Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.
Yuzuki placed the swords into the chest that in many years, she herself would reopen. Her smile was small and none of the guards behind her saw it. With a raised hand, they moved forward and shoveled dirt onto the lid, covering the intricate carvings and hiding the box from view.
She moved back slowly and made her way to her father's study. Her head hurt when she thought about how badly her father would beat her when he heard of her return from her small side trip. With batted breath, she gathered her wits and resolve and padded to her father's study. When she entered, she sat down on the mat before his desk. His white hair was pulled up into a ponytail from his morning training season and his face seemed a bit less tense after the physical exertion. Just as she was about to speak, her father asked a strange question.
"Do all women wish to compete with their superiors?" His eyes were wide and he seemed truly confused. His daughter flapped her mouth a few times before gathering her thoughts and responding.
"Well, not all of them, but some wish to show they are more then just another underling," Yuzuki answered slowly, hoping he was talking about her mother and not another noble who caught his eye. "Who are we talking about here?"
"That is of no concern of yours. We need to discuss your actions last night," Sesshomaru sighed and placed both hands on his desk all business-like. "While I see your tactical angle, it was foolish and reckless not to inform others of your group of your plans."
"You told me never to trust anyone who'd never save my life if it was in danger. I'd apologize if I trusted your war council, but I don't. The men are as ruthless as lions and just as proud. Pride will be their downfall, I only hope it won't be yours as well," Her cruel words ignited the flame of anger glowing below the surface. Kagome had lit it, but Yuzuki stroked the embers.
"Are you threatening me?" He hissed, narrowing his eyes on his daughter. When she straitened her back to meet his eyes, he caught his own defiance shimmering back in her pupils. She remained as firm as he was.
"No father, I'm warning you." She stood and moved to the door with a grace of a lioness. He wondered if she noticed her own pride that seemed to coat her like a second skin. "Trust only those who have saved you in the past, for only that can show that they would do so again."
Her words lost their sharp edge and took on a caring tone, much like a mother to her scolded son. She smiled slowly and he bowed his head in forgiveness. His eyes followed her to the door and when she shut the door behind her, he felt the sudden urge to slash something with his claws. Maybe the miko and her seductive words.
TUH
Kagome pulled the bow taunt and when it rang out and buried itself into the figure of an armed man, she could only picture the Western Lord. She hissed in annoyance and thought about the kind smile he had allowed the sheep merchants daughter. She had caught a glimpse of it through the crowd and wished with her whole being he would grace her with such a smile. At this thought, she grew even more angry at the Lord and ended up snatching and shooting three consecutive arrows into the head, chest and groin of the dummy.
"What has the straw man done to you?" A passerby asked, scratching his head and almost getting an arrow to the neck by a furious Kagome. They sprinted away and she marched over to the wall and pulled the arrow from the rock. The tip was broken and she growled in outrage.
"My little kitty cat is so feisty!" The cat demon purred from his hiding place behind a wall. Without hesitation, she fixed the arrow into the bow and shot unyielding at his foot. The broken shaft flew unsteadily in the air and embedded itself into the Lord's foot. He let out a scream and pulled the wood from his flesh. "You crazy woman!"
He flashed forward and raised a hand, as if to smack her across the face, and she thought quicker. Her hand blocked the slap and grabbed his wrist before flipping him backward and pinning him to the wall she had pulled the arrowhead from. He gasped at the pain in his foot and now his twisted back arm.
"I have been patient with you for the sake of treaties but now you are annoying me. I will release you and be warned, if you so much as step a foot in my direction, my arrow won't be pointed at your foot next time," The threat hung in the air and the Northern Lord nodded quickly, relishing when she released his arm from her crushing grip.
He threw angry glances over his shoulder, but climbed his way to the halls. She knew a stern talking to would be in order when Sesshomaru found out about her harassment, but for the moment, she basked in the glow that was the morning sun. It warmed her face and make her skin prickle with warmth.
As she thought about the pesky Lord, the Western one, she wondered what he was thinking when he was in that field.
"Just go ask him!" She cried to herself, chanting for her wavering self confidence to strengthen. "But what if he denies it again?" She rethought and she rethought her plan. "I will make him tell me!"
She marched past maids who flocked into the nearest room at the sight of her set eyes and stern posture. Kagome reached his study with little trouble and just as her hand was about to knock on the wood, she caught herself and cradled her hand in her lap. Her sigh was quiet and when she quieted her breathing, she slid the door open.
