Hi again! I do hope you all are doing ok? I'm at my best today after receiving a 18/20 points at uh verbal exam? (don't know how you people call it :P) Anyway for now enjoy the new chapter and later I will have a small question for you :D
Again, thanks to 1blufire for being my beta and doing all of the things for me ;)
For the next few days, Kagome did not see Sesshomaru even once and truth to be told she was glad about that fact. Sometimes during her alone moments the scene from a couple of days ago would play in her mind over and over again and our Miko still could not tell why he was so angry with her. Breaking from her inner thoughts by a happy voice, she looked at her little girl who was looking back at her with puppy eyes.
"Okaasan, can you dance for Rin?" Kagome smiled. Two days ago, she was dancing to clear her mind and was caught by Rin who only squealed happily and watched her with admiration in her little brown eyes. The raven-haired girl found, that it was very good for her secret training. Yes, she was planning to prove to the stubborn taiyoukai that she, Kagome Higurashi, was ready to fight with Inuyasha. Moreover, she decided to do what she said- defeat his army in the castle. So with a little nod and smile, Kagome stood up in the clearing and unleash her Whip of Light, spinning around, jumping and avoiding her own attack. The training will surely pay off, indeed. Soon after, the Inu female joined Rin in watching Kagome. She was impressed, and what surprised her most was the fact that somewhere along the way, in this short period of time, the mother of the taiyoukai, grew attached to this innocent creature. Lady Saya believes that no one, not even Kagome or her son, knew what power lies deep within her. That is why she told the miko about the library and that is why she was offering her all kinds of books.
Sensing the other pair of eyes watching, Kagome stopped and looked in the direction where two of her family members, as she called them, stood and immediately smiled.
"Lady Saya. Good to see you" she said bowing a little.
"Indeed. I came to get you for supper" the young miko smile faded as quickly as it appeared.
"Thank you but" she sighed "I'm not hungry. Rin you can go if you want to" 'Liar. You could eat a horse in one bite. You just don't want to see him do you?' she sighed again. Something she was doing a lot lately. 'God, I'm talking to myself. I sure as hell am going crazy'
Lady Saya, saw how her facial expression changed from uncertainty to one of defeat and finally stopped at confused, then Saya could not stop the chuckle that escape from her lips.
"Is there a reason why you do not wish to eat with us?"
"I'm just not hungry" She may have said that but her stomach had other thing to say by grumbling loudly and causing its owner to blush in embarrassment.
"I believe that is not the real reason. I have noticed that for the last few days you were avoiding eating meals with us. Or should I say with my son." Saya cocked her perfect silver eyebrow at the young miko, waiting for an answer.
"You see Lady Saya, a couple of days ago we" chuckle "talked and I think I said something that made him really mad, though I'm not sure what it was and that's why I'm trying to avoid him as much as I can" the Inu female narrowed her eyes.
"When exactly did he become angry?" Kagome thought about it for a moment.
"I believe after I said what I can prove to the greatest of the greatest Lord Sesshomaru that I am ready to fight." Lady Saya sighed. 'Might as well tell her why, maybe this will clear the air in here'
"You must know one thing Kagome. My son, along with his beast, was looking for power for almost all of his live. He always wanted to prove… "sigh "That's not the case. Anyway, I believe that your speech about greatness made them mad because it really looked like you were mocking the two of them."
Kagome was at a loss of words. 'So this is why he was so angry? Because he want to be powerful? Is he blind or something? He is the most powerful demon in the Feudal Era! Why can he not stop at that? Why more? What exactly is he trying to prove?!'
"Ah, God! This is just too confusing!" she screamed aloud.
"It is, isn't it?" Saya shot her one of those famous mischievous smirks. The raven-haired girl looked at her blankly.
"I believe, this will help you to understand more about us, dog demons" she said giving her something wrapped in a silky material.
"But I've already read the books…"
"Indeed, but this is something wrote from the first hand. Almost everything was experienced."
"It is a book? Who wrote it?" Kagome asked now curious about this object in her hands.
"Me" Inu female said and left with Rin for supper.
Seeing this as a good opportunity to skip the meal and to learn something more, the young miko dashed to her room, took an oil lamp near her bed and laid herself comfortable on her stomach. Unwrapping the material, she saw a black cover with a silver moon. 'Probably the sign of Inu demons' Kagome thought. Opening it carefully, she saw a piece of scroll inside with some words written on it.
"To Riko.
I am sure you will make good use of it,
Lady Saya"
'Riko? Who is she? What does this name mean?' the young miko thought about it for a moment and then hoped to find some answers inside, she decided to read.
