Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any of the characters...but I do wish I owned
Sesshomaru. Heh...
I highly thank you all for your great reviews! Every time I read a review, I get so happy, knowing that my writing isn't in vain. I enjoy writing, I enjoy getting reviews, and I enjoy freeing my soul. Heh... Well on with the continuation of "The Pride"
"The Pride"
Chapter Three: Dreams and Realizations
"My dear, you shouldn't be so quick to refuse me." A dark, seductive voice whispered
in the ear of a female. Their faces were both shadowed.
"I refuse you, and I regret nothing." The female said, as she walked past the male towards the blossoming winter Plum tree. The full pink blossoms were in bloom, standing out in the backdrop of the pure white snow. She reached up to touch the blossoms, her fingers were long and graceful, her hands were creamy white.
"Do not toy with me...you would not wish to anger me so." The male voice replied as he walked towards the female.
"I do not care for you anger, I do not fear you. Gomen, but I love another." her beautiful voice said, as soft as silk.
"You love a monster! That has no need for the companionship of humans, we live in a separate world from them." The male said, angrily.
"I am no human, and you of all people should fully know that. I may appear a human, but I am far from one. You have no idea how it is, to protect something so precious. You have no idea what it is like to be what I am. I'm not human nor am I a Youkai. I am in between. I am the one that separates their worlds. I am the one that keeps them distant from each other. But that does not mean, I can not love what humans do not get along with. I love him...will all my being." she said, her voice full of sadness.
He walked up to her and grabbed her, and put her against the tree bark. The shake of the tree let the blossoms fall onto the pure snow.
"You are too pure, to love him. I will have you, you will be mine, even if I must sell my soul...you will be mine." The male voice whispered in her ear.
The women opened her eyes, exposing great pools of blue under long, thick lashes.
Kagome woke up, her head aching painfully. She was under the same Sakura tree she sat under before the ball. The dream still in her mind. The only part of the womens face she could see was her eyes. She couldn't make out the male, or the female. 'Why in Kami's name do I keep having the same dream over, and over again.'
Kagome thought, her heart pounding. 'The dream does not even seem like it's from now...but the past.' Kagome gave the dream some more thought...but quickly snapped out of it once she heard Sango's voice.
"Kagome-Chan! Kagome-Chan! Your still under that tree, aren't you. You know you slept there last night, under the tree?" Sango said, gaily.
Kagome stood up and nodded, "Yes Sango-chan." Kagome replied quietly. She didn't feel like listening to her sisters drabble about the party last night. She herself did not have a good time, as usual. Speaking with Sesshomaru never involves a good time.
Sango grabbed Kagome's arms and spun her around.
"You, my dear sister, will never believe what occurred last night!" Sango said happily.
"Pray tell, what happened, Sango-chan." Kagome said, trying to sound exited.
"Miroku-sama, he asked to court me! Me! Kagome-chan! Oh, Kagome-chan I feel as though I am in love already. He is sweet, kind, charming, and oh so perfect. Mother was more then pleased. The only two things that could even please her more would be you and Kikyo-chan getting married, to rich men, of course." Sango said.
"Oh, and one more thing, Miroku-sama has invited us, to his home this evening, for dinner." Sango said.
Kagome looked at her sister and smiled. She was really happy for her, but she had no wish to see Sesshomaru again, nor even see Kikyo all over Inuyasha again, like a common slut. But of course, she could not turn down such an invitation.
"I am truly happy for you sister, at least you are making our mother happy. Father seems not to care, for he is always away. But mother on the other hand is ecstatic. I am honored to receive such an invitation, also. Thank you Sango-chan, you are truly my favored sister." Kagome said, pleased. She hugged Sango tightly, and thought about the evening in her room. She wouldn't be able to say true to her word tonight. She would have to speak to that Youkai. Kagome looked at her wardrobe and had the sudden urge to look stunning, for the dinner party. Well, once in awhile you could indulge yourself in beauty, right?
