Encounter
"Let me do the introduction, this is Sakara, daughter of the Northern lord, Lord Tsunanari. Her attendant Koemi," said the Western Lady as she made a hand gesture to indicate the respective females. The Western Lady had invited the female guests to a tea ceremony. She had also invited Kagome who was present in the pavilion. There were wives of generals and ladies in waiting presented as well. "And finally this is Kagome Higurashi, mother of Prince Yoshiaki." The order she introduced the female according to ranks made some demoness uneasy and they bowed shyly to their guests.
Kagome had seen Yoshiaki and gave him presents from the modern times. Once again, Yoshiaki was delighted to eat the cooking of his grandmother. He even exclaimed that grandmother must be the best cook in the world. Since Yoshiaki needed to attend lessons arranged by the Lady, and she could not refuse the invitation, she attended the ceremony with a simple kimono chosen by Satsuki.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Kagome," Sakara said as she bowed slightly to the only human in the room. She looked at Kagome, though her gaze was gentle, Kagome felt like Sakara was inspecting her like a piece of merchandise. The other demoness cast a look at Kagome with a slight nod. They had seen her before though Kagome could not remember all the names of the demoness in the court.
"It is my honour," said Kagome as she bowed formally to the Northern princess. She was surprised to find so many demoness attending the ceremony. What's more, she had never seen such a beautiful demon before. Sakara stood out among the females and she was so indefinably elegant and graceful that she reminded her of the contestants in the Miss World beauty contest.
"Sakara is going to stay with us for a long time. Won't you pour tea for our guests, Sakara?" said the Lady as she pushed the tray of teapot towards Sakara smoothly.
"Yes," said Sakara and she held the handle of the teapot.
A long time? Kagome wondered. The political discussion would definitely take at least one month, she estimated. Though she dared not raised the question. As if reading her mind, the Lady continued.
"My son is so slow in this area, isn't he," the Lady chuckled. "Sesshoumaru should be announcing the wedding shortly. Sakara would soon be the Lady of this Western land."
Sakara blushed when she heard murmurs from the ladies and words of congratulations bestowed to her.
At the moment, Kagome was unable to think of something to say. She felt as if she was splashed with cold water. She kept her composure and tried not to keep herself from shaking. It must be the cold wind she thought. The weather was turning colder as winter approach. The lady of the Western Lands. She was not surprised; she had guessed why the northern princess was here. There was one reason why a lady would travel out of town with her father- a marriage alliance. She felt cheated as she was hidden from all the truth. Was that why Jaken hesitated? Was Jaken afraid to tell her about Sakara. And then there was the arrogant lord. He could have told her something. She would have known it sooner or later. All of a sudden, she was aware of the pressure the youki of the demonesses, suffocating her and her own power threatening to rise.
"What is the matter, Kagome sama? Your face is pale," whispered Satsuki to the human lady in front of her, casting her a look of genuine concern.
"It's nothing, It is just the weather," Kagome said, keeping her words in tact.
"Are you alright, Kagome chan," the Lady turned her head to her, "it happens to slip my mind that your frail human body may not adjust to the cold." Her voice was smooth but Kagome could feel the chill of her words as she looked back meekly at the Lady.
"I apologies for my rudeness, but I hope you would grant me to leave early to rest," said Kagome brusquely with courtesy.
"Alright. Take care of your human body, ne. This winter is going to be really cold.'
"I will."
"My Lady, I would like to know more about Kagome," requested Sakara.
"Another time, Sakara," the Lady said before Kagome could answer and turned to Kagome, "My my, you look really sick, go on and rest."
"Yes, my Lady." Kagome said and stood up to leave the room swiftly but with grace. And Satsuki followed her behind.