--
"Today my beloved brought me to his castle, where his mother and father bit me and gave me this book with blank pages. Now I am officially one of the Inu Demon Clan. My love said that since I am a part of their family, he can mate with me. Finally, after so long I will have my own place of happiness. Inu Tashio said that he will bite me when his parents left their marks, creating some kind of sign on my skin."
--
Kagome stopped. 'So that day, when Lady Saya bit me, she was accepting me as one of the Inu Clan? That explain why Asuko was so furious back then' she couldn't help, but smirk at the memory.
--
"Today my beloved explained to me the rules of their mating ritual. The first part is to give a female a weapon forged from their males' fang. The gift is supposed to mean that he will protect me, even when his is not near me. The second part is scent marking the female, warning other male demons that soon I will be taken as a mate. The third part is finally something that I must do. Give my beloved a gift that will mean I completely trust him and accept his courting so far. Fourth and fifth parts are done almost at the same time. During the copulating ritual, which is also a little complicated, my love and I will share our blood with each other and after that he will bite me, marking me as his own. "
--
The young miko read carefully, allowing every word to sink in her mind. Not that she was interested in the courting ritual, but still, the more you knew, the better. After reading a couple more pages, she found something that caught her eye.
--
"This night of the full moon I gave birth to my first pup. My beloved right now, is at the top of the mountain, howling, saying to the whole Western Lands that his heir is finally born. I am watching my pup right now and the pride is flowing from me in waves. I could not ask for a more gorgeous son. With a face like his father, my skin, my white hair and his molten gold eyes, he looks like a God himself. Yes, I am sure he is destined to do great things. Our pup, Sesshomaru."
--
Kagome could not help the smile that graced her lips after reading it. It was all too obvious that Lady Saya was happy and proud of her child. Wanting to know more our mikoness continue to read.
--
Today my son, together with my beloved, was training. This was Sesshomarus first time. He couldn't wait for it. Unfortunately, my mate injured him badly saying that he was weak and must train harder in order to gain his respect. Sesshomaru cried the whole night in his room after this. I have noticed that something was wrong with Inu Tashio. He often does not come back to the castle for a couple of days and when he does come, he is irritated almost all the time.
--
Yesterday my suspicions were confirmed. One of the spies said that my mate was having an affair with a mortal princess from a castle in the Eastern Lands. I was in pain about this news, especially since it was the night before Sesshomarus first important birthday. Yes, tomorrow my pup will gain his new power and abilities. When I went to talk to him about it later that day, he asked me about Inu Tashio. I wanted to decline but then he told me that he heard the whole conversation between the spy and me. I was afraid of what would happen.
--
The birthday ritual is finally complete. My mate came back early that day and subdued our pup's beast by his demonic aura. Of course, it was easy, seeing that Sesshomaru was not strong yet. No one truly knows from where that new demonic power comes from. My mother told me that it is important to show love and care to the one in their birthday ritual, not fear, anger or pain. I did not know what exactly she meant by that. However, the sadness was flowing through my body from the moment our son told my beloved that he hated and despise every mortal being walking on the Earth.
--
Kagome could not help but feel sorry for Sesshomaru and his mother. 'Of course we do not choose who we fall in love with but still, it is painful to read it like this' With this thought she fell asleep.
--
For the next two days, the young miko did not leave her room even once. During the day, Rin came in the morning and late evening for a 'good morning' and 'good night' kiss. Kagome was laying on her bed reading the same book. She was so absorbed, yet at the same time so sad. Slowly she began to understand why the stoic lord is who he is now. Of course there were happy moments in his life, but most of them were filled with anger, pain and suffering.
--
It is seven sunrises from the full moon. The messenger told me that my beloved died protecting his lover and their newly born pup, half-demon. I felt like my heart was broken to pieces. I ran to embrace my son, promising to never love another man. Sesshomaru stood there with his arm around my shoulders. I never forget that day. Not because my mate died, but because when I looked at my son, his face was emotionless and his eyes were cold. Never from that day on had I seen him showing any kind of emotions, aside from anger and hatred to mortals and half-breeds, as he calls them.
--
That was the last thing written in the book. Kagome closed it and was surprised when the door slid open and the taiyoukai step into her room. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Not knowing what possessed her, the girl ran and hug him tightly, sobbing into his chest.
"Miko" he growled "What is the meaning of this" But when she didn't answer, he looked at her bed and noticed a black book laying there closed. 'So she knows' he thought.
"I'm sorry this all happen to you" she said quietly between sobs. The demon Lord looked at her with amused eyes.
"This Sesshomaru does not need your pity." He replied coldly. Kagome stopped her crying and looked at him with her, now, puffy red eyes.
"You are right. It's just… I wish for you to be happy" she finished with a smile. He looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Miko, this Sesshomaru heard that you were leaving your trainings." The girl opened her eyes wide. 'The training! How could I forget? If I want to ever leave this place I need to train hard!'
