishing everyone's eyes weren't on her.
"It's your event and you are still royalty," Sesshoumaru's cold voice came from behind her slowly taking the bottle out of her hand, "you do not pour your own drinks."
"I obviously want more than just a couple cups," Kagome almost cringed at Sesshoumaru scolding her like a toddler princess going through etiquette lessons, "that whole bottle will do. If I can down that like I did the rum stuff then I won't have to think about anything at all."
"Servants are kind of busy serving the food," Kagome told him defensively, "and I'm not making Sango do it she's here as a guest. Give it back."
"Then you'll either demand it of a servant or simply wait," Sesshoumaru continued as he put the bottle back on the table, "do you believe human liquor will free you of your obligations? I already made it quite clear I will not have a wife that will become a drunken fool in public. You will only have one glass, or perhaps two if I deem it acceptable."
"Says the guy who got me drunk," Kagome crossed her arms, "just cause you were in disguise doesn't mean you didn't allow it and encourage it. You break rules and then make rules. It's unfair and backwards."
"There is no fair or unfair only my rules Kagome. This is the first day of the rest of your life and you will know your place despite the celebrations you're entitled to. There is no more debating it."
The rest of her life.
Whatever game Sesshoumaru was playing against her he'd played flawlessly, that was a credit she was giving him that she could never take away. The death of her freedom had been on her mind all the way through the ceremony up until the very end but yet somehow he'd made her forget for a long moment that life as she knew it was over. Things were going to change, some for the better and some for the worse. Beating herself up over what she could have done to prevent the union or what could have been done differently wasn't going to change anything, so she had nothing else to do other than to accept reality. She married Sesshoumaru and would be taken to a foreign land free from her father's influence where new life challenges would be awaiting for her. Was it truly the end of everything, or was the board just going reset for a new game?
"New game," Kagome just shook her head keeping her eyes on the wine bottle, "are all these games I find myself in truly rigged or is Sesshoumaru just playing on a completely different level than me? They all are. Him, my father, and some of my older siblings. They all know how to play and I don't. This is why I'm such a mess. I don't know if me pulling off this wedding showed anyone anything, so I guess the best I can do is start playing before I leave."
"Kaede," Kagome locked eyes with the lead cook who was ushering platters to the tables, "let me know when my brother Goshinki's plate is ready. I'll bring it to him."
Kaede was responsible for all the meals eaten in the castle, but for an event like a royal wedding she was treated like nothing more than a common kitchen wench forced to put food on the table and do her best not to be seen, so obviously she felt very put on the spot to have Kagome address her.
"My princess," Kaede gave a courtesy nod, "I don't think your father would allow that. The dungeon staff delivers the mons- Prince Goshinki's meals to him."
Kaede obviously almost called Goshinki a monster. It was completely unfair in Kagome's mind that while the rest of her siblings lived a luxurious lifestyle the people thought of her second oldest brother as nothing more than a castle troll that needed to be contained. He was judged on his appearance, but that wasn't why he lived such a cruel life. Him being an oni was just an excuse, because if not for her father's fear of having his mind read she was sure Naraku would have had Goshinki front and center of his best armies to inspire fear in the people.
She wanted Goshinki to be a chip in the game she wanted to play, but only if he was comfortable with playing. Goshinki was her brother and she wanted him to have a chance at a normal life even if it was only for a day or two. He deserved that much for having to hear her whine about matters he probably found frivolous.
"It's my day," Kagome made clear to both Kaede and Sesshoumaru who was still behind her way too close for comfort, "if I want to share it with my brother I should be free to unless he turns me away. He couldn't come to the ceremony so this is the least I can do for him. Tell me when his meal is ready."
"Yes my princess," Kaede had no other choice than to comply.
Sesshoumaru wondered how a woman wearing an eyepatch could possibly be skilled in the kitchen, but he didn't let those thoughts distract from how Kagome held herself above her underlings in time of need.
