Title: A Christmas to Remember
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha and Co.
Summary: "Tell me Higurashi, did you and the mythological Lord have tea together?" Her teacher asked sarcastically. "No professor, The Lord of the Western lands and I never had tea together, although we did spend Christmas together." was her simple reply. S/K
A/N: Hopefully within the next few days I'll be able to get back to updating the story instead of focusing on tinkering/editing the past chapters.
"The Miko is alive?" Those were the only words that were spoken from the council, and suddenly everyone present in the room was in an uproar. Confusion and surprise surrounded the hall.
To say that he was mildly annoyed would be a lie.
He, of all people understood the reasoning for their need of complete and utter secrecy, but that did not mean he had to like all the work that came with it. Or the fact that so much socialization and annoyance went along with such tasks.
"She is. All whom were present during the era of her travels should easily remember her 'odd' trinkets at the time. She was of another time—not place." He explained with boredom in his voice. Even as he explained it to the hall full of Youkais, he cursed himself for not noticing such things before.
"Is she human?" A voice asked from the crowd and Sesshoumaru wanted nothing more than to go on a killing spree. Was he truly surrounded by idiots? The worst of it was the fact that the majority of the youkai present were, in fact, high born and those of royalty.
" Unless I am inadequate in the department of telling youkai and humans apart, I do not believe I need to repeat myself." Was the only response he gave. He often wondered how those with such lack of intelligence made it on the council. He made a mental note that if he ever had pups to ensure that they were well versed in Youkai politics but also intelligent.
"The Miko is alive and well. She is human, in her mid 20's and still as powerful as before." Shinji interjected perhaps due to sensing Sesshoumaru's annoyance at the entire conversation.
"What if—" Another council member began to ask but Shinji was already ahead of him.
"If anyone dare suggest that the Miko that saved all of us from Naraku would suddenly want to harm us, I suggest you do not. She deserves the proper respect that she was granted in her supposed death—things do not change." Shinji declared harshly.
"The lord brings up a good point. Respect for her will continue. However, what shall we do with her?" Another lord addressed. Had Sesshoumaru not had such complete control over himself, he would have started growling at the entire council. Who were they to ask what to do with the Miko? What right did they have? How dare they think that they should even have a say in anything in regards to the woman that saved them.
"Do with her? We will leave her be—obviously." Shinji stated simply.
"I believe what the intended question was, what role shall she play on the council?"
The council member that brought this up actually drew Sesshoumaru's interest. A role on the council? For the miko? Sesshoumaru mused over the thought. The council consisted of all Youkai and Hanyous. What role could she possibly have? It was not as if she was mated—which then would perhaps explain a justification for a role. If she were to have such a thing, should it not be an honorary one? Surely not something of extravagant value.
Frowning, he redirected his thoughts. It was not that he viewed the Miko not worthy but more of the fact that the role held no relevance to whom the Miko was. In fact, who was to say she was even interested in Youkai politics? He understood the desire to give her a role with the Youaki Council—she was one of them. Not only that, she had helped save their race and hers. The initiation into the council would be done out of respect and appreciation.
While the world was three quarters human and the rest Youkai, initiation into the council as a human was still rare. In fact, the only humans that were part of the council were those mated to youkai. Not only that, there would be other issues that would arise if she were put into the council. By giving her a role—it made her that much more valuable. The fact of the matter was that because she was the Shikon Miko—she was already held in high regard due to her power and reputation. Giving her a title on the council would give even more reasons for any youkai to pursue her. He could not explain why but that simple fact left a bad taste in his mouth.
With a title from the council and her reputation, she would have a status that would be equivalent to that of a lady or daughter of a lord. Sesshoumaru shook his head as an image of a certain wolf appeared in his head. It was bad enough the Lord of the East had made his intentions publicly known to whomever would listen.
"What about a Liaison of sort?"
Sesshoumaru was instantly brought out of his thoughts. A liaison? For once, a member of the council seemed to have a good idea. Considering all he knew about her, he felt that she would want that connection—a connection with the youkai world. A position like a liaison would be the perfect role for her. Not only that but it would be one that she would easily thrive in.
"I believe the miko would not only excel but thrive in such a position. While she is human, she views both races equal. If she were to be a liaison between humans and youkai then it would aid the council in matters such as hanyous." Sesshoumaru explained matter-of-factly.
With his approval of the idea, the room once again started humming with multiple council members speaking to one another. Sesshoumaru silently prayed to the gods that this would mean the end of the council discussion. He needed to get back to the hospital and check on the Miko. For some reason, he felt uneasy leaving her with the wolf.