"I'm sorry Lord Sesshomaru. I will make sure to train harder than I already am, to prove myself to you." With that and a nod from the taiyoukai, she left for the dojo.
'How ironic isn't it Sesshomaru?' she thought 'You trained hard to prove yourself to your father and I'm doing exactly the same thing for you. Maybe just maybe, you and I are more similar then we thought'
--
Time went fast for Kagome from that point. Every day, she woke up before sunrise, chatted a little with Akita and then went to train with Nazuki. Much to the general disapproval, she asked him to train with her not until breakfast but until the noon. Later after her meal, she would spend time with Rin playing and teaching her. After the sundown and supper, the young miko would sit in her daughters' room, reading her a story. Then, when the little girl was asleep, she went to the dojo or the garden, when Sesshomaru was patrolling his lands, and trained hard. When two weeks had passed, she was ready for her plan. Now, Kagome could easily wield her black sword and do what ever she pleased with it without any difficulties. Her archery was as best as ever and her control over her demonic powers were perfect. The reason for the last one was probably the bond she created with her beast that day, when she fought with Asuko. It really did not bother her. In fact, she was quite happy about it.
Right now, Kagome was sitting on her favorite bench and watching the night sky. She knew what she would have to do tomorrow and she was more than ready for it. Still, one thought could not leave her mind. Of course, the miko wanted to get out from this place for a little while and go see Inuyasha and her friends, but something in the back of her head told her that it was not all. She wanted to earn some respect from the Lord of the West, because she knew how rare and precious it was. Someone with his past did not trust or respected people easily. Especially humans and half-demons. Which in this case, she is kind of both.
--
Sesshomaru woke up early in the morning because of the noises coming from the outside. Just as he was about to look outside the window one of the guards ran to his room.
"Forgive me for interrupting you, Milord" he breathed heavily "But the young Lady has gone crazy" Taiyoukai looked for a moment at his warrior and then with one swift move he was dressed with Tokijin in his hand. Speeding up and following the noise, a few seconds later he came upon a clearing where his army was practicing. What he saw was more than a little surprising. There were many warriors with swords surrounding Kagome. She stood there for a moment and caught his eyes sending a silent' message of Watch'. Then she unleashed her whip and in her other hand, she had her faithful sword. Sesshomaru decided to observe the miko. Not that battle was pleasing to eye, but what the young miko was doing, definitely could be counted as a pleasing thing. Her moves were smooth, calm and calculated. She was jumping, spinning and dodging with very high precision. Yet at the same times, her moves were deadly. The taiyoukai noticed that she did not mean to harm his army, only knocked them out unconscious. Of course, if she intended to kill them it would be a piece of cake.
"Yay! Okaasan is dancing again!" cheered a loud voice. Kagome looked at her for a moment with a warm smile.
"This one is for you Rin!" she called and spun her whip close to her body, then above her head, at the same time knocking warriors in front of her with the sword and making small bruises to the ones behind her. When she finished with the first ones, she jump in the air and spun her whip around her body, earning a scream of joy from her daughter.
Sesshomaru was closely watching her every move the whole time, but when his ward joined them and he looked again at the mikoness one thought stuck him. 'This miko is having a fun time'
Not long after that, every one of his warriors were laying unconscious on the ground with Kagome standing right in the middle of it, with one raised eyebrow looking straight at the dog demon. Sesshomaru knew what she wanted and he knew that if he did not agree she would come after his life, just like she said that day. Not that he was scared. The taiyoukai simply did not have time to 'play'.
"You proved yourself to this Sesshomaru. Be ready after sundown." And with that, he left.
Kagome was jumping and screaming with joy. She managed to get the two things she wanted the most! Looking down, she sighed and decided to help the poor guys and heal their bruises, seeing that she was the one who caused them in the first place. When she was finished with her treating and talking with the guards along the way, who were admiring her strength, it was nearly sundown. Thanking god for her demon speed she took a quick bath, dressed in a knee length dark green kimono with pink sakura blossom and a yellow obi. She quick stepped again to the kitchen to eat some rice with vegetable and then finally went to the courtyard.
A few minutes later Sesshomaru appeared out of nowhere, looked her up and down, and then gave a curt nod of approval.
"So where are we going?" she asked curious.
"You are to go with this Sesshomaru on patrol" he stated simply. Kagome on the other hand was almost glowing with joy, which of course did not go unnoticed by the stoic lord.
"So what exactly are you doing on this patrol Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked while they were walking.
"Patrolling" he answered simply. 'No shit. I thought you were picking up the flowers' miko mentally said, irritated by his behavior.