As she neared her assigned room, Kagome let out a deep breath, not knowing that she had held on to her breathing. She was unsure of the intention of the Lady. The way she voiced out the fact that her human body was frail in front of the ladies in court was unnerving. The Lady had never mocked her like that before. She felt the Lady became even furthermore unreachable to her. Like mother, like son, the two of them were so unreadable. The obi tied around her waist suddenly felt so tight that made her difficult to breath. She went into her room and changed back into her turtleneck T-shirt and jeans.
"Are you feeling better?" Satsuki asked. She was used to the modern clothes Kagome wore in the castle. It looked ridiculous but not offending in the castle.
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Satsuki," said Kagome as she brushed her hair and asked "Do you know that Sakara is betrothed to Sesshoumaru?"
"Indeed I do. Everyone in the castle knows it. Really, you must not have heard the gossips of the castle, haven't you?"
"Gossips? No, I haven't heard of them. But I do know what they are. In my time, people like to gather around in groups and talk about nothing in particular but gossip. There are even paparazzi around my neighbourhood."
"Pa- pa-ra-zi?" Satsuki looked confused at Kagome who sat down beside her as she tried to repeat that word.
"Yes. A group of people whose job is to stalk super stars, models. Then send any reports or pictures they got about these people, their private lives especially."
"What is a super star?"
"You know, someone very famous and talented."
"Like Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Um. Yes. That's a possible example." Kagome giggled as the thought of a group of paparazzi stalking the Western lord and then, in the end they were all scared to death and ran off with their cameras due to his deathly stare.
"Is there anything funny about Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Oh. It's nothing." Said Kagome as she shrugged her shoulder, not bothering to explain her imagination to Satsuki. Satsuki probably would not understand and thought it was an offensive remark. "You know, I was really glad I do not have to write articles on these pop singers and actors. There are just too many scandals going on."
"Then what do you write about, Kagome?" said Satsuki. When they were alone, Satsuki would drop the honorific form. The human girl treated her with respect and kindness, and she was happy to be her friend and serve her.
Kagome seemed to realize that she had not talked much about her job to anyone in this era yet. Not even to Sango or her son. "Oh, I forget to explain to you. You see, there are many different sectors in my job. It is like a team. Everyone has a part to play. There was someone who edits, someone who writes articles like a scholar, which is what I am doing. Someone who sends the reports for printing and many more."
"Like how a castle is administrated," Satsuki gave a meaningful nod.
"Yes," Kagome smiled as she carried on sharing with Satsuki more about her job as a journalist. She was glad to there was someone whom she could talk to in the Pavilion. Satsuki was really a good listener and witty in the mind. She would pay attention to what Kagome said and asked questions regarding her life in modern time. Sometimes, Satsuki in turn would confide things to her.
It had been a long while since her blissful conversation with Satsuki. Looking at the bamboo tube in her hand, she wondered if she should meet the Western Lord that day. However, the letter from Souta had to be delivered and she could not possibly hand in over to him via a servant. It was rude. The thought of the teatime with the ladies in court made her uneasy. She looked up to see him standing a few feet away from her. She head reached their usual meeting place without realizing it.
"Good evening. Sesshoumaru. Souta wants me to pass you this," Kagome said, gladful that her voice came out smoothly.
"Hn." Sesshoumaru gave a gentle nod but did not show any sign of speaking anything to her.
"Shall we play chess then?" she asked cheerfully.
He did not say a word and walked into the room to sit down on the cushion. Kagome followed him and took her seat on the other side and they started their first game.
The atmosphere in the room was peaceful but Kagome felt her body was stiffened. She could not concentrate on the game. There was something on her mind. She was wondering the reasons the lord sitting opposite of her did not tell her about the marriage alliance between the two lands.
Life is like a chessboard; each move will lead to a whole different life. That was a quote she had read a few months ago. It was so true. Concentrate. Focus. Kagome. She thought her mind silently as she placed a chess piece on the black coloured square box. She was sure she was going to lose terribly if her mind continued to wander away from the game. Her chess pieces were moving backwards to defend the king instead of forward to attack the opponent's. She glanced at her opponent, whose face was still in the usual expression. His lips pursed in a thin line while his eyes focused on the chessboard intensively. He was absorbed in the game.
