Author's Note: Artist & Author 'SuWan' has drawn a fanart of Kagome from "The Hime Tradition". You can check it out on her profile on dokuga! Many thanks, SuWan!
Chapter Twenty-Eight – Secrets Unfold
A faint fragrance of Sakura danced around the hallways of the Western Fortress. In one of the largest rooms, ancient furnishing decorated the space. All rank leaders –except for Sesshomaru –sat formally on their knees. Inukimi elegantly lifted up her tea cup and silently sipped while ignoring the growing tension.
Although every leader held their head down in respect, Chika saw from the corner of her eye the 'Shin' leader pick up his tea cup to drink. Rolling her eyes at the actions of the in-experienced and youngest leader, Chika hit the back of his head before he could take a sip.
"Ouch! What was that for, Lady Chika!" complained the 'Shin' leader. Although the young leader appeared fully mature, immaturity could easily be identified by the sound of his voice and boyish actions. Huffing in disbelief, Chika replied, "Do you think we are here to drink tea!?"
The young leader rubbed the pounding pain at the back of his head as he argued, "The invitation saaaiiiddd 'join me for tea'."
Chika slapped the young leader's forehead even harder, "Do you think Lady Inukimi invited us just for tea? Her ladyship obviously has something to say. It's rude to drink before hearing what her ladyship has to say!"
"Oh," the young leader replied dumbly. Placing down his tea cup, he lowered his head in apology.
"Chika is right," Inukimi's smooth voice finally said, "I brought you all here to hear your opinion on who you think should be Hime."
All the eyes of the leaders that were casted downwards, sprung up in shock. The 'Gon' leader began to voice, "How gracious of you to consider-"
"Not that your opinion will affect who I have chosen," Inukimi added coolly. Observing the 'Gon' leader tighten his lips in embarrassment, amusement twinkled in her eyes. Of course she picked the Hime according to who the ranks wanted, but she couldn't help teasing the 'Gon' leader. She heard the 'Mu' elder voice, "Milady, if I may be so bold to speak first?"
"Continue," she voiced nonchalantly.
"As a rank leader of scholars, I have never met someone as wise and knowledgeable as Lady Kagome. She also goes so far as to share her knowledge with us. Using her advice, we have created books to share our knowledge with one another. The Hime title should be given to no other than Lady Kagome for her huge impact to our rank," the 'Mu' elder said sincerely.
"If you talk about impact," Chika voiced passionately, "Lady Kagome rescued the 'Tsu' rank from the previous leader's evil ways."
Tightening her fist, Chika continued, "Lady Kagome has also taught our rank that status and title does not matter. She befriended the 'Tsu' rank with pure intentions…who else could be as deserving?"
Deep respect shined through Chika's eyes. "I must add, Lady Kagome also had most impact between the 'Mu' and 'Gon' rank. Isn't that right, leaders?"
Although a grim look crossed both the 'Mu' and 'Gon' leader, they shook their heads in agreement. After Kagome's wise words to join forces, both ranks gave in to their silly competition and began to work together.
"Woah…I thought those were just rumors," the young leader whispered in awe. Catching some of the leaders send a glare towards the young leader, Ryou, the 'Sho' leader, spoke up, "Lady Kagome is most worthy of the Hime title."
"Hmm," Inukimi sounded as she swiftly lifted her tea cup to her lips to hide a smile. Pretending to look deep in thought, a heavy silence once again rested upon the room. Soon, the sound of her cup cluttered on top of the table. Inukimi turned her head towards the paper door and instructed, "Jaken, inform my son that there will be a ceremony tonight."
"Y-Yes, Milady," Jaken's voice squawked past the thin door. Folding her hands together, Inukimi said sternly, "Tell him it shall be the last ceremony to the Hime Tradition."
-The Western Castle-
Wobbling across the hallways, Jaken finally stood before Lord Sesshomaru's study. However, after several knocks, there was no response. Jaken noticed a maid walking by and commanded, "You there! Where is Lord Sesshomaru?"
A giggle erupted from the maid's lips as she said, "Probably in Lady Kagome's bedroom."
