Confrontation

It was peaceful travelling like this, being held in Sesshomaru's arms, feeling the securities of his presence, and being high up in the sky. The strange energy sphere he erected around them buffered them from the wind, and it was quiet, save for the strong beat of his heart. Though she hadn't thought she was tired, Kagome dozed, lulled by the sound of Sesshomaru's heartbeat. How long they travelled she did not know nor did she care. She slept, but if she dreamed, she recalled nothing of them when she was roused from her slumber.

"Wake, Kagome. We have arrived."

Her ear against his chest, Sesshomaru's voice was more of a rumble. Kagome blinked her eyes open and yawned. A hand covering her mouth, she mumbled a reflexive apology.

He was looking down at her when she glanced up. His mouth didn't move, not even the barest twitch, but his eyes were almost soft as he met her gaze. Lips grazed her forehead. A brief caress.

"Do not apologize. It is best you rested before havoc falls upon us."

At his words, memory returned. They had been on their way to his earthly domain before she nodded off, and the guests that most likely awaited them. Her peaceful tranquility evaporated. Unease brought her brows together as she frowned. The serious circumstances they now found themselves in easily overrode everything else. Wordlessly, Sesshomaru lowered her to the ground, but he did not completely release her. Why it surprised her to feel his large hand engulf her own, she couldn't say; however, the hold was welcome, and she squeezed his hand.

"Come. Allow me to show you my home," Sesshomaru murmured.

At the reminder of where they were, Kagome finally took note of their surroundings. Before them stood an immense structure, a beautiful castle with white walls and black roofing. It toured above them three stories high. For all its elegance, Sesshomaru's home was intimidating.

"You're a lord?" she whispered, awestruck, and suddenly feeling horribly inadequate beside him.

She was now a homeless priestess, impoverished, with no possessions other than her bow and quiver of arrows and clothes to call her own. Actually, Sesshomaru had bought them for her. After departing from her sister and Inuyasha a couple weeks ago, Sesshomaru had procured clean clothes for her since hers had been torn and bloodstained. However, she'd insisted upon wearing the customary red and white of a miko. She recalled Sesshomaru's dissatisfaction at her choice in wardrobe, but she'd been insistent.

She was a priestess, and she wasn't going to hide who she was even though travelling with a demon was bad enough without everyone knowing what she was. Kagome had wanted to make a silent stand against all criticism, that yes she was a miko, and yes she chose to stand beside a demon. She was through with hiding.

However, gazing upon Sesshomaru's obvious wealth and social standing, Kagome was feeling less sure of herself.

"I am not. Only humans distinguish themselves thusly. In the demon world, power and bloodlines are what separate greatness from the lessor," came Sesshomaru's unperturbed reply to her question.

He took a step forward, which prompted Kagome to follow suit, hand in hand, side by side with him. They walked closer and closer to the magnificent structure. Surprisingly, there was no wall to protect it, but Kagome sensed what could not be seen with human eyes—a barrier. What need did Sesshomaru have of a stone wall when a demon could easily scale or destroy it? Sesshomaru was powerful enough to erect a barrier to protect his home better than any man—or demon—made structure.

Kagome swallowed thickly.

"Perhaps, but you are obviously not lacking in wealth." Her voice was weak, easily broadcasting her unease at this newest revelation.

Sesshomaru shrugged carelessly, as if money was a common thing to have in his possession that he rarely gave it much thought. She almost envied him his life of luxury. While she'd never thought anything of living in a small, impoverished village, there was no getting around the fact that having money would have made a hard life easier.

"It bothers you." He made it sound like a statement. It didn't help that he was not altogether wrong.

"You could have any woman you wanted. Someone more refined and noble than a destitute priestess."

The words were no sooner out of her mouth before she was yanked against a hard chest, chin tipped upwards by a clawed finger and forced to meet fierce amber.

"Must I demonstrate once again how much I want you and no other?" The arm around her waist stroked downwards, and since her feet were slightly parted, Sesshomaru easily cupped her sex from behind. Mortified, Kagome shoved ineffectively against his chest.

"Someone could be watching!" she gasped. Her motions were frantic as she tried to get away, but all her struggles accomplished was to fan the embers of her desire with every wiggle of her hips, his palm not leaving sensitive territory.

"Let them watch," was his ominous remark as his fingers stroked her through the fabric of her hakama. "You belong to me, little priestess, and no other." The hand under her chin curled around her neck. Light pressure, not enough to cut off her airway, but his hold was firm and commanding her attention, as well as her immediate obedience. It was a possessive gesture, but then his fingers brushed over the mark he'd given her where her shoulder met her neck. "As I am yours. This mark attests to that."

