Day Six:
Kagome sat before the mirror in the bathing chamber, already dressed in her kimono for the day. SesshoMaru had left earlier. He had gotten up early, taken a bath and left, telling her when she woke up that he had to finish up his work. She knew that he detested sitting all day in the office. He mentioned that he had little left to do before he was free of the paperwork until next year.
"He would be happier using future technology, but it's too bad, he has to wait five hundred years before he can use them." She murmured as she combed her long black hair. She wanted to take her time in getting dressed and prepare for the day. The servants helped her a little bit with her kimono before she shooed them out to be alone.
Her mind wandered to the day before. She was very shocked when SesshoMaru had confessed his love for her. She never thought he actually had feelings for her at all. After he had told her, she had beamed at him, speechless. He simply held her in a hug until her stomach had announced its hunger and they laughed shortly before he led her to the dining hall. The rest of the day was in peaceful bliss for the two of them. Rin had noticed the change and was overly hyper than the usual. She was starting to miss Shippo then, seeing that he can be a great friend to Rin, they were made for each other.
She stood up and pulled on the elegant robe over her kimono. Her hair was done simply with half up in simple bun with the rest hanging down her back. She looked gorgeous and standing before the mirror, she saw herself a different person, no longer a high school girl, but a grand Lady with rosy cheeks, glowing with happiness. She felt different as she looked different and sighed with content. For the first time, she was actually happy where she was and content where her future was going. She became excited with the thought of having a child soon.
According to the scroll she had read the day before, she learned that pregnancy for InuYoukai was rather shorter. She found that it was actually researched and documented, which showed they were far intelligent. The documents said a full youkai, of any breed would had pregnancy gestation period of three months compared to the human's nine months. If the mother is human and the father is a youkai, the period lasted for six months and four months if it were the other way around.
She was surprised to find that the Silver Inu was also documented despite how rare they breed. If she gets pregnant, she will only carry the child in her belly for four months. Placing her hand on her belly as she studied herself in the mirror, she realized she actually wanted a child and got excited at the idea. She had not told SesshoMaru of this yet, because it seemed so soon. She knew that she might get pregnant after they mate and she blushed right there at the moment, realizing that they had to do the act. A small fear rose in her, she wondered, would he be rough with her? He didn't seem to be the kind of person who would be rough in the act, yet, she couldn't help but wonder.
Her hand moved from her belly to the bauble around her neck. It wasn't complete. Yet, Naraku had been defeated and all of his offspring too. They were practically hard to kill and they had managed. She remembered how InuYasha had defeated Naraku at last and stood in the battlefield, tall and proud. He had finally grown, outgrowing his young rough boyish feature into a regal adult. He lost all his childish features and actually grew in height, his hair becoming silky smooth. He looked too much like his father and bore a permanent youkai marking on his face afterward, signifying that he has the strength of a full youkai even he remained a hanyou. But his personality was still rough around the edge, making him ever so lovable.
Kagome laughed at the thought of InuYasha and wondered if he was actually looking for her now. She supposed, by now he would had found her. She was to bet everything that he would be angry and upset with the situation she is now in. Things had ended between them, he couldn't let go of his past love with Kikyo. She wished them the best and remained friends with InuYasha. It still panged her heart that he had chosen Kikyo. But it was the best for them both after all, there was growing relationship between her and the stoic youkai lord and from what she could see between them both, it would be an unbreakable bond between the two of them. InuYasha and she was a very brittle bond and it was bound to break eventually. She was glad to end it before either one of them got hurt badly.
Shaking her head, she figured she had remained too long standing before the mirror, allowing her mind trail away. She turned and left the chamber, searching for either Rin or SesshoMaru. As she passed the dining hall, she had grabbed herself a small bowl of fruit and ate as she walked. The training with Shinji was pretty much lost on her but she was sure to be careful with her manner around the others, to be sure to not offend them. So far, she guessed she was doing pretty well since no one had complained yet.
She heard raucous laughing outside in the front court garden and steered her path there. When she found herself outside before the large garden, she saw group of youkai men, and from their appearance, they were the Palace guards yet, they were playing with a red ball. She smiled as she watched them pass the ball with their feet and knees, being sure to not allow the ball drop or touch the ground. It appeared like primitive version of soccer, except the players were standing in their place, not running around and chasing the ball.
