Lady of the West, Daughter of the East
By Angel Dust
It's a SesshomaruxOC, InuyashaxKagome, KougaxSango fic!
You have been warned!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha or any of the other characters or the original story line. I DO own my characters, they're as obvious as the nose on your face.
A few months after the Compass Ball, Lord Nishi of the Western Lands has called in the other lords for help fixing his rebellion issues. This will pull Lord Higashi and all five of his sons from the palace, leaving Lady Mai in charge of both kingdom and their daughter. Nikki has yet to show interest in any males, to her mother's great displeasure at the ball, though is secretly writing Sesshomaru as he is fighting by his father's side. Mai is anxious and willing to do anything to get Nikki to mate, and now that her only barrier (Higashi) is out of the picture temporarily there is nothing to stop her from having her way. Can Nikki survive her father's absence, or will there be one less member of the family at the dinner table from now on?
Chapter 12
There was a funeral for Mai, though it was short. Her burial wasn't viewed by many, though her sons and ex-mate were in attendance. Nikki, despite everything, avoided anything to do with her mother's death and remained hidden away from the castle and it's current residents. They didn't know if she regretted the way her mother died or if she was finally rejoicing her freedom. Sesshomaru, naturally, was by her side hidden from the world.
She came back to the crowded parts of the castle that evening, during dinner. Sesshomaru naturally following her closely. They had spent most of the day pent up in her room, to which there were no objections for not wanting to have to deal with either one of them for it, packing her belongings for the trip to the Western Kingdom. Nikki sat at the end of the line of her brothers, as she always did, with Sesshomaru next to her as everyone watched.
"Are you all packed?" her father asked her softly.
"Yes, father," she answered softly. "At least for the most part, not everything is coming with me until later." He nodded as he listened, figuring she'd leave a few things behind for when she came home for the Spring and when she'd prepare for her own mating ceremony.
"And preparations have been started for a home of your own?" Higashi asked as he ate. Really he was checking up with everything that was going on, as they had done most of it without his approval, but then again he was certain that Nikki would be mating the younger inu youkai whether or not he approved.
"Yes," Sesshomaru answered as Higashi nodded while listening, "the new palace shall be constructed right by our two borders so that we are as close to center as possible for both families to get to us rather quickly if need be."
"Higashi, everything will be alright," Izayoi said with a smile. "This is a joyous thing." Higashi nodded as he thought about it.
"It's just a lot right now, my lady," he said as he thought about it. Nikki and her brothers all nodded in agreement. Everyone quitely murmured together as they discussed various subjects, trying to pull the gloom of the day to more joyous chatter.
As dessert arrived, the rambunctious members of the group were now chattering loudly. Nikki was laughing as Kouga was trying to convince Sango to let him try and throw her boomerang. Sango's little brother was just looking at him stunned as Kouga insisted it can't be as much as everyone was saying it was to throw it and just wanted to see if he could do it.
Sesshomaru was naturally possessively guarding his future mate as he discussed building plans with his brother. Kagome wasn't paying attention but nodded in the conversation whenever Inuyasha would try to drag her into it.
Minami and Kita were trying to convince Higashi and Nishi of some mischief that the three ladies were trying to remind them that they were the adults of the table and lords of their own lands and thus too old and responsible for childish games. It wasn't working, the two lords almost had their accomplices prepared to help them.
"When do we leave?" Nikki asked Sesshomaru tiredly. He was carrying her back to her chambers after all the chaos at dinner, which really was needed after the stressful events for the family.
"Father had mentioned in a few more days," Sesshomaru said to her as Nikki nodded and sighed. "Are you that anxious to get away?"
"Not really," she said as he stood her up and they entered her room. "More curious than anything." Sesshomaru nodded as he watched her sit down and look out her window. "Anything I'd be anxious for is done, I really have nothing else to worry about at this point." Sesshomaru nodded as he sat beside her and looked at where she was looking. It was a beautiful and clear night, they noticed a few leaves fall from one of the trees.