Just when he thought all the issues for the day were concluded, another council member decided to speak up.
"What of her status at the moment?" A lord asked. Sesshoumaru glanced in the direction of the voice and found its owner—the lord of the northern lands of Japan. Narrowing his eyes, he let a low growl escape at the disrespect of such a comment.
All eyes in the room suddenly turned to him.
"I was merely asking if she has picked a mate or not, Lord Sesshoumaru. No need to bite my head off." Haku, the tiger demon said jokingly. Somehow, Sesshoumaru felt that the lord was not in fact joking.
"Whether she is taken or being courted is not a topic for council matters. In fact, the Miko should be left alone out of respect." Sesshoumaru managed to get out without a growl.
"And let her be unmated forever? Come, Sesshoumaru—even you know that would be such a waste." Haku replied simply while shrugging his shoulders.
"I'm sure if the Miko is in need of a mate she will let it be known. She was never one for being quiet." Sesshoumaru replied smoothly with narrowed eyes at the tiger. This time, he could sense annoyance from the tiger at his comment.
"I do apologize; I seem to keep forgetting that you know the Miko quiet well. After all, you two were acquainted for quite some time. My apologies, Lord Sesshoumaru." Haku replied nonchalantly.
Everyone in the room knew that there were, in fact, no apologies given.
"You would be well to remember." Sesshoumaru informed him curtly. With that simple comment, he walked out of the council hall. He knew the meeting was beyond over and for the moment, boundaries were established.
The least he could do for the Miko was keep the high born youkai from pursuing her.
Walking outside, he began to realize how late it was. The snowstorm had yet to stop but instead of day, it was well into the night. Was it too late to go to the hospital? Surely, she would be asleep at such a time. He was not sure why, but he had an anxious feeling about leaving her in the hands of the wolf. Koga had all but announced his love for the Miko and damned the consequence. Not many would say the things that the wolf did and survive to tell the tale. The wolf had balls—he would give him that. Yet the fact that he had yet to take a mate and had constantly held out for the miko worried Sessohumaru.
Surely, she deserved better than the wolf.
That thought alone caused him to let out a sigh of annoyance. What was it about this female that made him think as he did now? He had journeyed with them on their quest to destroy Naraku and because of that, he had gotten to understand the Miko. Her flaws, her strengths, her values, her tastes, her fears and everything she held dear. In fact, during that winter he had learned more about her than he ever expected.
It was odd. For the longest time, dreams of her haunted him, which then turned into restless nights. The moment that he thought the Miko had escaped his memories' a dream would bring her back. They always consisted of her explaining her fear to him—fear of being forgotten. She had been so sure that she would be, and yet, here he was, leaving a council meeting filled with hundreds of youkai that all knew her name.
He chuckled at the irony.
He would have never admitted it to anyone, but when she left, things had changed. She may not have known it, but she had introduced traditions into his household—she had introduced certain standards. For the short period of time she resided in his castle, everything changed. Rin had a mother figure and there was happiness within the castle. Then she was gone and everyone felt it.
Suddenly, without anyone speaking a word—his home became one of mourning.
Rin would notice anything and everything and sadness would overcome her. She asked and begged Sesshoumaru to find her. To be completely honest, he had. He had searched for days—for Rins sake. He knew, even as he took off to look for her that she was gone. Her scent was nowhere to be found and no one knew how the jewel reacted with the wish. He explain to Rin that the Miko went home. When she finally seemed to accept that answer, she began to treasure what time had occurred between them even more.
In fact, Christmas trees never stopped occurring in his household after Kagome left. The singing never stopped, and if anything, Rin grew closer to the human companions the Miko used to travel with. Slowly, she drifted away from Sesshoumaru but even when she was mated and out of the castle, she would visit yearly.
Even if he was not in the castle, Rin made sure he knew she visited. Each time she was leaving from her visit to the castle she would approach the mirror and breathe on it. Each year she would draw a heart and write three different letters—K, R and S.
When Sesshoumaru spotted the window in the hospital room, he was speechless. His chest was suddenly tight and he had no words. The simple fogged up window brought feelings of familiarity and optimism. For once in his life, Sesshoumaru did not know how to react. She had truly loved Rin like a daughter. She had loved her—as he loved Rin. Never in his life did he think that was possible.
Just as Rin honored the Miko every year in her time—the miko did the same.
A/N: Maybe it's my emotions but the last sentence makes me so sad. Just writing that part made me emotional because I could easily see both characters reacting in such a manner.