A/N: Hey y'all, I'm baaack. For everyone that's been needing the fluff fix? Here you are – go on a fluff bender. THIRTY-FOUR WHOLE PAGES, and a surprise at the end!
Disclaimer: no rights to speak of
Chapter 22:
The silence was music to his ears.
Well, near silence, as his youkai hearing was still picking up a myriad of sounds. But the even breathing of his pack was the close contending second. Admittedly, if he could change something about this moment it would have certainly been the sleeping arrangement; his miko hadn't slept so far from him in several days, and he didn't want to give her the space to even consider returning to her chambers, but to uphold the peace the daiyoukai settled.
Shippo lay between the two of them on his back, small snores escaping his open mouth and spittle tracking across his cheek. Chuckling, Touga wiped it away with the pad of his thumb, making the boy whimper and flip haphazardly to his stomach. Which set off a chain reaction: Sesshomaru, who was only barely resting on his father's chest, began to whine in irritation at being disturbed, and just like that Kagome was up too. Well…she was moving, reaching with practiced hand to massage the baby's back, but if her bleary blues were any consolation she was hardly awake.
"Rest, little one."
So soothed was she by the deep whisper, Kagome couldn't decide if the daiyoukai's words were for her or the pup; Touga smirked, watching as her eyelids fluttered closed again.
He knew she was exhausted. The head of his maid staff, Mai, had pulled him from the remainder of his engagements for the night and possibly the next morning, and the no nonsense way she handled the remaining cardinal lords and the new arrivals let the daiyoukai know just how urgently his presence was needed. He arrived back at his rooms and he immediately understood why the elder woman had requested he recess.
Sesshomaru was screaming, his face shining and red, and his tiny knuckles white as he squeezed handfuls of the miko's lounge wrap with all his might. The overwhelmed woman looked like she was on the verge of tears herself, swaying and bouncing the tot as nonsensical words of comfort tumbled from her lips. Touga looked down feeling a tug on his pant leg, finding Shippo's expectant golden eyes staring up at him, a clear plea in them that he stop the madness and stop it soon.
"And what's going on in here?"
Asked the western lord, kneeling down to be level with the boy. Taking a deep breath, Shippo started:
"Sesshomaru won't stop crying. Okaa keeps trying, but-"
"But it's not working, nothing is working."
The miko finished, her own voice cracking pitifully at the end, and all the while Sesshomaru continued to holler. Right in her ear, as she held him close and tried to comfort, he wailed his displeasure. Touga sighed, angry with himself for having stayed away for so long. His first duty was their keeper, alpha, and this was unacceptable. Things were absolute chaos, that was true, but they were his priority.
"Okaa is really tired.."
The silver haired boy finished, what was certainly an understatement; fatigue radiated off of the small woman. Just as well, his pup here was equally exhausted. He blinked his big, golden eyes slowly, but winced whenever the young prince really displayed how powerful his lungs were becoming.
:"Go. Rest.":
Touga pulled Shippo close, nuzzling his temple with a gentle growl. After patting the yawning little one on his behind to start him toward the bed, he flashed to the miko's side.
"Allow me."
He said, but hardly were his words necessary, as she was passing the baby to him before he had even finished.
"He's got more teeth coming in and he wants nothing to do with me."
Kagome whispered, backing away from him and massaging her temples. Never in all her time since coming to the palace - since coming to the past! - had she ever felt more useless. Truly. She'd shattered the Shikon and still that was only a close second. Her baby boy had refused her comfort all day, but all the while wouldn't let her release him. The morning had begun with a decidedly awful feeding attempt for the two of them, and Sesshomaru downright refused even soft solids afterwards. He had been drooling, kicking and screaming, and showing no need to cease any time soon. Well, that was until his father got a hold of him - then he was quiet in an instant. Wails turned to whimpers of discomfort as his small body rumbled with his father's chest. Touga swayed with a grace that was inconceivable to the young woman. It was almost sickening, she thought, beginning to pout.
"The young master had been making to bite Kagome-san when I thought to retrieve you, my lord."
Mai reported to her master. Touga's eyes snapped to her, the usual mercurial effect of his amber pools froze over in a second, his gaze cutting through the old woman who cast her eyes to the floor in submission.
"Your reason for not sending for me sooner?"
Kagome scoffed, drawing the inu's attention.
"The counter pressure eases some of his pain, it wasn't necessary that you be called. Anyway,"
She steeled her own gaze, crossing her arms in front of her.