"Do you wish me to stay tonight?" he asked her before looking in her direction. It was obvious she was off in her own mind a bit and really wasn't going to be all that chatty.
"If you want to, you're more than welcome," Nikki said softly as she thought about it. "I'm fine otherwise." Sesshomaru looked at her doubtfully. "I promise, I'm better than most people think." Sesshomaru nodded as he watched her sigh and get up, heading to the screen she'd get changed behind if he stayed in the room, which was growing more and more frequent. It had been determined by Izayoi and Nishi that they would be put in close rooms but under supervision to prevent anything from happening before it's planned time. Both know their parents would flip out if they found out Sesshomaru was already sleeping in Nikki's rooms some nights.
The next morning found Nikki seated with the ladies as they all prepared for their journeys home and Izayoi and Kagome's plans for her mating ceremony in a few months. From what she had already been informed, winters in the Western Kingdom could get pretty heavy with the snow and being trapped inside. The mating ceremony plans were enough to keep the ladies busy with ideas and such, but the males would be hard to keep entertained. That was more or less Nishi's job, despite himself being bored with the snow around.
"This is exciting," Kagome said with a smile as Sango walked over and joined them. Already she had been invited to the ceremony, which was just as unusual as being called in for an execution. But Kagome had become such good friends with her, there was no way she was going to not invite her.
"This winter is going to drag out forever for you," Sango said as Kagome sighed and nodded in agreement. "And then the year will drag out for Nikki." Both girls giggled as Nikki smiled and shrugged a little.
"I have ways of keeping the anticipation down," Nikki said as she thought about it. "Though, technically, I never agreed." Both girls looked at her surprised as Sesshomaru was obviously listening down the table. "Technically he didn't ask the way I'd imagine Inuyasha had asked. It was already predetermined by the both of us, we're not quite ready for the big deal of being mated." Kagome and Sango were both still surprised as they nodded. It was understandable that they wouldn't be ready for something as big as a mating.
"It's very responsible to wait until you're both ready," Sango said as she thought about it, "it's better to wait until you are ready. I'd hate for you to be miserable and then something else big, like a baby, come along." Nikki nodded in agreement. None of them noticed Kouga and Sesshomaru watching them and listening very closely. "I don't know if I'd be able to accept if I were proposed to, I don't think I'm ready for such a step in life yet."
"It's a very big step," Nikki said in agreement, "and we both have had much go on lately. He's still on his quest for whatever and I still have to figure things out." Kagome and Sango nodded knowing what she was talking about. Nikki never brought up Sesshomaru's quest for power, she hated it and if she didn't need to she didn't acknowledge it. But it was still a very big thing to consider when she had to think about the idea of mating him.
"That is something to think about," Kagome agreed, "I don't know if I could mate Inuyasha if he were on the same quest." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at his future sister-in-law just because he didn't want her convincing Nikki of not mating him because of it.
"But at the same time, once he has that power, he'll be able to protect you from any and everything," Sango said as she tried to rationalize it.
"Except there is always something bigger and stronger out there," Kagome said as Sango nodded in agreement. "And they always have to fight each other to gain more power. Who's to say that something doesn't come along and get them as a surprise and Sesshomaru can't defend them from it? Or worse, it attacks Nikki to get to him." Sesshomaru wanted to growl in irritation, she had valid arguments that could easily sway Nikki from mating him.
"Usually youkai that are devoted to their mates, and lets at least agree on this, Sesshomaru can't be more devoted beyond being mated at this point," Sango said as Kagome and Nikki nodded in agreement, "they usually find a way to defend what is theirs. I've seen mates that are almost impossible to fight because they are usually defending not only each other but their offspring." Sesshomaru wanted to thank Sango but at the same time, he didn't thank anyone for their assistance if he didn't have to. "At the same time, I don't think I'd be able to mate someone on that quest, just for fear that they wouldn't know when to stop. Every quest has an end, but the ending doesn't always seem to be the end for some."
