Author's Note: I posted a drawing inspired by the previous chapter! Hope you will check it out on my Dokuga fanart or at Deviant Art.
Chapter Twenty-Three – Fallen
A tender kiss placed upon her milky skin.
Lightly running his fangs near her collarbone, a red mark was left.
Sesshomaru stood in front of the gates ready to head back towards the Western Castle. Remembering the mark he left, he doubted Kagome knew the meaning of it. His eyes slowly closed as he raised his head to bathe in the sunlight.
A silent sigh released.
Leaving such a mark was demon custom of expressing love.
It was a mark to show his intention of wanting her as his mate.
He never intended to leave a mark on her for she was still promised with Inuyasha. But, his control had slipped the moment he kissed her.
Suddenly sensing Kagome approaching him, golden eyes opened and softened for a split second before returning stoic. Exiting the fortress, he heard her falling into step by his side. He made sure to fix his gaze forward, since he could no longer trust his control around her.
Blue eyes secretly glanced at Sesshomaru before gazing downwards. Kagome's brows furrowed as she felt disappointment and anger. She couldn't sleep that night after the kiss wondering why he did it and what it meant. But seeing him look stoic, it almost seemed like the kiss meant nothing to him. With her gaze still downwards, a hurt expression flashed across her face. Kagome shifted her gaze towards Sesshomaru once more.
Stoic.
His expression remained impassive, yet she let her gaze linger a bit longer.
Though his eyes or expression gave away nothing, Kagome felt the need to ask, "What's wrong, Sesshomaru?"
Golden eyes slightly widened after hearing her question. His footsteps slowed down before stopping. He turned his head to look at her and saw a worried expression. Standing in the middle of the empty path, silence rested between the two.
He was sure his face hadn't given away any hints for her to worry.
So, how did she know the turmoil he had been hiding?
Feeling a tug on his sleeve, he glanced to see her hand holding onto his haori.
Of course she would notice…that is what he loved about her.
Sorrow slipped past his stoic mask as he hesitated to answer her.
Avoiding her eyes, he finally asked, "Do you still intend on mating Inuyasha?"
Though impossible, Kagome thought she felt her heart beat stop for a second. She felt ashamed for feeling hurt by Sesshomaru's nonchalant reaction. How else could he react when he knew she was intended to mate Inuyasha? The answer to his question was at the tip of her tongue, but was interrupted when she noticed his attention diverted towards the forest. Kagome followed his gaze to see the ex-Gon leader approaching them. All she could see before Sesshomaru moved to hide her with his body was the ex-Gon leader covered in his own blood.
"L-Lord S-Sesshomaru, p-p-please all-ow me b-back into th-the demon so-society!" Kagome heard the ex-Gon leader plead desperately.
"Hn, you lost against the new Gon leader," Sesshomaru replied coldly.
"I wi-will tell you who is a-after Inuyasha then!" The ex-Gon leader yelled. Golden eyes narrowed as blue eyes widened with shock.
"Master sent those assassins to kill Inuyasha, but it seems they mistook you as the half-breed," the ex-Gon informed desperately. He hoped that the information will get him into Lord Sesshomaru's good grace.
Unable to keep quiet, Kagome moved away from Sesshomaru and saw the trembling ex-Gon leader, "What do you mean your master wants Inuyasha killed!?"
Ignoring the disgust that portrayed in the ex-Gon leader's eyes, Kagome demanded answers.
"Master wants Inuyasha stripped of his rank. Then the moment the half-breed is banned from the demon society, all his enemies are free to slaughter him."
Kagome felt her blood freeze from fear.
Slowly approaching Kagome, the ex-Gon leader snarled, "Why do you think I'm so desperate to get back into the demon society, wench!? You can't kill anyone from the demon society unless you are of higher rank or have a justified cause."
Kagome couldn't move. All she could do was watch as the ex-Gon leader neared her with his eyes bleeding red.
