Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the story or characters of InuYasha, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I make no profit from writing this fanfiction.
A/N: It's always difficult writing for a character someone else created when very little of their personality has been revealed. I always end up projecting into the character. Maybe that's why I love Sesshomaru so much, in him I see myself. The trick is to not overdo it, if I put too much of myself into him he exceeds the bounds of the original author's intent. I will leave it to my readers to judge on this point.
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Kagome hugged the scroll and looked both ways down the hallway outside of Sesshomaru's office.
"May I help you, Priestess?" one of the guards asked.
She pursed her lips. "I'd like a quiet place to read, but I'm not sure where to go other than my room."
The guard smiled kindly. "I know of a place," he motioned her down the hall, "if you would allow me?"
She nodded eagerly and they headed in that direction. She was surprised when they went outside and then up a steep staircase. There at the top was a small room surrounded by windows. It wasn't quite a tower, more like and observation room. "Wow, this is lovely."
There were only a chaise lounge and a low table in the center of the room but from the windows she could see in all directions. She saw a majority of the citadel's buildings and lands, she turned in a circle taking it all in.
The guard stayed at the door. "This was the Lady Mother's favorite place in the residence."
Kagome's eyes widened. 'Sesshomaru's mother,' she thought with surprise. "Thank you, this will be perfect."
He gave her a short bow and then left her alone. She took several minutes looking out over the citadel before settling on the couch. She carefully untied the yellow ribbon and unfurled the first foot of the scroll.
~I have felt the pressure of my parents and the other leaders recently.~
Kagome paused with a gasp. A journal, this scroll was a journal! She was excited and anticipating insight in to the mysterious life of demons. She couldn't make out some of the kanji and she quickly realized it was the names. She bit her lip as she wondered who's journal this was. Oh, well. At least she could read the story.
~They are becoming more bold in their suggestions. This one cares not for what they think, I do not wish to take a mate. I feel my rule should be established before I take on such a responsibility but the elders, including my Father, do not see it that way.~
She skimmed further.
~They brought a demoness to me today. She was fair, of good breeding, and was amiable. Though I do not feel a connection of any kind with her I spoke with my Great Father and we came to an agreement. I will mate this female for the good of the kingdom.~
Kagome gasped, a politically arranged marriage? She supposed that was common in those times (as well as the one she was stuck in now). She read further and some of it was dry goings-on, battles fought and trade accomplished. Some of the historical incidents she recognized but it was interesting to see them from the perspective of and outsider to human history. Her attention was caught by the next few phrases.
~The mating union has born fruit. I have fulfilled my familial obligation. Perhaps now my Father will relent in his pestering. My son cannot be disputed as mine, his face is fair like his mother's but he resembles my person greatly.~
She was on edge. He mentions the birth of his son as a fulfilled obligation? How cold and impersonal. What was with these dog demons? Did none of them have true feelings? She flashed to InuYasha's father. He seemed to really care for Izayoi. Was that just a fluke? Somehow that made her sad.
She read on, interestingly the son was never named in the journal. Several years were skipped in this writing but she figured when you live for millennium the day-to-day, even year-to-year, gets lost. There were a few more mentions of trade and skirmishes. The nearby dragon clans seemed to be particular trouble.
~My Sire, my Great and Terrible Father, died yesterday.~
Kagome gasped and delved on.
~I will soon be named head and Lord of the Western Lands, as it is right. Though, I will not kill my mother as is traditional.~
Kagome's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. She was about to read on when there was a noise by the door. The guard from earlier stood looking uncomfortable. "Yes?" she asked with a smile.
He bowed. "I don't mean to disturb you Priestess, but my lord was wondering if you are in need of nourishment?"
She blinked and looked out the windows. "What time is it?"
"It is mid-day."
She sat up straight. "Oh! I've been reading for hours?" She asked it as a rhetorical question but he nodded as answer anyway. An idea came to her, "Could you help me? I'm not sure what this character is." She lifted the scroll to show the guard.
He averted his eyes. "I cannot."
"Oh, why?" she asked obliviously.
He bowed slightly. "Beg your pardon, milady but I cannot enter this room, and even if I could I could not look upon the writings."