"Careful," Sesshoumaru warned, "you are mine now not his. You are not Princess Kagome anymore. You are merely just a privileged guest in what use to be your own home. I can protect you from him, but it'd be best not to stir up trouble for me Kagome. Everything you do now reflects on to me."
"You made it very clear you're true to your word," Kagome faced him while preying on his question of honor, "this involves what I took from my father's hidden study. You said whatever I took is my business as long as I helped you."
"I said you can take what you please," Sesshoumaru rose an eyebrow almost being amused by how headstrong she was being, "not use something to create controversy. I plan for us to be prepared to leave by tomorrow evening at the latest. I desire for the time in between to be as uneventful as possible."
Sesshoumaru's usual demeanor wasn't giving away what he was thinking or feeling in that moment. It was over and done with. Kagome was his wife and intended mate who he would be attached to as long as they both lived, so where would they go from there was the question. The daiyoukai was a bit conflicted at the moment. She needed to obey, behave, and present herself to others as his proper wife, but her being submissive all the time wasn't what he really wanted for the long term if he was being honest with himself. She needed to be firm with staff and others that were under her station, but never with him. That was what she was doing now. She was hatching some sort of plot against her father without his permission or involvement and was too headstrong and stubborn to realize it wasn't okay.
It wasn't okay, but Sesshoumaru was going to allow it because he was enjoying what he was seeing. Kagome had been freed from Naraku for less than an hour now and already she was spreading her wings and seemingly was ready to play the game. Her husband could catch glimpses of the fire in her eyes and couldn't bring himself to interfere.
"As long as she doesn't turn on me in front of others," Sesshoumaru took a few paces away from his wife, "in public she will be only what I want her to be but in private I don't believe I'd mind it so much. Come at me with that scorn in your eyes Kagome and try to tell me what you are going to do without my permission before learning your place in our bed. The sight of you becoming muddled as both I and the Mokomoko show you pleasure and pain is priceless."
Sesshoumaru was making justifications to himself as to why he shouldn't be keeping Kagome under complete control, but really his mind was just elsewhere. How much longer would he have to wait before he could truly turn that girl into a woman? The slow burn of all of this was becoming irritating.
Kaede had swiftly returned to Kagome with news of her progress, "Prince Goshinki's plate is being prepared now my Lady and we will wait for your permission to bring out the wedding cake."
Kagome gave Kaede a smile hoping she hadn't been too harsh or seemed too demanding. When she thought about Goshinki and her plot to free him she'd almost entirely forgotten about her cake. The very cake she spent most of yesterday making before going on a late night mission with Sesshoumaru. It was going to be something that she made all on her own presented to everyone to eat and Kagome was excited about it.
"An hour at the latest," Kagome shared her warm smile, "after everyone has had time to eat their meals we'll bring it out."
An hour might've been too long. She knew Sesshoumaru was anxious for this little reception to end while she would've felt the same if it weren't for her being nervous about the activities that would follow when she was forced to retire to bed. She just didn't know if she was ready, but what could she do to prolong the evening? There really wasn't any formal planning that went into the reception. There was no speeches or events just music and food.
She took a moment to be surprised, however, as she noticed Sesshoumaru meandering away from her. It felt so odd now to be distanced from him since the pre-ceremony preparations was the only time that whole day they weren't side by side. Her and Sesshoumaru weren't strangers any longer, but it was almost scaring her how natural it felt to be by his side. She enjoyed his touch and his protection, but feared those feelings of hers were only the result of his subtle brainwashing if that was indeed the strategy he was using on her.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," Kagura had addressed the daiyoukai looking as formal as ever in her white kimono and usual eloquent braided hair, "I would congratulate you but I doubt you need any."
Kagome couldn't tell if that greeting was kind or an insult, but she was straining her ears wanting to know what the two would discuss. Kagura had met Sesshoumaru many times back before their kingdom became so closed off and Kagome knew that her older sister had a bit of a crush on the eloquent dog. Not that Kagome had any right to be jealous, but she was still curious as to what the nature of their relationship was now after the wedding.