They were walking in silence for a couple of hours, managing to kill a few low level demons, as the taiyoukai call them. They were near a village, when a piercing scream shoot through the night. In an instant both of them were running at quick pace in the direction, it came from. Coming to a clearing, they saw a small village and a bear demon trying to kill the people living there. Immediately Kagome regretted that she did not bring the bow with her.
Sesshomaru on the other hand was right behind the demon with his Tokijin slicing the hands off the beast. That was when Kagome noticed something.
"Sesshomaru listen" she said not bothering about formalities "the bear had a jewel shard in his chest that is why he is able to regenerate himself" the dog Lord growled slowly in displeasure, knowing that this will make things harder.
"I think I have a plan but I need you to distract it. Can you do it?" For a second he looked at her like she was completely out of her mind, but after a while, he gave a curt nod of approval.
Kagome smiled at that and ran to the village.
Sesshomaru on the other hand was hitting the bear demon yet again with his sword, getting irritated by it and impatient with the Miko. Both did not sit well with him. That is until he heard a 'whoosh' and saw something pink flying a mere inch from him and hit the beast right in the chest, purifying it in an instant.
"I'm sorry for making you wait" Kagome said walking past him and picking up the shard. The shard was not very big, but not too small either. Immediately the dark jewel turned pink as it was purified of its evil aura.
"Milord, thank you very much for coming to our rescue" All the villagers said and bowed low to him. Sesshomaru gave a firm nod in respond.
"Forgive me for asking but who are you, young lady?" one of the old man asked.
"Who, me? I'm Kagome, nice to meet you" she said with a smile.
"Are you, by any chances a miko? That arrow was a sacred one, wasn't it?"
"Uh well, yeah, you could say that I am a miko. Why would you ask? Is there something wrong?" Kagome was now concerned by this sudden interest.
"Indeed. We have a few injured people by this demon. Would you..."
"Lead the way, good man" Kagome cut him off since it was obvious what they wanted and more obvious that she would help them. The man just smiled and led her to the hut where four people were laying on the floor, two of them unconscious. After two hours of cleaning the deeper wounds and healing the smaller one with her miko abilities, the raven-haired girl give the same old man instructions about the medicines and how often to change the bandages.
--
Sesshomaru was waiting all this time outside the hut, refusing to drink the tea or eat anything. He gave a mental sigh when the miko emerged from the hut. Humans really got onto his nerves.
"Thank you once again young Lady for all your help." The old man said.
"Do not thank me, thank Lord Sesshomaru" she said and smiled at the taiyoukai. "It was his idea to come and check the village" the Inu male narrowed his eyes at her.
"Thank you Milord. We could not ask for a better ruler of these lands" Once again all of them bow to him low and once again, he gave them a firm nod and looked at his companion. Kagome knew it was time to leave so she bid farewell to all the people and followed the stoic lord.
They walked back in silence but the young mikoness was smiling, proud of herself, recalling what happened in the village.
"Miko" a cold voice snapped her from her daze. She looked at him.
"Explain yourself" he said, still not looking at her. Kagome was confused a little. 'What did he want me to explain?'
"I don't understand." She said after a while. A low growl escaped from his throat.
"The village" Sesshomaru said in a tone that was not pleasing at all.
"Ah you mean why I told them that it was your idea? Well, I think that everybody wants to think that somewhere in the world there are people who think good of them" miko said softly looking at him. The Inu male stopped and look at her, searching for something in her eyes only to find truth, pride and something not known to him. After a while, he broke the gaze and once again looked in front of him.
"In the second sun rise from now we will leave the castle" he said and started to walk.
Kagome was about to scream with joy when she felt something strange. Something like a little jolt of happiness. She looked at Sesshomaru confused and happy at the same time. 'Yes, the Lord of the Western Lands is definitely pleased.' With this thought, she followed him back to the castle.
Ok, so how was it? It was kinda filler chapter, but hey! :P Now, first, this is preview for next week:
--
"Jaken." She said in a cold voice making the imp shoot up two feet in the air.
"What do you want?"
"Stay here with Ah-Un and protect Rin."
"Where do you think your going?" the toad asked irritated.
"To find your Master." (...) "I can smell his blood."
--
So now that that is settled i have a one question to ask. You see, after watching the "Interview with the vampire" (again :P what can I say, I'm obsessed! ;D) I got this strange uh, urge (?) to write something new. So basically I wanted to ask if you are interested in reading another one of my insane creations :D Summary is something like this:
New 'old' girl in town. Bloody, mysterious murderer. Strange people? Many secrets to discover and many unhuman creatures to meet.
In short it's Kag and Sess pairing set in AU in a small town. I really don't want to spoil everything cause there would be no surprise in this romance/adventure/supernatural story :P So if you are just a little bit interested let me know ;) See you next week or maybe even sooner! ;)