"Wh-What?" Jaken's voice squawked, "Milord would never step foot in a humans bedroom! How dare you insult the Lord of this Castle!"
The maid ignored the imp and walked away with another giggle. Mumbling curses under his breath, Jaken headed towards the Shikon Miko's bedroom to prove the rude maid wrong. With a huff, Jaken breathed, "Lord Sesshomaru will definitely cut off her head when he hears about this."
Banging at the Shikon Miko's door, Jaken's temper rose. He heard footsteps approach the door while he readied to give the Miko a piece of his mind.
Click.
The door opened.
Silver strands of hair fluttered past his shoulders.
His haori was slightly loose to reveal a glimpse of his tone chest.
A grim look crossed Sesshomaru's face as he stared down at the intruder.
"This better be important, Jaken," his voice demanded.
Jaken's mouth hung wide open. Noticing golden eyes flicker with impatience, Jaken stammered out, "H-H-Her Lad-dyship an-announced that t-the l-last ceremony f-for the H-Hime Tradition w-w-will be h-held ton-tonight."
Sweat began to trail down Jaken's forehead the moment he saw golden eyes narrow. Followed by a gust of wind, Jaken saw the door slam in his face.
"What's wrong?" Kagome said tiredly. Just awakening from her sleep, she stretched her cramped arms in the air. Sesshomaru replied with a frown, "It seems my mother will announce the new Hime tonight."
Kagome slipped out of her bed and tightened the sash that held her yukata. Reaching his side, she wrapped her arms around his waist and comforted him, "It should be fine, Sesshomaru."
"No, it would give Kura the opportunity to attack," he said sternly.
"Are you saying I'm not allowed to attend tonight's ceremony?" Kagome pouted. Smirking, Sesshomaru replied, "You will attend because I will have Kura confess her crimes before the ceremony."
Kagome lifted her glance to meet his. Worry filled her eyes as she silently prayed for his safety. Sesshomaru lifted his finger to brush along her cheek. Tilting his gaze to meet hers, he said gently, "I will announce you as my mate tonight, Kagome."
Golden eyes searched her blue ones for any signs of rejection, but he saw nothing except for pure warmth.
This woman who took his honor,
This woman who drove him mad…
"I love you," he uttered tenderly.
Kagome felt her heart beating wildly. She never thought he would say those words out loud. And though she would have never complained if he hadn't, she couldn't help but enjoy the warmth his confession stirred within her. Standing on the tip of her toes, Kagome placed an innocent kiss on his lips. She tightened her grip around his waist and replied, "I love you too, Sesshomaru."
Satisfied with the shocked look she made him express, she smiled brightly. Suddenly, Kagome felt his body tense and pulled away. A pounding at her door soon followed.
"Come in," his voice ordered coldly. Kagome watched as soldiers entered her room and bowed low before them.
"Milord! Milady! Lady Kura has escaped the Western Castle! Some of the soldiers said her scent traces northwards," one of the soldiers informed urgently. Sesshomaru commanded chillingly, "Wait for me at the Western gates and inform Inuyasha that he is to protect Lady Kagome."
Bowing, the soldiers left the room. Kagome watched Sesshomaru quickly strap his armor on. As the Lord of the Castle and as her mate, she knew he needed to be the one to capture Kura. Sending only his soldiers could risk the chance of losing Kura. His attention returned to her and said, "Kagome, promise me you will stay here."
She really wanted to go with him. But already knowing what he would say, she whispered, "I will."
With her answer, he left her alone in the room. A helpless feeling sank in as she was reminded of the days she had to be protected by Inuyasha; always protected by others. Soon, helplessness turned into annoyance. She knew it was irrational to follow him, but it did not mean she had to like being left behind. Folding her arms with a frown, this was how Inuyasha found her.
"Kagome, don't tell me you asked him if you could follow…" Inuyasha asked in disbelief. She scoffed before stating, "I suggest you protect me from outside the room unless you want me to say the S-I-T word!"
Silently chuckling, Inuyasha shook his head while walking out of the room. He could already imagine the many fights and hardships his brother would need to go through.
'Oh boy, he is going to have fun,' Inuyasha thought with a smirk.
