Koinonayami (Love Troubles)
Chapter Nine: Dangerous Liaison
The remedy is the experience.
This is a dangerous liaison
I say the comedy is that it's serious.
This is a strange enough new play on words
I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
The rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
When it all amounts to nothing in the end
Descending slowly, Sesshomaru landed in front of the pristine castle without a sound. He released Kagome from his grasp before watching Engetsu and Mangetsu land beside them just as silently. Their arrival caused the greeter at the door quite a freight and he barely managed to stutter out a proper greeting. In all respects, no one had ever managed to rope the great lord of the western lands into any sort of party, so seeing him there was a shock. Not to mention the aloof Taiyoukai had not only come but was accompanied.
"Smooth Sesshomaru," Kagome teased with a smile as they headed through the large door and past the greeter that was presently tripping all over himself.
Sesshomaru grunted and sent a glare in her direction but retained his stoic countenance as he approached two larger doors that led into the ballroom. The announcer at the door was much calmer as Sesshomaru approached, but as the stern Tai told the demon what exactly he was to announce he could not hide his shocked expression.
Kagome sighed as the tiger demon scurried out the door and his booming voice echoed through the hall. "Here we go," she whispered in nervousness, but a smile took over her frown as she felt Sesshomaru's large hand encircle her petite one. 'Everything will be okay now. I just have to be strong. I will be strong for my family,' Kagome told herself as the doors were flung open and she heard the last line of their announcement.
"Welcoming Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands with his mate Lady Kagome along with the princes of the crescent moon; Engetsu-sama and Mangetsu-sama, "The tiger youkai yelled to the near silent room.
Sesshomaru, with Kagome at his side, descended from the steps like the regal couple they were, and despite all the shocked and some visibly angry faces that greeted them nothing could remove the brilliant smile gracing Kagome's features. She felt Sesshomaru squeeze her hand once more in reassurance before releasing it.
The only demon in the congregation that didn't look surprised walked over to them with a brilliant smile. "So good of you to come Sesshomaru, and you as well dearest Kagome, I am so glad to see you both," Toru greeted with a courteous bow and a Cheshire cat grin.
"I'm sure you are," Sesshomaru responded flatly, there was no sarcasm in his voice but Kagome could tell it was there.
"Good to see you again Lord Toru," Kagome replied with a genuine smile, she knew she should be mad at him but he reminder her to much of Miroku to really hold a grudge.
He smiled back at her, revealing sharp fangs as his eyes glittered wildly. "I see that Prince Engetsu and Prince Mangetsu were also able to make it. Wonderful, it is good to see the two of you well," Toru commented, his grin never fading.
Engetsu stepped forward with an air of royalty that only Sesshomaru's son could manage. He gave the southern lord a small bow before replying," It is good to see you so soon as well Lord Toru, you were most gracious to invite my brother and I." If anything, Torus grin widened and he looked close to giggling with excitement, the game was on.
As their little monologue concluded some of the more powerful and bolder taiyoukai were beginning to make their way over to them. A glint of determination seemed to be sparking in everyone's eyes and rumors were already flying about the room.
"I believe you forgot to mention something to us during our last meeting, Sesshomaru," Lord Ryuu the dragon of the north growled softly as he sauntered over. His black dragonic wings shifted behind his back in irritation.
"Yes I believe some information has been escaping our meetings for some time," Houou the Phoenix of the south chuckled softly as he gave a courteous bow to the gathered lords.
Kagome looked at Houou first, instantly liking the gentle spirit she saw before her. "If the marks are anything to go by, you must be one of the Cardinal Lords. It is a pleasure to meet you acquaintance milord," Kagome greeted with a small bow.
"Yes, of the Southern lands my dear," the phoenix replied with a grandfatherly smile. Turning to Sesshomaru he grinned and asked," Where did you find such a polite young lady you cold dog."
Sesshomaru resisted a smile at his old friend as he bowed in greeting. "I came across her in forest," he answered more coldly then normal as he recounted how he had gotten his mate.
"And he swept me right off my feet before I found out what a jerk he could be," Kagome added teasingly as she playfully poked at Sesshomaru's ribs.