She was flabbergasted and needed clarification. "But you can read?" he nodded his assent, "Just not allowed to read this?" again he confirmed her supposition. She didn't push that further noticing that the guard was becoming uncomfortable. "Why can't you come in here?" She stood, gathered her things, and walked towards him.
He smiled slightly. "The Lady Mother deemed it for women of high standing only. Even the lord himself has never stepped foot in here."
Interesting. She didn't feel as if she filled the 'lady of high standing' category but she was honored that this guard at least viewed her as such. "Well, might as well lead me to my room, if you please?"
He dipped his head and they walked in silence. When they reached her door a thought came to her. "I have a question or two and I want you to answer without fear of reprisal. Would you?"
He cocked his head to the side. "If it doesn't betray my lord than, yes."
She smiled. "First off, when demon's are put in charge is it really required by tradition to kill their predecessors?"
He looked at her dumbfounded for a moment. "Well, yes." He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world and it was her turn to be stupefied.
"Really?! Why?"
He blinked at her. "If they are left to live than they could produce more offspring to vie for the position. It would be competition for the newly instated ruler. It is not wise to let that happen."
It was baffling to Kagome but she supposed she could see their form of logic, though it all sounded barbaric. With beings that transcend the ages there would be that possibility of overthrow. Though to have so little trust in your own family... she shuddered to think that way.
She shook her head and proceeded to her next question. "I was also wondering how the staff viewed me."
At her words he looked truly nervous, he even started to sweat, she wasn't sure she'd ever seen a demon sweat before. "Viewed?" he choked out.
She nodded. "Am I viewed with disdain? Fear? Annoyance? Please, I will not punish you for anything you say and it will stay between the two of us. Lord Sesshomaru will not be told."
He visibly relaxed and she got the impression it wasn't due to her assurances. He still glanced up and down the hall like they were going to get caught before leaning closer and lowering his voice. "You are an honored guest of our lord, so you are to be respected." He swallowed and glanced around again. "That stated you are a priestess of obvious power, there are some who fear your presence."
She bit her lip and nodded. "Are there ones who would try to hurt me?"
He quickly shook his head. "Even if there were those who contemplated it they would never act on it."
Her eyes widened. "Why?"
"You are powerful, but our lord is ruthless. They may worry over you, but they fear him. As his guest harming you, or even trying to, would be viewed as a personal affront to our lord and would be met with swift and deadly retribution."
She gulped, she hadn't thought of it that way. She smiled at the guard. "Thank you for answering me honestly."
He bowed deeply. "You are welcome, Priestess." At that he turned to go about his duties and she entered her room where her lunch waited.
After lunch Kagome found a different guard at her door but still decided to do some exploring.
A mere two hours later Sesshomaru was working in his study when the guard that had been assigned to Kagome for the afternoon led the miko in. The guard, one the lord recognized as one of his more stern and taciturn, was presently looking none too happy.
Sesshomaru turned his attention to the woman and was intrigued that she looked like she'd just spent the last hour being chastised like a naughty child.
Kagome bowed low to hide her flushed cheeks. "Lord Sesshomaru." She straightened but kept her eyes lowered.
His eyebrow rose and he glanced at the guard but the tight-lipped demon was of no assistance in explaining the priestess' demure behavior.
She bit her lip as they lingered in silence. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.
Sesshomaru stood and immediately approached the two. "What has transpired?" he asked when she wasn't more forthcoming. He shot the guard a glare to get someone to talk since the woman wasn't looking at him.
"She spoke to the kitchen help," the guardsman growled.
Now Kagome knew she had done something wrong. After lunch she'd wanted to look around and eventually found her way to the kitchens. Her guard hadn't seemed pleased (but that could've just been what his face looked like), and when she interrupted the workers he'd all but dragged her to Lord Sesshomaru like a kid to the principle's office. "I'm sorry," she repeated. "I just wanted to thank them."
"Thank them?" Sesshomaru wasn't following her.
She flailed her hands in the air. "Yes! I just wanted to thank them for the fine food and maybe watch them work. I guess that was against the rules or something." At the end of her tirade she dipped her head again, wringing her hands in front of her.
Sesshomaru was silent for a moment. He dismissed the guard and motioned for her to sit. She flopped down petulantly and he sat near to her. He sighed silently before he started, "Priestess, it is not that you have been inappropriate, it is that such things are not done by one of your standing. The servants are This Sesshomaru's to command," he stated.
