Suzaku strode placidly through the hall of the western manor, flaming eyes roving over the austere decor and spartan architecture. His lip curled up in a delicate sneer.
'This will be the first thing I change.' he thought. 'This place could really do with some color.'
The fire bird paused and turned that thought over in his head, he was jumping ahead of events, and that was markedly unlike him. 'Although,' he mused with an internal shrug, 'this is quite the fantastic result.'
Here he was in his rival's home, very close to maneuvering himself into the manor permanently; not only would he gain extensive resources and standing in the council, but he would gain a mate that would make him the envy of all youkai. He wet his lips lasciviously as the Lady of the West flashed through his mind.
Kagome had haunted his dreams for the better part of two centuries, what had started as a mild attraction had grown into a jealous obsession which prompted, at least in part, his current scheme. He would make sure this time around that he presented the most attractive option to her and if that failed he would convince the council that he would best serve as steward for the heir of the west.
The hanshin danced in his thoughts and he took a moment to appreciate the sensuous movement of her full hips, those pert breasts moving ever so slightly as she walked. His fingers twitched as he envisioned unfurling her obi and sliding his hands under the collar of her silk kimono.
'Soon.' he mused, 'I will show her the true meaning of pleasure.'
The southern taiyoukai experienced an acute moment of duplicity when the object of his lustful fantasies came round the corner, super-imposing herself over his dream version. The real Kagome he decided, looked no less delicious in person. She carried herself proudly and respectfully but nothing could hide the fire in her eyes as she looked at him. Granted, this current spark was barely concealed hostility, but he wasn't about to let a small detail like that get in the way. After all, a warm hearth was easiest to kindle a new fire within.
Her emerald eyes snapped as she gave him a precursory glance. She bowed.
"Suzaku-sama." her voice was cold and formal. "What brings you to our home?" Her query was standard and without inflection, but Suzaku knew she had chosen the word 'our' very carefully. It served as a subtle reminder of the lord of the house, though he was not in evidence.
He smiled and returned the bow, he had purposely instructed his entourage and litter bearers to take their time, allowing days to pass before their arrival. Suzaku knew it would not be long before a messenger arrived from the continent with news of the Inu Lord's demise. He wanted to be sure everyone was in place; his presence was required so he could have a plausible reason to call a meeting of the youkai council.
It was tradition that at the death of every ruling youkai, taiyoukai in particular, that the council convened and recognized the heir. If no heir were available, they divvied up the deceased lord's holdings to prevent civil wars among the ruling families. None of his thoughts showed on this face as he replied
"I have come to speak with Sesshomaru-sama in the interest of striking a truce of sorts." His lips curled up into a small smile. "I appreciate your hospitality, but I confess it has been so long since my last visit, I have forgotten where the guest quarters are."
Kagome pressed her lips into a thin line. "Come to the dining hall, there are refreshments laid out for you and your servants. I will have someone prepare the guest wing while you dine."
"Will you not be joining us?"
She stiffened at his blatant omission of any honorific when addressing her, turning her back she said, "No, I will not."
Suzaku smirked at her retreating back before following. If she was this easy to anger already, then the rest of his plans would be easier to bring to fruition than he had anticipated.
She arrived at the screen for the dining area and it was all she could manage not to yank it open and leave. Kagome patiently waited for the fire bird to swagger down the hall to where she was. He stepped into the room and turned to face her with a grin on his face that made her stomach turn.
She stoically watched as he bent down and whispered, "Agrigato miko-chan, I look forward to seeing my rooms." before immediately shutting the screen door with a clack.
Kagome stood in the hallway for a second, her mouth agape and felt the blood rush to her face. 'That pompous bastard!' she fumed.
Nothing had changed from the first time she met him, he was still oily and disgusting and far too sure of himself. Kagome waited half a beat until she trusted herself to walk down the hall without stomping in fury and made her way back toward Sesshomaru's study.
"I'm always impressed when you don't lose your temper."
Kagome stopped and turned to look at Shippo who was leaning one shoulder against the wall and wearing a wry grin.
"You were listening?"
A short nod. "Of course, what kind of bodyguard would I be if I didn't follow you?" he held up a hand to stop her curt reply. "Sesshomaru's orders."
"Even when I tell you not to?" she groused.
Shippo flashed a fang as he grinned and pushed himself off the wall. "Especially then." He replied.
