New chappy! Kagome finally meets all the other demons.
Wonder what's going to happen when Lord Orochi finds out about her?
And what's this? Is Sesshomaru growing fond of Kagome? Hmmm…
The break in the chapter just means a scene change! So, on with the show.
Chapter 10
All the major and minor lords and their mates were chatting away about pointless gossip. Except that is, Kouga. He could sense her all over the palace even before he got here. His nerves had been set on fire and he couldn't keep himself calm. What was my woman doing here? Of course his inner beast saw Sesshomaru as competition. Inuyasha was barely even a threat. But the western lord…He could easily loose her to him. The arrogant ass, what does he want with my Kagome?
The glass he had in his hand shook with his anger and he threw it down on the table beside him roughly. He stormed to the nearest window and pushed it open for a breath of air. He would have some serious questions for Sesshomaru. He just wanted to know if she was in danger. If she was here on her own will or by force. If she was here, why didn't he smell Inuyasha anywhere? The others were somewhere here too. What the hell is going on?
His thoughts were cut short when Reizo stepped into the grand hall with a very amused smile on his face. "Lords and Ladies, welcome to the palace on this fine evening," he said with a sly smile. Stepping down from the ledge he greeted each member of the court with a bow. As one of the remaining Inu elders, he was to greet them first. "May I present the host, Lord Sesshomaru," he called extending his hand to his nephew. Sesshomaru entered with a nod to him and stood at the top of the stairs leading to the audience.
Reizo stepped back and allowed Sesshomaru room to talk. "Thank you for coming tonight. I apologize, but there is an important matter that must be addressed now. I will return to socialize after the meeting. I have a request for the Court," Sesshomaru said smoothly. Eight people, including Kouga, stepped forward at his mention of them. They stood and waited. "Please follow me to the grand study."
Sesshomaru turned to his left and walked away from the crowd below. Though they strained their necks, they could not see where he had gone. The Court immediately climbed up the steps to follow him and were lead to a door on the other side. Reizo stepped back and extended his hand to Kagome. She walked in but could not see over the ledge leading down to the hall. She was grateful she did not have to see so many faces quite yet.
She was stopped at a door and Reizo smiled at her patiently. Then, as if hearing an inaudible command from Sesshomaru, Reizo opened the door and led her in.
Sesshomaru took his seat at the head of the crescent table and each member took their appointed seat.
"Come on Sesshomaru, what is with the rush? I wanted a sake or two before we got down to the nit and gritty," said Katashi with a mocked look of disappointment.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, friend. But there is a matter I have to discuss. My advisor's…. situation is a little complex," he began carefully. Not because of Katashi. He knew very well his old friend would be overjoyed. But Orochi, he was the mark of Sesshomaru's worry.
"So? We all have advisors. Since when have we ever needed to discuss such affairs?"
Suddenly the door opened and Reizo entered with a very beautiful looking onna behind him. Before anyone had a chance to intake breath to even utter a word, Koga was on his feet and if it weren't for the code to remain in his spot, he would have charged to her.
"What are you doing here?! I knew I smelled you. Are you hurt? Where is the hanyou, he is supposed to be guarding you?!"
All eyes kept switching between a very excited wolf, a very embarrassed miko, and a highly agitated demon lord.
"Lord Koga, sit," Sesshomaru gritted through his teeth. Koga growled in annoyance, but complied.
"On the record for the Court, I introduce my advisor, Kagome. Miko and revered guardian of the Shikon no Tama," he said rising from his seat as he pointed to the chair beside him to the left. She moved to stand by him and bowed to each lord once and waited for their reaction.
She saw Katashi, black hair tied in a high ponytail that came down to his knees. He had tan skin and two black strips crossing his face, similarly to Sesshomaru's. His eyes were bright orange, and held a lot of humor and demanded respect. Kagome could tell right off the start she would like him. Her eyes crossed to Koga and she nearly doubled over. She didn't know whether to laugh or whimper at his twisted face. She never saw so many emotions splayed on him at once. Suddenly she felt her skin tighten and her hairs stand on their own. She shifted her eyes quickly to the far right and nearly gulped. Dark, burgundy eyes studied her face too closely. Black hair hung around a fair skinned face so loosely, it caste an almost evil shadows around his face. His upper lip was twisted in a silent growl and his claws were digging into the chair he was sitting on. Even sitting, his figure was imposing and she knew he leveled Sesshomaru in height. She hoped for her life, he did not level him in strength.