She saw SesshoMaru among them, playing as well. He did not show emotions on his face per usual yet she saw his eyes, bright with amusement. The ball was passed to him and he deftly caught it with his feet, moving with grace, he bounced it up and held it balanced on his knees. He glanced around, surveying who he would pass the ball next. His move was fluid and graceful. He tossed the ball to the unsuspecting soldier and he yelped as the ball bounced off his chest and stumbled as he struggled to catch it with his feet but fell, causing another erupt of laughers.
"Good one, My Lord!" One called to him and SesshoMaru gave a small nod.
"Get Kentaro next if you can, M'Lord!" Another one called out as well.
"Shut it, Shue!" The one called Kentaro shot back and soon, they all erupted in taunting and teasing.
SesshoMaru's nose caught sweet scent of Kagome and turned his head to find her sitting on the walkway deck watching them with a bowl in her hand. He gave her a bow with his head and flashed a small smile. The ball was passed back to him and he deftly caught it with his feet, turning to Kagome, "Would our Ladyship join us in this game?" He asked almost too cordially.
Everyone turned and suddenly, they all bowed to their waist, knowing the Lady was present. Kagome placed the bowl by her side and stood up, she took off the robe and handed it to the servant who appeared by her side. She bounded down from the walkway deck and went over to SesshoMaru. "I am afraid; I would get myself out of the game sooner than I think."
SesshoMaru smirked and gestured to the ball still sitting on the top of his foot. "Object of the game is to not let the ball touch the ground and you are only allowed to catch it with your feet or bounce it with your knees. Try to take out the other team by tossing them the ball; if they drop it, they lose a member. However, I will allow you to use your hands in place of your feet and knees. Suppose, My Lady… would try to strike out some of my soldiers?" He turned to the others and they groaned and uttering it wasn't fair. He gave them a challenging glare and they all silenced immediately. He tossed the ball with his feet to Kagome who caught it with her hands.
"Oh… Okay. Sounds like fun." She giggled and turned to the others. They started to call out names and pointed to different companion, asking her to strike them out. It was a comical time. She laughed and tossed the ball to a random guy. He caught it, yet dropped the ball in surprise.
"Ah, Kentaro, I believe you are out of the game." SesshoMaru mentioned, his eyes gleaming with amusement as the guard groaned. "That was a good toss, Kagome." He said softly as he leaned down to her head, nuzzling her. She smiled as blush rose on her face while the game went on. They played for a good while, several soldiers left to take post and few others joined when they were finished with their duty.
As Kagome caught the ball, Huro came to them, "My Lord, My Lady." He bowed. SesshoMaru waved his arm to dismiss the game and the soldiers left, returning to their post. Huro stood back up, "The messengers had returned. The Lords are coming; they should be arriving tomorrow and the day after. Also, the scouts had also returned, they had spotted a small band of group coming this way. It is your half-brother and his pack."
Kagome gasped softly. "InuYasha?"
SesshoMaru tilted his head up and took a deep breath. "That will be all, Huro. Prepare the East Wing for the Lords. Have the cook make extra, I suppose we will be having guests joining us for dinner." Huro bowed once and left and SesshoMaru turned to Kagome, "InuYasha and the others are close. They should be arriving in about an hour." He led her back into the Palace and they both walked toward his bedchamber.
"Are you going to fight him?" Kagome asked as she watched SesshoMaru change his shirt, putting on a much nicer one. He turned to her and tied his belt.
"InuYasha fully know well that there is no fighting allowed in the palace and he must approach with respect. If he breaks any of those, he will be tossed out and banned from the Western Land. His scents tell me that he is agitated and worried. You should know, the undead Miko also trails behind them."
Kagome closed her eyes and sighed. "Kikyo."
SesshoMaru stepped up to her and tilted her head up to look at him. "You are worried."
She nodded. "I'm never good around her. She makes me feel uncomfortable."
"You are far more superior to her. Your power had become much more than she ever had. You have nothing to fear from her." He commented softly as he caressed her cheek, finding that she leaned eagerly into his touch, closing her eyes. He smiled, liking how she reacted to his touch. "When the Lords arrive, I want you to stay out of sight until tomorrow night's dinner; I plan to announce you then."
