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After Sesshomaru left, Kagome had gone back to bed feeling lonely for him. Sayoka and her son had returned within an hour after his departure in which she was very grateful for. She was suddenly seized by loneliness and mild depression over her mate, and hadn't the will or strength to attend to the children.
Today however, she was up and felt more like herself, and the need to be with her babies was pressing. She opened the adjoining door before she realized that she was alone in the house. She turned away and was about to lock the door again when her eyes snagged across two objects by the foot of each crib, wrapped with colorful paper and tied with matching strings.
She let go of the door handle suddenly and it slid wide open. It was a curious sight that piqued her interest immediately, because the toddlers were given all their presents already, and the last they'd received was from their father.
So where did these two come from and who had left them? The question she pondered on for some time, and yet she knew of only one other that had access to the house and would have a reason for bearing gifts, and that was Doctor Tanaka. Her left hand came up slowly to cover her mouth, stunned that he had been into the house on the night of the birthday celebrations.
She closed weary eyes and mumbled. "Oh my god that dream I had could have really happened…I have to be more careful." A heavy sigh left her being before she approached the cribs and knelt down. She took up the present closest to her right hand and felt the package carefully.
It felt soft on the outside like cotton but as she pressed her fingers deeper into the parcel she felt something hard and round. She couldn't guess what it was, and curiosity got the best of her and so she began to open it, carefully peeling the paper away.
Her eyes widened in surprise as the wrapper fell apart, because there in the center of the package were two identical necklaces made of the most beautiful pearls that she had ever seen.
One was smaller than the other, and if she had to speculate the little one was for Hina, and the larger one was for her. But sadly, it was a gift that she could not accept; the meaning behind it was too obvious.
She wasn't sure when her bottom hit the floor but now she sat with her legs beneath a crib, wondering if like in her dreams, but the reverse had happened and Doctor Tanaka had witnessed her and Sesshomaru making love. She sighed heavily feeling miserable, because hurting the doctor was not something that she wanted to do. He was a good man and a friend.
The other present remained unopened as she thought of the doctor, then the sound of the front door opening and her children's happy voices as they returned with their companions hastened her decision. She picked up the presents quickly and left the room. She did not need any more drama if Sayoka were to see what the doctor had left for her.
She sat on the bed and quickly opened the other present and observed a wooden statuette of a warrior painted in grey armor and red tunic. The doctor had really gone out of his way to find and make meaningful gifts for all of them. And even the gift that he had given to Arashi was painstakingly whittled to perfection and painted by his own hands.
He had confided in her in one of their earlier conversations that the times his father had allowed him to visit his mother's human family, he was taught the trade of wood carving and cabinet-making. It was quite a skill that he possessed because it would seem that the doctor was quite proficient with his hands.
Sayoka unlocked her bedroom door without knocking; quickly she hid the gifts under the pillow as the children rushed in and climbed onto the bed. Their little hands clung to her neck and their lips gave her many kisses, she returned the affections lovingly.
Later that night Kagome lie awake with her children asleep by her sides and thought of Sesshomaru and what he had told her, although thoughts of doctor would not leave her mind. If nothing more she would like to see him again to explain her position, maybe then he would understand why they could not be together, and to return the necklace.
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The council building buzzed with activity which was significant because it would be the first meeting held since the hurricane, and the first one attended by the human emperor, his prime minister and the shogun since the alliance.
It was an impromptu meeting given that emperor Masayoshi had come before the scheduled time, making organizing and gathering the members at such short notice cumbersome.
Akiyoshi his first born was there at his side, so too was his wife and her mother who sat away from the main assembly table. The other members slowly trickled in except for Inuyasha and Shippo who were away on his orders.
Sesshomaru glanced around on the members and held himself rigid for a moment. Politics would never appeal to him no matter how long he lived, but it was a necessary evil if he were to achieve his goals.
The clerk of the meeting called it to order and introduced the members. Afterwards a brief account of present matters was stated by him. He outlined the west's achievements and the progress of the dam, which most of them would visit at the end of the summit.
Princess Maemi watched her husband with unbiased pride as he addressed the council, while her mother in turn watched her suspiciously and shook her head slightly with annoyance. The girl had sworn that she hated her husband and only wanted revenge.
Not so she thought, the love that her daughter felt for the demon was there in her eyes, as they shimmered and glowed while she did her best to observe him infrequently, so as to reinforce the farce that she did not love him.
She sighed deeply and focused her attentions back unto the lord, who was about to speak again after a short break, feeling disappointed in her daughter who was so conflicted. One stupid move by her in her jealousy could spell disaster for all of them. The room fell quiet as the demon lord stood up.
"There are many things to report since the formation of the treaty between demons and humans, but I will begin with the most current…." He said all this with sincerity, though his mind was here as well as in a small village in Edo.
The meeting took on its usual tone with reports of change and improvement, surpluses and welfare, insight into future projects which were discussed and suggestions given on how to proceed.
