A/N: Happy New Year! My apologies on lack of updates. I started online classes for college and was underprepared for the toll they would take on my nights and weekends. I have some free time before the next classes start in late January, so I'm hoping to get out a second chapter in the between time, and from there at least one a month.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or the story that shares the name of my own "Little Red Riding Hood". Also, this story contains strong acts of violence including rape and rape trauma over a period of time. If this offends you, please do not read this story.
Sesshomaru had left Kagome on the futon. He had stated the intention of creating armor for her and preparing a bow for combat. She was tempted to stop him, but felt any reprieve from him was welcomed.
"Lady Kagome."
Kagome looked towards the door. When had it even been opened since Sesshomaru left?
"Hinai? And Esai?"
They both bowed low. "We have come to dress you for your appearance at court in confronting Hitak."
"Confronting?" Kagome asked.
"Yes. You are to confront her for her outlandish attack against you, and to set the date of the challenge." Esai said as she stood up, fist clenched tightly against her chest.
"Ah. Right."
"Are you not prepared for a challenge, my Lady?" Esai said, but quickly bowed low. "I mean no disrespect, my Lady!"
"Oh no! No, that's not it… it's… uh… to be honest, I am not acquainted with the life of a noble, much less that of a Lady." Kagome waived her hand, showing her displeasure with the subject.
"You are a powerful miko, my Lady. It matters not your humble beginnings, but the power to which you possess!"
Hinai held out her arm, indicating to Esai to stop.
"My Lady, one can learn the rules of the court. You are to worry not. Esai and I shall instruct you on how to proceed, with your permission of course."
Kagome felt her chest lighten. They seemed to genuinely care about her, or at least were capable of flattery. Regardless, it felt like a weight had been lifted and she breathed long and low.
"Thank you, Hinai and Esai."
Sesshomaru had called upon his smiths to forge Kagome light armor. He needed something that would allow her to move fairly freely, but still provided some protection against the potential mates she would face between now and her ceremony.
"My Lord, the request that you have is… difficult."
Sesshomaru eyed his head smith. "Explain."
"You requested armor for the miko-"
"She is your Lady." Sesshomaru interjected.
"Yes, my Lord. My apologies. The requested armor for my Lady is possible, but may not be adequate for which you are requesting."
"Seta, the Sesshomaru has no time for excuses. Lady Kagome requires the armor to the specifications that I require. If you cannot do this, then you are dismissed."
Seta faltered briefly, "No, my Lord. What I mean is, we can procure the material, however it may not be available in the time requested. We can procure enough to prepare chest and back armor, but anything more will not be available for at least a month. Demon-Spider silk is the lightest and strongest material, outside of actual rawhide of a powerful youkai. However, it takes significant time to harvest, and to prepare for use."
He bowed low, unsure if his answer was sufficient.
"Seta, you are to make what you are able, however you will make some slight modifications to the armor. However, this Sesshomaru will still require a full suit of armor made to the original specifications."
"Yes, my Lord."
Hitak was ecstatic with excitement. She couldn't even contain her aura. She had prepared a lengthy letter to her father and mother, explaining how she cunningly gained Sesshomaru's little pet's trust, and ruthlessly struck her down.
Father,
It is I, Hitak, your eldest daughter.
I come bearing great news.
As you may have heard, Lord Sesshomaru has taken a human mate. A lowly miko, from some small village.
I am writing to tell you that he HAD a human mate. I, your daughter, have killed the sitting Lady of the West, and have taken her throne. Allow me to give you the detailed story, before the scribes.
When I had heard that my Lord, Sesshomaru, had taken a human mate I was beside myself with grief. I was ready to draw the sword to my stomach; I'd rather die than have a human as my superior! However, I realized that she was only a temporary figure. Until her formal ceremony she was still nothing more than a human.
The Munich's had allowed me to stand in as her lady in waiting. I knew I had to get close to her as soon as possible to allow myself the opportunity to destroy her.
Father, Mother, if you had seen the hideous human Lord Sesshomaru had mated with you would have thought he had been placed under some curse or spell. From my understanding the arrangement had come from some sort of land contract dispute. No one is sure why the end result is her becoming the Lady of the West, but it seems only I am the sane one in the thought that she is not worthy.
Regardless, Lord Sesshomaru returned with her in tow. She was dressed as a miko; an obvious declaration of war against Youkai! My blood boiled the moment I saw her.
Hinai, the headmistress, assigned myself and Esai, the low dog demon from the Eastern clan, to be her handmaidens.
Esai was beside herself with glee. It's as if she WANTED to be in service to this human! She had no shame! She had even prepared the ninjen a set of silk robes from her personal collection! Once the ceremony takes place, she will be the first to fall to my hand. We will take the eastern lands from any and all supporters of those filthy humans.
I have gotten off subject.
The human arrived this morning, and the moment I was left alone with her (to bathe her of all things), I began my attack.
I clawed at her ruthlessly, and did not allow her time to try and purify me, though I doubt she'd have the ability too anyway. As I said before she was a lowly human and I destroyed her quickly. Her blood ran down my claws as she took her final breaths and I was crowned victor.
Of course there was some confusion. Hinai had me sent to the dungeons! Lord Sesshomaru, in his infinite wisdom, immediately sent for me out of those dungeons.
I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru has or will deal her a mighty blow. I'm confident in that. With that being said, however, if he does not, I will kill her myself on my coronation day.
Lord Sesshomaru will provide you with the details.
Sincerely,
Hitak
She may have embellished some details, but the point was she defeated Sesshomaru's Lady in waiting, and she was soon going to be the new "Lady of the West".
