Chapter Thirty – Punishment
A blue spotless sky expanded across the heavens as mountains and trees crowded the lands. From a single window in the Western Castle, all of Nature's beauty could be taken in with one glance. Yet, a restless Lord glanced out his study window and nothing entered his eyes except for a memory. Sitting below there in the flower field of lilies, he remembered her delicate hum drift into his ears. She busied herself plucking lilies from the vast choices of plants as he continued to soak in her soothing tune.
-Flashback-
Ignoring the pile of scrolls waiting for his attention, Sesshomaru leaned against the study window and stared down at the oblivious Miko.
"Why is Lord Sesshomaru so cold to me!?" His brow furrowed in annoyance from the shriek that caused the Miko to stop her humming.
"I've been waiting to see Lord Sesshomaru, so I waited in front of his study. Then, I caught him right before he could enter and he glared at me with cold eyes!" Faintly recalling a demoness blocking his path, he was about to tune out the conversation. But, what he heard next disturbed him greatly, "He was probably controlling his face from looking too pleased to see you."
His body stiffened.
"Well, he didn't reply to any of my questions or comments too!" he heard the voice whine.
"Don't worry. He was probably scared that if he talked to you it would end in stutters." His jaws clenched to hold back the growl that rumbled against his throat. This was absurd.
"Ah! You are right! It all makes sense! I guess I will just have to come out stronger if he is so shy," the demoness continued to chatter excitedly.
Bring his fingers towards his temple, he massaged the growing headache he felt coming. Just in that moment, a burst of laughter erupted from the flower field. Golden eyes flickered open to see the Miko sprawled on the floor in fits of laughter. Fingers slowly fell away to reach his side. The glow of her face as she laughed intrigued him. The disturbing conversation at once forgotten, he watched her in fascination. Indeed, he found her laughter more soothing than the tune.
-End of Flashback-
"Milord," the voice of the 'Mu' Elder said. Engulfed by the memory of her laughter, Sesshomaru did not move to acknowledge the bowing guests.
"We have some news about Lady Kagome's condition, Milord," the Elder continued. The young scholar beside his Elder squirmed at the tense silence. After the curse was lifted, the Lady had not awaken for the past two weeks. The responsibility of uncovering the reason for Lady Kagome's condition had then fallen upon the 'Mu' rank. The young scholar had just recently found an explanation for Lady Kagome's deep sleep and now stood beside his Elder to inform their Lord.
The Elder observed the distant look in their Lord's eyes and chose to continue, "We have found that due to the large blood loss from Lady Kagome's wounds, she has entered a deep sleep to reproduce the blood that had been lost."
Pausing to take a breath, the Elder voiced in concern, "But, my scholar has found that although demons recover quickly from blood loss in two or three days, humans require a week. When we discovered other cases of humans that remained in a deep sleep past two weeks…"
The young scholar tried to swallow the lump of nervousness stuck in his throat. He truly adored Lady Kagome, so he too had been devastated by the news. How would Lord Sesshomaru react?
"None have wakened and were left to die."
The young scholar stared at the Western Lord who continued to glance out the window. Not a single change of expression or emotion seemed to cross the distant stare. Wondering if their explanation hadn't been clear enough, the young scholar naively paraphrased, "We are saying that Lady Kagome may never wake up, Milord."
'No response,' the young scholar mused in astonishment. Noticing the Elder bow deeply, the young scholar followed and exited the silent study. He tightened his lips to force himself to remain silent until they reached beyond their Lord's hearing radius.
"Elder, I guess Lord Sesshomaru doesn't care for Lady Kagome as much as the rumors indicated. I heard he faced near death for breaking the curse that was harming Lady Kagome. I also heard it took a few days for his wounds to heal," the young scholar ranted in disappointment.
The 'Mu' Elder held his hands behind his back and asked calmly, "What makes you think the Western Lord does not care?"
"You saw how he was, Elder!" the young scholar voiced outrageously, "He didn't react devastated by the news! He looked impassive! Even the birds would show much more grief by the news; birds who do not even understand words!"