Suddenly, the sound of two wooden blocks against each other startled her which immediately pulled Kagome out of her train of thoughts. Sesshoumaru had just moved up his bishop. Her queen was surrounded and she was retreating. There was no choice but to sacrifice some chess pieces. Sacrifice or not? She thought.
"That's cruel," she muttered as she moved my queen forward to capture his knight. However, it was a fruitless attempt to save the queen for she predicted his next move- to move up his rook to take over the queen. At least she removed his knight in exchange for her queen. One for one. No win, no lose. Still, she felt very annoyed at losing her queen. Queen was one of favourite chess piece. Still, sacrifice was necessary to protect her king.
She clenched the knight in her palm and was determined to play a good game. With much confidence, she moved her rook forward and contemplated each move more carefully this time and changed her tactic to attack rather than retreat. Soon, she was going to surround his king with her chess pieces. But he was good, really good. She was taken aback when his knight suddenly took over her rook. She signed in defeat, as there was no way she could win this game.
"You are tense," said Sesshoumaru as he moved another chess piece forward. Just one more step and the game would be over.
She looked intently at the chess piece and moved a chess piece which was totally a useless move. Then she stretched her hands and neck and said, "That's because you took my queen and I was thinking hard how to protect my king from your vicious attack. Needless to say, I am losing."
"Hn," he said and lifted another chess piece, "Checkmate."
"Congrats for winning," she commented.
"Another round?" he asked and took a sip of green tea.
Kagome remained silent and took up the cup beside her and drank from it. The tea was sweet and warmth her body. Then she placed the cup down and told him, "No, I don't think so. I am exhausted from the tea ceremony earlier."
"Tea ceremony?" Sesshoumaru said as he etched an eyebrow.
"Your mother invited me to a tea ceremony with the northern guests, I met the northern princess. Sakara is a fine lady," said Kagome and picked up the chess pieces to keep them in a box.
He paused for a while as if trying to decipher what she had said.
"What did you talk about?"
"Nothing in particular. Mostly about your upcoming marriage with Sakara," said Kagome as she forced a smile to sound cheerful. "Congratulations to you."
"It is a promise," he said in a matter of fact tone. "My father signed a treaty with the Northern lord many centuries ago."
"I understand. Still I would like to tell you not to worry. I would not trouble you too much." Kagome had kept all the chess pieces by then and sat down on the cushion with her hands on her lap.
"What do you mean?" he said curtly as he fixed her gaze at her.
"Well, it would be inappropriate if I meet you…erm….alone since you are engaged and Sakara is living here. It might result in unnecessary misunderstandings," said Kagome as she played with her fingers.
"That would not trouble this Sesshoumaru."
"It will trouble me," she said without delay. The oppressiveness she felt in the castle would be unbearable for her if she got deeper into any mess. The Lady was infamous for finding fault in anyone she saw in the Pavilion of hers. "So, I think it would be best if I stop visiting you."
"What about the letter?"
"I would still deliver it, don't worry," she answered, not expecting his great concern for the letters. What do they write about?
"I see. You want to keep our distance."
"Yes, thanks for your understanding," said Kagome with a nod. Her mind felt relieved yet her heart felt otherwise.
…..
On her way back, she met Koemi. Kagome made a small bow and greeted, "Good evening." While behind her, Satsuki did a full greeting to the guest. Koemi greeted back but with her lips pursed, she seemed to be slightly offended by Kagome's greeting.
"May I ask what matter do you have here?" Kagome asked politely and she noticed Sakara was nowhere to be seen.
"Right, to keep this meeting short, I will come straight to the point. For my mistress sake, I would like you to stay away from Lord Sesshoumaru."
"What?" exclaimed Kagome. She did not just say that.