"Hitak, you have been summoned."
Hitak whirled around in excitement, it was time to face Lord Sesshomaru.
"Hitak, of the Red Wolf Demons of the North, Daughter of Elrein of the North."
Hitak walked out proudly before the court. Lady's and Lord's lined her down the great hall, all sitting behind small tables. At the head of the large U-shaped table sat her Lord, Sesshomaru. She bowed low, her face inches from the ground.
"My Lord. You have requested my presence?"
"Rise, Hitak."
She rose to make eye contact, but stopped when she was mostly up when she noticed his gaze was not upon her. He was staring behind her. She moved to look, but stopped when he addressed her.
"Hitak, you have brought great dishonor upon this Sesshomaru's house by betraying the role of a handmaiden to her Lady."
She gulped, audibly.
"You have lived in this house for the last half of the century; you have dined in these halls; you have slept in the bedding this Sesshomaru has provided; you have learned the ways of a lady within these walls."
He stood then.
"You were selected to tend to what is most precious to a Lord; his Lady. You chose to openly attack the Lady of the West at the very first moment that the opportunity that presented itself."
"My Lord-"
"Silence. You have made your decisions, and you will face the consequences."
"Lady Kagome of the Village of Edo, Miko of the highest class, Lady of the West."
Hitak swirled around. She had failed. Not only had she failed, but she bragged to her kin that she was the current Lady of the West.
"You're alive?!"
"Hitak! Child of Elrein of the North, you have attacked me and my honor! You have requested a duel to the death for the title of Lady of the West. You have your request. In two days, on the eve of the sunset we will fight for what you clearly believe is yours. If you do not show, you are to return to your lands and never return."
Kagome felt like her chest was on fire. Esai and Hinai had couched her on exactly what to say, and while she misworded some of it, she knew she hit her mark. From here, she just had to sit down next to Sesshomaru and look confident.
Hitak's eyes were wide in horror. The dead woman, the woman she bragged about being dead, was in front of her, very much alive.
Kagome, dressed in her formal robes, walked passed Hitak quickly. She purposefully allowed her aura to seep out and singe the demoness. She bowed low before Sesshomaru, who nodded at her as she took her seat next to him.
Hitak, now rubbing her arm that came within distance of that purifying aura stood there, almost shell shocked.
"Hitak, you will take your seat at the end of the table, and we will commence the first day of feasting."
The feast went smooth, and Kagome found herself being introduced to so many people that she was sure she would never remember any of them.
Near the end of the feast she was surprised to find a small servant making his way through the crowd towards Sesshomaru.
"My Lord."
Sesshomaru nodded at the small demon to continue.
"Lady Rin has sent confirmation for her presence within the fortnight. She estimates that is the soonest she will be available."
"Rin is coming?" Kagome asked, turning her face to Sesshomaru.
This, in truth, was the only time she actually spoke to him on purpose. She absolutely hated him, and did not want to associate with him any more than she had too, but when it came to her recent knowledge about Rin, she felt compelled to know more.
"Yes, this Sesshomaru has requested his ward to be present for your coronation ceremony."
"That's… that's nice." She said, leaning back.
"And the Kitsune?"
Kagome again sat up, attentive.
"Shippo?"
"He has yet to be located yet, my Lord."
"Very well."
"You sent for Shippo?"
"Yes. He is your ward, correct?"
Kagome was speechless. He had sent for Shippo because he had thought he was her ward. He considered her for what she was for just the briefest of moments.
"Thank you…"
"Hn."
"He may be in the area to the south of Edo." She commented.
Sesshomaru nodded to the servant to deliver the information.
Kagome leaned back while thinking to herself. This was an unselfish act from Sesshomaru, however she did not want to dwell on it. It was nothing more than a ploy to cause her to allow him to do as he pleased. No. She would continue to fight him.
All of this around her was simply an act. He was of course a mighty Lord, full of dignity and grace, but behind those closed doors he was still an animal, a rapist, an abuser. She had to live the role of the battered woman for now, but he would not enjoy it. She would take the joys she could, like Rin and Shippo, but she would give him hell for the rest; Hitak, the rapes, the damned contract.
"My Lord," Kagome began to draw Sesshomaru's attention, "This day has simply been too exhausting. I would like to request to retire to my room."
"Very well. Hinai, Esai. Return Lady Kagome to her chambers."
"Yes, my Lord."
"My Lady! You were magnificent! You called out the horrid wolf for the troll up she is!"
"Esai, she is still your superior. You will watch your tongue."
"Yes, Hinai. My apologies. It's just, our Lady-"
"Our Lady is tired. And in need of much rest. We will leave her."
Esai lowered her head. She had been too excited. Lady Kagome had held herself together and even showed dominance and strength! Esai felt strongly that Kagome was the true Lady of the West and was ready to show her own submission to the strong miko.
"I appreciate you, both. I really do. Thank you so much."
"It is an honor to serve you, my Lady. There are no thanks needed."
"Yes, well, I'll always be grateful, so always be used to a thanks."
"Very well, my Lady."
Hinai smiled. This was a good woman. She had so much in common with Rin that Hinai could not help but compare the two.
"My Lady, you need to rest. Please. Do not hesitate to call out for Esai or myself. We will be in the room adjacent to the hall. Guards are posted to all your entrances, so none other than Lord Sesshomaru will enter without your permission."
"Goodnight, Hinai and Esai." Kagome said as she pulled the blankets above her.
"Goodnight, my Lady."