Kagome, an Inuyokai

chapter 4

(rewritten)

Kagome sat on a ledge overlooking an ocean, it was peaceful and the breeze felt good, she heard steps behind her and she turned around and saw a dragon, a dragon who she knew protected her. She heard the dragon say, "You must accept yourself, it is the best way for calm of mind, body and soul. Kagome didn't understand until she looked down on herself and she saw the form of a black dog instead of human form and in fear she jumped from the cliff.

The sensation of falling was what woke her up, she found herself in a strange room on the floor next to a bed, with furs wrapped around her legs. She must have woken when she fell from the bed, slowly her heartbeat slowed, as she remembered where she was.

She was within Sesshomaru's palace because she was going through a transformation to being a inuyokai. Kagome sighed as she unwrapped her legs and stood up. Part of her hated Kikyou for what she had done, she mourned her humanity she had not yet lost. It was not fair, she thought.

The dragon in her head responded, Life is rarely fair, it was not fair that I was kidnapped from my homeland, and my soul permanently residing in this dagger, however I have accepted my new role, and it is honorable. You cannot do anything to change what has happened Kagome, you simply must do what you can with what has been given to you.

Kagome nodded, "I know, it is simply wishful thinking, wanting to go back and change things."

Setsusaiga laid her head on her claws, at least you realize this, now go get yourself bathed and change into something appropriate for the day, your lessons in your new heritage will start today.

Kagome sighed and went to a drawer, pulling out her bathing stuff and making her way to the bathing chambers, on the way she ran into Sakura who bowed to her, "Kagome let me help you."

Kagome smiled, "Ok, that sounds nice, though I will be wearing one of my own outfits until dinner." Sakura nodded, "as you wish." With that they headed to the bathing chambers and Sakura helped Kagome bathe, then Kagome got some jeans and a t-shirt, with her dagger at her waist and went out to the garden.

She was startled by Sesshomaru coming up behind her and saying, "Your attire is rather interesting Kagome."

She laughed lightly, "This is simply more comfortable, if you need me to be in more appropriate attire I can change if needed."

Sesshomaru nodded, "It is fine for now though at dinner this Sesshomaru expects you to dress properly."

Kagome nodded, "I understand."

He motioned to her to follow him, "come follow me to the library where I will start your lessons in the culture of yokai and specifically inuyoukai."

Kagome smiled and followed him, hoping she did not disappoint.

Hours later, Sesshomaru stood watching her as she read threw one scroll after another, rereading if she didn't understand, asking questions if she didn't understand as well though to him it seemed she didn't always ask him, he had not thought the spirit within the dagger would awaken properly since he had not officially given it to her before she was cut, but it might have he would have to ask her later, it was almost as if the knowledge he had put in front of her was water and she dying of thirst.

Originally he had been expecting to teach her how to read as soon as she proved she was able to read, she simply asked for the scrolls and he had handed them to her, shocked that a woman knew how to read this well. Sesshomaru knew he should have expected this when she had told him she was from a different time. It simply was a shock to see a human woman able to read as well or better than most male yokai he knew.

When a servant entered, they both looked to the servant who bowed, "My lord lunch is ready, do you wish it brought here or will you eat in the dining hall?"

Sesshomaru looked to Kagome, "that is enough for now, you will have plenty of time to go through the taishou family history."

She nodded and stood, "I can't believe I actually miss studying. I have not been able to do it much since I have been searching out the sacred jewel and Naraku."

Sesshomaru offered her his arm, she took it with a shy smile. Once they arrived in the dining hall Shippou and Rin came in giggling followed by a flower adorned Jaken, Kagome laughed as the kids ran to her, giving her a hug, "Jaken looks so pretty for lunch right now," she exclaimed.

The kappa glared at her but didn't say anything with the death glare Sesshomaru gave him.

Shippou grinned, "we were picking flowers in the garden when Jaken found us and Rin had the idea of decorating him with flowers, I think he looks a lot better than he usually does."

Rin let go of Kagome to hug Sesshomaru who simply put a hand on her head with a nod causing her to smile wider than she already had been. Jaken sighed wearily as it seemed there was no one to save him from this fate.