"Lady Sakara would soon be the Western Lady and the least this humble servant can do for her is to request your cooperation to refrain from meeting Lord Sesshoumaru," Koemi added as her mouth twitched into a fake smile.
Kagome felt appalled by Koemi's actions. Kagome knew what she needed to do and need not be pushed around by a lady-in-waiting. She replied, "I believe this is none of your business."
"I am afraid it is wise if you learn your place, human. Lady Sakara is the daughter of one of the greatest daiyoukai lords in Japan and the future wife of Lord Sesshoumaru. If you like to know, my mistress had been Lord Sesshoumaru playmate since they were very young, hundreds of years ago before you were born. Your feelings are nothing compared to Lady Sakara's."
"My feelings?" Kagome mumbled, she was fuming though she hid her emotions. So this was about her humanity again. Koemi was just another racist. She remained silent, as she did not feel like talking to the Northern servant at all. It made her uncomfortable.
Satsuki whom Koemi paid no attention to suddenly spoke, "I suggest you leave immediately, Lady Kagome still have much to do."
"You call her a Lady, " said Koemi as she turned her eyes at Satsuki.
"As a matter of fact Lady Kagome deserved much more respect than this, "chided Satsuki as she held her head high. Never mind if Koemi was a guest, if she was going to stay in the Pavilion for the rest of her life, she had to learn the rules of the Western lands.
Kagome was grateful that Satsuki stood up for her. Warmth surged through her heart and she could not help smiling.
Koemi must have felt that there was nothing more to say. Then she tensed for a few seconds before turning away abruptly and walked swiftly down the passageway. "Mark my words." Those are the three words she left for the two.
Kagome looked questioning at the leaving figure.
"Lady Sakara was calling her," explained Satsuki.
Kagome nodded, she understood the fact that there were certain sounds that could not reach her ears from far. "She has a very haughty way on her," Kagome complained to Satsuki immediately after Koemi was out of sight.
"Kagome, though I dislike her, it is inappropriate to speak ill of the guests," Satsuki chided.
"Well there were only two of us here."
Satsuki shook her head and said, "Walls have ears and don't forget, you are living with Inu youkai, Kagome. We are especially sensitive to sounds."
"Is that why Inu youkais in general keep things to themselves?"
"No, of course not. Kagome." Satsuki retorted, however she was unable to find a better explanation straight away and could not help but agree Kagome's conjecture to a certain extent. "I believe, though I may be wrong, it is mostly due to the upbringing of the aristocratic family. "
…
It was midnight and the young Western Lord was thinking quietly alone in his study room. The pavilion had become even quieter and there were only a few servants and guards roaming around the castle. The moonlight shone from the balcony and fell on the chessboard, which glistened slightly.
Kagome had left after just one set of game in the excuse of tiredness. Usually they would play at least three games. She had lost devastated, careless to forsake her horse for the rook and foolish to lose her queen so easily. She had always guarded her queen closely. Sesshoumaru knew that queen was her favourite chess piece. During her unusual short presence, he could sense her multi feelings through her aura. Her shoulder was tensed and her eyes were constantly staring at the board, but not at the chess pieces. He wondered if she was feeling ill but upon sniffing the air, he dismissed the idea and continued to focus on the game.
Sesshoumaru had not anticipated that she already met Sakara. Sakara was residing in the Golden Pavilion as a guest; under normal circumstances they would hardly have a chance to meet. Well, not unless his mother was involved.
Seshoumaru regretted not having spoken to the priestess about Sakara earlier. In fact, he had already planned on how to speak to the priestess about the engagement, considering the choice of words. Yet, when he felt her presence, he was taken in by her sweet cherry blossom scent and was tongue tight. He was glad Kagome did not notice it.