She sighed in defeat and resumed her walk to the study with the tall kitsune in tow. She watched him out of the corner of her eyes and was almost amused to see him doing the same to her; she had an almost overwhelming feeling of fullness in her chest that was bringing a lump to her throat. The events of the past weeks had thrown her for a loop and it was all she could do to hold her composure in the face of such looming fears.
Her family was scattered to the four winds and she didn't even know if they were alive or in pain, or if she would ever see them again. Her mate, her powerful, strong port in the storm had been torn from her as well, and on the heels of these calamities and uncertainties, the enemy had arrived at her doorstep. It was all too conveniently timed for her taste.
She swept into the study and took a place behind the desk, waiting there for her were the neko siblings, Amaya and her brother Takeshi seated quietly. Tatsuki the ookami healer was comfortably waiting alongside Kikyo and Jaken, while Shippo took his place along the wall next to Satoshi, who was leaning casually there taking everything in with his light, intelligent eyes.
Kagome wasted no time with preamble or small talk, every youkai in this room deserved straight facts and no softening.
"Something has gone terribly wrong." She spoke with a steady tone looking each of them in the eye as she continued. "As some of you know already, Maeko had a vision and shortly before she was able to tell me what she saw, my father came and took her to the Kami realm for breaking the seer's creed." She paused, realizing something for the first time. "I can only assume she shared the contents of her vision with Haruko before they left for the continent."
"Then it is safe to assume Sesshomaru-sama also knows." The smooth quiet voice of Takeshi drew her attention and she looked at him questioningly. "Haruko-san's loyalty is unwavering."
The quiet surety in the feline's tone made Kagome swallow a lump that suddenly blocked her reply, she fought desperately against the tears she felt welling in her eyes and shook her head minutely.
"Thank you Takeshi, but I have reason to believe something has also happened to the traveling party on the continent."
She saw Kikyo sit up straighter, her eyes wide and frightened. Tatsuki placed her hand over that of the former priestess and squeezed gently whether in support or as a warning to keep quiet, Kagome couldn't tell.
"What makes you say that milady?" The normally abrasive scratchy voice of Jaken was subdued and gentle, large yellow eyes expressive and his green face tense.
"I cannot contact him through our mark." She replied succinctly. "It's as though he is there but...unable to respond to me. I have never felt anything like it." The tail end of her sentence grew softer her gaze drew inward and the assembled youkai watched her gather herself and raise her head. "Suzaku has arrived, apparently to strike a truce with Sesshomaru."
"And I'm the new ningen Emporer." scoffed Satoshi. "I would bet my tails it's not peace he's here for."
"I agree with you Satoshi, but for now we must wait and see how these events play out. I will send for my father as well as Seiryuu. We need any allies we can muster should something happen."
"You have the support of everyone in this castle Kagome, do not hesitate to ask our assistance." Amaya had stood and bowed to Kagome as she said this, her brother followed suit.
"Kagome-sama, my sister and I will see to the security of the town and it's inhabitants and will provide you with anything noteworthy."
"I will go with Kikyo-sama and make sure the upcoming harvest begins as it should and check on the manor stores as well." Tatsuki rose and drew a pale and silent Kikyo with her from the room.
Jaken kowtowed at her feet and all but begged her. "How may I serve you Lady?"
She felt bad for the kappa, his entire world revolved around Sesshomaru and she had just told him his master could be dead. "Please look after Akira, Jaken. He will need someone to be with him at all times, not just for company and guidance, but for protection as well. I think you would be perfect for this."
The tears of gratitude that welled up in Jaken's eyes were almost too much for her, she made a small shooing gesture and he scampered off to find her youngest child. Kagome looked up at the two kitsune's and smiled thinly. They both looked back at her for a moment before exchanging a glance.
"For the time being milady, you will have two personal guards, we will do our best to protect you." Satoshi's tone was serious, but Shippo seemed to know how ill at ease she was and cracked a smile.
"Don't worry about it, it's my turn to protect you now. You have to let me return the favor sometime in my life you know."
Kagome returned his smile and chuckled a bit. "You were so small then." she murmured thinking back to the time she and Inuyasha had saved his life and avenged his parents.
Shippo turned a light shade of pink and scratched the back of his head self consciously. "I don't know why you have to bring that up every time we talk about that."
Satoshi nudged him and laughed. "You say that like you're all grown up now runt..." The blond Kit laughed louder and ducked the playful cuff from his auburn partner.
Kagome, watching them play, felt marginally better. Even in these uncertain times, she had those who loved her. A knock at the chamber door halted the horseplay at once.
"Come in." called Kagome.