Kagome smiled at the kids, "go sit down so we can have lunch."

They went to the dining hall, the four of them sat down and servants bustled around putting plates in front of them, Kagome still felt awkward about this however, she didn't say anything. Once lunch was served the kids quickly started eating.

Kagome laughed lightly, "Rin, Shippou you need to slow down so you don't choke on your food."

They both looked embarrassed and nodded, "yes mom," they said in unison, before starting at their food again slower this time.

Sesshomaru at his food slowly, watching the little scene, his beast growled happily in his mind, mate is a good mother, she will bare strong pups and keep them healthy, while protecting them with her life. Sesshomaru nearly rolled his eyes at his beast but when he saw her eyes go to him, he realized he agreed with his beast, as much as he was trying to find a way out of this mating, and this curse, he knew she was a good mother.

Kagome smiled shyly at Sesshomaru before starting to eat her own food. The rest of lunch was spent in silence until the children finished.

Shippou looked to Kagome, "We are finished, can we get up now."

The children got up and bowed to Sesshomaru before running off dragging a grumbling Jaken behind them.

Kagome laughed lightly to herself, "they will be the death of that kappa I am sure."

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow, "Jaken is loyal, if nothing else, and though he puts up a front of hating Rin and now Shippou, he actually adores them. It doesn't take as much threatening to get him to look after Rin as it used to."

Kagome nodded, "it is understandable she is a lovable child."

Sesshomaru stood up, "This Sesshomaru was not expecting you to be able to read as well as you do, you have gone through what I expected to be two weeks of explaining already, at least in terms of the family history. We can move on to what can be expected during this transformation."

She nodded, itching the tip of her right ear as he talked, "what is the first part of the transformation?"

He quirked an eyebrow, "for one your ears will develop a point, and other physical changes to prepare your body for the energy shift, to prepare it to accept your youki. Which will be the second part of the transformation."

She nodded, purposefully pulling her hand down and doing her best not to itch, "what other physical changes can I expect?"

"Your teeth will be pushed out and replaced with fangs, your fingernails will harden and come to a point, as well as you will grow your tail, since it is the only appendage you do not have, it will be the most painful," he explained.

She gaped a hand going to her mouth, "that all sounds painful."

Sessshomaru nodded, "this is one of the reasons it was originally supposed to be a human who had already sworn themselves to me before they were cut by the dagger, so they knew what they were getting into."

Kagome sighed, "I understand, and the transformation makes sense what are the next stages in the transformation?"

"Each stage takes approximately one third a moon cycle, the final part will you gaining your new true form, as well as learning how to control the transformation," he told her.

She sighed, "I see, if this had gone the way it was supposed to what would have happened."

Sesshomaru had a feeling he knew what she was asking, "If this was a human I had chosen as my mate already and she knew what she was getting into, we would have mated when she attained her full form, giving her full control of her beast since with an alpha to submit to, a beast will tame easier. This Sesshomaru will not force this on you, so you must learn to control it yourself."

Kagome looked at her empty plate, her thoughts whirling in her mind. Setsusaiga uncurled from the ball she was in and laughed at Kagome, do not worry Mistress Kagome it won't be as bad as you think and you might even decide to stay with Sesshomaru-sama. I will help you during this, if needed I will put you to sleep during the pain and wake you when it is done.

Kagome stood up, "Thank you again for being honest with me Sesshomaru, it means more than you can know, I am going to go to the gardens, I need to think."

With that she headed out of the dining hall, he watched her go, his beast growled at him, you should scent mark her, so others stay away from her, she will accept us in time, she needs to know who is alpha here.

Sesshomaru shook his head, he himself didn't want this mating and his beast was being annoying about this, he glared in his mind at his beast, the mark on her neck is enough to do that. His beast huffed, no it is not, she is not submitting to us yet. Sesshomaru sighed, and if she doesn't choose to stay with me she won't be ours, she must choose me. His beast growled, then go woo her, go do what it takes, I want mate.

Sesshomaru ignored this and stood up and went back to his library to go back to looking into a way to get out of this curse.