"Don't be so foolish, young scholar," the Elder rebuked and said wisely, "Our heart sometimes denies to hear the truth. Especially the truth that is doomed to break all hope."
Echo.
Her laughter echoed inside the silent study.
His eyes watched the memory of her laughing in the flower field over and over, though others would see an empty clearing. He gave into the slight tug on his lips as he recalled her wiping away the tears of laughter.
'Most humans that remain in a deep sleep past two weeks…none have wakened.'
His smile tightened.
He watched the illusion of her slowly fade, giving him eyes to see an empty spot replace her faded figure.
'Lady Kagome may never wake up.'
In a flicker, a detached expression fell apart.
The heaviness and utter chaos the meaning of those words meant washed over him relentlessly in continuous tidal waves.
A clawed hand weakly grasped onto the window frame. His heart palpitated irregularly as if becoming dysfunctional.
He really might…
His head tilted downwards to receive the hand that would cover his face.
He really might end up living in a world without her.
Dragged into a world where everyone was once again considered a foe.
Golden eyes already lost its shine.
The lilies she loved already began to grow dim in his sight.
As darkness surrounded his eyes, he didn't bother controlling the emotions that coursed through him.
Ancient eyes glimmered knowingly as the Elder slowly closed them sorrowfully. Soon catching the scent of Prince Inuyasha, with eyes still closed, he voiced sternly, "To where are you headed, Prince Inuyasha?"
Halting in surprise for he did not see their presence, Inuyasha then answered, "Ah, to the study, Elder."
"To see Lord Sesshomaru?" the Elder continued to pry. Peeking one eye open to see Inuyasha nod, he said, "Lord Sesshomaru asked me to tell you to check up on the guests first before returning to the study."
Inuyasha released a sigh of annoyance before turning towards the direction he had come from and disappear.
"Lord Sesshomaru hadn't instructed us to inform Prince Inuyasha to do anything, Elder," the young scholar said in confusion. The Elder began to walk on with drooped eyes slightly opened. Letting out a grunt, the Elder voiced, "Lord Sesshomaru will probably not wish for Prince Inuyasha to see him at the moment."
The young scholar raised a brow in further confusion. Seeing that the Elder would not provide further explanation, the young scholar shrugged it off and ran to catch up.
The hallways connected to the Western Lord's study remained silent and still. It remained this way for hours. It remained this way until a faint mumble of curses echoed in. Footsteps resounded off the walls as a red figure stomped across the empty hallway.
"Stupid demons…" the curses continued, "as if Kagome would die so easily…" A deep frown framed upon Inuyasha's face hardened. All the rank leaders along with those close to Kagome chose to reside within the Western Castle until she awoke. Yet, it frustrated him to hear their words of fear as if Kagome was doomed to die. He knew her far longer than anyone else. He was sure she would wake up soon and act as if she wasn't injured at all. That's the Kagome he knew. That's what will happen.
Marching towards the study, Inuyasha resisted the temptation to slam open the door. Instead, he knocked twice.
"Come in," a deep voice answered. Stepping into the study, Inuyasha glanced at his brothers back near the window. Grumbling, he asked, "What do you want?"
"Prepare the court," an empty voice swept through, "It is time the traitor is judged,"
"I don't think we should, Sesshomaru. Not without Kagome…" Inuyasha said wearily. Spotting Sesshomaru turn and stride towards the door, Inuyasha captured a glimpse of golden eyes tinged with red. Assuming that his brother was angered, which was reasonable, Inuyasha still voiced his opinion, "Kagome will never forgive you if you kill Kura."
Footsteps paused. As shoulders tensed and eyes remained straightforward, a stoic voice said, "There is a high chance…she will never wake, Inuyasha."
With a clatter, Inuyasha stood frozen alone in the study. Sesshomaru would never joke about her condition. The pause in Sesshomaru's sentence told him the words burned as he spoke, no matter how stoic it sounded. The tinge of red he remembered seeing in Sesshomaru's eyes flashed through his mind. Amber eyes brimmed wide with shock.
The tinge of red was not because he was angry…
A defeated sigh stirred the silence of the study room.
