[SO sorry for how long this update took. I really don't have an excuse, I was just procrastinating. *le shame* :( Anyway, please review and enjoy.]
When Sesshomaru burst in the door, soaked with melted snow and nearly staggering under the weight of his unconscious intended, Miroku was understandably surprised. Coming to his senses, he moved to take the girl from his lord's arms.
"If I may, my lord?"
Sesshomaru nodded and handed her to him. He would have carried her himself, but his arms were shaking. He was strong, true, but at sixteen, carrying a hundred pound girl all the way across the gardens was still a bit much. He resigned to walk beside the guard as he carried her swiftly back to her room.
When Kagome's handmaiden opened the door, she seemed more surprised to see Sesshomaru than she was to see Kagome.
"M-my lord!" she gasped in surprise, before regaining her composure, "I'll have to ask you to wait outside."
The lord gazed down at her for a moment, before nodding silently.
"If I may make a suggestion? Now would be a good time to change out of your soiled clothing."
He nodded, turning and walking down the hall, holding his composure as well as one can while being soaked to the bone and worried out of his mind.
Sango quickly stripped the girl down to her underclothes, laying her in bed carefully.
"Miroku-kun?" she called, well aware that he was outside the door.
"Yes?"
"Go get the royal doctor."
She heard his footsteps recede down the hall, and resigned herself to waiting.
"Ah. Kaede-san, how is she?"
"This seemed to be the worst of them. Ye must watch over her closely, and do not allow her out of doors if at all possible. Give her rest, and water to drink, and she should be fine by tomorrow."
Sango nodded, bowing in thanks to the older woman.
"Thank you, Kaede-san."
The older woman simply nodded, before leaving the room quietly. She closed the door and turned, coming face to face with a waiting demon lord.
"What is her condition?"
"She should be fine by tomorrow, though she may be unconscious for a while. Ye may go in if ye so choose."
Sesshomaru nodded, pride temporarily forgotten. He watched her go, then turned and slid the door open. His eyes moved around the sparsely decorated room, then fell on her. She lay in the middle of her huge bed, looking even smaller than usual, and pale as death. The blankets were tucked up to her chin, most likely for modesty, and her hair was spread out around her like a pitch black halo.
He took a seat at her bedside, careful not to wake her, and let his mind begin to wander. He thought back to the child she had been, and while it was true she hadn't grown that much physically, he could see the child in her soul fading. She was starting to be pulled into the role of Western Lady, and it was as if one chain at a time was being added. He knew it wouldn't be long until she was forced to give up her freedom.
If... When she stops having fits... I will stay with her. I will give her her freedom, for as long as I can.
He saw her eyelids start to flutter.
"Mmm. What... happened?"
He watched her blink up at the ceiling for a moment, and then her eyes met his.
"Kyah! Sesshomaru-sama, what-"
He chuckled, "You are under orders to stay in bed for the day," She groaned, "and to get fluids."
She sighed, "Can't say I'm surprised. It doesn't help anyway."
He raised a brow, "What do you mean by that?"
"They keep happening and getting worse too. They think I don't know, but I'm not stupid. They'll keep doing so; until I die, and I'll suffer all the while. I'm well aware."
He frowned.
"You will not die," he said determinedly, "I will not allow it."
She laughed, a sad smile on her face, "Even you don't have power over death."
"You would be surprised."
He suddenly got to his feet, leaving without another word, while Kagome looked on, confused.
Her dinner had been brought up to her room. She sat upright in bed, eating the meager meal that had been given to her. Kaede had been infusing medicine into her food for ages, and they were strong, to the point where she could only eat a little. It was fine. She wasn't hungry anyway.
"Sango-chan?" she called.
"Yes, milady?"
"What did Sesshomaru mean earlier? 'You would be surprised.'?" she asked, knowing full well that Sango had heard the entire conversation.
"Ah. I am not too sure my lady. I have never heard anything about the House of Moon possessing reanimation abilities, though I suppose they could have some secret."
Weird.
Suddenly, the door slid open, Miroku standing in the doorway, seemingly out of breath.
Both girls hopped to their feet, rushing over.
"What is it?" they both asked, Kagome sounding concerned, Sango annoyed.
"My lady," he began, looking pained, "A messenger has arrived from your parents. Due to threats from other lords and ladies, they say... they have cancelled your engagement to Sesshomaru. They've sent guards to take you home."
Sango's face fell, while Kagome's paled in terror.
"They can't do that! I don't want to leave!"
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," the Inu no Taisho said, entering the room suddenly, "As of tonight, you are no longer a member of this house. I suggest you say goodbye to my son as well."
"Oh, Toga-sama! I can't leave! This is my home now! And Sesshomaru-"
"I know, my girl, but there is nothing I can do. Until you are married, your parents have full control over you."
She sat back on the bad, recoiling in horror and putting her hands over her face.
"Please..."
There was no response, and, when she looked up, he was gone.
"Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Come in," his voice drifted through the closed door.
She opened it quietly, holding back her tears, which he scented immediately.
"What is it?" he asked, getting to his feet and moving to stand at her side.
"My parents... they're going to make me go back and live with them! They said-" and she let her tears flow "-that they had threats, and I don't want anything to happen to them, but I-"
She couldn't go on.
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms carefully around her.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be. I will find a way to get you back."
She had no idea how he could manage it, but she let herself take comfort from his closeness, ignoring the faint fluttering of her heart that it caused.
Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe there was something... that wasn't there before.
The guards came for her in the great hall. The royal family was there, as well as the court, Sango, Miroku, Naraku (who was doing a horrible job of hiding his pleasure), Shippo, Koga, Bankotsu, Hojo, and Kaede. Her eyes never strayed from Sesshomaru's.
"Kagome-sama," one of the guards said, removing his helmet, "It is time to go."
Her face was blank, the calm mask she had practiced for years, though her eyes darted toward the sound of his voice.
"Brother... Captain of the Guard? Is that not low for one with your potential? Were you not to be the heir?"
She spoke like a queen, her 'Royal Voice' not faltering once.
He smiled slightly, "You know I wasn't cut out for that. We have to leave, and soon if we are to make it by morning."
"Very well."
She turned, nodding to her friends, many of whom were holding back tears. Then she silently moved to Sesshomaru, who hugged her briefly.
"Until we meet again, milord."
"Hnn. It will not be as long as you think."
She broke away, turning and walking toward the door, not looking back, for one backward glance would be her undoing.
And though she walked on her own, ramrod straight, shining with a glow of power, she may as well have been a prisoner in chains, for the future she was to face.
[Aww. Sad. Please review and stuff!]