He looked down at her with curiosity shimmering in his golden depths. 'She really doesn't blame me; there is no sadness in her scent,' Sesshomaru thought. 'I will never understand this miko.'
In all his wisdom the old phoenix lord instantly spotted the cover up but brushed it away with a chuckle at Kagome's joke. 'It seems there is a history here,' Houou pondered thoughtfully as he returned his attention to the inu taiyoukai. "You've been keeping your mate a secret for some time my boy, your sons are practically men now," he remarked, still smiling gently.
"It was best for the time," was all Sesshomaru answered, there wasn't much more he could say.
"It should not matter anymore; should it? Otou-sama has a mate now and we are here. What is past is past, correct?" Engetsu remarked, his voice respectful but his eyes challenging.
Houou noticed the challenge and smiled at the thought, 'so this pup ha claws, just like his father it seems.' "Very good point my boy, very good point indeed. Perhaps it would be best if we retired to the Taiyoukai table and indulge in some of the wonderful food Toru has for us," he suggested while gesturing to a nearby table.
With a nod of agreement the group congregated over to the table. "What's wrong Engetsu," Kagome whispered to her son as they sat down.
"Nothing mother, it's not important," he answered though his hand continued to rub over his burned wrists. They burning painfully and he felt like his neck was being constricted with fiery pain. Kagome looked skeptical but returned her gaze to the lords across from her.
"I will be right back," Engetsu announced suddenly as he stood, one hand clasped around his wrist. Mangetsu moved to follow but one look at his brother's eyes made him stay put. Maneuvering though crowds, Engetsu made his was out of the large ball room and into a secluded hallway. "Gods," he gasped trying not to cry out as his burns pulsed. He could feel something sticky against his back and knew the crescent mark had started bleeding. "What's wrong with me," he gasped out through the pain as he clawed uselessly at his silken shirt.
"I knew my puppy would return to be," a dark voice, as smooth as silk, commented from behind.
Engetsu swung around, striking out with his claws but catching nothing in his dizzy state. "What have you done to me," he growled. The voice was unmistakable in his ears, it was the same voice that haunted his dreams and the bloody scent remained the same. The body was different, transformed through demon magic but everything else remained the same.
Kumo still had black hair and red eyes like before but his hair was much shorter and his wild bangs framed his pale face. His lips where curled up in a sadistic smirk as Kumo took a step closer to Engetsu and then another and another until the sick inu was pressed against the wall.
"Will you scream for help, cry like you did last time," Kumo chuckled as he ran his clawed hand across Engetsus jaw and down his neck until he pulled the haori out of its tight wrap. "I can smell your fear, and I thought you were suppose to be strong," Kumo teased his heated breath ghosting across Engetsus pulse.
"Do not touch me, you bastard," Engetsu growled lowly warning him to stay away. His comment, however, would have been much more convincing if he could actually move. The cool fingers sent shivers up his spine as he felt his rich haori being pulled away to reveal his pale chest. "Stop," he growled again as he finally managed to snap his jaws a bit, but his limbs were still painfully frozen in place.
Kumo smirked as he slid his hand down Engetsus twitching muscles. "Your pulled taunt my little puppy, like a bowstring ready to snap. Are you going to snap?" Kumo teased as he moved his hand around the young prince's body and probed at the bleeding wound there. Flicking his tongue out to brush across his fangs, Kumo brought his now bloodied hand to his lips and slowly lapped up the blood. "Just as sweet as last time, I think I shall like watching you bleed again," he grinned, blood staining his fangs.
This time Engetsu let out a hiss of pain as his wound was ripped wider. He could not help the shiver that wracked his body as he watched the spider before him. "Stop it," Engetsu choked out, sounding more like the boy his is than the warrior he tried to be.
"You can stop it you know. I have done nothing to your voice. Will you not call out to your dear father and mother? Will you not ask for help?" Kumo taunted. He knew he could the boy screaming like the last time when he had howl for his mother, brother, and father until his voice was raw. Of course that time had been entirely knew for the boy, with an inward chuckle he wandered how much honor and pride he would have to rip away until the man became a boy and cried for his parents.