Never did he think he would live to see a day his brother would shed tears. Lowering his head in grief, his confidence towards her awakening crumbled. He began to fear that she might never return to them…his brother's reaction granted him no hope.
Amber eyes snapped forward and exposed the slight moist in them. Needing to distract himself, Inuyasha stalked out of the study and prepared for the court to commence.
He did not want to think.
He did not wish to feel.
Murmurs and whispers soon floated within the grand hall. Sitting on a throne-like chair, a dark expression shadowed upon the Western Lord's face. Positioned to the right sat all the rank leaders. Heavy tension suffocated the demons that were gathered to witness the trial.
Inuyasha stared intently at his brother to find traces of the tinge of red. However, a perfect mask hardened upon Sesshomaru's face, making him doubt what he saw earlier. Feeling a hand gently rest upon his shoulder, Inuyasha heard Inari whisper, "What is wrong, Inuyasha?"
Unlike his brother, he could not mask his anxiety after hearing the news of Kagome's condition. He placed his hand on top of hers and answered, "I'll tell you later." Noting the understanding smile on her lips, a small part of his heavy heart lifted.
The creaking sound of ancient doors opening echoed through the hall, indicating the entrance of the traitor. Clawed hands dug into the wood of the arm chair. Tilting his chin upwards, golden eyes glared down at the traitor that soon bowed below him.
"Kura."
Venom dripped as her name fell from his lips. He did not care to hide the full worth of his disdain towards her. As all warmth evaporated within the grand hall, breaths were held in terror.
Golden eyes held no sign of pity at the sight of her exhausted state. Her cheeks stuck to her bones for they no longer held fat. Smudges of dust and dirt smeared across her once elegant kimono. Dark bags hung low under her dazed eyes.
No mercy phased his hardened heart. No, he felt nothing but burning hatred for the torturous image of Kagome's body slit open with wounds was freshly engraved into his mind.
"Confess."
The bellow of his voice forced Kura's lips to speak, "I have committed the crime of exploiting the 'Tsu' rank demonesses to obtain strong allies."
Searing rage simmered past Chika's eyes. Snarling to reveal her fangs, Chika hoped this sin would guilt Kura forever.
"I met with the 'Tsu' girls and Kura. She greeted me with a totally different attitude and asked for my forgiveness." Sesshomaru memorized the words she had once said.
He should have known…
"I will keep an eye out for her, Sesshomaru."
He should have known…
Guilt fueled his disdain.
Licking her dry lips, Kura's voice began to tremble, "I have committed the crime of planning to assassinate Lady Kagome and Prince Inuyasha with my Father, the Northern Lord."
Gasps erupted from the witnessing crowd as Prince Ryuu lowered his head in shame at the actions of his sister.
"I know the culprit behind Lady Kagome's poisoning." Sesshomaru's expression remained steeled, even though his chest twisted sharply. He should have killed her then.
"…I have also committed the crime of murdering my Father," Kura's now broken voice haunted all who heard.
"Kura, my Lord…Please spare her life, my Lord!" It was as if the 'Sho' leader's cry was taunting him now; reminding him of the mistake he made in sparing her life. He could have saved her had he just killed Kura then.
"I…" Kura trailed off, unable to utter the worst of her crimes, "I have committed…the crime…"
Tears slipped past her eyes as they landed on the marble floor. She didn't dare glance at her beloved in fear of the expression she might see. She had hurt so many that surrounded her; it was only fair to accept the consequences of her actions. Mustering the last of her courage, she spoke, "I have committed the crime of placing a dark curse upon the Shikon Miko."
Growls and heated glares surrounded her, yet Kura felt none of the heat. Her body lowered further onto the ground for the cold eyes that stared her down seemed to freeze her very soul.
"Unforgivable," a brutish voice seethed.
His mistake was unforgivable.
All cringed at the sound of a deadly voice, "You shall be burned alive until dust remains. May everyone witness your cries of suffering to satisfy the pain you've inflicted."
The cruelest sentence bestowed the Southern Princess as she trembled uncontrollably. To be burned alive evoked a torturous pain as one slowly felt their burning flesh till the very end. And as a demon, death was not quick due to their healing abilities.