The study was empty.
She growled and marched up to a guard stationed a ways down the hall. When he spotted her, he straitened and even under his armor, he felt naked under her scrutiny.
"Where is Sesshomaru?" She demanded, cocking a hip and making the poor man sweat profusely. When he stuttered a bit, she raised an eyebrow and he felt like wetting his pants. "Well?"
"The Lord desired to train a bit more. I think he is practicing in his private dojo." He finally shuddered out, hiding behind his staff. She nodded resolutely and asked which direction his dojo was in, to which the man pointed a shaking finger to Sesshoamru's private wing. She smiled politely and bowed before racing down the hall.
She tired every door until the sound of heavy panting and gruff noises reached her ear. With a great heave, the door opened and Sesshoamru spun around, his claws glowing green and his fangs barred. He was surprised to see an equally frightening Kagome standing on the threshold. Her hair was wild around her head and when she tightened her jaw, it made it look like she was hissing.
"You don't want to talk about our shitty relationship? Fine. Let's not talk about it then," Kagome sprinted forward, kicking out and landing a kick to his raised arm. His claws shot out to slash her chest but met only air as she flipped backwards.
She landed lightly on her hands and when she flipped back onto her feet, her clothing had been disheveled and she seemed even more feral then he was. He threw a punch and she ducked before grabbing his bicep and pushing upwards, throwing him off balance. He regained his stance quicker than she expected and she was taken off guard when he flipped her over his shoulder and she slammed into his back. She placed her bare feet onto the backs of his knees and pushed, making him fall onto his hands, thus releasing her from the hold.
She kicked off his back and over his head, landing on the balls of her feet a few meters away. He reached out and grabbed her ankle before pulling. She yelped and fell onto her back. He scrambled for the advantage, throwing all his weight onto her legs.
She flipped them over and his weight was used against him, used to flatten himself against the wooden floor. He hissed and twisted her arm behind her back. She reached forward and bit him.
"Did you just bite me?" He roared, tightening his grip on her arm. His claws dug into her flesh and she refused to cry out.
"A girls got to do what a girls got to do," She explained, bringing a leg up to yank her arm out of his grip. She placed her foot on his shoulder and kicked, getting into a rather uncomfortable position that didn't get her free. "Let me go!"
"You wished to fight, now you demand leniency?" He scoffed and she twisted around to cause his arm to twist with it. He hissed in pain and she just scoffed, imitating his deep tone. "Why did you wish to fight in the first place?"
"Because you refuse to admit you have feelings for me!" She kicked out and he snaked his other arm around her waist and yanked, flattening her to his chest while his back was firmly pressed to the floorboards. Her struggle was in vain and she eventually deflated against his having chest. "Don't you dare deny it."
He was silent, his breath blowing stands of her hair up and down. His eyes were closed and she looked up and saw his closed lids. Her annoyed groan didn't go unnoticed and he slowly released her from his grip.
She stood and dusted herself off before looking down at the still motionless man. He had thrown an arm over his face and she scoffed before offering him her hand. He peeked from under his arm before taking her hand and pulling himself up.
They both looked around the room, unable to meet each others eyes. Finally, Sesshoamru moved forward. His stride showed purpose and Kagome shuffled backwards until the cold wooden wall pressed at her back. He leaned forward and spoke into her ear.
"I will not let my stirrings for you overtake my duty for my people." He whispered, the words sounding sour on his tongue. Her disgusted look was enough to make him regret his statement, and when he went to place a hand on her shoulder, she grabbed it and swatted it away.
"When your 'stirrings' return, run to one of your concubines, don't drag me to a field! In fact, don't talk to me again unless it is for business," She hissed and he could feel the disappointment radiating from her. He could feel his mood darkening and for the fist time since he was a child, he wished for a second chance.
TUH
Kagome knew she couldn't make it to her own room. She stumbled a bit down the hall until she found Sango's room. She knew the woman was still sleeping off a slight hangover so it was no surprise to find all the curtains drawn and the room to be draped in shadows. Sango took one look at the tears making tracks down her friends face before she scooted over and letting Kagome onto the small mattress. The older woman hugged Kagome and whispered words of comfort. In a friends embrace, Kagome drifted into sleep.
No excuses, but I was really sick for the past two weeks. Sorry for the late update.