She looked up at him with pleading eyes, "But I just –"
"And This Sesshomaru's to commend," he finished in a stern tone.
She looked down. Even though she'd been in the Feudal Era for almost two decades she'd spent most of her time with peasants. Being around nobles was like being in a different world. She almost laughed at the irony.
Sesshomaru could see she would need further explanation and because he was feeling unusually magnanimous he continued. "When tasks are assigned to them in This Sesshomaru's household it is an honor to them and their families. To thank them is superfluous and can lead to sloth and expectation of greater compensation."
What he didn't say was that it was his authority alone that they went by. For her to thank them she was not only stating equal ranking, but also that she had control over his house. That was a reserved privilege for a designated steward or a mate. Neither of which she was.
What he'd said seemed rather upside-down in Kagome's modern view. "I didn't mean to to offend or overstep my bounds," she said honestly.
"This Sesshomaru knows you are unaware of proper etiquette. This is why it was instructed to you to stay out of the affairs of the servants."
She frowned with a sour look on her face. "I thought that meant I wasn't supposed to help them work or discuss their lives." He raised his brow at her and she blushed in embarrassment. "Perhaps you could have the guards that accompany me warn me when I'm about to do something embarrassing?" He still had the same expression and she sighed. "At least those things that can be stopped."
He nodded.
She was still greatly embarrassed so was relieved when he let her go back to her room for the evening. She had a lot to think about. She wasn't sure why it was, but the more she was around the great lord she felt like she was reverting back to the awkward teen she'd been when she first was dragged through the well.
The embarrassment faded over the next few days. She spent a majority of the time to her own devices, she visited the healing hut and read some, but she mostly enjoyed exploring Sesshomaru's home. She stayed out of certain areas of course, like the barracks and Sesshomaru's personal spaces.
When she was with Sesshomaru she found him a pleasant, intelligent – albeit succinct – conversationalist. Though they kept the topics light she was forever enraptured with the sound of his voice. She was always pleased to learn something about her host, but even more to just have him spend time with her, a miracle in itself.
It was after dinner one evening and Kagome wandered aimlessly through the castle. She was curious about what a solitary lord would put in so many rooms. The wing she was in now was devoted mostly to sleeping quarters, her room was nearby. Many others were unused, guest rooms she assumed.
She knew she was getting close to his room as well. She was still a little baffled as to why she would've been placed so close to his personal quarters. She supposed it was so he could keep and eye on her, to make sure she was no trouble to him. But still, he gave her freedom to move within the walls, wasn't he beginning to trust her? She sighed, it was unlikely.
She had relieved her guard for the night. He was reluctant to go but because they were just a few doors down from her room he relented. When he was down the corridor and out of sight Kagome continued on.
She came to the last door before Sesshomaru's and pushed it open, it was the only room other than his in this wing that she hadn't see yet. What she saw stopped her in her tracks. Whereas most of the rooms were sparse and cold this one seemed to be bursting with life. There were shoji screens depicting vibrant scenes, and toys piled against one wall. The bed mat had a bright pillow, and the blanket folded nearby which matched.
She noticed a small desk that sat to the side and she wandered over to it. Papers with letters and numbers scrawled on them in a messy hand littered the surface. One of the papers near the bottom caught her eye and she pulled it out. She gasped in surprise at the drawing depicting Sesshomaru, Jaken and Rin in a field of flowers. She realized it was done in crayon so it would have been done when they traveled with their group, only Shippo had crayons in this era.
She looked fondly at the drawing as memories of that time flooded back to her. It had been a stressful time, they were about to go into battle to defeat Naraku, but they had never felt more like a family. Dysfunctional family at times, but a family none the less.
"Priestess?"
She wondered how he could sneak up on her, she could feel the myriad of demons living and working in this place at any given moment. Why could she not sense where he was? She smiled softly as she turned towards the voice. "Lord Sesshomaru."
He glanced around the room briefly and seemed to her to be uneasy in here. "You miss her," she instantly surmised.
His eyes snapped to hers with a warning but he didn't confirm or deny the statement.
She put the picture down carefully and walked the distance between them. "It's only natural, my lord. She is yours and it's difficult to let her go. I understand." She laid a sympathetic hand on his arm and watched his face for a moment. His eyes were the only thing that gave him away at this distance. They were a honey gold that had seen far too much loss and had to give too many things away.