"Do we have business to discuss?" Sesshoumaru asked Kagura coldly in almost a dismissive way.
Kagura's eyes showed a brief glimmer of pain before she regained her composure with a nod, "Yes about our earlier arrangement. I might not be able to fulfill my end of the bargain."
Arrangement and bargain? What were they talking about? Had Sesshoumaru and Kagura been having conversations during his stay at the castle that Kagome was unaware of? Was it something that was meant to be kept a secret?
"You look ridiculous," a voice came from behind Kagome that forced her to reveal an irritated shudder, "you're watching two adults talk and you want to know what they are discussing so in response I can feel you straining your ears as you attempt to get on the tip of your toes to keep sight of them. This marriage meant nothing you're acting like a child Kagome."
It was Naraku standing behind her with his usual smugness radiating off of him. Kagome wished she didn't have to invite him. She was promised a Naraku-free existence for marrying Sesshoumaru after all, but it seemed she had to put up with one more evening of him.
"I wasn't doing anything," Kagome turned around defensively.
Her new husband quickly took notice and gave Kagura a courteous nod.
"We'll discuss it later this evening," was all Sesshoumaru told Kagura before taking a quick stride over to Kagome and standing between her and her husband.
Kagome hoped she wasn't blushing in response to Sesshoumaru's small action, but it did mean a lot to her. Nothing was even happening, but yet he was showing her that he indeed had full intentions of protecting her. She didn't have to be scared of Naraku anymore, because she was no longer alone.
Naraku's crimson eyes revealed his disgust at how quickly Sesshoumaru interfered a simple conversation, "I understand that she belongs to you now dog Lord. However, she is still my daughter and I wish to say my peace to her."
"No one is stopping you," Sesshoumaru's voice made it clear Naraku was free to speak with her but not alone.
"Peace?" Kagome muttered under her breath, "nothing you say ever involves peace father. Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Sesshoumaru. He is my husband after all. No thanks to you."
Both Naraku and Sesshoumaru were a bit taken aback by how freely Kagome shared her dissatisfaction. She'd done it before in public, but only with a lot of prompting ahead of time. It seemed Naraku had burnt any bridges he had remaining with his response to the priest during the ceremony and Kagome was no longer even entertaining her own flesh and blood.
"Peace," Naraku's tone was icy as he kept his eyes on his daughter, "I am the one that requested for this wedding to be held in your own home for the purpose of you saying goodbye to your family. It was a gesture from me to you and I see you are up turning your nose at it like the naive spoiled brat you are Kagome. Why am I even surprised? I wish to have words for I doubt I'll ever see you again."
That would be the best outcome. Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru wouldn't be bringing her back to her childhood home for a holiday or even a funeral, but her father probably thought he was clever with his words since he believed she'd be coming back once she succeeded in murdering Sesshoumaru. Kagome didn't want to hear anymore about any of that. She was happy to have Sesshoumaru by her side to stop her father from bringing up the dagger again and reminding her she'd be rewarded for pulling the task off. She wasn't going to let Naraku play with her anymore because as Sesshoumaru's wife she no longer had to stand for it.
"Spoiled brat?" Kagome shook her head, "maybe so but I don't know how privileged I really was here under your care. Before we leave father are we ever going to talk about it? What you did to me when I was little. What happened in that basement?"
Kagome was talking of course about her memories. Her recollection that Naraku and some woman had been down there hurting her and making her bleed. Now that Kagome knew her blood was valuable she knew wasn't mistaken when she remembered that pain. Her own father had tried to harvest whatever power she had and didn't seem to mind almost killing her in the process.
Sesshoumaru watched as Naraku seemed surprised and almost in shock. Kagome needed to be careful. She made it clear when they broke into that secret study that they could've been watched so if she wanted to succeed in anymore of her plans she needed to get off of her father's radar. Whatever she was doing wouldn't make things any easier for her.
"Whatever you remember you were mistaken," Naraku gave the same answer he always gave when she tried to bring up what had happened all those years ago.