"I didn't want to disturb you."
His eyes narrowed in irritation, both from her words and the small indentations he could just barely see on her forearm.
"Bring a clean bone from the kitchen, manageable for your young prince. Then you are dismissed."
He growled, and though he did not spare Mai even a sideways glance the elderly maid knew to take her leave. Carefully he shifted Sesshomaru from the cradle of his arms to his hip, and satisfied when he heard the fusuma clap shut, he stepped right back to her side.
Having a strong inclination as to what his first demand would be, Kagome simply held her arm out to him. Touga even managed a tight smile at her small submission as he inspected the marks, but then grimaced after realizing there was nothing he could really do for them. Instead of dropping her limb, though, he used it to pull her toward his bed.
"You will not allow my son to..chew on you again, Kagome. Am I understood?"
She didn't even appear to be listening to him, staring at Sesshomaru.
"How did you get him quiet...how?"
She whispered, dejection pouring from her tone. The western lord admittedly had to stop himself from snorting as she continued to grumble - something along the lines of "tried everything all day, and all he needed was ten seconds with you". Instead he gathered her close with his free arm for a demonstration.
A steady rumble started in his chest, and thrummed through the miko down to her tired bones. A barely muffled whine of pleasure slipped past her lips as her eyes fluttered closed, her head lolling forward. His hand behind her, he grabbed hold of the unseemly fabric hanging around her shoulders - grimacing at its rough texture - and pulled it off her. His hand travelled slowly up and down her back as he leaned down to nuzzle her temple.
"The same way,"
With those 3 words, the future-born miko felt like she was floating back into a reality she was only barely anchored to.
"I got you quiet."
One more, foggy second and she snapped back to herself with a gasp. Her shawl pooled on the ground by her feet, and her cheek pressed up against the western lord's chest. Her baby boy regarded her curiously from his spot on his father's other arm, cooing once he saw he had her attention With a squeak and now free of her trance, Kagome jumped away from the chuckling cardinal. She scrambled into bed on the other side of Shippo, who was already conked out, and crawled beneath the sheets.
"And just-just what was that?"
A knock had the words catching on the tip of his tongue. He beckoned the servant in and forward, noticing mirthlessly that the old maid had sent someone else in her stead - smart. He waited for their privacy again, dangling the small bone in front of his son to spark his interest; the small youkai whined, his nose twitching as he began his first analysis.
"You don't remember? From your research?"
Touga offered, bending to lay Sesshomaru down among the silk. As if on cue, Shippo rolled to his side to throw his arm over the baby. If the little one was to need anything, he would be the first to know. Touga doubted such action would be necessary with the way his youngest was taking to his father's teething solution, humming and gurgling curiously as he gnawed at the bone. Still, pride swelling in his chest at the protective display, the western lord kissed both the little boys on their foreheads - his pups -, his youki gently stroking theirs, before he stood back to his full height. Kagome too watched the tender display, but he could tell from her pensive expression that she was lost in her thoughts.
"To soothe...to comfort females and pups."
She did remember. She recalled the finding of that particular fact, even got to see him work his demon daddy magic on Shippo. But she had never observed the technique be used on a female, so she had no idea it could be so effective - and she certainly had never pictured him using it on her!
She didn't speak again while he stripped off his haori, pulling his kosode free of the billowing silks of his hakama and taking it off as well.
"You remember that day?"
Amber eyes turned to look over a shoulder and leveled onto the speaking woman; Touga hoped they didn't broadcast his shock.
"I remember many days with you."
The miko stared at him awe-struck for a moment, before color rapidly filling her cheeks made her look away.
Of course, that particular day had included one of their more tender moments, and he remembered those moments too - in great detail. She had been denying his touch for almost two weeks and for the sake of (what looked like) both of their sanities he hoped she stopped soon. He'd been able to calm the beast since his first interaction with her, but it seemed his silence was only in exchange for an almost constant slew of visions of mounting his little miko.
At increasingly inopportune times.
But he wanted her to come back to him. He would see to her properly if she ever allowed, but only if she allowed. His mouth twitched into a slight smile as he thought of her spitfire, more than a smattering of disagreements with her even just in his more recent memories - from him making (or sometimes only trying to make) her do something she didn't like. Oh yes, she was a spirited spiritual being.