-The Western Boarders-
Sesshomaru followed the scent Kura trailed behind as he sped past trees. With his General and a few soldiers following closely behind, he would capture the traitor. The thought of Kura's blood being spilt caused a blood thirsting snarl to sound from his lips. His promise with Ryou, he would keep. Merely harming her to the verge of death would suffice.
Sesshomaru finally spotted a figure covered in dark magic. Narrowing his eyes, he ordered the soldiers to block her path. He watched the figure halt. Using his poison whip, the dark magic barrier cracked. Closing in, Sesshomaru's shadow cast down upon the fallen figure. Slowly, the fallen figure turned her head towards him.
"L-Lord S-Sesshomaru?" a dazed maid voiced in confusion. The barrier had carried Kura's scent, yet inside held a manipulated maid. Every inch of his body froze.
Kura was still in the Western Castle.
'Kagome,' his heart roared with fear.
-The Western Castle-
Inuyasha leaned against Kagome's door as his brother instructed. His ears twitched at the sound of someone's approach and placed a hand over the Tetsusaiga.
"Prince Inuyasha!" he heard a maid yell. Seeing Emiko running towards him with a devastated expression, he asked, "What is it, Emiko?"
"Lady Inari! Lady Inari is injured!" she yelled. The scent of Inari's blood faintly drifted in the air causing Inuyasha to rush towards her room.
Observing Inuyasha rushing away, an evil smirk tugged on the side of Emiko's lips. Suddenly, a black substance began to drip down her figure and melted away to reveal Kura.
"Idiot," Kura said as she continued to watch Inuyasha's vanishing form gleefully. Her pale hand reached to turn the door knob to Kagome's room. A chant whispered past her lips as a black mist began to engrave on the door. The entire door was soon carved with foreign characters and symbols. With a click, Kura's figure disappeared inside Kagome's room as a dark barrier was casted to prevent anyone from entering.
"Inuyasha, I told you I would SIT you if you bothered me," Kagome said. However, not hearing her dear friend slam into the floor, she turned away from her window.
Blue eyes slightly widened before recovering with a calm stare.
"Kura," her voice said steadily as if welcoming her to her room, "I thought you had escaped."
"To get you alone, I pretended to," Kura snarled. Noting the wild glint in Kura's eyes, Kagome knew she had to be careful. She asked, "And why do you need to be with me alone?"
"The Shikon no Tama…" Kura said breathlessly. For a second, Kagome stood still in confusion for she had forgotten all about the Jewel.
"You planned all this just to obtain the Shikon no Tama?" Kagome asked in confusion. Assassinating Inuyasha and her did not seem to make sense.
Growling impatiently, Kura snapped, "My stupid Father messed up my plans. I was mainly after you. I want you dead. And you will be dead after you give me the Shikon no Tama."
A black mist began to form in Kura's hand while pointing it towards Kagome. Releasing a sigh, Kagome walked towards her drawers and pulled out the glowing pink Jewel. She stretched out her arm to hand it to Kura. Kura, who looked confused that the Jewel was being given without a fight, snatched it away quickly.
Kagome watched as greed clouded Kura's eyes. But just as she opened her mouth to utter a greedy wish, Kagome saw her hesitate. She captured a glimmer of innocence and warmth in Kura's tired eyes.
"Why do you want the Shikon no Tama?" Kagome asked.
Fazed by Kagome's question, Kura mumbled quietly, "I thought…"
Trailing off, an empty chuckle abruptly sounded from Kura's lips.
"Ah…" Kura sounded in defeat, "I thought I wanted a higher rank all this time."
A soft expression unfolded upon her face for she now knew what she wanted. Holding the Shikon no Tama close to her heart, she whispered, "I wish for Ryou to love me."
-With Inuyasha-
"Inari!" Inuyasha screamed while bursting past Inari's room door. Amber eyes that reflected worry looked to see Inari undressing and Emiko assisting her. Both ladies stared at Inuyasha with surprise and confusion. He noted the scent of Inari's blood had suddenly vanished. Pausing, he replayed the scenario again and again and again. It took a few more seconds before Inuyasha yelled out, "SHIT!"