It was a long summit and at times Sesshomaru was tempted to roll his eyes but resisted the urge to act impolitely, especially when it was the emperor's turn to speak. He stood with his shoulders square and stiff, nodded to his companions and then began his litany.
"I emperor Masayoshi is pleased with the progress and pace of the treaty. However, what would give me greater joy is the birthing of an offspring between the lord and my sister princess Maemi. Children are the carriers of the legacy that we will leave behind, and such a child between the two nations and species would see a new sunrise for our efforts."
None of the members said a word but politely tapped on the table as he'd finished speaking. Sesshomaru remained passive; he hadn't the time for what others wanted. His life was unsettled and definitely not the way he wanted it. His decisions, what he wanted, and his motives were his own. Absolutely nothing that the emperor said would move him.
Nevertheless, Maemi blushed by the words that were spoken by her brother, and even now she was hopeful that her last joining with the lord would culminate into a pregnancy.
Her right hand came to rest on her stomach by the thought, but she frowned deeply when she remembered it had been over a year already and she had not conceived. The cause for the failures month after month was still a mystery to her.
She was healthy and in the prime of her life at twenty two and a half years old, so what was the problem? She had her regular monthly courses, ate properly and drank the special tea that her mother prepared. With all that she simply could not understand the disappointment after all those frequent visits to her husband's bed.
Jade had suggested that maybe getting pregnant by the lord was more difficult because she was human and he a demon. But that could not be she reasoned, because the lord has had not one but three children by the human priestess he was with. Something else must be going on, she concluded, but what it was, she just could not lay a finger on it.
There was so much that she did not understand about demon-kind; and those misunderstandings were the principal deciding factor that gave her husband and his family the edge at all times.
Perhaps, the priestess had bewitched her so that she could not conceive she thought; and although that sentiment sounded blasé. She hadn't any proof to substantiate such a claim; she still believed that her empty womb was due in part because of her husband's whore.
She has had enough of her, her happiness or lack thereof was tied to the woman somehow. It was no secret in the palace that the lord was with the priestess two days ago, and by the looks of it he was more than a little pleased on his return.
She wondered about the slight change in him, he seemed more likable and tolerant. She wouldn't complain too much, the after effects was blowing her way, but the thought that it was the priestess, a woman that she detested with all her heart and soul was responsible for his light countenance was vexing to her spirit.
What did the woman have that she lacked? It was an offensive thought; she was of noble birth, beautiful and wealthy. So why couldn't her husband feel anything else for her other than disdain?
She had tried everything to sway him not only in her arms but into her heart as well to no gain. She had begged him, reasoned with him, cried, loved and bedded him but nothing worked. She was beyond all those pathetic acts now, her fight with him currently was with cunning and deceit, and the only way that she knew to hurt him was to destroy the wretched woman that he loved.
Whatever happened from here on out would be his own fault for being cold, arrogant and prideful. She would make him pay. She hissed with her wicked thoughts, then quietly got up and left the meeting. Sesshomaru observed her movements uneasily as she left the room hurriedly.
Up until now she had not spend one minute alone with the emperor, her husband watched. Regardless of that hindrance she would get the information that she needed and give it to her brother before he left for Osaka, the day after tomorrow.
Finding the location of her husband's harlot was proving to be a tad difficult, but now that she really thought about it, the key to unlocking that door was always within her grasp. How had she not seen it before now? She questioned herself in rebuke, well none of that mattered now; the cloak had finally lifted from her eyes.
A plan formulated in her head quickly out of necessity. Her brother would leave in a short while, so making the most out of his visit would be crucial as well as beneficial. She didn't know when she would ever get a chance like this again. She was being watched, so trying to get in touch with the captain was not an option anymore.
The carriage driver came running when he saw her outside and bowed at her feet. "My lady can I be of assistance?" He asked in haste, trying to please.
She looked down on his dark head and replied. "Take me to the palace as quickly as you can go."
"Yes my lady," he said and smiled.
She boarded the carriage and sat; the sun streaming through the windows hurt her eyes, so she pulled the blinds closed and tried to relax. What she was about to do could work or blow up big time in her face.
The carriage moved jerkily along a rough path until the journey smoothed as the wheels turned over grass instead of stones. The driver kept true to his word as he sped away, she smirked.
As the carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the castle, Maemi disembarked. She knew that only the toad, the tutor and the little witch that had attacked her would be present in the house at this particular time. Her cousins had gone to a social in a neighboring village to mingle and to rid of the monotony.
Whether or not she felt pleased by that was secondary as she was swept away by her own plans and did not dwell on it. The key players in her little scheme were positioned where she wanted them to be.
After she disembarked from the carriage, she entered the house and approached a maid. "Fix me a light beverage and take it to the garden by the gazebo nearest to the oak trees," she said brusquely.
The little human maid was frightened of the lady because she had been rough with her and her behavior had made her very timid.
