Author's Note:
This story evolved as an as I went thing with no real end in mind. It was more of a character exploration of "what would happen if..." So enjoy this bitter exploration into hurt, healing and hope.
Be warned, since I haven't followed the series closely in years or seen the Final Act, I'm pretty sure some things won't fit into cannon.
Of Pride and Power
Chapter 24: Captured
Following the exchange on the mountain, Kagome did her best to avoid Sesshomaru in the days following. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was truly afraid of him and worse, couldn't explain why. In the passing week, Kagome felt Increasingly skittish, flinching if she thought she glimpsed his fur, and jumping at the slightest creak of wood on the floor. Over something as simple as her name, Sesshomaru somehow managed to awaken a different sense of anxiety, one that Kagome wasn't wholly sure how to overcome.
Taking a risk, one afternoon Kagome crept from her room to visit the library. Thankfully the big white boogeyman was nowhere to be found, allowing her some peace. Unsurprisingly, the texts were all about war, tactics and strategies. Idly she flipped through the books, unaware of the person at her back. "Kagome." Sesshomaru called, the warmth of his timbre enveloping her like a comforting embrace on a winter day. Her heart jumped into her throat, stifling her shriek as she whipped around, her back colliding with the bookcase.
Deftly Sesshomaru caught the book falling from her shaking fingers, his unreadable expression keen on her. "Never run from things immortal." he advised cooly. "It only attracts our attention."
"W-what?" she gulped, suffocating in the weight of his presence. "What're you talking about?"
A non descript hum was made as he moved to return the book to its place beside her temple. "Do you know the future of these lands?"
"Y-you mean history?" she questioned, struggling to regain some sense of composure. "Yeah I know it. Some of it at least."
Moving to a writing table, Sesshomaru uncorked a vial of ink and took a brush in hand. The scroll was already prepared and Kagome had to question, how long had he been planning for a lesson? Looking to her passively he said, "Inform me."
Pouting, her arms crossed. "You could say please you know." she grumbled taking a seat atop the cushion opposite him.
Dipping his brush into the ink, Sesshomaru remarked offhandedly, "If you so desire, I can say your name."
At his threat, Kagome launched into a lesson of history without pause and without break.