Kikyo sat in her room, brushing her long hair into a tight bun. She smiled to herself, thinking of Sango and Miroku. Kikyo loved Sango, dearly, and would never harm her favorite sister. No, as much as she wanted to sleep with Miroku, for her own personal gain, she wouldn't. She wold be faithful to her sister, and stand aside quietly. Besides, there were many, much more rich and powerful men that needed comfort, on cold nights. She figured she would toy with Inuyasha some more, and gain as much as she could. She would tease him and taughnt him, withholding passionate lovemaking until he bought her pretty trinkets, and expensive Kimono's. Then when she had her fill she would wear it all, and undress herself before him. She smiled, and painted her face.
Her dark black eyes gleamed back at her from the mirror. Tonight, she was sure Inuyasha would give her what she was waiting for. He would give her jewels and kimono's tonight, proclaiming his love for her. Then, she would undress infront of him,and let him ravage her bare body. Yes, her plan was perfect. Then, after she would figure out ways to send her youngest sister to hell...she hated her with all her being. With every single ounce of hatred. Flashback...
"Daddy, do you love me?" Kikyo asked, sweetly.
Her father stood there before her, and gave her a slight nod, "Of course, I love you Kikyo, I love all my daughters." he said, not giving her a sign of emotion. He never gave her a smile, a hug, a small sign of affection.
She watched him walk over to her youngest sister Kagome, Kikyo was 10 years old, and her youngest sister was 6. Even then, Kagome had unmatchable beauty and charm. She watched her father pick up her youngest sister in his arms, and swing her around playfully, "And how is my beautiful little princess, this evening?" her father asked Kagome. Kagome merely smiled, and said, "I am as well as always father."
Her father put Kagome down and pulled a large velvet box out of a drawer.
"Open the box, darling." he said to Kagome.
Kagome's face lit up, showing off her perfect smile, and white teeth.
Inside the box lay a extremely beautiful fan. It was embedded with tiny, little jewels of all colors. The picture on the fan was of a beautiful lady, sitting under a Sakura tree, her face hidden by a fan. Her eyes were made out of two emeralds. And her long hair was embedded with black jewels. The affection and gifts that her father showered on Kagome, made her hate Kagome, along with her sisters growing beauty. She was always forgiven by her mother for her behavior. She was never punished, she was always...favored.
end of flashback
"Your end...is so near, dear Kagome." Kikyo whispered to herself, while painted her lips a bloody red.
Kagome stood in the hall way, awaiting her mother and sisters. She was pleased with the way she looked, but she didn't give it much thought. Everything she wore tonight, was given to her by her father. He was not here, this evening, but she wanted to remember him, even if he was on business around Japan. Her family used to be one of the richest in Japan, until father's mistress came into the picture. She had squandered all the fortune, leaving her father alone and determined to regain his fortune, which was slowly accumulating. But only did Kagome know this.
Kagome turned her attention back to the mirror. She wanted to look like the lady in her dreams, she was pulled to do so. Something inside her told her to be her image.
Kagome had done her best, she could not make out the facial features of the lady, except for her dark blue eyes. She wore a matching Kimono. It had at least 5 beautiful layers, of all different colors. The final layer was very similar to the ladies kimono. It was a very dark blue kimono, made out of the finest silk. Oh the back was a long white dragon, flying past a full white moon. The hems of the sleeves were sparkled with stitches of tiny, white plum tree blossoms. Flowing next to the white dragon on her back were light pink plum tree blossoms. Her obi was the same color of the moon and dragon, but with blue blossoms. She wore her raven colored hair long, just as she had at the party. It cascaded down her back beautifully, making her look more mysterious. She wore no make up or color on her face. Her long lashes made her eyes look like they were already lined...for some reason, her eyes resembled the ladies eyes in the her dream, just as if...they were the same. Kagome opened her fan, the one her father gave her, with the blue eyed lady sitting under a tree and stood it against her face, traditionally.
She turned, and saw her mother and sisters coming down the stairs, all dressed up.
She was wearing the finest outfit, compared to her sisters. Sango smiled and gave her a kind hello, while Kikyo just stood there, glaring at her.
"Welcome, Welcome!" A servant said as the three ladies walked into the house.