Then he let her go and took a step back. He watched her with an eagle eye but said no more. Kagome swallowed thickly and nodded. Her heart was pounding, both in semi-arousal and understanding that she'd unwittingly angered him again. She'd been foolish to think her social status hadn't dawned on him since the very beginning of their acquaintance, and yet he accepted her anyway. Sesshomaru obviously didn't care about her lack of wealth or bloodlines, that she was human. She'd allowed her insecurities over his status overwhelm her. Of course he'd be angry at her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She was sorry for doubting him, for believing she wasn't good enough for him, for making trouble where there was none.

Instead of taking her sincere apology gracefully, he replied, "You should be." It sounded like a dismissal, hurting her, until he added, "Come. We have been noticed."

However, he did not reach out to hold her hand but moved forward towards the main doors to his home, forcing her to scamper after him in his wake. If she'd had any doubt towards his current mood, they were put to rest. Sesshomaru was angry with her, which made her feel awful. Her flash of insecurities had undone everything they'd gone through to date in a matter of minutes. Feeling contrite, she opted out of saying anything further. She'd already put her foot in her mouth once and she'd apologized. There wasn't really anything else to say at this point, especially considering the doors were being opened for them as soon as they were several feet away from the portal.

She'd barely walked past the threshold behind Sesshomaru when a familiar, male voice shouted, "Sesshomaru! What the hell took you so long? Where's Kago—oh, there you are."

Taking a step around Sesshomaru so she could stand beside the tall Inugami, Kagome inclined her head towards the other male, though she wasn't nearly as excited to see him as he apparently was at seeing her. Impatient would be a better description, actually. Kikyo stood by Inuyasha's side. Her elder sister's dark, almost black eyes travelled over her, probably inspecting her for injuries.

Kikyo's worry would have warmed Kagome if she didn't know what Kikyo was thinking—that Sesshomaru might have caused her some sort of injury. Her elder sister's distrust was apparent, heralding a not so pleasant visit. Kagome almost sighed in dejection. Kikyo hadn't come to terms with Sesshomaru's presence in her life. That same prejudice was in Kikyo's eyes, and Kagome was tired of fighting.

Why can't you understand?! she wanted to shout in frustration.

"I see you have decided to adorn familiar attire, little sister. It suits you." Kikyo's voice was cool, almost detached, but her body was tense with suppressed emotions.

Standing under Kikyo's disapproving gaze brought back every childhood insecurity of inferiority when the villagers had compared the two sisters and found Kagome lacking in nearly every way. Kagome tried to beat back those useless feelings and strived to be just as nonchalant.

"Thank you. How do you fare, Kikyo?"

Before Kikyo could answer, Sesshomaru interrupted. "Though a pleasure to reunite with family, perhaps we should adjourn to a more appropriate location?" Although the inflection in his voice made it out to be a question, there was no denying the commanding undertone.

"Keh, why bother? We'll be leaving soon anyway. Hey brat," Inuyasha called, looking at Kagome with arms crossed, tone gruff. "Let's go. We're leaving."

Anger made her spine stiffen at the command. "If you wish to leave, then do so. I just got here and I won't be cutting my stay short because you say so."

"Now's not the time to be stubborn, wench—" Inuyasha began aggressively, a low growl infused in his voice, while his fists were clenched at her defiance, but then Sesshomaru cut him off.

Voice like steel, the full-blooded Inugami spoke. "Watch your tongue, half-breed, before I remove it for you."

The red clad hanyou took a threatening step towards Sesshomaru. "Tough talk, bastard. You don't scare me!"

"You are too idiotic to know when to feel fear."

"What did you say, bastard?!" It was an angry shout. Inuyasha's body visibly bristled under his brother's insult, aggression barely contained.

"Brash, too," continued Sesshomaru. He appeared unaffected by Inuyasha's escalating mood. "Initiating a fight you cannot win."

"You think I'd lose to you?" spat Inuyasha. A snarl curled his upper lip, flashing a fang.

Kagome began to feel uneasy. This confrontation—calling it a conversation would be an insult to rational speech—was not wholly unexpected but disconcerting, nonetheless. She wondered, half feared, if blows would commence between the brothers. It seemed like the possibility could happen at any moment, as the younger sibling was on the brink of attack. Glancing at her sister, Kagome was surprised to see Kikyo's eyes regarding her with such a direct stare. She wondered how she hadn't felt that gaze like a physical touch, it was so fierce.

"It is a fact, one you are well aware of, little brother." It wasn't confidence Kagome heard in her lover's voice but exactly what Sesshomaru had said—a cold, hard fact, and she had no doubt that he'd win should Inuyasha launch an attack.