Sesshoumaru was marrying Kagome for her blood, so he knew the secret about her heritage couldn't be hidden forever but Naraku didn't want her thinking about the past too much. He didn't want her to know that Kikyo was involved in any of it and telling her scheming siblings that Kikyo was more than the helpless woman she appeared to be.
"I was trying to save you by killing you," Naraku was forced to confront those very memories himself, "and I failed. Kikyo wouldn't let you die. Why do you need to remind me about my failings Kagome? Why do you need to reach out for that one little shred of my human heart that didn't want to see you in anymore pain? The demons won't like that."
"I wasn't mistaken," Kagome shook her head, "you were taking my blood weren't you? Got a little out of hand? You don't almost kill me father and then turn around and say I'm taking any of this for granted. I thought Sesshoumaru was a monster and he might still be, but he promised to protect me. You are my father you never should've had to make such promises it should've have just been expected of you, but instead you hurt me. I can't forgive you."
Kagome's words were all genuine. Sesshoumaru knew she had picked a side, but it was always nice to hear her loyalties put to words even if he had to be continuously called a monster.
"So you know the truth then," Naraku closed his eyes and gave a small chuckle, "that you're a first born and probably the very last with that magical blood? Sesshoumaru will hurt you. He must if he wants you for all your worth. Don't listen to this fool's promises, or do. What difference does it make? It won't stop the inevitable it will only make room for your heart to break. You're making the same mistake again Kagome. Giving your heart away to these dogs and expecting something out of it. What a disappointment you are."
"I can't be mistaken if it wasn't my choice to make. I just wanted to make it clear that I won't be missing you. Have fun with your delusions and knowing you have one less toy to play around with. The only thing I want from you is for you to tell me about my mother. All you ever told me is that she was the reason you do the family dinner thing and that the bracelet you gave me was hers. There is nothing else. Was she locked in that basement to? Father did you kill her?"
Kagome was committing treason but didn't seem to care now that she had Sesshoumaru to protect her. Her father had many wives during his reign as king as there was always rumors that he'd killed all of them. Spreading those rumors was a crime punishable by death, so Kagome never thought on them but now that she knew her mother's race had magic in the blood she had to know if her mother suffered the same fate in that basement Kagome almost had. Did she really die in something as simple as childbirth?
Naraku grimaced. How dare his youngest child that knew nothing about his relationships with females start questioning him. He'd only killed a couple and those ones deserved it in his mind.
"I needed her blood so why would I kill her?" Naraku tried to compose himself as his voice softened, "perhaps I was responsible since I'm the one that put a child in her as it was expected of me as a king to have a large family but you're the sole reason that woman is gone Kagome. You killed her."
"Stop!" the fire in Kagome's eyes had turned into an inferno as Naraku was clearly pushing her to the edge, "stop saying that! I didn't ask to be born now did I? I didn't do anything. What are you hiding father? What happened to my mother?"
"There is no mystery Kagome. You are the reason she is dead. We can't have this conversation in private since you insist on having a guard dog, so I guess I have no choice but to be as blunt with this sensitive matter as I can be. Not only did you not ask to be born but you never should've been. Your mother knew long before she gave birth she wouldn't be contributing a prince or princess to me for you died in that womb Kagome. You were stillborn. You came out of her dead and cold while she was in good health."
Before Kagome could question his words Sesshoumaru glared at Naraku, "What kind of trickery is this spider?"
"No tricks. The girl wanted the truth and I'm giving it to her. You never asked for her full history when you asked for her hand in marriage but I guess you're getting it now. Kagome was born dead. Her mother thought she'd be prepared to move on from having to deliver her little dead spider baby, but things changed when she actually laid eyes on her small little corpse. She couldn't just move on and forget about you. No instead she decided to give me a demonstration of her power. She poured all of her power into you to bring you back to life giving up her own life in exchange. By this time she'd discovered the reason I wanted to marry her and figured it was better to give you a chance at life than to be used to grow my own power. I wonder if she is looking down from the heavens pleased with that decision. Her daughter she gave her life for is in the exact same situation going from one prison to the another. I haven't congratulated you yet Kagome. Congratulations on your marriage to Lord Sesshoumaru. You're still someone's property. He'll either be successful in extracting your blood or he will not be. I doubt you'll find any peace no matter the result."