Sango's face lit up when saw Miroku-sama. Her rushed towards her, and kissed her land. "For the most lovely lady in all of Japan," Miroku said, holding out a rose.
Sango smiled, her voice full of joy, "I thank you for honoring me with such a gift."
Miroku looked pleased, "My dear, it is you who do me the honor by accepting my invitation."
Kagome fallowed her two sisters and mother into a spectacular dinning room.
"Please, have a seat. Each of your names are written on a card, designating where you are to sit for this evening." the announcer said.
Of course, Miroku was seated at the head of the table, Sango and Mother on each side of him. Kikyo sat next to mother and Inuyasha next to her.
Kagome stared down at her seat. Even though she was right next to Sango, the person sitting next to her or across didn't exactly please her. She was to be seated right next to Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha next to her.
"Kagome sat down gracefully, tuning out the conversations between her family and Miroku. She turned her head slightly and watched Sesshomaru and Inuyasha walk in.
She saw Sesshomaru's eyes glare at her, in a look she never seen before. She couldn't explain it, it was as if...he was in deep thought. Inuyasha was immediately eying Kikyo and sat next to her. Sesshomaru stood in front of the seat, next to Kagome. 'He doesn't seem to happy...but then again, neither am I.' Kagome thought.
Sesshomaru gracefully sat down next to her.
Kagome hardly ate anything during dinner, a strange feeling was going through her body as she sat next to Sesshomaru, who also only sipped his wine, silently. During the middle of the meal, Kagome turned to Miroku,"Miroku-sama, would you please excuse but may I take a look at your gardens?"
Miroku smiled, and nodded, "You may have full use of my gardens, please enjoy."
Kagome nodded, and went to explore. She needed to be alone, away from Sesshomaru, and the rest of the dinner party. She felt that she had always needed to be alone, as if she had never really belonged to any sort of group, or people.
Sesshomaru watched her leave the dinner party, he also had the urge to leave, to get away from this mindless drabble, and his love sick...host. His half brother was hanging on every word of the human girl, who to him, smelled like a whore. It disgusted him, watching his half brother even talking to such a lowly creature.
But then, he got back to more important thoughts...that human girl. She attracted him to her. As if...she knew him along with all his dark hidden secrets. He couldn't explain himself, and he so badly wanted an answer. Maybe, he would go find out right now.
"Miroku-chan, I am excusing myself, right now. Have a good evening." He said to Miroku as he got up, not even facing him.
"Oh! Very well Sesshomaru-dono (lord) Good Evening." Miroku replied, standing up along with his other guests as Sesshomaru got up and left the hall.
Kikyo felt Inuyasha's hand trail up her skirt, slowly, caressing her inner thighs.
"Your so beautiful...Kikyo." Inuyasha whispered in her ear.
Kikyo only smiled kindly, her long red nails trailing over his legs...over his member.
"Ah on the contrary my lord, I am in no comparison to you."
"Kikyo, come...I have something for you, my love." Inuyasha said.
Kikyo nodded, this was the moment she had been waiting for.
Kagome sat in the gardens, under the Sakura tree. The blossoms were slowly falling unto her, even flowing around her. She felt a sort of energy flow through her with this sort of peace. She sat there, her eyes closed, and her mouth a little agape.
She thought of the dreams, of the lady, and her attachment to Sesshomaru. She didn't know what to do, she was going mad.
Sesshomaru walked into the garden, fallowing the girls scent. But now her usual scent of Sakura blossoms and Jasmine were very different. She essence was different, as if he had smelt the same thing before. The smell of pure energy and power, mixed in with the fragrance of plum trees was radiation off the girl. Her aura was a deep purple, and she was glowing. She looked calm, and peaceful, and he had the sudden urge to kiss her. He didn't know why, he felt as he knew her, as if he had shared many moments with her. He couldn't help but wonder if she had felt the same.
Kagome looked turned her head very slightly, and opened her dark blue eyes, that were filled with sadness. She looked up at Sesshomaru and stared him in the eyes, the words coming out of her mouth surprising her.