She felt his youkai try to suppress her, test her, so she pushed out a wave of her miko energy his way. It angered him further that she would challenge him and he was ready to pounce. No one even breathed. She knew it was up to her. She stood her ground and kept unblinking eye contact with him. He pushed his energy further and she felt short of breath. Damn, he's strong. I…I don't know if I can do this.
She felt herself waver and lowered her hands. Breaking eye contact to shut her eyes, Orochi thought he won. Suddenly, the miko began to glow a bright purple color and miko energy spiraled around her in jagged waves. She opened her eyes and straightening her back and keeping contact with Orochi. He rose to the challenge and everyone backed away from the table. Koga looked between them and tried to decide quickly whether to grab her, who could purify him, or Orochi, who could tear him to shreds.
"Enough," came Sesshomaru's cool voice. Kagome allowed her energy to sink back to the floor and folded her hands within her kimono again. Orochi however, did not recede.
"How dare you bring that thing within the palace as advisor! Haven't you already tarnished your name enough with that human rat you keep hidden here?! Next thing you know, you will bring home a human woman to be your mate! Like father like son!"
"SILENCE YOURSELF," bellowed Sesshomaru. He unsheathed Toukijin and quickly locked blades with the demon lord of the south. "Do not insult my name within my own walls! Disgrace will not be tolerated here!"
"You're not one to talk about disgrace here, boy!" They growled at each other and Kagome knew if something was not done, someone will loose a head.
"Lord Orochi," she called gaining his attention. Sesshomaru did not move to attack him while his attentions were diverted, so he remained locked but looked at her as well. He prayed to the gods that she would actually say something smart. "Though many youkai have come to accept that human and demon relations should be kept on good terms, I am unlike many humans. Not only am I miko and can hold myself against powerful enemies, I have an extensive education on many materials and I am the only remaining protector of the Shikon. Instead of useless fighting, why don't you and the other lords engage a test for me? I know a female has never been allowed to set foot in the court, but I will prove that I am far more suited for this position than many other men."
Orochi was beside himself. A test? As if she was trying to say she already won half the battle. A test would mean there was a possibility of her admittance and he would not stand for it!
"I believe a test is in order. You seem like a fine lady, but the criteria of an advisor is very challenging. You must be able to keep with finances, which means you must know math. You must keep with the relations between the lands, which means you must know history. And know when someone is lying to your Lord or trying to betray him, so you must be witty. I would like to see if you can actually do it," said Katashi rising as well.
"NO!" yelled Orochi, breaking his lock with Sesshomaru. He stood back and eyed the other members furiously. "NEVER has a female set a dainty foot within this room. AND NEVER will a human onna be the one to break that!"
"A vote," Reizo suggested. "Those willing to allow her the test of approval, please remain standing. Those apposed, please have a seat."
Orochi plopped down angrily and stared at his hands, knowing he lost. He raised angry eyes at her and a sick, sadistic smile that could level Naraku's crossed his lips.
"It is done, then." Sesshomaru stood away from Orochi and crossed back to his seat.
"On one condition," Orochi said earning a weary look from Sesshomaru. "She must pass a physical endurance test as well. A good advisor must also accompany HIS lord into battle. If you want this onna to have a man's position, she must match ALL requirements," he sat back in his seat confidently. "And as is written in the code, the strongest of the members must challenge her. Since the most powerful member is in fact her lord and we can't trust that you won't take it easy on her, I will be the one to do it."
All were quiet waiting for Sesshomaru's response. Reizo had expected Orochi to manipulate his way, but a physical challenge…Kagome didn't stand a chance.
"Agreed," Sesshomaru said. Koga's, Reizo's and Kagome's horrified eyes shot to him. "But she will have one month of time to train. She has never dealt with the code and does know the expectations of what is to come in a court duel."
"Fine," Orochi said rising. "We will assemble again in one month to the date. Prepare your wench," he finished dismissing himself from the meeting.
Deciding to let his dishonor slide due to the night's difficulty, Sesshomaru sat back in his seat. "I will look forward to speaking to you more in the grand hall. For now, I must see to Orochi and ensure his temper stays in line," Katashi said to Kagome. He bowed to the remaining members and left when Sesshomaru returned the bow.
Sitting with a more comfortable crowd, Kagome allowed herself to attack Sesshomaru once Reizo shut the door.
"A duel?! How could you agree to that?! I know I have gotten a lot stronger in the past 6 years since we first met Sesshomaru but one month! You gave me one measly month to fight a HIGH level DRAGON TAIYOUKAI. You're mad!"