But he was a daiyoukai lord, and he still had some pride left. He wanted his woman to offer herself to him, yes, but it was clear he was going to have to make sure she did. They'd had one too many disagreements while they were still trying to establish a relationship, Touga supposed. And perhaps they had succumbed to their lust too soon, making her wary of his intentions. His brows furrowed as he regarded her again sleeping form. Her hand had stilled but remained on Sesshomaru's back, only his small body able to make her hand seem even somewhat large - at least until he covered it with his own.
Truthfully, he wasn't certain what he had felt for her, in those intimate moments, but it was without doubt nothing close to what he felt for her now. He hadn't thought he was expecting of her like a concubine, but maybe he had, taking advantage of her constant nearness. He smirked cruelly; no wonder she was trying to distance herself. No matter. He'd stopped invasions, he could woo a miko, and then the two of them would get back to more enjoyable things. He was still deciding on just how he'd do that, considering all he was managing at the moment, if he could even claim to be "managing" it.
"You think so loudly.."
Touga stiffened at the disgruntled sound off, his thoughts having distracted him from the subtleties that would have alerted him to the miko's waking.
"My apologies."
He offered, consciously attempting to…declutter his thoughts as advised so that she would return to sleep. Her closed eyes and even breathing almost lead him to believe he had succeeded, until -
"What's going on out there that you aren't telling me about, Touga?"
Eyelids cracked open, only revealing a sliver of the enchanting blue beneath. The side of his mouth quirked down into a frown for but an instant, but Kagome noticed. She fixed him with a stern look that he often saw her giving Shippo. He wanted to scoff at it too, but the words ran out of him faster than he could stop them.
He was telling her everything. About how he had always hated the semi centennial meeting because he would only just spend the next 50 years in overhaul. They examined everything at these meetings, and one of the most important things that occurred was the reestablishing of the borders - noted agreements now void as there was no leader to speak of in the south. He told her that the youkai council members were already descending into the west most certainly on the business of a full investigation of the matter.
He could see that she was surprised at his honesty. Still, she listened patiently while he told her about the reconstruction of a few rooms and a portion of the outside wall that had suffered from the dragon's fire; that was so far slow going in that he couldn't give it the attention it needed. And how the formal sitting, eating, and court rooms needed to be prepared: aired, swept, mopped, and the lacquered floor needed a polish. Quite frankly, he could use more staff. Hosting had made the estate much busier, and there were more persons coming still. He went on, telling her more and more and it felt almost…nice: to speak to her, like they used to in her earlier days in the palace. He recalled that her assistance had lead him to a resolution to a trade issue he'd been having with Yoshirou for years.
When he finished he watched her eyebrows furrow in thought and smirked. He'd been attacking the list of concerns at every possible moment - and if he wasn't actively doing something he was certainly thinking about -, but he knew it was a daunting list. Hardly was he expecting a solution out of her.
"I could help you with those things, if you'd like. I can help coordinate and you can attend to more important matters."
And so of course the little miko had to shatter his expectations. At his silence she started to ramble, as usual, pegging his shocked dumbness for anger.
"I just..well I know the maid staff now, of course, and I used to help manage a shrine. I could certainly get some cleaning in order. And your carpenters help me make things for Sesshomaru and Shippo - they don't seem to mind me much, I'm sure I could work with them in your stead as well."
Kagome worried her bottom lip as he continued to regard her in silence, plowing through the pause again with her nervous chatter.
"You can trust me with this. I mean yeah, I know my track record for following instructions may not exactly indicate that right now-"
His best efforts could not contain his snort of amusement at that gross understatement, which earned him an irritated glare.
"But…I swear I won't conduct business any way outside of what you indicate."
…
"Oh, say something, you-"
Shippo whimpered, his face scrunched in irritation as he shifted back onto his back. She cooed quietly and apologetically, kissing his cheek and nuzzling his hair; he cuddled closer to her before settling again. Kagome kept quiet for a few minutes, ensuring that her son had returned safely to his dreams before she tried to speak again. Looking from the little inu in her arms to the much larger one laying a short distance away, she found his eyes still locked on her, considering her, lazily. She took a breath -
"No, no more talking. Sleep."
Her mouth snapped shut with a click, shocked at his sudden interruption. She almost felt as if she had been doused in cold water, but then blinked confusedly at the smirk forming on his lips.
"You've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."
Slow to connect after her perceived rejection, Kagome stared blankly for another moment. Then she gasped, realization finally piercing her brain. He chuckled, giving her hand that rested under his a slight squeeze. She beamed at him, squeezing back before shutting her eyes again.