"Don't call me that, and I'm not a defenseless pup anymore, Sesshomaru! Things have changed these past fifty years since last we met. I'm stronger. I can beat you!"

He sounded like a child. No, it was more than that. A child insisting he was a man. Kagome felt herself frown at the brash boy, cause surely he was no man despite his age even though he was most likely technically older in years than herself. She…pitied him. So much hate and anger. Just how much of it was justified, she wondered, steeling a sidelong glance at Sesshomaru.

Surprisingly, it was Kikyo who spoke up. "Calm yourself, Inuyasha." Her hand clasped his wrist, either to sooth him or restrain him, Kagome could not say. Possibly both. "This is not productive to why we are here."

Inuyasha glanced at Kikyo before he crossed his arms mulishly and glanced away, not looking at anyone. He muttered low under his breath but loud enough for all to hear. "He started it."

Kagome wanted to be just as childish and say no, he didn't but bit her tongue. Inuyasha was being immature enough for all four of them combined.

"Kagome." Kikyo gained everyone's attention as she stood staring at her younger sibling. "Don't you think it is time we departed?"

Now it was her turn to cross her arms. Trying not to feel defensive or let her instant anger take over, Kagome stood her ground. "You may leave if you wish, but I'm staying." Why was she always repeating herself? It only made her angrier! As if sensing her ire, Sesshomaru clasped her left hand in his. It did not go unnoticed by either of their siblings, for Kikyo's eyes narrowed on their joined hands, while Inuyasha scowled.

"Still judgmental, I see," Kagome said icily. Her hand tightened around Sesshomaru's defiantly.

"I am worried for your lack of judgment, little sister. Is it not my right to watch out for you?" Kikyo cajoled.

Little sister. Kikyo had seamlessly integrated doubt that Kagome was no woman at all, still needing her elder sister's guidance and to be treated like a child. Kagome resented it. This feeling of hate for the one she'd hero worshipped all her life was shocking, but it was there, rising within her, corrupting the love that had always been there between them. It seemed it was their turn to have a spat before all.

"I am not longer your reasonability, sister."

"It will always be my responsibility," Kikyo countered. If she'd heard the anger in Kagome's tone, it didn't show.

"Meaning, I'm never supposed to grow and mature? I'm not the child you think I am. If you're only going to continue to speak down to me and not listen to what I have to say, then we're done here."

It was then Kagome realized how like Inuyasha she must have sounded, insisting she was no child. How…lowering. And maddening! They were not the same! Surely her attitude and comments didn't come off as immature like his, right? However, if she did seem like Inuyasha, it made her not want to open her mouth again, her arguments subsequently squished under that damning comparison.

"Kagome—"

"Come, Kagome." Sesshomaru smoothly interrupted whatever Kikyo was about to say. "You must be famished after our long journey. I shall instruct a servant to provide you with nourishment." Honeyed eyes that was a mirror image of Inuyasha's collided with his 'guests'. "Leave if you so choose, but if you insist upon staying to continue this…squabble, we will adjourn to a private room. A servant shall escort you. Kagome and I will join you shortly after her respite."

Before anyone could forestall him, he waved a serving maid over and instructed her to take Kikyo and Inuyasha to a private room. It was then that Kagome realized she'd been so caught up with seeing Kikyo and Inuyasha again that she hadn't really had a good look at the entryway of Sesshomaru's home, or that there was indeed a maid on standby just waiting for Sesshomaru to give an order.

"I'm not going anywhere you tell me to, Sesshomaru! You're not the boss of me," Inuyasha spat, instantly defensive again.

No, Kagome thought. There was no way her attitude came off as similar to the irate half-demon.

"Then leave." There was finality in Sesshomaru's command, and Kagome almost hoped they would.

"This conversation can't wait. I've waited long enough," Kikyo stepped in.

This time, Kagome was the one to answer such a snarky comment, not Sesshomaru. "Well, you're going to have to." She turned to Sesshomaru, ignoring the others. "You're right. I am hungry. If you'd lead the way?"

"Kagome." Kikyo stressed her name.

Kagome turned on her, her finger pointed at Kikyo's face. "That's enough! Not another damn word! I'm tired of this. I'm hungry. I'm going to eat something without your present whether you like it or not and that's final!" With an angry stride, she walked past Kikyo and Inuyasha, ignoring them, and seconds later, Sesshomaru took the lead, one step in front of her, ushering her to a quiet room.

Surprisingly, neither Kikyo nor Inuyasha followed in their wake, to which Kagome was eternally grateful.