She smiled softly again and let her hand slip to her side. She nodded wordlessly and stepped around him and out the door. When she was in the hallway she noticed Jaken hobbling towards her.
"Woman!" he squawked irritated. The menacing effect was lessened by breaks in his voice and his overall weakened appearance. "You must stay out of there! No one is allowed in Mistress Rin's room!"
She smiled indulgently. 'So, he never let anyone else in either, and since when was Rin 'mistress' to Jaken?' Things certainly change in ten years.
"Jaken." Sesshomaru had exited the room behind her and gently shut the doors behind him.
The retainer was brought up short in his rant. "Yes, m' lord," he said with a bow of his head.
If Kagome thought there was to be a heartfelt conversation she should have remembered who she was dealing with. Sesshomaru didn't even glance her way before striding off down the hall.
She huffed and shook her head. "Jaken, does he ever open up to anyone?"
The imp demon blinked up at her in surprise, his mouth flapping open and closed. She tore her eyes away from where the demon lord had disappeared to glance at Jaken. She smiled, this time a bit sadly, and walked over to her quarters across the hall. She slipped into the room before the retainer could respond.
She might have been surprised to hear Jaken's thoughts at that moment. He had been thinking that he'd never seen his master be as open or charitable to anyone as he'd been with her in the last several days.
It was two days before the end of her week of 'mandatory stay' and she was sitting reading an interesting document which Sesshomaru had given her to review. She suspected it was to keep her quiet because it was a complex dispute resolution request and it was taking a great amount of concentration.
She was seated on a cushion in the lord's office as he worked at his desk. There was a knock and Kagome looked up, thankful for the respite.
"Enter," Sesshomaru stated, not looking up.
A guard entered and bowed to his lord. "Pardon, Sire. A message has arrived for the priestess." At that he had the full attention of the two seated figures.
"For me?" Kagome squeaked. She was floored. Who would write to her here? Who even knew where she was?
Sesshomaru's thoughts ran along a similar path, but his first assumption was his half-brother. He motioned for the guard to deliver it.
The demon took a step towards the woman and gave another short bow. "A small town to the north-east has sent emissaries saying they are being plagued by a sickness. They are currently without a healer, priest, or priestess. They request the Shikon Miko's immediate assistance."
Before she could respond Sesshomaru asked a question. "How did they come by the knowledge that the priestess was here?"
The guard looked nervous. "I asked the delegation the same. They... they said rumors are spreading around the surrounding countryside that our great and magnificent lord aided the priestess in a local village, then carried her away."
Kagome flushed full red at the connotations. Sesshomaru wasn't much better in that he growled enough that the guard shook in his boots.
The priestess swallowed and tried not to look at Sesshomaru. "Uh, tell them I will be there as soon as I can. I just have to prepare some things for the travel."
Sesshomaru, still agitated, growled again and released a fair amount of his aura. The guard fell to his knees, his head on the ground in a bow.
His reaction shocked Kagome, who just barely pulled back her powers in time to not purify the guard. She stared at Sesshomaru in shock, her embarrassment temporarily forgotten.
"You will not leave!" he bellowed to her with his eyes narrowed.
Her eyebrows got lost behind her bangs. "Excuse you?" she huffed, indignant.
"You will fulfill the bargain," he continued much more calmly.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "They need me now. You would have more people die while we wait two more days?" She didn't really know if people were dying but still... it was the principle. They glared at each other some time before she spoke again. "Would you feel better if you accompanied me to oversee my well being?" she said somewhat sarcastically.
He pondered that for a moment. "Yes."
She was shocked once again. "What?" She didn't even see the guard glance up at his lord in surprise before resuming his prostrate posture. She sat there gaping at Sesshomaru like a fish for a moment.
"You there," Sesshomaru addressed the guard, the demon jolted but stayed where he was. "Rise, let the messengers take sustenance and inform them we will be joining them for the return trip."
The guard got up hastily, if not a little shakily, to his feet and bowed to his lord then made a hurried retreat.
Sesshomaru rose smoothly then offered a hand to the still-bemused priestess. She blinked up at him then carefully took his hand. He helped her to her feet then released her. "Go prepare, but be quick."