He always looked forward to their meeting. It was a time for him to unwind after all the paperworks and training he had for the whole week. He felt calm and comfortable around her. Kagome was different from anyone he had known. Though she may not be a fine lady like Lady Sakara, she was bold, witty and courageous. She would express her thoughts freely and share with him about her life or anything. Unlike those in the pavilion or the nobles who act with formalities and hid their emotions, Kagome was just herself. And it was serene and nice to be with her. Sesshoumaru truly enjoyed the company of her. She was the only human who was able to show him her human world, apart from Rin.
She was right when she said he was cruel. He did not spoke to her about such important matters and took away many of her precious thing, her rights to bring up their son, Yoshiaki. After their fateful encounter, he had promised to take care of her. He had hurt her too much. Yet traditions and honor were something a lord need to uphold to. He was a lord and he had to protect and take care of his people, his land. There was no way breaking the four hundred years agreement. There was no way the elders would agree to having a child born to a human to be an heir. There was no way he was going to make up for Kagome.
On the other hand, his intended, Sakara was one of the prettiest and elegant Inu youkai of the country. Sesshoumaru had known her since young, occasionally played games and swordsmanship with her brothers. She was always standing at the sidelines, cheering for her brothers. But they never talked. Whenever Sakara saw him, she would shun away and moved closer to her brothers. There was only courtesy greetings and bowing exchangeed. When they were older, they hardly meet. When the Inutaisho and his son visited the Northern Lands, Sakara would stay away from the administration buildings with the rest of the ladies. Even if they do meet, Sakara would act like any other lady, hid her face under her sleeeves and moved away swiftly. A rule of the aristocratic families for the girls: Minimal or no contact to any male, even their father.
Sesshoumaru learnt about the engagement when he was two centuries old. It did not bother him since he was still young and it would be a very very long time before she would become his wife then. Sesshoumaru did not think about the matter since then, he was busy training, learning and practicing hard to surpass his father. He was busy and marriage was not something that crossed his mind.
Not until he met Kagome.
Sesshoumaru remembered the first time he met her. She was either too foolish or too bold to point a finger at him and scolded him for trying to kill her. He was curious about the girl since then. She never ceased to surprise him - her dressing code, her stubbornness to interrupt his fight with his half brother, her cheerfulness during difficult times. She was a mystery to him and still was.
Because of her, he had lost his fight with his half brother for the first time and many times more. Because of her, he had become stronger, always seeking new power to challenge his brother. Because of her, he changed his views on humans as he observed her interaction with the Inutaichi. Because of her, he learnt about true courage...the list goes on and because of her; he had his son, Yoshiaki. Her presence had changed so much of his life, even his mother could tell.
Because of her, he wished he never signed the proposal with his thumbprint four hundred years ago. He would have without question, followed the alliance and married Sakara if Kagome had not become part of his responsibility. Sesshoumaru felt nothing for Sakara. To him, she was just like any other young ladies whom he came across for the past centuries. Demure, modest, beautiful, elegant, all the qualities a lady should have, just like how his mother was raised. Definitely a perfect mate for a young lord likes him, yet this did not appease him fully. He wanted something more in his future Western Lady.
However, he was not irrational, he understood fully the importance of this marriage alliance. The position and power that the Western lands could gain and vice versa. Rumours spread that the other lords were building up their forces; it was wise to ally with another lord at this time.
The Lord of northern lands and his Council were already making arrangements for the wedding ceremony in another six months. A Pavilion was already under construction for the future Western Lady to reside in.
When Kagome spoke of Sakara, Sesshoumaru was rather surprised by her calm reaction to the situation, despite the turmoil she was feeling. She was not protesting and the fact she voiced out the request to keep their distance, he was unsure what to say. He respected her wishes. For the time being, they would keep their distance. That was what she wanted. He was deciding whether to send forth a servant then to retrieve the letter. But Kagome promised she would deliver it. Should he then meet her and their son at the Golden Pavilion instead, he wondered.
Sesshoumaru drank some brewed tea to clear his mind. He despised being uncertain. He could understand the smirk his mother gave him the other day. He really wished he could drag his father back from the other world and have a good fight with him.