The screen slid open and there knelt a youkai unlike any she had seen before, he was a soft dull golden color, his skin hair and eyes all different tawny shades. Despite the fact she had never clapped eyes on one of his kind she knew immediately where he hailed from.
He was a lion.
Kagome found her heart beating frantically and leaping around her chest so hard she knew both kitsune could hear it. Outwardly her demeanor never changed, she remained carved of stone.
"What news do you bring here?" she asked calmly.
The lion bowed in the manner of the continent and spoke softly. "Milady, it is my deepest regret to inform you of the apparent demise of your mate, son, brother in law and loyal retainer."
Before she could utter a sound the messenger continued, his vocal tonality pitched she knew to imitate his master's perfectly. "The Inu envoy departed my palace following an illness in the heir of your house, and word reached my palace of an ambush in the great forest."
Kagome stood as still and silent as she could manage, her spirit was a vortex of fear, sadness and anger. "What happened in the forest?" her voice was soft and thin as though stretched tight across the universe.
"We found tracks of many assailants and much evidence of a fierce battle littered the wood surrounding the path." Her chin came up.
"Have you brought me their empty bodies so that I may honor the funeral rights?"
Shippo's heart went out to her in that moment, he heard a single miniscule tremor in her voice that spoke volumes to the kit. She was dangerously close to losing her composure and he wanted nothing more than to embrace her and erase the words of this messenger.
"Baoqian milady, we did not find their bodies."
Kagome's head snapped up, the light of hope in her eyes. "Then you do not know for certain that they are dead!"
"No milady, but the evidence and scents at the scene of the ambush strongly indicate this. We also found something that belongs to your house and have returned it as a show of good will." The lion turned at this point and motioned to his companion, who stepped forward holding out an object.
Kagome's breath caught and she reached out with trembling hands to unfold the silk. The dull gleam of a blade, ancient even in this time shone in the light from the open screen. "Tetsusaiga." she breathed.
Fear gripped her in it's powerful claws and her breath became short for a moment. She forced herself to unwrap the second blade as well dreading to see Bakusaiga or Tokijin revealed beneath it, what she saw was almost as terrible.
"Arashi Megumi!" She uttered the name of her own jian with a small cry of anguish.
Her small fingers ghosted over the blue steel which still held blood from her son's last enemy. A small part of her was dying within, and it was not going quietly. Turning she bowed shallowly to the messenger and spoke.
"The Lady of the West thanks Liu Bei for his honest words and the return of heirlooms of this house." she said formally. "May good will remain between our families." She straightened and said in an all together different tone. "Please make your way to our kitchens, refresh yourselves and rest a night before your departure to the continent." The two lions bowed and left without a sound.
Kagome stood still as the shoji screen was shut with a gentle clack.
She stood still as her heart broke into a thousand tiny pieces.
She remained motionless as Shippo and Satoshi walked round to look at her with concern.
She could see their mouths moving as though they were talking to her, but the rushing in her ears had grown so loud she could not hear them.
She heard herself tell Shippo to summon Bishamon and Kumari as though she were on the other end of a long echoing tunnel. Her vision began to pinhole and white out.
Shippo was almost beside himself with worry, Kagome was not handling this well at all. When the messenger had delivered his missive, the kit expected Kagome to weep and rage or rally the troops, so to speak, and galvanize everyone into action. Her blank face and unresponsiveness scared him. She seemed to be in shock, the last straw was when she woodenly ordered him to summon her father and Kumari-sama with no emotion in her being whatsoever.
'Please forgive me for this mama.' he thought fleetingly, before slapping her soundly across the face.
Satoshi's mouth dropped open in shock just before both of them were jolted and then knocked back by the sudden swell of her reishi.
"What the hell Shippo?" he squawked, righting himself in time to see Kagome bearing down on his beloved, who looked ready to bolt for cover if need be. Her hair was lifted and moved sinuously with the power of her reishi. Satoshi's skin was crawling under the onslaught of holy energy and he wasn't even the target of her ire.
Shippo did everything in his power not to cringe before Kagome whose eyes glowed with the power of her reishi. Her face was a caricature of anger and shock, staring down at the kit she struggled to find words. Her mouth opened and closed several times until Kagome suddenly realized she must look like a guppy, it was at that moment she truly saw Shippo.
The kit she saved and raised, protected and loved was afraid of her. He was doing a damn good job of hiding this, but she could see it in his eyes. He was not completely sure she was not going to injure him. This thought brought her up short. A wave of guilt washed over her and she pulled her reishi back as quickly as she could, the familiar feeling of fatigue hitting her like a train.