"I look forward to it."
XXXXX
"Look at her - you'd think she'd have handled estates for years!"
Kenta exclaimed, observing the little miko cutting through her task list with ease. Indeed, Kagome looked to have more than a handle on things, standing in the middle of a flurry speaking with Mai. Fresh air and a slight breeze told him she had begun facilitating the preparation of all the rooms.
One hour.
He had only been able to spare a single hour of time to explain to her how the palace was run. Or rather, how the palace was supposed to be run. He had spent so much time talking that he was only able to take her, physically, to the damaged part of the shiro. The other rooms she was being charged with he told her she would be shown be a servant later on for the sake of time, and then he was able to fly her over the estate and point out the guest compound where the council would be housed. He had hardly had feet down on the ground when he was ushered off to his next engagement by his advisor, but he had made sure to insist over his shoulder that she was welcome to ask for him at any time if she had a question.
And he had heard nothing.
He moved rather smoothly through the remainder of his day; he, Kenta, and Yoshirou were able to prepare their statements and formal requests for land redistribution to be overseen by the council. Though Touga himself had not slain Kirei, the panther lord had initiated war with his challenging words in the moments before his death. The other cardinal lords would attest that they too felt reasonably confident that Kirei did actually have sinister intentions specific to the west, as more than evidenced by the ally he had. He met his end by his duplicitous associate, and then Touga ended him. As the victor, he was allowed some recompense, of course, and land was really the only thing Kirei had left to offer. Payment was due to Yoshirou too for saving Kagome's life.
The daiyoukai had envisioned the task taking all day, but he supposed that was because the only frame of reference he had included being interrupted constantly to attend to estate matters. So when they had everything finished only a few hours after the afternoon meal, the western lord was…a bit lost.
So his longtime friend suggested they go and find "his little miko" – Kenta was never a subtle tease. Yoshirou excused himself to start responding to his missives of the day, and a short time later the pair found themselves here; watching his little miko command his staff as if she had been doing it for years.
"And with the pups too? She may make a better lord than you, Touga."
Sesshomaru had been fussing all morning and refused to be more than a few minutes out of her arms, and Shippo had made a marvelous game out of racing around and between everyone's legs; a dainty hand shot out to grab the giggling boy's collar, halting him effectively so that he didn't go smashing into two incoming attendants with piles of towels and bedding. A quick, sharp look from the imploring blues of his mother held him in place for but a moment, but once they moved back to his whimpering younger brother he was off again. Mai, from her spot at the miko's side, at least had the decency to make an attempt to hide her mirth. Lord Kenta, however, did not feel so contrite and laughed audibly, attracting the women's attention. Kagome looked up, a delicate flush spreading on her cheeks as she caught the western lord's gaze.
"You know, friend, perhaps you should give her another year or two."
The dark haired wolf lord said after he finally settled himself down. Touga looked quizzically at him as they continued toward the center of the madness; the ookami continued with a chuckle.
"Those two are already so clingy, especially the younger one. They'll not be willing to share her with another pup at least until then."
Touga found his eyes widening a fraction at his friend's...unexpected council. Was he somehow privy to his thoughts? That had been his beast's favored image the past day or so: the two of them, nude, obviously enjoying an afterglow, with his large hand almost enveloping the growing swell of her belly. The musings of his mind just the previous night were perhaps the most vivid; she completely enveloped his senses. He could feel the heat of her skin and its slight sheen serving to cool her while he held her close. He had raked his eyes over her repeatedly, as if knowing he would want to revisit her image in perfect detail in his waking hours: closed eyes, thick lashes fanned beautifully over speckled cheeks, black, silken locks disheveled from their coupling. Everything seemed to be awash in her scent and Touga found he was well and truly drunk with it. He smirked as he listened to her thundering heart slow, his expression growing into a full smile when, listening closer, he was able to pick up another. Thumping faster than the miko's, but still very strong, the western lord was swamped with joy.
He narrowed his eyes and growled at his fellow cardinal, rolling them when this only served to rekindle his friend's amusement. He followed his expression with a growl for good measure.
"What's wrong?"
His miko's voice flitted to his ears, as apparently his threatening vocalization had made it to hers as well. Even his pups were frozen for the moment, waiting for further cue from their father. A short bark was enough to calm them, and for the ningen of the group he answered:
"Nothing is wrong. Just a minor irritation."
