Chapter Eleven- It began with a Tug
The light echo of footsteps sounded within the Castle hallways. White lilies freshly plucked from under the sun were held in Kagome's hands. Her blue eyes had a faraway look within them. Sesshomaru's cold words and attitude did not leave her thoughts. She was still clueless as to why he was acting so.
Kagome finally noticed that her feet had unconsciously stopped in front of Sesshomaru's study. Looking down at the lilies in her hand they became her reason to confront him. Knocking on the wooden door, she waited patiently for his response. But, Kagome was too deep in thought that she did not notice that another person lay behind the door.
"Come in," she heard Sesshomaru's usual stoic voice call out. Releasing a slightly relieved sigh, she wondered if he was no longer angry at her. Pushing the door open, her eyes immediately caught the color of red and silver.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed excitedly as she ran towards him. Catching her friend off guard, she embraced him tightly. Kagome quickly pulled away to see his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. So happy to see Inuyasha's return, she embraced him lightly once more.
But a chilling voice cut her excitement short, "Your reunion can be done elsewhere, Miko."
Glancing at Sesshomaru, she saw his golden eyes reveal nothing. Kagome wondered if he was still angry at her from the tone of his voice. Sending him an apologetic look, she let go of Inuyasha and walked towards the lily vase to place in the lilies she brought.
"There were no complaints sent from the villages you patrolled," Kagome heard Sesshomaru voice impassively.
"It seems you have managed to stay away from trouble," Sesshomaru continued to say. Peaking at Inuyasha, she saw him puff up his chest and tilt his nose upwards. Kagome softly snickered at her friend's prideful appearance.
"Your intended, on the other hand," Sesshomaru's voice suddenly hardened and held more anger, "Seems to enjoy stirring up trouble."
Kagome glared at Sesshomaru feeling hurt by his cold attitude. From the sound of his comment, Kagome knew he was still angry with her. Guessing he was angry that she meddled with the 'Tsu' rank's affairs, she retorted, "Well at least I don't ignore corruption."
Golden eyes narrowed as Sesshomaru said sharply, "Do not think you are solving the issue."
"If you think that doing nothing is fixing the issue then you aren't any better!" Red cheeks flushed Kagome's face as anger simmered beneath her skin.
A heavy tension filled the study room as both Kagome and Sesshomaru glared at each other. Neither of them diverted their attention; neither wishing to lose to the other.
"What did you do, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked her with a serious expression. Hearing Inuyasha side with Sesshomaru, she broke away from Sesshomaru's eyes to look at Inuyasha with a devastated expression. But observing that Inuyasha held a frown on his face, Kagome knew he was worried.
"I did nothing wrong," she said stubbornly. She did not regret anything she did. How could she? Her choice to replace Kura with Chika would strip Kura's ability to corrupt the 'Tsu' rank. Even if Kura did seem sincere with her apology and reflection, it did not prevent Kura from continuing her corrupted actions. After seeing the hopeful expressions from the 'Tsu' rank, no, she did not regret anything. Seeing that both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru did not view things her way, she walked out of the study. There was no point in voicing her thoughts, she would show them instead.
Inuyasha watched Kagome leave the room before glancing at Sesshomaru for answers. As if knowing what Inuyasha wanted to hear, Sesshomaru said curtly, "The Miko replaced the 'Tsu' leader."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in realization of what Kagome had done and exclaimed loudly, "Shit!"
Inuyasha knew of Kura's corrupted actions, but also knew of her tight ties with many powerful demons. There had been a reason why no one bothered to interfere or address Kura's dirty works. Releasing a groan, Inuyasha dragged his hand along his face. He shouldn't have been so surprised at the chaos Kagome had gotten herself into while he was gone.
"She always attracts trouble," Inuyasha mumbled to himself, while regretting leaving in the first place.
"Hn," Sesshomaru agreed with Inuyasha for the first time.
A glower darkened Inuyasha's face. He doubted that he would be able to protect Kagome from anyone in the demon society. Growling at the disadvantage he had within the demon society, he sent Sesshomaru a weary gaze.
Hesitating with his words, Inuyasha said reluctantly, "I ask for a favor."
Sesshomaru raised a brow with a stoic mask in place. He wondered what could push Inuyasha to ever ask him for a favor.
"Kagome will probably be in danger and I am in no position to protect her. Would you?" Inuyasha requested grudgingly as he cursed his weakness.
Golden eyes narrowed at Inuyasha. Ignoring the tightening around his chest, he silently considered Inuyasha's request. He had already decided to assist the Miko when troubled for she now belonged to the Western Lands. Yet, to brand this duty as protecting her caused his chest irritation.
"On the condition that you owe me," Sesshomaru said stoically.
Inuyasha looked shocked for he did not think Sesshomaru would agree with him so easily. Nodding his head in agreement to the condition, his amber eyes still reflected shock. As Sesshomaru returned to reading through scrolls, Inuyasha left the study in a daze.
Thud.