"Without my rank, all the enemies I've made have every right to slaughter me! IT's ALL YOUR FAULT and that HALF-BREED WILL DIE BECAUSE OF YOU!"
Terror.
She was terrified of the information she just heard.
Someone wanted her dear friend dead.
Someone wanted to tear her friend away from the demon society that had just begun to warm up towards him.
A threatening growl caused the hysterical ex-Gon leader to suddenly fall on his knees and bow before Sesshomaru. Trembling once again, the ex-Gon leader pleaded, "Please, Lord Sesshomaru, accept me back into my rank! I don't want to die! My enemies will kill me! I will even tell you who my master is! Anything!"
Staring down at the trembling demon without a hint of pity, he replied stoically, "No."
Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome's hand and dragged her away from the insane demon. He noticed she was still in shock. Silently cursing the demon, he didn't wish for her to find out about the threat against Inuyasha this way. He had meant to tell her about the assassins that mistook him for Inuyasha.
Clenching his jaw, he knew why he hesitated to tell her.
She would worry for Inuyasha, just like she was now.
Without letting go of her hand, they walked in silence until the Western Castle came into view. Finally entering through the gates, Sesshomaru continued to grasp onto her hand tightly as if she would let go any second.
"Sesshomaru?" he heard the sound of her soft voice ask, "If a Hime mated with Inuyasha, would all threats towards him cease?"
Her words pierced his heart for he knew the meaning behind her question.
His grasp around her hand tightened.
Not a word fell from his lips.
He couldn't say it.
"Sesshomaru? I need to know," she said with a trembling voice.
Feeling her tug his hand to make him stop and look to her, he let go of her and walked away without turning back.
If he told her the answer, he knew she would mate Inuyasha the moment she gained the title of Hime.
Whether she did this out of love or sacrifice, it didn't matter.
She wouldn't be his.
"Sesshomaru!" he heard her cry out in the distance.
It was his first time…running away.
-The Next Day-
Kagome wandered aimlessly through the empty hallways. The howling sound of the wind echoed in her ear. The sound seemed to heal her worn out heart. All night she stayed up to figure out other ways to deal with the threat against Inuyasha; any other way than mating him. But the more she tried to come up with another strategy, the more it made sense to mate him if she was titled Hime. Though the demon society grows to become more accepting of Inuyasha, it only took one person to be a threat.
That's why she needed to know.
Does the Hime title hold enough power to protect Inuyasha from all kinds of threats?
She needed to know the answer, but at the same time feared it.
If she is titled Hime, if the title does protect Inuyasha, she must mate him.
"Kagome!" Dazed blue eyes turned to see the owner of the voice that called her name.
"Inuyasha…" she breathed out. Mentally kicking herself, she felt foolish for not informing the person who is the one in danger. But just as she was about to tell him, she was cut off.
"I know about the assassination attempt and that there's a person who wants to strip me of my rank," Inuyasha said with a scoff. Kagome felt her lips tug upwards into a small smile at her friend's attitude towards this threat, treating it as if it was just an annoyance.
"Sesshomaru told me everything," Inuyasha said. But the news about someone wanting him dead was nothing compared to what Sesshomaru said afterwards.
Flashback
"I heard you got injured during the patrol. Keh, don't tell me you called me here to say I didn't do my job properly," Inuyasha said with a snort. Glancing at Sesshomaru, Inuyasha saw for the first time exhaustion replacing his usual stoic expression. The feeling of shock only lasted a few seconds before guessing the exhaustion was from his recent injury.
"You look like hell," Inuyasha grunted. But after catching Sesshomaru's glare, he quickly regretted letting those words slip out. Folding his arms, Inuyasha heard Sesshomaru speak, "The injury is from an assassination attempt. Although the assassins were not nearly as strong, they used dark magic."
"Who is dumb enough to try and send assassins to kill you?" Inuyasha said.
"The assassins mistook me for you," Sesshomaru said stoically.