"It is something we will have to discuss beyond what we have," Nikki said nodding to them both. "And hopefully far more peacefully than we have in the past."
"Knowing his feelings, and since you had said in the past you'd pity who he mated, do you pity yourself?" Kagome asked curiously. Nikki shook her head, to which Sesshomaru did leave out a sigh of relief. Kouga chuckled at him amused as Sesshomaru shot him a look.
"I would never pity myself, beyond I'm strong enough to handle quite a bit," Nikki said as the two young women nodded in agreement. "At least, I'd hope I have proven that much with all this."
"So, what exactly happens at a mating ceremony?" Sango asked curiously.
"Quite a bit actually," Nikki answered. Even Kagome looked at her curiously, they had a basic idea from what the ladies had explained to them, but they still had never been to one. "They will perform the san-san-kudo, then give their gifts to their parents, and then exchange marks."
"Marks?" Kagome asked timidly. "How am I supposed to mark Inuyasha? I don't have sharp teeth." Nikki nodded as she thought about this.
"My father never held a physical mark," Nikki said as she thought about it, "I think it's more a scent thing. Even after being away to help Lord Nishi, he had a hint of mother's scent on him when he returned." Kagome nodded as she thought about it. "But Inuyasha will mark you in front of everyone, so your kimono will need to remain loose." Kagome sighed and nodded as she thought about it, she hadn't realized he was going to bite her in front of everyone. She had had a hard enough time accepting that he was going to bite her at all.
"What was it like?" Sango asked Nikki curiously. "When Sesshomaru kissed you?" Nikki blushed a little as she thought about it.
"It was sweet," Nikki said as she genuinely thought about it. "Quite surprising, but I guess he had realized mother was not going to believe me. Especially since whatever had caused her to lose her mind like that, there was no reasoning." Sango nodded in agreement.
"So, you'd do it again?" Kagome asked her as Nikki blushed further and nodded a little. The two human girls laughed out loud at the embarrassment of their much more silent and private friend. Nikki just acted like she didn't hear them. Sesshomaru wanted to grow in arrogance at the idea that Nikki would kiss him again, but he was sure she'd kill him if it were ever that public again. Let alone what her father would do to him. Apparently Higashi wasn't as thrilled at his daughter being kissed, unmarried, in such a public spectacle. It had done what he knew was intended, but it didn't make it any better. At least, that's how he had lectured Sesshomaru later on about it.
"I wish I could be kissed like that," Sango said dreamily. "Someone pull me close and lovingly look at me before kissing me." Sesshomaru noticed Kouga watching and figured he was taking notes.
"Inuyasha's only kissed me on the cheek," Kagome said with a shrug. "Technically we're not supposed to kiss like that until after the mating ceremony. I don't think I'd want my first kiss like that to happen that way, though I'm sure it's not that big of a deal." Nikki shrugged and nodded.
"Not like it'll happen again until after the potential mating ceremony we have," Nikki said in agreement. Sango just smiled and nodded as she went off into her own daydreams of some wonderful male kissing her as passionately as Sesshomaru had Nikki. Apparently, the female taiji ya was quite the romantic.
Later one, well after everyone had gone to bed, Nikki was out in her garden meditating. She was still restless, but it had improved immensely since she was pretty much free to do as she wished. She never noticed him enter the garden until he was seated next to her.
"You're getting better at the sneak attack," Nikki said without opening her eyes, "but I could still hear you." Sesshomaru just looked at her amused.
"I'm sure," he said as she smiled and shrugged. "You'd never admit you didn't hear me."
"I'll always hear you," she agreed as he watched her open her eyes and look at him curiously. "Why were you looking for me is the bigger question." Sesshomaru just watched as she turned to look at the pond while stretching from her spot a little.
"Are you tired?" he asked her curiously.
"No, but I'm usually not," she answered as he nodded.