Kenta snorted, rolling his own eyes at that.
"No decorum at all. He's talking about me, you know."
Then he softened, a charming (almost suave) expression coming to his handsome, tanned face.
"Hello, miko-san, I am Kenta, lord to the eastern lands. I don't believe we've yet been formally introduced."
She giggled when he bowed dramatically low, hiking Sesshomaru higher on her hip so that she could offer the ookami lord her hand.
"Call me Kagome, I insist."
She said.
"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."
Kagome found she was truly glad that Touga had trusted her with these duties. As much as she loved her boys, she hadn't done much of anything outside of the capacity of mother since coming to the palace, and even though she had fun with her children, spending all of her time with a rambunctious, approximately seven-year-old and a very demanding baby was slowly turning her brain into mush.
On a hot-cold scale, she and Touga had gone from inferno to frigid – until very recently they had been making their way back toward…friendship? She wasn't quite sure what to call what they had had before. But for the couple of weeks that she was avoiding him, she hadn't had much by way of conversation amongst peers…if she could even be considered a peer to the inu-daiyoukai. Now in just this one day she'd met tons of people! Staff she had never even seen before. Some were still wary of her, but after a short while she had managed to charm her most passionate naysayer. And now she had finally met the eastern lord!
He stood slightly taller than Touga, and was far bulkier, but he had the kindest smile on his face, and cheerful blue eyes. In fact, she was positive she had seen eyes like that before…
"The mutt and I here, we go way back."
He clapped his silver-haired friend proudly on the back, and though he rolled his eyes Kagome could see that Touga cared for him too. It warmed her heart.
"Which reminds me, my apologies for not coming to your rescue."
A genuine expression of remorse creeped over his features, concerning the young miko – who honestly couldn't figure out what he was referring to.
"I would've been useless to get you away from that fire, big guy like me. Not so fast. Plus, I got a little one on the way, too."
It dawned on her that he was referring the battle with the dragon spawn from the previous week, and was set to tell him that no apology was necessary when Sesshomaru cried out. Kenta had reached a hand in his direction as he finished, obviously contemplating the idea of having a pup of his own soon. Little Sesshomaru's negative reaction, however, seemed to have frightened the imposing man down to his core.
Now it was Kagome's turn to hide her amusement at him – with Shippo being her tactless counterpart, holding his belly and laughing about how the "big wolf" was afraid of his otouto. Touga chuckled too, reaching to take his youngest son from the miko, nipping his pointed ear in reprimand for his rudeness.
"Don't worry, I'm sure your little one won't give you the cold shoulder like this."
A handsome smile lifted the corners of his lips again, his eyes sparkling as he thought of his expecting mate.
"Nah, my Kouga'll never."
Kagome swore her heart skipped a beat as she heard the familiar name, her head almost hurting as she processed this new information. Of course she had seen those eyes before, on her old friend. So this man would be Kouga's father; Kouga would be born soon. She chanced a look over her shoulder to see Shippo staring, slack-jawed at the man too. The eastern lord continued on, hardly noticing.
"And he'll be fast too. He'll be able to outrun a lot more than fire, save tons of pretty little things, just like you."
She made sure to measure her next few breaths carefully to assure she didn't get choked up as she spoke.
"I'm sure he will."
XXXXX
"Miko, have you really been here since the last meal?"
Kagome clutched her heart with a gasp, her head shooting up and out of her study.
She had gotten most of the cleaning sorted in the first day, so now almost a week later she only had to occasionally check in on the rebuild. She had surreptitiously also claimed responsibility for requesting that more of the burgeoning yield be sent to the palace from its farm interests around the land, knowing that they would need much more food to accommodate everyone. And still she found she had some free time again. So she had returned to Touga's personal collection to do more research.
"Reading still?"
She blushed, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Well, I wasn't too busy."
She gathered up the chaotic array of scrolls around her, before getting to her feet.
"Afraid Shippo has been away from his lessons too long?"
Yes, she thought, and unknowingly said so aloud, but the western lord only chuckled, coming closer to her.
"I'm reading for myself this time actually."
With a quirked brow he grabbed some of the rolls from her hand, returning them to their rightful place.
"Well I've been meeting so many different youkai – so many different inu! I need to know more."
He smirked at her enthusiasm, shaking his head as he replaced the last scroll.
"No, you need to sleep. You can continue your lesson tomorrow."