Inuyasha felt his eyes narrow. He had almost forgotten that there were still many that hated him. Growling, he asked, "Any clues to who is behind this?"
Sesshomaru replied, "The previous Gon leader confessed that his master wishes you dead."
"Keh, that dirty bastard. Guess I'll give him a visit and beat some answers out of him," Inuyasha snarled. Before turning to exit the study room, Inuyasha heard Sesshomaru stop him, "The debt you owe me…"
Amber eyes flickered with confusion before realizing that he owed Sesshomaru one favor in return for his request to protect Kagome. Inuyasha looked straight at Sesshomaru and saw his expression noticeably harden.
"Time… with her," Sesshomaru said tensely.
Confused, Inuyasha replied, "Huh? Time with Kagome? That's it?"
His confusion grew as he observed Sesshomaru's seriousness, "Why are you asking for my permission?"
"I intend to make her mine."
End of Flashback
Inuyasha still felt the aftershock, even though this occurred an hour ago. At first he thought it was some kind of joke. But knowing Kagome's character, he guessed it shouldn't be such a surprise that even his cold hearted brother could fall in love with her.
"Kagome," he voiced seriously. He needed to know what was going on between the two. But as he was about to question her, he heard, "I know you don't take this threat seriously, Inuyasha, but the person behind this could be a powerful demon. I have decided that if I am titled Hime, we must mate."
Furrowing his brows, Inuyasha was now even more confused. He thought Kagome would be in love with Sesshomaru or something.
"Wha?" Inuyasha said.
"What nonsense," a chilling voice interrupted. Kagome glanced past Inuyasha and saw Inari slowly approach them.
Wondering why Inari was in the Castle when there were no ceremonies being held, Kagome asked, "What brings you to the Western Castle?"
"Unlike you, I am the heir to the Southern Land. I've come to seek the Lord of this Castle," Inari remarked arrogantly. Inari didn't even seem to mind hiding the hatred that clearly reflected in her eyes. Glaring back, Kagome saw Inari point her deadly finger in front of her face while stating in pure disgust, "You will never become Hime because I will do everything it takes to bring you down, Miko."
"Enough!" Inuyasha voiced angrily towards Inari. Her eyes flashed red in warning. Sneering at Inuyasha, Inari snapped, "What a perfect couple you two make; the human and her pet half-breed."
Kagome could care less about Inari's insults towards herself. But, watching Inuyasha being treated so harshly was heartbreaking. She understood why Inari hated her so much; they were both rivals for the Hime title. But why was Inari so cruel to Inuyasha?
'Master wants Inuyasha stripped of his rank'. Remembering the ex-Gon leader's words, it scared her to realize that there were people who even wanted Inuyasha dead.
Without the protection of Inuyasha's rank, his enemies would grow immensely.
A shiver shook through Kagome as a mental image of Inuyasha surrounded by millions of demons burned into her mind.
How could someone hate Inuyasha so much to go so far as to want him dead?
Because he was a hanyou? Because his father had an affair with a human?
Unfair.
"So unfair," she could only point out with a quivering whisper. Feeling the warmth of his hand rest upon her head, her sorrow only grew. Although the gesture was to comfort her, it also felt like he was used to this treatment.
"Before worrying about me, Kagome, you better take care of yourself first," Inuyasha said with his usual gruff attitude. He knew that Sesshomaru would come to see Kagome tonight. And if he understood correctly, Sesshomaru intended to court Kagome. A smirk appeared on his face as he realized he didn't mind letting go of his final hope to gain respect in the demon society. Seeing that she didn't seem to understand what he was saying, he blurted out, "Keh, I'm saying you're not allowed to mate me if you won't be happy."
Surprised by Inuyasha's thoughtful words, Kagome's jaw almost dropped open. But after noting the light blush on her friend's cheek, a giggle slipped past her lips.
"Okay," she said softly with a small smile remaining.