Kagome nodded, agreeing. She felt nervous in meeting the other lords and felt better knowing that she has some time until the next night. She smiled at him and saw his eyes were molten gold, filled with emotions she had come to recognize love and her heart beat faster, realizing it was his way of telling her that he loved her and cared for her. "So, what should we do now?"
SesshoMaru drew away from her and went to the door, "We wait for InuYasha in the Meeting Hall. I need to bring in more guards in case he brings in troubles."
Kagome agreed silently and followed him out of the chamber to the grand Meeting Hall. As she entered, she looked around and recognized the room to be a throne room for the Lord. There was a raised platform with two chairs upon it. The backdrop was draped with silks of white and red, the crest color of the Western Land with design of sakura flowers in gold stitching patterned along the hem. It was simple yet beautiful in a noble way. SesshoMaru led her to the chair and gestured for her to sit on the chair that was off the center and lower than the first one on his left. She rearranged her kimono and sat down on the chair, her legs nearly folding under her to the side and she was almost leaning into him, save for the pillow that rested on her side, giving her comfort. SesshoMaru sat himself on the higher chair; he had rearranged his mokomoko-sama to trail down his arm and rest by his feet.
Jaken had joined their side, standing on the side of the throne with his Nintoujou in his hands beside SesshoMaru and Huro was standing beside Kagome. Rin had come in the room and was sitting to SesshoMaru's right on the cushion that was laid there for her.
As soon they were all settled in. They heard loud ruckus outside the palace. Kagome could hear InuYasha yelling at the sentry guards at the gate, demanding to open up and hand over her to him. She could not hear what the sentry had said but from a glance to SesshoMaru's face, she saw his smirk. "What is happening?"
SesshoMaru turned his head to her, "The sentry guards told him that he had been expected and he is allowed access as long he hand over the weapons to the guards." He turned his head and listened. "Your friends had turned their weapons over. InuYasha was proving to be difficult, refusing to let go of Tessaiga."
Kagome sighed, "Couldn't you let him just keep the sword and let him in?"
"No. It is law upon this ground that all guests must hand over their weapons. Only the courts are allowed weapons." He said and took her hand in his own. She understood what he meant by the court, only the Lord and the Lady, the retainers and the guards were allowed weapons, approved by the Lord within the Palace.
She gasped as she saw two guards dragging InuYasha who were thrashing in their grip into the Meeting Hall. Miroku and Sango followed behind, looking every bit embarrassed by InuYasha's behavior.
Shippo caught sight of Kagome and yelled, "Oka-san!" He bounced right off Miroku's shoulder and ran up to Kagome, jumping onto her lap. "I missed you! You're all right!" He suddenly felt the hair rise on his neck and looked up to find SesshoMaru glancing down at him coolly and yelped, "Yeep!" He scurried and hid on the other side of Kagome. SesshoMaru turned his head to InuYasha who were standing on his feet, glaring at him.
SesshoMaru waved his hand to motion for the guards to let go. "InuYasha." One of the guard left to return to his post while the other stood aside, holding Tessaiga in his hand.
InuYasha yelled, "What the hell you doing with Kagome?" He turned to Kagome and his voice came down a notch with worried tone. "Kagome, come here. Let's go."
Miroku laid his hand upon InuYasha's shoulder. "I think she is all right here. Should we ask what's going on instead? I don't think Kagome will be leaving any time." He looked to Kagome; she was dressed like a Lady and assumed that much. "I believe, she is now a Lady."
InuYasha gave incredulous look. "What? No! He's forcing her to stay. Come on; let's get back to searching for the shards." He made a step and suddenly, several guards came to him, blocking his path.
SesshoMaru rose from his chair and stepped down from the platform. Some of the guards moved back, allowing him to pass. "Kagome will not be leaving and I am not holding her against her will. You may ask her." He gave gestures and the guards returned to their post. He turned to the guard holding the Tessaiga and he took the sword. "I do not wish to keep the sword but I will hold it for you here. You know the law, no weapons allowed within the Palace."
"Like hell! Give that back! I don't want to stay!" InuYasha thrashed in his place while his arms were being held tightly by the guards. Suddenly, he roared and shook the guards off, sending them flying. SesshoMaru stepped back, falling into a fighting stance. He tossed the sword to Kagome and cracked his knuckles.
InuYasha crouched, ready to release his ----. He glared at SesshoMaru and growled, "Give me Kagome."