Turning back to her, he supposed he should have been less surprised to see her with hands on her hips, ready to challenge.
"Alright, a compromise. You teach me something as we walk."
He growled playfully, moving to stand in front of her.
"Making demands of your alpha?"
Her expression of curious defiance answered him well enough. He smirked.
"Very well,"
He offered her his arm which she took with a beaming smile, leading her from his small study.
"What would you like to know?"
She worried her bottom lip as she considered his question, wondering where to even begin. She updated him on the whereabouts of the pups – she had left Shippo to exhaust the remainder of his energy with some of the other pups, servants' children, while Sesshomaru was getting a head start on the rest of them, blissfully asleep in his crib. Finally, she decided.
"What is alpha?"
He actually broke step, staring incredulously at her before actually bursting out in laughter. He saw her pouting, arms crossed over her chest, when he finally collected himself, and so he was quick to follow with his explanation.
"Alpha is not a what, alpha is a who."
Her ire started to fade as he began his lesson.
"I am alpha. In essence, I am the leader of our pack, and the silver inu clan at large. I am also Lord. My title affords me lots of luxury, but it also allots me responsibility for all of those who are under my protection."
Nodding her head slowly Kagome showed that she understood, allowing him to continue.
"You, for example, are under my protection. While so, it is my duty to see to your every need."
A warmth spread in his chest as he saw a delicate blush appear over her cheeks; he continued.
"That is more than just a small pledge like you are thinking. I am responsible for making sure you are safe and fed, but it is also my job to keep you comfortable. Content."
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"..Stimulated."
The expression of shock that bloomed across her features did not disappoint.
"Don't be crude. I can assume you aren't the same with me as you are with everyone."
She grumbled, trying to look anywhere but at him while he chuckled.
"Yes, that is true…"
In her head Kagome cursed the confusing daiyoukai; perhaps she should've stayed with her books.
"As the relationships become less immediate, my protections become far more…general, as I'm sure you can imagine. Instead of attending to every need, I make sure everyone has access to the things the need. And I address all threats to those against me, personally or otherwise."
They continued their walk in silence for a moment, Touga allowing her to contemplate and form her next question.
"Ok so…back to me. Why would you even give me any special treatment?"
He appraised her with a quizzical expression, almost bordering on disbelief, but she did not even appear to notice.
"I mean, I'm not inu, so I can't be clan or pack, right? How do I fit into this at all?"
Touga growled, gripping her elbow to pull her to a stop, forcing her back against a nearby support beam. Her startled sapphire eyes grew wider at seeing his eyes tinged red in warning.
"You are mine, you tiring woman."
He growled, tugging the fabric at the crux of her arm until more of her neck and shoulder was revealed to him, which he then promptly set upon. She gasped, one hand moving to the back of his head; to pull him closer or to push him away not even she was certain.
Her earlier blush was now a full scarlet, color sweeping from her cheeks to her chest, as he ravished the sensitive area, but by Kami she couldn't get distracted again, this is exactly where they had gone wrong the first time.
"Your what, Touga?"
She insisted, finally breaking out of her lustful stupor and tugging twice on his high-bound hair. With a final lingering kiss to her pulse, Touga pulled back to meet her gaze.
"You are m-"
"My lord? My lady?"
Correctness be damned the young miko actually groaned aloud at being interrupted, eyes pinching shut as her head dropped back in exasperation to make contact with the wooden support.
"What is it?"
She sighed in defeat as the western lord turned away from her, called back to his duty.
"Young master Shippo had begun asking for the two of you."
Her eyes cracked open at the mention of her son, and sure enough there he was: clothes a rumpled mess and rubbing his eyes while he yawned. Despite her ire Kagome giggled. It was her little one's bed time, no question. His golden stare found hers at the sound of her mirth, and in the next moment he was barreling toward her with all the energy he had left.
"Did you have a good day?"
She whispered, running her fingers through his hair to free it of snags. He nodded sleepily, hugging her knees.
"And my lord, councilman Takeshi has just arrived. He has been escorted to his rooms, but he has requested audience with you."
Touga nodded his head and dismissed the servant, turning back toward his family. With the arrival of Takeshi, that meant only Yasu and Arata remained. Any day now court would begin.
A clipped growl was enough to get Shippo's attention, and the boy moved into his outstretched arms with a tired smile, laughing when Touga tickled the bottoms of his feet after lifting him from the ground.