The vivid image of Western Lord condemning such a brutal sentence with an unfeeling expression left the witnesses traumatized. Only the most heartless and cold-blooded demon could execute a merciless punishment without remorse. The crowd of demons that watched many deaths and corruption still shook with reverence and horror before the Western Lord.
"Get her out of my sight." The demand caused cowering soldiers to stumble as they dragged the fear stricken traitor away.
Once the great doors creaked shut, a venomous voice warned, "Should any fool attempt to harm my mate again, your sentence shall not be as light."
Golden eyes narrowed as clawed hands glowed green. It took seconds for the crowd to realize the meaning behind Sesshomaru's threat and left every single demon in utter shock.
"What were you thinking, stupid onna," Prince Ryuu whispered under his breath in bewilderment, "to curse the mate of Lord Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha's frown deepened for he knew there was more behind Kura's harsh sentence than revenge. He had not once visited Kagome after she was cursed…because he still felt ashamed for leaving her unprotected when he ran to Inari's room. His guilt would not allow him to see her. So, he knew his brother's guilt was greater as he too did not visit Kagome. He knew Kura's sentence was to give Sesshomaru a reason to bury his guilt; a reason to allow him to see her again.
Amber eyes closed in dejection. Although Sesshomaru might now be able to face Kagome with buried guilt, she might never forgive him for killing Kura. Inuyasha knew well that Kagome would react this way if she ever woke up. But, he could not stop Sesshomaru from choosing this path for his brother was well aware of the consequences…and it looked like his brother did not wish for her forgiveness.
With a heavy heart, Inuyasha exited the grand hall to prepare for Kura's immediate execution.
Evening soon approached, dimming the light colors of the sky. As the last of the thin black smoke floated upwards, the scent of burnt flesh leaked throughout the Western Castle. Sesshomaru passed through the sunless hallways as he headed for her room. Not minding the scent of death that lingered in the air, he was in fact pleased for it sent a warning to all those who still remained inside the Castle.
The deed was done; the traitor vanished from the face of the earth.
He had watched without as much as a blink, fire devouring Kura's flesh.
With this he had felt his guilt slowly burying underneath layers and layers the longer he saw Kura waste away.
And just like his guilt, her existence would be recorded as if never born for he ordered all to never speak of her name.
Stepping past a protection barrier, he then stood still inside her dark lit room. No light reflected his figure causing a blanket of darkness to hide his face. His sensitive ears leaned close to hear the faint sound of her breathing. His nose caught a whiff of smoke and her weak scent. His heart that waited to see her drank in her slumbering face from afar. Ever so quietly, and ever so hesitantly, he neared her bed casting a tall shadow upon her. Seeing her for the first time in weeks, his stiff form slightly relaxed. Her skin had returned to its normal milky color, rosy lips that were once blue flushed again, and the pained expression that scarred her face was replaced with a peaceful one. His hand that had unconsciously clenched slowly unfolded and reached down to brush along her cheek longingly.
A part of him…
A very small part of him hoped she never woke up, so that she would remain oblivious to the world he had created. And she…would remain not disgusted by his touch.
The thought of her waking up from this deep sleep filled him with both joy and dread. He had crushed the hidden beauties she loved and influenced within the demon society, and he knew she would never forgive him for that. But…
'…But,' his heart echoed. The moonlight briefly reflected his golden eyes that revealed determination, 'She will not be given the choice to leave me.'
Flashes of memories consumed his mind with the sound of her laughter, smile, gentleness, touch, love…
'For how long will these memories last before they are replaced with her fearful expression at the news of what I have done?'
He should just let her go instead of forcing her to remain at his side. Any honorable demon would let their intended mate go after failing to protect her. But his honor was long gone, he could not let go no matter the consequence.
Quietly slipping out of her room, he breathed out painfully, "Do not forgive me…"
Author's Note: I am amazed at the amount of love "The Hime Tradition" is receiving from my dear readers. Thank you so much for your amazing support. Your thoughts about this chapter?
Thank you for reading,
Your reviews are cherished.