The sound of the door closing resounded in the silent study. Golden eyes that were scanning through a report paused. Sesshomaru shifted his gaze to the fresh lilies near the window.
Tug.
His chest tightened from the thought of protecting the Miko.
An unsettling feeling coursed through his body.
The thought of placing a condition to protect the Miko bothered him. But like all duties, there needed to be some sort of benefit for him.
Tug.
Minutes passed by as Sesshomaru tried to collect his confusing thoughts that did not make any sense. Getting up from his seat, he walked towards the window. Breathing in the scent of lilies, he closed his eyes in hopes to calm his thoughts. But just as he was about to close his eyes, he spotted the Miko and Inuyasha in the flower field. Golden eyes were fixed on Inuyasha's hand that rested on the Miko's shoulder.
Tug.
-Evening Ceremony-
"What did you do to get so close with Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked out of the blue. Kagome's jaws dropped at Inuyasha's question as her hands released the braid she had been working on.
"What!?" Kagome said with confusion. Of course during Inuyasha's absence she felt like she built some sort of bond with Sesshomaru. But, she had no idea how Inuyasha could come up with that assumption.
"Keh," Inuyasha scoffed as he continued, "I thought Sesshomaru was going to kill you the moment you talked back at him. I know him, Kagome. What did you two do while I was gone?"
Blue eyes widened in astonishment. She had always thought Inuyasha was a bit slow at noticing things, but maybe he had grown. Revealing a sheepish grin she answered, "I wouldn't say he thinks of me as a friend…yet. But, hopefully we can be. After all, he will be my brother-in-law."
Kagome giggled as she saw Inuyasha's ears turn slightly pink while diverting his eyes elsewhere.
"Keh," he grunted to cover his embarrassment. Inuyasha knew Kagome had the ability to change the people around her. But, Sesshomaru had been the last person he thought Kagome would approach to get close with. Inuyasha's expression turned serious as he said, "You would have been killed on the spot if you were anyone else, Kagome."
Wrapping her arm around his she said reassuringly, "Well, it was me so there's nothing to be worried about."
Inuyasha sent Kagome a worried look. He still felt shocked that Sesshomaru didn't harm Kagome at all for talking back. Just because Kagome was his intended mate did not mean Sesshomaru didn't have the right to harm her. Inuyasha knew Kagome meant more to Sesshomaru than just an in law. But it was just so hard to imagine Sesshomaru having a friend.
Excited to introduce Inuyasha to all her friends, Kagome's anger from this afternoon was completely forgotten. Tugging onto Inuyasha's arm, she dragged him to the ceremony hall.
Feeling Inuyasha's footsteps slow down her pace, Kagome said with annoyance, "Come on, Inuyasha, you are walking too slowly!"
She heard him grumble before walking the same pace as her. Entering into the ceremony hall, Kagome immediately noticed the 'Mu' and 'Tsu' rank headed towards her. She smiled brightly as she waved towards them in greeting. Seeing both the 'Mu' and 'Tsu' rank bow in return, she glanced to see Inuyasha's eyes widen.
Noticing that both ranks were near enough, she announced, "This is my intended mate, Inuyasha."
Silence fell upon the two ranks after Kagome's introduction. Though Kagome knew Inuyasha held a bad reputation, she hoped the two ranks would accept him. As the silence prolonged, Kagome observed Inuyasha's eyes show hesitance.
"Hello, Prince Inuyasha, my name is Akihiro. I am honored to meet the intended of our respected Lady Kagome," Akihiro voiced loudly trying to cover up his nervousness.
Kagome couldn't help but send Akihiro a warm smile for his bravery. Her attention turned to Chika as she stepped forward and said, "And I am Chika, speaker of the 'Tsu' rank. Our rank is pleased to finally meet your acquaintance."
Gazing up at Inuyasha, Kagome's heart warmed at the shock seen in his eyes. She tugged on his arm to stand closer towards him. Kagome was relieved to see his cold mask disappear as she heard him say, "The pleasure is all mine, Akihiro and Chika."
Kagome pulled on his arm to introduce him to the other members. Soon, the tense air was replaced with laughter as Kagome told stories of her adventures with Inuyasha.
Kagome saw his amber eyes gradually warm up towards both the ranks.
She noticed his real character crack through his cold front here and there.
Her heart that ached for Inuyasha seemed to mend.
Warmth embraced her as blue eyes softened towards the sight of her dear friend.
All who surrounded the Miko saw a gentle smile grace her lips.
And all who saw the beautiful smile felt their heart skip a beat.
Sesshomaru turned his gaze away from the Miko. Not finding the need to stay for the entire ceremony, he headed towards his study. He couldn't deny his amazement at the Miko's ability to make the 'Mu' and 'Tsu' rank accept Inuyasha. For so long, Inuyasha had been the black sheep of the demon society which tainted the Western Lands. If the Miko continued to gain other ranks to respect her, Inuyasha's reputation was bound to improve. This would erase the taint placed over the Western Land. Sesshomaru knew Inuyasha had done something wise for the first time; making the Miko as his intended.
Tug.
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