"Sesshomaru...I can't help but ask you this question, but do I know you?" Kagome asked, softly. Her voice as smooth as silk.
Sesshomaru looked at her, startled.
"Why would you say that, ningen?" Sesshomaru asked, wondering where this was going.
She was standing up, looking at him, with all her sadness.
"I can not help but feel as if I know you, or I have known you. Even your very presence triggers something in me. I do not know who I am anymore...I've been having my doubts." She said.
Sesshomaru looked at the ningen oddly. She too felt what he had felt...he could feel her power rising, and her energy flaring. 'This is no human..." Sesshomaru thought.
Suddenly, he saw the girl falter, grabbing onto the tree. Her eyes were wide with pain, and she looked so pale. He quickly walked up to her. He didn't know weather to hold her, or let her suffer in her own pain. He had to much honor to let her be alone in her pain.
"Sesshomaru...ashiteru. Forever, like we vowed. Forever would our love blossom and bloom, even in the next life. We vowed to protect each other. But, my love, he is back, and he wants me, once again."
He heard Kagome whisper, before she fell into his arms.
Flashback
"Erase my memory of her, I do not want to remember her beauty, her grace, her love for me. I do not want to even remember my own love before." Sesshomaru said to the fairy.
"Are you sure you would like to do such a drastic thing?" she fairy said.
"yes, I am sure."
400 years earlier A meeting
He watched the beautiful miko sitting under the Sakura tree, as always. Her beautiful raven her was spread about, along with her magnificently layered kimono. He walked up to her perfect form, and she looked up at him, towering above her.
"You have changed me, Kagome. You are the only person I show myself too, you are the only one I can be at ease with, my love." Sesshomaru whispered to her.
She gave him a faint smile, her blue eyes shining.
"We cannot keep like this longer, he is after me, he will not give up. He threatens to give up his soul just to have me. Sesshomaru...he will never give up. We come from different worlds...and I am the keeper of the peace. I protect the humans from your kind...I protect the jewel. I am between worlds, my love. I belong in neither, I am an outcast" she said, her words full of despair and sadness.
"He lifted her up and put her against the tree, taking in her intoxicating scent. How he loved to be near her, to feel her breath on him, to crush her with his body.
"No, you belong in my world, you are not like those filthy humans, you are not like them. You will never be like them, you are a miko, you are pure and full of extraordinary power, you are worthy enough to be my mate...to be my lover forever. To stand by my side in battle, to fight alongside me, to bear my offspring, to be the highest Lady in all of Japan. You are worthy of my love and my protection, Kagome. I will forever protect you, forever stand with you. I bow down to no one, I fear no one, and I will let no one hurt you. You have my vow. I vow to you that we will be together forever, that our love will bloom like blossoms in this life and the next...I vow to protect you with my own life, if need may be. ashiteru, Kagome." Sesshomaru whispered in her ear, and then pulled her body close to his and kissed her passionately.
It was the last kiss he ever gave her, after the war between the worlds began. Before another man had sold his soul, to become the all powerful Youkai in Japan. He would stop at nothing to get her, to make her his. After, she was captured, Sesshomaru had tried desperately to save her, but the other high Youkai were against it, they were against his love for a miko. They put him under a spell, until they safely knew she was dead. She had drowned herself in despair in the crashing ocean, the same color as her eyes. She had merged the Shikon no Tama with her own body, wishing that once again, she would meet her true love in the next life. Once Sesshomaru had learned of her death, and what the Youkai did, he was enraged and a cold darkness spread through his heart. He would no longer care for his own kind either, he would live a life away from the humans that had slowly killed her, and from the Youkai that had let her die. He had fought to find the Youkai that had killed her, but his search was in vain. After having her, he was killed by a whore of a women, who was after his possessions, which she also thought included the famed Shikon no Tama.
He then had his memory of her erased, he wanted no recollection of her, or the pain she had suffered. He did not want to remember the vows, with her gone he would live
an empty life, not even one worth living. He would strive for power, and master all the dammed Youkai and humans. But then...only to find her once again, in her next life.