"You came to tell us it's bed time, did you?"
Shippo nodded his head still giggling, and the sweet sound had the miko and daiyoukai smiling too.
XXXXX
Sesshomaru whimpered, holding steadfast to the fistful he had of her hair no matter how hard the determined miko attempted to coax it free.
"Oh, what has gotten into you?"
Kagome asked the stubborn pup, clutching him closer as she sank to the cushioned sill of the window. She cooed, rocking him as she stared down into his tear filled eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere."
She whispered, kissing his knuckles. When he did finally release the inky strands, it was only in exchange for a pair of her fingers and still he whined. She hummed a soothing tune, brushing a bit of the prince's shining fringe off of his forehead, dropping another kiss to the midnight blue crescent that adorned it. The calming effect of this small gesture had been consistent for her whole time with Sesshomaru; it had succeeded many a time in pulling the pup out of the surliest of moods. And accordingly he finally settled, one last disgruntled gurgle signaling the end of his latest fit. He stared up at her, sunlight flowing in and catching on the tears caught in his long lashes.
"What's all the fuss?"
She tried to tickle the bottom of his foot for a laugh, but he was truly not in the mood. It probably didn't help that she was working to wean him too. He was certainly not getting any fewer teeth as time went on, and the five he had now were unforgiving. She could bear it once a day - and she did, before he would go down for the night - but no more.
"Kenta thinks he's spoiled."
Kagome giggled, kissing her baby's cheek.
"Of course he is, he's my little prince."
The daiyoukai only shook his head, crossing the room to her; reaching her side he sank to a crouch.
"Hardly the behavior of an heir."
She rolled her eyes dramatically, raking her fingers through Sesshomaru's hair.
"I don't think we asked him, did we?"
She whispered conspiratorially and the pup cooed at his mother as if in agreeance; she nuzzled his chubby cheek blowing a raspberry against his soft skin. Finally he rewarded her efforts with a laugh.
"It's because he didn't sleep very well last night."
"Hn."
Touga agreed, rubbing his knuckles over his son's soft skin.
"Just because he didn't sleep with us? Should they be sleeping with us?"
She queried. She had understood the practice right after the incident, but the arrangement had been so far ongoing. Touga thought of Shippo and Sesshomaru as he answered. of course, the simple answer to her question was yes, they should. He explained how the routine allowed for the pup to bond and develop a strong sense of security in his family unit, and then to establish his own independence. Pups also usually took meals and bathed with their parents. The whole of the process was usually only suffered through for a pup's first few years, with other, older pups sometimes returning from independent sleep in the event of a new pup. It was not uncommon for inu pups to seek out their parents for sleep until their hundredth year.
"Humans do not sleep with their whelps?"
Kagome laughed - 'babies' she corrected him, clarifying that it was a common practice, but only for the first year or two.
"Touga?"
"Hm."
He answered, trying to entertain the baby with a goofy smile.
"Would it be alright if I sat in court while the inquiry takes place?"
He snorted, his eyes moving to hers.
"It won't be anything by the way of fun. I don't even want to go."
She laughed.
"I'm going for the learning opportunities, and you've got to make things like that fun."
"How would you suggest?"
He was slightly perplexed by the look of concentration on Sesshomaru's face, but paid it no mind.
"Well, if we both go we could talk about people."
He quirked a brow, smirking at her.
"Is that how you have your fun?"
She nodded unapologetically.
"That's how all people have their fun."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Yes, I don't see any ha-"
Touga stopped abruptly, his eyes shooting back to his small son, and a second later he was across the room.
"What do you feed him?!"
The taisho demanded, a billowing sleeve covering his face, to near no avail. Looking down at Sesshomaru to see tears forming in his big eyes Kagome finally put the pieces together. Tears sprang to her own eyes she was laughing so hard, rising from her seat to change the baby boy.
XXXXX
"My lady? Lady Kagome?"
Kagome looked up from the pup in her arms, and down to the one calling her from her spot on the intermediate landing. She smiled warmly, recognizing the youkai.
"Yes, Aiko?"
The servant bowed deeply in respect, something that confused Kagome greatly along with all the "lady" business; it had been happening more and more often recently. She would have to ask Touga later.
"You summoned me?"
The maid asked, equally confused.
'Oh right!'
The miko thought, finally remembering.
"The main hall needs to be swept out and mopped now. I understand that court is in session tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am."
Aiko nodded, bowing and going on her way.