"I won't," Engetsu gagged as he felt Kumos hand return to his body and run down his sculpted chest. "Stop it," Engetsu was ready to start screaming now as Kumo pulled on his silk belt. Flashes of the last time made his golden eyes dull as he remembered. He recalled the pain from Kumos claws all over his body and the pains from the burns on his wrists and neck, but most of all her remembered the pain and humiliation as Kumo pushed him to the bed and did the unthinkable. He remembered that pain the most and he would not live through that again.
"FATHER," Engetsu screamed as loud as he could his entire body shaking from the force of his emotion until he felt every inch of his body sizzle. His sense stood on end and he watched in amazement as blue lights engulfed his form. The sizzling increased until he heard Kumo cry out. Then all was black.
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to sigh as he listen to the other lords carry on about god knows what. He had already been approached by half the youkai population in Japan and his leave or die glare seemed to have lost its potency in the last twenty minutes. To make matters worse Engetsu had been gone for awhile and Mangetsu was starting to squirm in his seat.
Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru and patted his arm gently in sympathy. She was ready to get out of there herself but at least watching all the youkai in the room interact was interesting to her.
Sesshomaru looked over as he felt Kagome's touch but just as he was about to say something a loud howl echoed through the halls. "Engetsu," Sesshomaru growled and was gone in a flash of silver. Kagome, Mangetsu, Ryuu, Toru, and Houou followed closely behind him.
Every youkai in the eastern palace felt Engetsus surge of raw youki and miko power before every single one of them came across his body. He was sprawled out on the floor, his haori was in tatters and the strange crescent on his back bleeding profusely. His hakama were loose around his waist and the cord that should have been holding them up was a few feet away from him. His wrists and neck were an angry red and he appeared to not be moving.
"Engetsu," Sesshomaru gasped out as he shoved the crowd away and pulled his son into his arms, showing more emotion those few moments then in his entire life. Engetsus pulse was still strong but beating rapidly like he had just run for some time. "Engetsu," Sesshomaru repeated, this time softer as he shook his son gently. He could already smell Kumos retched scent all over his son's skin, the thought made him growl.
"Houou," Sesshomaru called as he moved through the parted spectators and disappeared down the hall and into an empty bedroom. The phoenix lord as well as the rest of the Taiyoukai entered into the room after Kagome and Mangetsu.
"How did he manage to get it," Kagome growled softly as she moved to her son's side. "Why couldn't I sense him," she whispered, her eyes blurring with unshed tears.
"He was using very strong magic to both mask his presence and keep your son from moving, the stench of magic on him is so strong it even hurts my nose," Houou remarked as he walked over to the bed where Engetsu had been laid down. Slowly, he ran his hand down every inch of Engetsus form until he finally stopped at his forehead. "Physically he is just tired," Houou started as he traced the crimson crescent marking the inu demon's brow," but emotionally, I'm not so sure. There is a good deal of distress in his young soul."
"My brother will be fine," Mangetsus voice echoed in the now silent room as he approached the bed. His face was stern for the first time in his life while his golden orbs flashed vibrant blue. "We are two halves of a whole, there can not be one without the other and if I am still here then my twin is fine," Mangetsu growled softly as he pushed Houous hand away and placed his own over the mark.
"Mangetsu," Kagome started, wondering what had gotten in to her cheerful son.
"You will be fine brother, won't you?" Mangetsu whispered as he placed his hands on either side of his brother's head and trace the red and blue stripes.
Slowly, two golden orbs flickered open and the brother's gazes meet in a spark of power, but Engetsus eyes were dull. Mangetsu shattered inside and he felt as if his brother was looking right through him.
Very short and very random. I'm so sorry but this is another one of those I have no idea what I'm doing chapters. I just want this one written and gone. Not spell check or anything either so sorry.
Go here if you want to see a picture of Engetsu and Mangetsu that I drew as well as a picture of Toru, there is also a pic of Raven and Cloud from my story Redemption through Blood:
http/cloudwolfbane. deviantart. com/