"Silence, miko. It is not permitted for him to kill you. If he manages to gain an upper hand and you know that he will strike you, immediately concede and he will not be allowed to hit you. But I will train you so you will know how to evade giving him that upper hand. One month is enough time. We have the matter of Naraku's demons to attend and that cannot wait more than that."
Everyone knew he was right, even though they didn't want to admit it. Kagome was having a hard time adjusting to it all and plopped herself down on the chair to the right of Sesshomaru. Though neither her nor Sesshomaru paid much attention to her position, Reizo raised an eyebrow and looked between them.
Sesshomaru was deep in thought trying to plan everything out. She had learned how to heal herself within two hours time. She could do it. But Orochi was not one to play by the rules. He needed her to have an advantage and he needed to test her to find out what it could be.
Kagome had her head bowed as she fumbled with her fingers nervously. She only did as Sesshomaru told her to do by flushing out her miko energy at Orochi. She didn't know now that she would have to battle him because of it.
Sesshomaru had to have known this was going to happen. Was that why he taught me how to heal myself today? If so, is that even enough against this guy? Oh jeez, what am I going to do?
They both leaned on the table at the same time and took notice of their proximity when they accidentally brushed elbows. Kagome blushed as Sesshomaru rose and began to walk around the room.
"Tomorrow, we will go your home and arrange what I need from there. You may speak to your family and then we will return after three days. The next 27 days will be hard training, so make sure you rest on your trip there, miko."
Sighing, Kagome buried her face into her hands. Suddenly, clawed hands wrapped around hers and pulled them from her face. "Don't worry Kagome, I will not allow anything to happen to you."
She looked up to see Koga's serious face staring at her with worried eyes. "My heart always belonged to you and it is my duty to serve you," he promised kissing her hands.
Kagome sweat dropped and pulled her hands back slowly. "Thanks Koga, but I'll be fine on my own. I can do it," she said pushing her chair back as well. Sesshomaru noticed her uncomfort and cleared his throat.
"What happened to Inuyasha? Why isn't he here?" Koga asked, changing the subject.
Kagome clenched her hands and rose up with defiant eyes. Inuyasha's name will not be heard by my eyes anymore. He chose Kikyo and I have a sick feeling she is only manipulating him for the jewel shards. I know she won't stop at anything to get them all. I am going to go home one more time and…." She said pausing remember Reizo was still there. "I am going to make sure there is no way any one can go there after me when I return." Reizo saw Koga's nod of understandment and he had had just about enough.
"Alright you three, all day I've had the gut feeling that you and Sesshomaru knew something I didn't but I respected that. I knew you probably had good reason. But if the wolf knows it too and not me well that's just rude. What's going on here?"
Kagome looked between him and Sesshomaru and waited for his decision. She didn't know if Reizo was someone Sesshomaru really trusted with something like this. Sesshomaru glanced at the door and deciding not to answer in Japanese in case of eavesdroppers, Sesshomaru chose to answer Reizo in the language of the Inu.
Reizo's eyes turned to a look of understanding and he softened himself. "Well, no wonder you'd want to keep that a secret. If that fell to wrong ears, you'd be in grave danger. You have my honor that those words will never pass my lips," he said to her bowing low.
Kagome was relieved as she smiled brightly. "Great! I have a request for you though. I know that my friends will do their best, but please watch out for them and especially my pup. I know Orochi's kind and he will try to pull something when he realizes both I and Sesshomaru are gone," she said with spitefull words.
"You have my word, my dear. Don't you worry. Koga will protect them too, won't you boy?" Koga stood and nodded happily.
"Miko, we are going to the main hall now. You will be introduced to all the minor youkai Lords and Ladies of Japan. Follow me," he said. He turned and opened the door waiting for her to rise. She put on a face of confidence and stood behind him proudly.
Knowing she had three powerful people she could trust, she felt very good about things now. Even though Sesshomaru wasn't very kind to her in the past and gave no inkling of such even now, she knew she could at least trust him. Kindness wasn't the issue anymore. Kei was right. He might not be good for converstation, but he was a good person.
Things will work out, she told herself. I know its strange, but I've never felt this comfortable around Sesshomaru before. It's like, I just know that he's trying to do the best for not only himself anymore, but for everyone. Me, Rin, his palace. I'm seeing him in a whole new light. He's…he's not that bad.
She was lead out the room and to the grand hall where she felt as light as a feather. Despite two pairs of very angry eyes staring daggers into her, she danced her way from lord to lady and soon had the whole room fall in love with her. Meeting eyes with Sesshomaru by chance, she laughed as she chatted away with three neko ladies.
Not bad at all.