"We should probably talk," he said as she looked at him curiously.
"About?" she asked him figuring he wanted to discuss something important, or he would have waited until the morning. Instead of answering her verbally, Sesshomaru leaned down and kissed her softly. Nikki blushed and looked down as they parted.
"I think we have a few important things to discuss," Sesshomaru said as Nikki looked back up at him curiously. "First and foremost, my quest."
"Yes, that is something important to discuss," Nikki agreed as she relaxed a little and looked at him waiting to hear what he had to say. She was certain he was going to tell her he was going to finish it whether she approved or not.
"You understand what it is," Sesshomaru said as Nikki nodded. "I've been questing for a while, but not near long enough to test against anyone of true power; like father." Sesshomaru explained as Nikki listened, she had never really heard of his travels with this curious mess of a quest. "And really, I do not believe there would be retribution for what I have done because it has created quite the name for me for being ruthless."
"Yes, but that wouldn't stop someone stronger from coming to find you," Nikki said as Sesshomaru shook his head.
"I've always remained within the confines of the Western Kingdom," Sesshomaru explained as Nikki listened. "Where my ties are well known, specifically with father. No one in the kingdom would attack him within their right mind." Nikki nodded to this, it really was stupid to attack a lord youkai like their parents.
"So you are planning on continuing with this quest," Nikki said as if she were accepting it.
"No," Sesshomaru said as she looked at him surprised, "I have no intention of putting my future mate, or future pups, in any danger because of something so base." Nikki smiled a little and leaned on him some. Sesshomaru slid his arm around her and grew comfortable with her. "Especially since my mate wouldn't be too appreciative of such a quest."
"Yeah, I'm sure whoever this female is, she'd be putting you in your place about it." Nikki agreed as Sesshomaru seemed to almost sigh at her. She was going to hold over his head that he had not properly asked her to mate him.
"I'm sure," he agreed as he thought about it. He had permission from her father and brothers, she had returned both kisses when he had kissed her, and they had written each other every other day while separated. Why was he so hesitant of asking her? He looked down at her and let out a heavy breath, looking at her he knew why he was so hesitant. He didn't think he'd know what to do if he changed himself so much to be with her and she refused him.
"Just ask me already," she said without looking up at him. Sesshomaru never did understand how she knew what he was thinking. "Do you honestly think I'd say no?" Sesshomaru slid his finger under her chin and made her look up at him.
"Would you be willing to become my mate?" he asked her softly. Their faces were mere inches away as she smiled at him and shrugged.
"I dunno," she said as she slid from him, "I mean, I'm just a kitten. I don't think I'm ready to mate someone so much older than I am." Sesshomaru growled at her a little as he grabbed her and pulled her against himself.
"I think you're enjoying this a little too much," he said before kissing her again. He felt her sigh before sliding her arms around him and kissing him back.
"Or a little teasing never hurt you before," she replied as they parted. "Of course." He smirked at her and kissed her softly again. "You're going to be in so much trouble when everyone wakes up." She bemoaned.
"Why?" he asked her softly.
"Because I'm covered in your scent," she said warningly. Sesshomaru shrugged as he relaxed against a tree and felt her snuggle against him.
"Making sure I get into a good amount of trouble at least?" He asked her amused.
"Well, if you're going to get in trouble, might as well make it worth it," she said with a shrug. Sesshomaru just remained in the garden, his arms wrapped around her, as they dozed under the tree.
Note: For those uncertain of what it is, a San-san-kudo is the three-times-three exchange of nuptial cups. The bride, groom, and both sets of parents take three sips from three cups of sake; first represents all three couples, the second represents three human flaws: hatred, passion, and ignorance. Nine is a lucky number in Japanese culture (Ku is nine) and do means deliverance of the three flaws.
While they are human traits; hatred, passion, and ignorance, even youkai have been shown to represent them. All of this will be explained in a different part of the trilogy. :D