"Will do madam," she responded and ran off quickly.
Maemi picked her way through Kagome's garden gathering a few flowers here and there before she stepped up into the gazebo and sat down. She smiled knowingly because she knew that the child had heard when she had ordered refreshments and would turn up soon.
She played a very dangerous game in which time was of great importance, because her husband had not minced his words when he had told her never to go beyond the oak trees. That part of the garden held some special meaning for his children. However, this was the day that she would not obey such a rule. Her plans would have to come to fruition before her husband returned.
The maid brought the refreshments and hurriedly left. She took up the crystal jug and poured some of the contents into a glass, then took a sip and waited.
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Aiko's hands twitched under the desk, she couldn't wait for the lessons to end so that she could have a word with that insufferable woman. She was there when her father had instructed his woman; wife was not a word that she could use easily to describe the princess, to stay away from that specific part of the garden.
What was she up to again the child wondered? Not really hearing anything else that the tutor repeated. The only thoughts that turned inside her head, was the pre-occupation with the woman and her motives.
"That is all for now," Aiko vaguely heard the teacher say.
But it was enough, she turned on her heels and strode away, and like before, when she saw the princess sitting in her mother's garden and drinking it angered her just as much as it did that day. Her emotions had not lessened in the least and the warning bells pealed inside her head, though she remained rigid and silent.
"Aaah, I see that you have come to defend a ghost," the princess said cunningly, trying to incite a certain reaction from the young girl, and she wasn't disappointed.
"You stupid bitch how many times must I tell you not to visit my mother's garden," Aiko cursed immediately, her posture tensing with outrage by the unwelcomed sight.
She laughed condescendingly at the child which only helped to crush her already unstable emotions, her lips barely moved when she spoke next.
"And how many times must I tell you that I don't believe that you have a mother, for surely a responsible parent would not run off and leave her children to fend for themselves," princess Maemi replied spitefully, unafraid, confident that the child would not harm her again.
It was a low blow but she felt no remorse, she fought for her happiness with the only weapon that she was armed with, her brain. As she watched the young demoness trying to remain calm by folding and unfolding her fists, she knew that victory was within her grasp. Just one more push and she would succeed.
A raging fire welled up inside Aiko's gut, her palms sweated as she struggled to contain it, to put out the flames before it erupted, because if she let the rage take control once more, she would surely kill the haughty woman who disrespected her mother time and again.
In time the flames cooled and the young demoness turned to walk away, but the woman was relentless in her quest to anger her, so much so that she fanned the cooling embers, setting them ablaze with her next remark.
"If what you say is true and you do in fact have a mother, my husband must truly hate and despise her to abandon her and the babies you and your brother so callously informed me about, for these many months while he slept into my arms."
The woman's words sounded like the thunder inside her head and struck like lightning, and before she knew it, Aiko flung her to the ground and was upon her. She sat across her waist and punched her all over while she cried.
"You are a worthless good for nothing princess that can never walk into my mother's shoes, that is why father will never love you!"
Maemi was aware that as the child rain down vicious blows on her body that she was beside herself with anger and frustration, and with her eyes closed as she cried and hit her; most of the hits were misses as she shielded her face with her hands while she dodged some of the thumps.
Aiko wailed bitterly while she slapped the princess. "Why don't you just leave and never come back, no one will miss you and my mother will be able to leave Edo and be with father again like before."
Her heart literally stopped beating for a moment as the information sunk deep into her brain, time stood still in that instant as the weight on her abdomen disappeared. She watched in slow motion as the young demoness kicked and struggled as one of her brother's pulled her away.
The noises stopped and she was left alone sitting on the grass with a busted lip and the front of her kimono shredded into tatters, and as she glanced down she saw superficial scratches across her breasts that beaded with blood.
Her upper body hurt as she tried to get up, the pain almost doubled her over. For support she held unto the side of the gazebo. She had to make it back to the house and get cleaned before Sesshomaru and her brother returned, however, she would need some sort of story to explain her cut lip.
It was a struggle but she made it back to the house and had enough time to bathe and change, and even to fabricate a story for her busted lip. No one would question her about it, because the child would not say anything, fearing her father's wrath for another attack.
She smiled deeply as she heard the carriages downstairs, her husband and brother were back. This time she would not need a letter, she would inform her brother herself, because as much as he watched, her husband could not prevent her from speaking to her brother.
The bruises would also aid her, for while she would lie to her husband she would tell her brother the truth, exaggerate the events a bit; make him believe that she was being persecuted. No doubt he would go out of his way to make sure that she would be safe.
When she was done not even her husband would be able to protect the blued eyed whore in the picture. She would make her suffer for all the misdeeds her children and Sesshomaru had visited upon her.
She straightened up and held onto the rails of the stairs for support and then made her descent, dinner was served, and tonight would be the first time in a long time that she would enjoy a meal with her husband and his children. The tables were finally turning.
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