"Never." SesshoMaru replied coolly.
Kagome held the sword and stepped down from the platform, "InuYasha! Osuwari!" She yelled and InuYasha plummeted to the ground, muttering a string of curses.
"Insolent pup." SesshoMaru snorted as he straightened up. Kagome joined his side, glaring down at InuYasha.
As the spell wore off, InuYasha got himself up, his ears flattened against his skull, disappearing within his hair. "Kagome?" He asked, confused.
She shook her head in frustration. "InuYasha, you never stop to think before you act! I am staying, and SesshoMaru will put the sword in a safe place until you leave."
"What? I'm not staying, neither are you." InuYasha said, his hands curled into tight fists.
"InuYasha." Her voice gave warning and he stepped back. "Please, I would like you to stay. At least for a few days." She turned to SesshoMaru, "I am going to be his mate." She said softly at last.
InuYasha's jaw dropped. "What?" He could scarcely believe he had heard that. "Impossible. He hates humans, why would he want you for his mate?" He spat and turned an accusing glare to SesshoMaru, "You're just using her, to get to me! Let her go!"
"InuYasha." He paused; knowing the tone in Kagome's voice meant him tons of sits unless he stops his tirades. He turned to her to find disappointed look on her face. "InuYasha. For once, stop and listen." She said with dangerous tone. His ears flattered on his skull once again. "I was kidnapped when I returned out of the well by three old InuYoukai and they brought me here. They bounded me to SesshoMaru, demanding him to mate with me to produce an heir."
"What?" InuYasha softly asked, "And you're going to give him one?"
Kagome smiled and nodded, she reached out and grasped SesshoMaru's hand and he curled his fingers around her. "I had been here for few days and I've given it a thought, and I am. In fact, he also asked me to be his mate too."
Sango and Miroku noticed InuYasha's distressed look and decided to leave. "Uhm, is there anywhere we can go and uhm…" Miroku said becoming rather lost, knowing it was impolite to ask but desperate to leave Kagome to talk to InuYasha alone.
Fortunately for him, SesshoMaru gave an incline of a head. "Huro and Jaken will show you to your rooms. You are all welcome to stay for a while." Miroku gave a thankful bow and followed the two retainers out of the room with Sango. Rin had long ago taken Shippo to her room to play. SesshoMaru gave a snap of his fingers and the guards left the hall, leaving the three of them alone.
The moment they were left alone, InuYasha crashed to the floor, sitting there with a dumfounded look on his face. Kagome gave a small distressed sigh and knelt beside InuYasha, touching his head, combing her finger though his silky hair and tweaking his ear softly like she always do. "InuYasha. I know you are upset, but this is what I want."
InuYasha turned to her and grasped her into a hug, holding her tight to himself. SesshoMaru started but saw Kagome wave to him to back off. He growled softly under his breath and returned to his chair on the throne. They remained there for a while and finally InuYasha broke the hug, "Kagome, he's SesshoMaru."
She gave him a smile. "I know." She looked to the Lord, "He has been patient with me and he cares. I can see that in his eyes." She turned back to the younger brother. "Why you don't want me to become his mate?"
InuYasha looked down to his hands on his lap, in small voice. "I just worry about you. You don't need a bastard to hurt you like I did before. He can hurt you."
Reaching out to his hand, she grasped in her own, "InuYasha, you got to trust me to choose whoever I want. He cares for me and he will never hurt me. He has not hurt me the whole time I was here."
InuYasha looked up to her, "He tried to kill you few times. How can you just drop it and go with him just like that?"
Kagome heard SesshoMaru's growl from where he sat. "Yes, he did try to kill me few times in the past, but he had not killed me yet. Doesn't that prove anything? InuYasha!" Her voice rose a bit and InuYasha's eyes widened. "You tried to kill me the first time! And I stay by your side, I've been patient with you every time you go off and see Kikyo. Please. I ended things with you to let you go with her." She stopped as she saw his head drop, his bang covering his eyes and realized something was wrong. "InuYasha, what is it?"
"I've decided." He started. "I don't want to be with Kikyo. She died a long time ago and I was trying to figure things out for a long time. Now I know that I don't want her anymore."
Kagome gave a soft gasp, "And… are you considering trying to ask me back?"