She nodded and walked out the door on the way to her room directly.
Kagome didn't have much to gather but she did visit the healer to gather from his supplies. She noted that some of her herbs were getting a little low, but they were common in this region so she figured she'd gather them as they traveled.
When she was ready she was led to Sesshomaru and the town's delegation (who were wide-eyed and awed) and they were on their way.
The townsmen consisted of three men who appeared in their twenties or early thirties. They were all quiet for the first few hours of the trip. Kagome assumed it was due to Sesshomaru's presence, he was imposing to those who didn't know him well. She snorted to herself, even to those who knew him he was imposing.
She paused occasionally to pick an herb or two, never taking long so as to not delay them. She never noticed the eyes of all the males on her whenever she did but continued on blissfully.
Half the way gone and Kagome was fed up with the silence. "So, men, tell me about this sickness. What are the symptoms?" She saw them look at each other and finally one was elbowed by another.
"Oh, Mighty Priestess, a weakness comes upon the people and they have chills and a cough that wracks their bodies."
She pondered that. "Is there a rash?"
He shook his head. "No, oh Mighty Shikon Miko."
She raised her eyebrow at the address. "You may call me Kagome, or Priestess Kagome if you must, but please stop with the 'mighty' stuff." All three men bowed their heads in reverence. Her eyebrows again rose and she glanced at Sesshomaru, he was watching the men, no expression on his face.
She was used to people's respect but this was bordering on worship. She brushed it off for the time being as gratitude and they continued on.
By the evening they were nearing the town. People came out to greet them and offered gifts to the priestess. She hadn't done anything yet so she felt bad about accepting but the people insisted.
In an effort to stem the tide she motioned them towards the center of town. "Where are the sickest being held?"
One of the men they'd come with was about to show her when Sesshomaru stepped into their path. "No," he addressed the townsman. "She has walked all day and needs rest." He looked at her. "She will start in the morning," he told her plainly.
She shut her mouth with a click. The man looked between the two then led them to a house at the center of town. It was a grand house used for dignitaries but she didn't argue about it being too much, she didn't think she'd get anywhere in her argument.
There was an outer porch-like hallway that ran around the building which could be closed off to the elements with shutters and one large center room which also could be separated from the porch by screens. The simplicity was meant to be calming, and the lack of such things as a place for cooking was intentional. Anyone that stayed there was a guest of the town, it was to state they were to be catered to, not expected to work.
After bidding goodnight to the people Kagome entered and was followed in by Sesshomaru who shut the doors behind them.
Kagome noticed there was one, albeit large, futon and she blushed full red. "Uh, Lord Sesshomaru, are you staying in here? With me?" she squeaked out.
He looked at her like she'd grown a second head. "This Sesshomaru needs to speak with you."
She let her shoulders sag in relief but instantly stiffened again when he stepped closer.
His need to continue in a hushed voice forced him into closer proximity to her, and he was struck with a very pleasant odor emitting from her person. He shut that observation down with prejudicial force. "These humans are not to be trusted."
She swallowed at his sudden serious tone. "Why do you say that?"
He looked pointedly at her. "They are too eager for your presence."
Her eyebrows shot up. "I'm not sure that would make me jump to suspicions of ill intent."
"Do they not make you feel uneasy?"
She thought on that, she couldn't deny that they all came off as intense. She nodded. "They do give me a bit of the wiggin's," she confirmed.
He had no idea what she said but he assumed an affirmative answer. "Be on your guard. This Sesshomaru will stay close."
She was touched. She looked around the room again and blushed. "How close?" she mused out loud.
His face was closed but his eyes had a certain fire to them. "For this evening This Sesshomaru will be on the porch."
"Oh." She didn't like the disappointed note that tainted her tone. She clasped her hands behind her back in a nervous gesture.
He stood watching her for a moment then turned and was gone, swiftly and silently.
She didn't know why he was getting to her today. She sighed, letting out the tension she'd held in her shoulders as she prepared for bed. She went to sleep with thoughts of overprotective dog demons.
A/N: I write my stories with pen on paper so as I was typing this (monstrosity) I realized there were parts of this that were wholly unnecessary. I don't usually do this in such large chunks but a good portion of this chapter went away and another section that had no real location slipped in. Not that you would really care about that but I hope it didn't make it too choppy or uninteresting.