Running out the door, Inuyasha called out to the soldiers, "Kagome's in danger!"
-Kagome's Room-
Was this it?
Did the wish work?
Had Ryou's heart for her been changed at this very moment?
Kura glanced at Kagome and saw her face grow sad. Mistaking the Miko's sorrow for pity, Kura snarled, "Did it work!?"
"Kura, the Shikon no Tama no longer grants a wish," Kagome said calmly, yet carefully.
Pain filled Kura's eyes as she snapped her fangs dangerously, "You lie!"
"It's true. Naraku had absorbed all the evil souls within the Shikon no Tama. So when I purified him, nothing but Midoriko's soul was left. We tried wishing upon the Jewel just in case, but we didn't see anything change."
The light of hope that sparked Kura's eyes dimmed. The overwhelming emotions devoured by hatred and sorrow broke her.
"I thought everyone knew what happened. I thought that's why I never encountered anymore demons that wanted the Shikon no Tama."
Black tinted Kura's eyes as she gave into her dark magic. Her voice filled with anguish and hatred resounded, "You took away my position…"
Her hand glowed darker.
"You took away the Hime title,"
Her voice rang hallow as if living no longer mattered.
"You now take away my only chance of having Ryou's love!"
What remained of Kura's innocence and warmth seemed to crush before Kagome's eyes.
"KAGOME!" Blue eyes shifted towards her room door where she heard Inuyasha banging. Diverting her attention back at Kura, she saw the pain and sorrow loom darker on her face. No words could help her escape the dark magic that was ready to explode from Kura's hand. Her Miko powers would not save her too. The poison that streamed within her veins seemed to restrict her from using her powers. Helpless, it seemed she always would be. A wistful look crossed her face for she knew she couldn't do anything.
As the black mist fed off of Kura's pain, Kagome slowly closed her eyes.
"KAGOME!" Inuyasha's voice, along with the sound of his sword slashing across the dark barrier, rang in her ear.
A small smile rested on her lips as she said softly, "Ryou, he loves you very much."
"You LIE! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, MIKO! DIE!" the pains of Kura's heart roared.
A blast of power exploded within Kagome's room, sending the Castle walls to quake. All those within fell to the floor as the tremble shook the grounds.
A silver figure froze near the Western Gates for he felt the quake. When the tremble subsided, golden eyes sharply glanced at the room that belonged to her.
A dust of smoke escaped her broken window.
Her balcony crumbled to the ground.
'Sesshomaru,' he heard the faint whisper of her voice.
Pushing down the fear that shook his heart, Sesshomaru quickly sped towards her room. The number of fallen bodies grew as he neared. But the closer he reached, the less his surroundings mattered.
All that mattered to him was her.
He did not notice his pace had slowed.
Demons that ran by him blurred out.
Trembling hands pushed open the remains of her door.
Golden eyes immediately fogged with agony as they fell upon her.
The beat of his heart drummed loudly in his ear nearly muting the yells and screams.
Dread.
"Arrest her!" Inuyasha's voice sounded drowned out.
Slowly kneeling towards her fallen body, Sesshomaru carefully lifted her unconscious body onto his lap.
Deep wounds carved her skin as blood dripped down to join the puddle of blood on the floor.
Fear.
"She'll die slowly and painfully!" Kura's manic cry only sounded muffled in his ears.
He noticed the wounds were the same as his. The dark magic prevented her wounds from healing or closing.
It became a struggle to breathe past his tightened throat.
"And the poison in her body has sealed her healing powers! She'll never wake!" Kura's psychotic laughter echoed.
"Get her out of here!" the cloudy sound of Inuyasha's voice rang. Numbed with numerous emotions, Sesshomaru didn't feel Inuyasha's hand shaking his shoulder.
"-R you O-ay?" sentences no longer made any sense as the drumming of his heart beat pounded louder with horror.
His trembling hand hovered over her wounds.
But finding so many open gashes, he no longer knew where to place his hand over.
Golden eyes hollowed with loss.
"Se-o-maru! Sn-p out! Foc-s. K-ome ne-ds he-p! Se-sh-"
Silence.
He had been too late…
And he would never forgive himself for that.
Thank you for reading,
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