InuYasha waved his hands frantically, "No, no. Ah, hell. Come on, Kagome, I know we are over, so over. I don't see you like that anymore but more of a sister to me." He said, using her slang from the future. "I just worry about you, but with him?" He pointed to SesshoMaru who sat on the throne, baring his teeth at him. "See! He'd sooner kill you before you know it!"
"Watch what you say about me, little brother." SesshoMaru sat up and leaned forward, his voice dripping with displeasure. "It is Kagome's decision who she wants to be with. She is right, I do…" he strained to express his word but failed.
InuYasha gave another incredulous look at SesshoMaru, realizing his older brother was actually trying to say that he cared for Kagome. "You're kidding me." He stood up and stared at SesshoMaru. They stared at one another for a long while before InuYasha finally looked away, growled softly, "Hurt Kagome…" he left the threat hang in the air.
"I know. I'd sooner kill myself first." SesshoMaru said as he stood up and went over to help Kagome up from the floor. He snaked his hand around her waist and laid a kiss on the crown of her head.
InuYasha shook his head and sighed, "I need to think." He muttered and stalked off.
Huro returned and bowed once before SesshoMaru and Kagome, "My Lord, m'lady. Lord Kanesho and his daughter, Princess Tadako had just arrived, do you wish me to see them to their chamber?"
"Yes. Have dinner be served to them. Inform Lord Kanesho I am unavailable until later. Set dinner up in private hall for us and Kagome's guests. I will see to Lord Kanesho after dinner."
"Yes, my Lord." Huro bowed and left.
SesshoMaru turned to Kagome, "Go and see your friends. I must speak with InuYasha." He stopped and sniffed the air. "The undead Miko is approaching."
Kagome snapped her head to SesshoMaru, "Already?" She asked.
"She will not arrive until after dinner." SesshoMaru motioned. "Do you wish not to see her?"
Kagome closed her eyes and stood for a moment before opening them. "No. Let her in, I think she wants to talk to me." She handed him the Tessaiga. "Just show InuYasha where you will put this sword."
"Very well, I will have another private room ready for you after dinner." SesshoMaru said and stopped to give her a kiss upon her forehead. "See you at dinner." He said and left.
Kagome smiled and left the room to search for her friends. She spent the next couple hours, talking with Sango and Miroku, catching them up on what had happened. Shippo asked her if she was going to stay for good. She told him that she was and he was more than welcome to stay with her since he was her adopted son. He became overly happy because he would get to play with Rin every day now. Sango mentioned that she was going to return to her village and start to rebuild because the other taijiya village was sending some of the people to live in her village. Miroku was going with her and stay with her.
SesshoMaru found InuYasha in the court garden, sitting high in the tree. Shaking his head, it was typical for InuYasha to find a tree and sit in when he was brooding and even picking the very same tree he usually sit in when he was younger. SesshoMaru remembered searching for InuYasha when he had taken the hanyou in after his mother died. He often retreat to the tree and stay until he was ready to return to the palace.
"InuYasha." He called out to the hanyou, standing below where InuYasha was sitting.
"Go away." InuYasha replied his head turned to look over the palace wall. The sun was dipping in the sky, slowly approaching the horizon.
SesshoMaru glanced to the sword in his hand. "Come with me, I'll show you where Tessaiga will be at." He turned and walked away from the tree. He heard the branches rustle and a soft padding landing on the forest floor. InuYasha was following him from behind. He smirked to himself and led the hanyou to his office where he had left his Tenseiga and Tokijin. He had no qualm of anyone trying to take the swords; no one else would be able to take it except for him or the one the swords trusts. It would be the same with Tessaiga. He knew he still would have difficult time wielding it unless Kagome or InuYasha tell the sword to allow him to touch it. He was able to hold it since the sheath was still on it.
He entered his office and moved to the stand where the other two swords sat upon. It had one more notch for the third sword. It once held Tessaiga, Tenseiga and So'Unga when InuTaisho ruled. He placed the sword on the stand and turned to InuYasha. "It will be right here. No one will be able to touch it anyway. So, when the time you need to use it or take it, you are welcome to come here and get it." He said coolly and moved to his desk, sitting down.
InuYasha stood before the stand and studied the three swords. He recalled when he was younger that it was empty. "This used to be empty." He said.