Yes, it wouldn't be so bad.
Her life with Inuyasha would be a comfortable one.
But unknowingly, her expression no longer held a smile.
-The Evening-
As the shape of the moon became visible, the dark blue sky was slowly being devoured by darkness. Kagome headed down towards the gardens, while passing by the dimly lighted hallways. She remembered Inuyasha asking her to meet him in the gardens once evening arrived. Entering into the gardens, Kagome wondered where she was supposed to meet him. But quickly enchanted by the dark lighting of the evening, Kagome wandered.
As if Nature knew the one person she constantly thought of, the evening breeze whispered his name.
'Sesshomaru'.
She shared so many memories with him in this garden. The moonlight seemed to cast a spell upon the garden, causing the trees and plants to whisper the memories she held fondly in her heart.
"Are you hiding?" Kagome asked slyly as amusement glimmered in her eyes.
A sad smile tugged on her lips.
"Okay, okay. I'll call it strategically avoiding." Seeing Sesshomaru grimace at her comment, she couldn't hold in her laughter anymore. Soon her giggles turned into fits of laughter.
He meant so much to her.
A clawed hand gripped her shoulder painfully and pushed her against the tree. "Miko, you should have stayed silent!" he roared furiously.
But so did Inuyasha.
"After my Father's death… decades passed by and I eventually entrusted important decisions to him. It wasn't until a few more decades did I find out he had turned the Western Lands against me …"
These memories, she would cherish.
The sky didn't look so far by the way it looked now, yet Kagome knew how far the sky truly was. 'Sort of like Sesshomaru,'
She wouldn't regret trying so hard to near him; to know him.
"I can reach him".
He would always remain her most precious person.
Reaching the huge tree in the middle of the clearing, she finally noticed a figure standing before it.
"Sesshomaru..?" her voice cracked. She didn't think she should see him right now.
"I'm looking for Inuyasha," she said trying to steady her voice. Avoiding eye contact, Kagome missed the flash of emotion cross his golden eyes.
Stab.
Though he was able to hide his pain when physically injured, he wondered why he struggled to hide the pain her words caused him.
"I intend to make her mine."
He scoffed at his own foolish words. Golden eyes dimmed.
"Shall I answer your question from before?" he said coolly.
Quickly shifting her gaze towards him, she replied immediately, "yes!" Slowly approaching him, Kagome was determined to find out if the Hime title could protect Inuyasha.
As she stood arm's length from him, Sesshomaru asked, "Then answer my question first."
A tense silence filled the clearing.
Kagome held her breath wondering what he wished to know.
"Do you love him?" His voice was filled with raw emotion, making Kagome flinch.
"I love him," she answered without hesitation. It was the truth; she loved Inuyasha as a dear friend.
The moment her words were spoken, she felt a strong hand grasp her arm and push her against the tree. Kagome tried to struggle out of his grasp, but he pinned both her hands above her. She couldn't tell what he was thinking for the darkness veiled his expression. His body heat began to move closer towards her.
Fear.
It wasn't that she was afraid of him.
No, she was afraid that if he touched her, she wouldn't be able to push him away.
She wouldn't wish to let him go.
Sensing his face closing in, she quickly turned her head to the side and closed her eyes.
Stab.
Even though it was dishonorable to touch someone else's intended mate, she had already taken his honor.
And even though she had already chosen Inuyasha, he would let her go after this.
A clawed hand slightly tugged on her kimono to reveal the red mark near her collarbone.
Golden eyes filled with sorrow slowly closed.
Leaning in, Sesshomaru placed his last kiss upon the red mark.
A soft and tender kiss.
He allowed his lips to linger upon her milky skin, etching the feel of her in his mind.
His silent confession.
She would never know how much she meant to him.
"If a Hime mated with Inuyasha, would all threats towards him cease?"
"The answer is yes," he said gently.
She was now out of his reach.
Thank you for reading,
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