Chapter 5
The next morning found Narako bringing her lady's breakfast to her as the deer youkai had been informed that Lady Kagome was not to get up unless absolutely necessary. She concurred with this as she knew something of tending to the sick.
Elsewhere Inukimi, followed by her healer and her seamstress, was headed to the miko's chamber. She would prolong the healer's visit as needed. Even if Iku had to sit with her through the night.
Kagome was slowly drinking the broth when her room's door was slid open. She smiled and said, "Welcome, Lady Kimi."
Smiling at the new moniker given to her, Inukimi answered, "Good morning, daughter. How are you this morning? "
"Still weak, but feeling much more than rested," said Kagome. She looked behind the Lady of the Western lands.
Iku moved forward then. She felt the miko's aura waver. She asked, "Narako, help your lady stand. She is not ready to do so on her own. Lady Kagome, how long have you been without food?"
Inukimi looked at Kagome who looked away as she replied, "6 months." The Lady of the Western lands was shocked. She went to summon a kitchen maid. She had to do something to distract herself.
Iku saw that it was bad. "Inukina, help Narako undress Lady Kagome so I can fully examine her." She saw the miko tense at this. Smiling gently, she reassured her new lady that all would be well. She soon saw why the miko tensed. She did not even finish right then. She went straight to her lady's side.
Inukimi, Inutaisho and Sesshomaru were stunned when the normally calm, collected Iku burst in to say, "Lord Sesshomaru, you will have to let me have some of your blood to make a tea. I know not what all that hanyo has done, but it has left your future mate in danger to the point she may not be able to bear a child."
Sesshomaru nodded. He was too angry to talk. His mother's face went ashen and his sire expected his son to explode.
Iku took a moment to calm down. Then going to the kitchen, she took a goblet and filled it half full with her lord's blood. She took this back to the kitchen. She mixed up the tea and carried the kettle to Kagome's room. She poured the miko a cup and told her to drink.
Taking it, Kagome said, "Sayuri gave me a potion like this. Hers smelled of less blood."
Iku said, "This Sayuri probably used human blood. Lord Sesshomaru's blood will help more as it is stronger. You will have to drink this often. Raw eggs, broth, regular tea and water also. No solid foods for a while. Your reiki must be the only thing keeping you alive."
Kagome tilted her head slightly then slowly nodded. She was not sure this was entirely true, but it would suffice for now. She drank the potion slowly. When she finished, Iku gave her some water before continueing the examination.
Everyone in the palace soon felt the healer's youkai explode. They knew by this that something was extremely wrong.
Sesshomaru could bare it no longer. He rushed to Kagome's side. There he found her being comforted by Narako and a silent Inukina. "What did Iku find?" Both females shook their heads. They could barely speak of it themselves. He knew then that his half brother would die.
Two hours passed before Iku could bring herself to return. She found her lord. Forcing herself to speak in a detached tone, she gave him the full report.
"Take as much time off as you need," said Inutaisho. He did not hesitate to speak for no one else could. Iku shook her head. "Thank you, Lord Inutaisho, but my duty is clearly here. If Sesshomaru's mating is tomorrow night, Lady Kagome will have to be in bed all the time in between. Lord Sesshomaru, I suggest you go ahead and mate her as planned. As her destined mate and with her acknowledging you as no threat, your yokai will help her heal quicker. "
The last statement made by the healer pierced through Sesshomaru's warring brain. He looked at the tree demoness and asked, "The miko does not see me as a threat?"
"If she had, her body would reject the potion. It has not. I will speak with cook about what to feed our new lady. She has to stay in bed as long as possible. If she gets up, it will not be for long periods nor will it be often. She cannot yet keep her own balance."
This upset Sesshomaru as he was looking forward to her company at the evening meal. It was then Inukimi said, "We will eat in her room tonight. That way she can have company and not have to get up."
Iku nodded. She knew this was good. She took the kitchen maid back to the kitchen with her. She spoke to the cook about what was to be, not detailing the reasons why. She then returned to Kagome and apologized for scaring her. She smiled as her new lady forgave her. She then sat back to watch the fitting.
Inukina kept it short. She did not make her new lady stand for the choosing of patterns or fabrics as was normal. She saw quickly that Lady Kagome had simple tastes. She also saw her new lady's decisions reflected her perfectly. She helped Narako redress Kagome and saw her back to bed. Kagome lay down and promptly fell asleep. Iku felt her head. Finding no temperature but a clammy forehead, she sensed her new lady was just tired. She covered her up and then left to refill her stores. She knew that the amount she had was insufficient. She gathered what she needed and returned to the miko's side. She found the young woman drinking another goblet of the potion along with the fresh water. She felt Kagome's head again and was glad to see there was no fever and her forehead was cool.
An hour later, the family gathered around. They were glad to see Kagome looking a little better at least. Inukimi asked, "How are you?"
Kagome said, "I feel a little better. The potion Iku gave me is what Sayuri did to get me conscious before sending me to Sesshomaru. Apparently she used her own blood. I find I like it. I. . Sesshomaru, will you not be weakened?"
"No, Kagome. I have more than enough. Take what you need. We will still mate tomorrow night as we planned. Iku tells you your body accepts my blood and may also benefit from my youkai." He waited to see how she would react. Kagome thought about this. She saw the logic in it. She said, " My body does accept your blood. It tastes similiar to Sayuri's. The difference is the aftertaste. I want to try something, Sesshomaru, " said Kagome. She saw him arch a brow. Drawing her reiki over her hand, she waited for him to see what she meant. When he did, he reached out to touch hers. The two hands touched and the two energies mixed fluidly. There was no domination. The two were equal.
Inukimi and Inutaisho were silent. They would never have done something like this. They also saw the point behind it. They smiled and Inukimi said, "Once again, it is confirmed that you two were meant for each other. "
"Sesshomaru, " said Kagome. She waited for him to look up. When he did, she sucked their joined energies into her body. She felt them slide down her throat and into her stomach where they were broken down. They entered her bloodstream and flowed throughout her body. The inward scarring from Kikyo's spell began to heal. Her eyes brightened. She felt hungry. Reaching for a bite, Kagome chewed it slowly. She felt satisfied, but not full. She drank the rest of her cup's potion. Now she felt full and slightly strengthened. The rest of the meal was silent as the strange new family marveled over what had been revealed to them.
The next day Kagome still spent much of the day in bed, but now she was sitting up on her own some. She was excited and nervous about the mating.
Sesshomaru himself found it hard to not think about. He was eager to see what would happen.
At last the night came. Sesshomaru carried Kagome into the Lord's chambers. He set her down, staying behind her until sure she could stand alone.
Kagome looked at the light-colored pine wood furnishings. She admired the red draperies patterned with gold crescent moons. Finishing, she slowly turned toward her tall, future mate. She looked up at him, suddenly shy. Feeling the need to speak, she said, "Sesshomaru, I'm scared. I'm scared you won't like this because I am too skinny. I have heard this is supposed to be pleasurable, and I want that for you. What if I remember. . ?"
"One fear at a time. First, I will like this joining because we want it. Second, your being skin-and-bones is not your fault. Thirdly, I want you to feel pleasure too. Lastly, I am not Inuyasha. I can block those memories if needed," said Sesshomaru. He leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Kagome nodded, sighing with relief. She smiled and stepping back, began to slowly remove her clothes. She did not look up until she was fully nude. Raising her gaze, she watched Sesshomaru.