SesshoMaru sat back in his low chair. "Yes. That's because Father hid all three swords after he died. Where the Tokijin now sits was So'Unga's place."
"Oh." InuYasha said and turned around to face SesshoMaru.
"Kagome would want us to be on better terms." The stoic lord said. "For her sake, I am willing. As I said before, I do not wish the Tessaiga anymore. I am already powerful as it is, I do not need a sword to tell anyone this." He said.
"Feh." InuYasha snorted and moved to sit before SesshoMaru's desk, his arms crossed in his haori sleeves. "Kagome deserves love."
SesshoMaru's face softened slightly at this. "I am aware of that. I have given her my confession of how I felt about her. It wasn't exactly a declaration of Love but I am willing to learn and give her whatever she need or want in the world."
"She never wanted or needed anything but love and I screwed that up. I don't want anyone to screw her over, once is enough for her." InuYasha simply said, meeting SesshoMaru's glare with equal vigor.
"I do not plan to follow in your footsteps in hurting her." InuYasha growled at SesshoMaru but he ignored his half brother and continued, "I have come to term that she is the one who will give me an heir, and I rather for none other than my own Mate to give me my son. I will protect her as it is necessary, I will give her my affections when it is necessary. She had done nothing but make me feel things that I have not felt."
"So, you care for her." InuYasha concluded. "How the hell did that happen in just few days?"
"I do not know."
"I don't understand. You hate humans, yet, she is human."
"Have you forgotten the history of the Silver Inu?" SesshoMaru said as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his desk. "What does it take for Silver Inu to breed?"
InuYasha frowned as he thought hard. "Uh… wait… I remember this; you need a Miko to have a full Silver Inu baby."
"Precisely, a son." SesshoMaru gave a nod.
"But why Kagome? Why not another Miko?"
"Kagome had been chosen by the Elders and she is powerful in the land. There is not much choice; I had only until the next full moon. I do not need to explain myself to you. Just you know this, Kagome is safe and she will be happy. I do not hate human, I only respect a quiet few."
"Be sure you keep her happy." InuYasha said as he stood up and asked, "My room, the same?" He moved to the door.
"You know where it is." SesshoMaru watched his younger brother. "It had always been there, you had always been welcome here."
InuYasha paused. He recalled the past where he had left on his own. It was his decision and action that led him to discover the Shikon no Tama. He realized, if he had never left, he would had never met Kikyo, or in the end never met Kagome. "Thank you, Aniki." He then stepped out of the room and sliding the door back in place.
"Welcome home, Otouto." SesshoMaru said softly.
InuYasha gasped softly as he heard his older brother through the thin shoji wall and a tear fell from his eye as he moved to walk down the hall. He smiled softly as he realized, he was home at last, with all the people he loved in one place.
A servant came and announced that dinner was ready and they all went to the private dining hall to eat dinner. Kagome noticed the silence between InuYasha and SesshoMaru and gave him a look, inquiring if everything was all right. SesshoMaru gave a small gesture that everything would be okay by patting her leg under the table.
As soon dinner ended. Kagome noticed InuYasha stiffed as he took a sniff. She knew because she felt it in her heart. Kikyo had arrived. She turned to him. "Kikyo's here. I think she came to talk to me, if you want to come with me."
InuYasha blinked and gave a small nod. SesshoMaru rose from his seat and gestured to couple of his guards, "Attend to them, if any troubles start, inform me immediately." He then turned to Kagome. "I will see you in our chamber later."
Kagome blushed horribly. Miroku had a knowing glint in his eyes as he smirked and soon was bopped by a blushing Sango on the head. Shippo had gone off again to join Rin in their play date. InuYasha gaped at Kagome.
"What the hell? You already did it with him? Did you?" InuYasha shouted with accusing glare.
SesshoMaru rolled his eyes and scruffed InuYasha on his head. "It is not any of your business." He said coolly and left the room.
Kagome stood up with hands on her hips, "InuYasha!" Her voice gave promises to sits and InuYasha lowered his ears once again, his eyes downcast.
"Sorry," He gruffly said. "I still think it's wrong." He muttered and stood up to follow Kagome who were being led by one of the guards to a private meeting room.