The way he had delivered that story was chilling to Kagome. Once again instead of being a father that wanted her protected and happy he had to hurt her. Her learning the truth about what happened to her mother wasn't really the damaging part despite leaving her with guilt, it was him giving her yet another reminder that she couldn't come out of this feeling happy and free.
Sesshoumaru was a bit put off by the story as well, but for his own selfish reasons. Kagome should have had youkai blood within her, but seemingly did not. Her just being the regular human that she seemed to be was not something he could accept, but what if her having once been dead was the reason for it? Had a bigger price been paid than just her mother's life? What if Kagome had no special abilities or magic in her blood and all of this had been nothing? That could explain why Naraku appeared to be giving her away so easily. Her being able to pull off an assassination attempt with a magical blade could be the only thing she was good for.
Sesshoumaru's ideal mate could be a complete dud. That was the fear he was left with, but he was distracted from such thoughts when Kagome recovered and set her eyes upon the man she called father.
"I don't know how to feel about that story," she began to say, "I should feel guilty that someone who cared for me that much would sacrifice themselves for me. However, I'd do the same thing for the pups I'll one day have with Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru shouldn't have been thinking about his potential future children while thinking of Kagome as a mere human. His pups would be half-breeds just like InuYasha, but yet he still hung on to the girl's words pleased she wasn't afraid of helping him build a family and a legacy.
Kagome made sure to talk about pups she'd be having with Sesshoumaru to make it clear to her father she was going all in on a future with Sesshoumaru and wasn't scared anymore.
"I'd easily give my life for my children," Kagome continued, "just like my mother would have done. Were you trying to hurt me with that story father? I am sad because I don't know my mother and I can't tell her I'm alright or express any gratitude for what she did, but I bet she wouldn't want me to be sad. She'd want me to look on the bright side. I'm not alone anymore. Not only do I have Sesshoumaru now who is willing to protect me and take me away from you but now I know that at one time someone loved me and cared about me enough to save me. I had a real parent at one time didn't I? One who wasn't selfish and cruel? Today you made me happy father by telling me this. Thank you so much. I can leave here knowing there is more to this castle than just some man that was so cowardly and power obsessed he gave away his humanity and even stooped so low as to harm his own daughter for his own desires. Thanks."
Kagome walked away from Naraku then knowing she was the victor. If not for Sesshoumaru's presence and her status as his wife she would be punished severely or even worse, but now she had the strength to remind her father what he truly was. Nothing more than a delusional insect that had no honor or morals. He was no king just a powerful demonic creature who would eventually fall like all the evil monsters before him.
As Sesshoumaru watched Kagome walk away he put aside his fears that she was just a regular human. He didn't want to think about that possibility and have it soil his plans as his want for the woman before him was growing. She'd looked on to the man she always feared as though he were nothing more than an ant now that she was the wife of a powerful daiyoukai. Understanding the good that came with her status was the first step to her truly becoming his ideal mate.
"You're mine now," Sesshoumaru didn't even give Naraku a nod as he turned his back on the king and followed his bride, "you've made that perfectly clear when taking on that scum Kagome. I have you mind, body, and soul and you've learned that isn't as awful as you thought it would be. You will become something stronger under my wing. Something no one else can conquer except for me."
"I'm starving," Kagome told Sesshoumaru hoping he wouldn't want to talk about her origin story or that awkward exchange between her and her father, "let's sit down and get something to eat so we can move on to the cake. I made it myself."
Sesshoumaru's thoughts had remained only on his desires, but that came to a sudden halt when she talked about making a cake.
So much for an uneventful evening.
(End Chapter)
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