"Oh Shippo!" she exclaimed, "I'm so sorry!" Bending down she grasped his arms and helped him to his feet.
"Are you alright Kagome?" his voice didn't waver, a fact he was glad of for it probably would have made her feel worse, but inside he was jelly. He had seen the violent intent in her eyes for a split second before she came back to herself. She may not be a demoness, but he stuck to his childhood observation. Kagome is scary when she's angry!
Shippo caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and saw Satoshi hovering behind the two of them, his face a bit paler than normal. Before anything more could be said, both foxes stiffened as they caught the scent of someone approaching. Their behavior alerted Kagome to this fact. Having lived with all manner of canine youkai, she knew when to be silent and wait for an intruder.
Light footsteps approached and came to a stop outside the screen. Kagome reached out and sensed the youki of the one standing outside. She would know it anywhere. She suddenly felt the insane urge to go wash herself as Suzaku's oily demonic energy hovered in the hall, and she wondered if he would come in.
The screen slid open without the customary polite rap on the frame, and the Phoenix filled the open space with his silhouette. His flickering eyes took in a somewhat disheveled Kagome and the two kitsunes. His gazed paused on Shippo's hand still gripping Kagome's forearm. Suzaku's eyes snapped to her face with a poorly hidden flash of a craftiness.
"Is everything alright?" His tone solicitous, concerned even completely belied by the predatory gleam he held in the flickering depths of his eyes.
Kagome's alarms were ringing in her head, Shippo and Satoshi picked up on the sudden dangerous turn this conversation had veered into. Shippo released Kagome's arms at once, realizing the picture they presented and what the avian lord had the ability to turn it into.
"Of course Suzaku, everything is fine." Kagome's reply was flat and frighteningly normal. Shippo blinked, the cognitive dissonance of the cordial verbal exchange was at fierce odds with the growing unspoken tension that had taken over the room. "Why do you ask?"
"Surely you cannot believe that no one felt that wave of holy energy you just let loose?" He took a slow, almost sauntering step into the room. "I think even some of the ningen were aware of it."
Kagome didn't like the way he sneered when he mentioned the ningen community just outside the walls of the manor. Suzaku was operating with a hidden agenda, she could practically smell it. 'I have to be careful here.' she thought to herself.
"I apologize for disturbing you, I am merely fatigued and it is constant work to keep my reishi in check." She turned away from him signaling an end to the conversation when his next words stopped her cold.
"I offer you my condolences."
"For...?" she let the word drag out as it was the only one she trusted herself to speak without crying out in grief and fear.
"Why, for the sad fate that has befallen your house. I come to offer a truce with your mate and it seems instead it is a truce with you I now seek." He cocked his head to the side as though considering something. "I wonder," he ,used aloud, "how long it will take for the council to come to it's decision."
"Decision?" she echoed, not quite comprehending.
Satoshi broke in angrily. "There is no need for a council decision." he snapped, stepping forward to flank Kagome opposite Shippo.
"Oh, but there is pup." Suzaku replied with a sneer. "The great Inu has been lost, or so my loyal servants tell me, and while his youngest child remains, the boy is yet too young to rule. A proper regent must be appointed to guide his growth." Satoshi bristled and his hackles began to rise but he was cut short by Kagome's voice, clear and strong.
"Thank you for your concern Suzaku-san, but my son is well guided and no guidance is necessary save that of his own mother." Her eyes were hard and challenging, her voice frigid. Suzaku smiled a thin lipped expression and bowed shallowly, an insult in his very movement as the depth of his bow was reserved for that of a concubine. Kagome stiffened and both kits snarled.
"Of course miko-chan, I'm sure the council will make the right decision. Perhaps you should prepare your household as they will be here within a ten-day." With that he turned on his heel and left the study, not even bothering to shut the screen.
Shippo moved to do so, but was stopped by Kagome's hand on his arm. "Shippo, please send word to my father and Kumari-sama, and please ask Seiryuu to attend him when he arrives." Kagome walked from the room and headed for her chambers.
She moved as though in a dream, holding herself graceful and silent. Once she came to her chambers, she shut the doors and stared at the bed that she shared with her mate.
'Sesshomaru' she thought brokenly, 'what has happened to you?'
*A/N*
Baoquian – I'm sorry. The more literal translation being "I regret" (again PLEASE if you're Chinese or know more about Chinese language or culture than I do tell me if I get something wrong. )
I know I know...lots of talking. It'll pan out I swear. The authoress is hungry and dines on feedback. Review!