SesshoMaru made his way to one of the private meeting room he had in the palace. He sensed the Southern Lord, Lord Kanesho and his daughter, Tadako already in the room. He entered and they both rose to their feet, bowing to him. He gave a small head bow and went to sit on the cushion reserved for him. He watched them coolly as they sat down before him. Lord Kanesho is a tiger youkai, several centuries older than him. He had several daughters and couple sons. He was quiet well known for his lack of common sense among the other Lords.
He glanced over to the female tiger youkai, Kanesho's daughter; she was couple hundred years old and very pretty with blond hair with black streaks in them and yellow eyes. She sat demurely next to her father, not even batting her eyes or trying to act proactively. This strikes him a bit odd, for females were always trying to show themselves off and hit on him.
"What brings you here a day earlier?" SesshoMaru asked coolly.
Kanesho grinned. "We all agreed that you were to have a mate by the end of this week. I had heard nothing about you finding one. I thought I'd bring my daughter," He turned to her and patted her hand. "She's my eldest and available. It would be good for our alliance."
SesshoMaru's eyes narrowed a fraction. "And you assumed I do not keep my words?"
Kanesho started to stammer but his daughter interrupted him. "Father! I have told you many times, I am not interested and I have a suitor? When will you realize this?"
SesshoMaru turned to her and tilted his head slightly to show interest in her words. "Suitor? Well, that mean you are not available."
"Yes." She said coolly while glaring at her father. "No offense, I do not wish to mate you."
"None taken." SesshoMaru said and returned his gaze to Kanesho. "If you know what is best for you. You will not offer again. I will announce my mate tomorrow night."
"You dare to decline my most beautiful daughter?" Kanesho stood, growling.
SesshoMaru stood as well, towering well over Kanesho. "You challenge me?"
Kanesho blinked and stammered once again. "Well…"
"You will know your place." SesshoMaru said his voice icy. "Either accept this or find yourself out of my Palace. I will have your head for this if you repeat." He warned and left the room. He stopped and told a servant to see them to their room in the East Wing. He figured Tadako would put her father in place and hoped that she would usurp his throne soon. He thought and decided, if ever, Tadako needed help, he would help her to remove Kanesho from his throne. Making a mental note, he would discuss this with her before she leave to return home.
He made his way toward the other meeting room where Kagome was meeting with Kikyo.
As Kagome and InuYasha left dinner, they found Kikyo waiting for them in appointed meeting room. She was staring out of the window with somber expression and as she heard them enter, she turned around; her eyes widened a fraction, not expecting InuYasha to be already there. InuYasha settled himself down on the wall next to the door, his arms crossed. Kagome stepped up to Kikyo and bowed nearly halfway to her waist.
"Kikyo, welcome to the Nishitaisho Castle. What brings you here?" She asked cordially, as she was taught that a Lady should say.
Kikyo gave Kagome a long look over, not betraying her expressionless face. "You've become a Lady of the Western Land, ne?" She asked.
"Hai, soon. But that's not what you are here for." Kagome said as she gestured to a small table in the room with tea set already set up by the servants. Kagome turned to InuYasha and asked silently if he wanted a cup, he shook his head once, declining.
Kagome handed a cup to Kikyo who accepted and they took a sip. The silence lingered in the air for a while before Kikyo finally spoke. "I have come to a decision." She said as she reached in her haori and pulled out something. She held her hand out and opened her palm to reveal several Shikon shards, all tainted dark purple, corrupted. "I no longer hold the ability to purify them." She said simply.
Kagome gasped softly and reached out to touch the shard, at her fingertip, the shards turned pale pink. Then she took them, bringing them close to the jewel around her neck and it merged immediately. "Why cannot you purify anymore?" She asked softly meeting her eyes with Kikyo's blank ones.
"I have lingered on this world far too long past my own death. The power I had was slowly decreasing the moment I was brought back. Now I have none left."
Kagome stared deep into Kikyo's eyes. "You wish to move on." She simply said. She heard InuYasha's reaction behind her.
"Yes. I know InuYasha still holds love for me, which is why I remained so long. The hope to have another chance." She turned her eyes to the hanyou; she noticed InuYasha dropped his head to hide his eyes.
Kagome turned her head to InuYasha and saw his reaction. "He has given that up. He is going to move on, I am sure he would like you to move on as well."
"So be it." Kikyo rose to her feet and moved over to InuYasha who also stood up. "Good bye. I apologize for all that I've put you and Kagome through."
InuYasha couldn't say anything but nod. Kikyo touched his cheek, "I was wrong. You are better as a hanyou. Being a human would have drained you. I wish you luck in your life." She then turned to Kagome. "Also to you too, I see that you have a greater destiny with Lord SesshoMaru. Just do me a favor, put Midoriko to rest."
Kagome smiled as she held the jewel around her neck. "I plan to. The world does not need a Shikon no Tama to cause trouble any more."
"Good." Kikyo said coolly and closed her eyes, her hands spread out as several souls left her. She gasped softly and the last soul floated from her chest, brightly shining and it shot right into Kagome's chest, then, her eyes opened, blank and emotionless as she fell to her knees, losing all the ability to move.
Slowly, as Kagome and InuYasha watched, Kikyo's skin changed tone from pale flesh color to grey ashen with cracks. Finally her entire body collapsed into fine ground ashes in pile. The clothes she wore fluttered to rest on the floor.
InuYasha gave a long exhale. "It's over." He said sadly.
Kagome moved to his side and took his arm, hugging him close. "Almost. All we have to do is to get the shards from Kouga and the jewel will be complete." She looked to the pile where Kikyo was. "I will have the ashes gathered in an urn."
"Yeah. I'll take it back to Kaede tonight." InuYasha said simply as he held Kagome in a hug.
"When you go to Kaede, can you stop by my house; give my mother a message from me? I want them to know that I am all right and I will be staying here."
"Sure." InuYasha said and turned, letting Kagome go. He stalked off in the dark hallway, wanting to be alone. She gestured to the guard outside the door, "See to that the ashes are gathered in an urn and give it to InuYasha." The guard bowed and left to find a servant.
She sighed and felt a hand encircle her waist. Smiling softly, she rested her back against the hard chest behind her. "SesshoMaru." She whispered, looking up to find his molten gold eyes looking down at her.
"Mm." He said, letting his face bury into her hair. His lips found way to her neck and he started to lay kisses upon the skin. "He will be all right." He said into her neck.
Kagome gave a soft moan and turned around in his arm, her hands snaking to latch around his neck. "I know. I'm tired."
"Yes. It's been a long day. Let's us adjourn to our chamber." He said as he picked her up bridal-style and carried her off to their chamber."
She giggled softly as she rested her head on his shoulder. "How was your meeting?"
"Not so good." He said as they entered the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and stood back up. "The Southern Lord brought his daughter, expecting me to take her as my mate. I declined."
"Oh, he must been upset."
"Yes. I had to threaten war against them if he does not accept my term."
"And did he?" Kagome asked as she sat up, untying the obi around her waist. Soon, she had the kimono off, leaving her in the white yakuta. She lay back down and SesshoMaru returned to bed, only wearing a light silk hakama. She blushed at the sight of his bare chest; he looked like a god lying in bed next to her.
"He has for now. He is a foolish lord. I expect for his stupidity soon." He said as he reaches out to caress her face, brushing her hair away. "Now, sleep, for you won't get any tomorrow night." He saw her cheek redden deeply and chuckled. He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on her lips. He wanted to do more but had to retain control over his urges.
She blushed at his comment for not getting any sleep the next night. Then he gave her a kiss that made her heart beat faster. She buried her head into his chest as he drew her close to his body and soon, they fell into a deep slumber, dreaming of what to come in the future.
AN:
Whoo… that was the longest chapter… I couldn't make it shorter so, here the long chapter for you all. Thanks for all of your wonderful suggestion and reviews. You can see, I've already started to answer the questions I've asked you all. Kikyo's been dealt with, she's gone. Now all I have left to do with InuYasha and Kouga.
Thanks to Crystal Memories for editing this chapter! ((HUGS))
I don't do hardcore… you will get a soft lemonade in the next chapter.
Here's another question: Will you read an alternate universe Sess/Kag pairing on a story based on Esther from the Bible? I have started to brainstorm the story lately and it will be called 'One Night with the Daiyoukai' and yes, it is basically loosely like the upcoming movie, 'One Night with the King' but I will not be following the movie but the Bible. I will only write it after I am finished with Seven Days and Water and Fire. Hugs, thank you all for the wonderful support.
Keep up with those reviews! Hugs! (I'm rather a very huggable person. )