"Look, Maru-chan."
Kagome cooed, finding the brightest things she could on the elaborate mural and pointing them out to the baby in her arms. He looked where she pointed, cooing back at her. She giggled.
"That's daddy."
She was pointing to the gathering of flying inu on the ceiling, but one stood out from the rest. Though they all looked rather dated, the inu dominating the middle of the mural was obviously the most recent addition. He struck a victorious pose, head thrown back in a howl to the overlooking full moon. She reached forward, almost touching the painted paw, but stopping short afraid to do even the slightest damage to the beautiful artwork. She and Sesshomaru stared in silence until the pup began to whine in irritation.
"Complaining that I am everywhere, my son?"
Kagome turned at the sound of the new voice, smiling as Touga came up the stairs to them.
"No, I think he was saying he would much prefer you in person than in art form."
Sesshomaru reached for his father accordingly, and the inu lord was only too happy to oblige him. He purred, nuzzling the stripes on his cheeks, making the baby coo.
"All the councilmen have finally arrived."
He said, swaying slightly as he stared adoringly down at his son.
"Do you remember all that I taught you."
She nodded her head.
"Councilmen Yasu-san, Arata-san, and Susumu-san, former lords of the east, north, and west respectively, like you. And councilman Ryuushirou-san, formers ruler of the south, does not. There's also councilman Takeshi-san, who has held no cardinal title, but he is your cousin. Unfortunately, he's not on your side either."
He chuckled at her abbreviated version, but he was confident that she'd do well enough even still.
"Yes, I suppose that covers it."
She giggled, surprised when he joked with her but certainly not disappointed. She observed him quietly with Sesshomaru a while longer, watching him play with the baby, and thought back to their conversation from earlier. She had been able to play Touga like a fiddle just by bringing up children, it was perhaps the world's worst secret that they were his weak spot. She knew he wanted nothing more than to spend more time with the boys, when his schedule allowed him to, but unfortunately that was not very often – especially recently. And at least with Shippo he could assist with training, when it came to Sesshomaru he was often lost. He played with him whenever he could, he was just now getting the chance to feed him small bits of meat, and they all slept together as a family, but there had to be something else, right?
Oh…right.
"Touga?"
He looked up from his son, his warm stare roving over the miko, making her blush.
"Hm?"
"I was..going to take the boys for their bath shortly."
He merely stared curiously at her, waiting for her to proceed.
"Would you...care to join us?"
XXXXX
"If you would be still I would finish faster."
Shippo giggled in response to his alpha's grumblings, obeying his soon following order to dunk and rinse his hair, popping up and looking back at him once he was suds free. He squeaked and then laughed even louder when a cloth was swiped over his cheeks and behind his ears – sneak attack!
"There. Now you're free."
Touga managed to grab up the boy before he got too far away, nosing him along his neck.
He liked that the little one was having fun. He vaguely remembered days spent playing when he was a pup; with the pup of some visiting relative or nobleman. That was why young ones were excused from lessons during grand meetings, as so not to deny them of the necessary time for socialization with new people. Kagome, of course, had gone a step further, and had him playing with his new staffs' pups.
She had rather intelligently suggested that Touga employ families - even going as far as vouching for debtors struggling for employment anywhere else. The logic was sound in that they could earn respectable wages to put toward their debts, and they would be sheltered at the palace.
"You can't expect them to repay anything if they can't get a job."
Touga growled in irritation; all he had discussed that day crop and fishing yields across the whole of their lands, as he, Kenta, and Yoshirou worked stillat reestablishing the borders of their lands. He didn't want to hear anything else about anyone else's problems.
"They should not have borrowed from the crown if they could not pay."
Kagome scoffed, rounding the desk she sat at to make her way toward his lounging form.
"Theydidn't borrow from you. They were, however, swindled into a ridiculous short-term loan by a backwards village head who's gone unchecked - by you - for years, who then sold their debttoyou. And for a profit, no less!"
He didn't move or open his eyes from his position on the stuffed chaise, but on the inside he seethed as he took in her words.
"Now the crown is doing collections work and- wake up, Touga, this is important!"
She had raised a hand to strike his arm, upset with his disregard, but no sooner did she find herself in the sitting daiyoukai's lap; he held her wrists in one hand and his other arm snaked around her waist, all the while he seethed in her face.
"So what would you have me do for their plight?"
"Well, you can start by not talking about them like insects. They're people, families,"
She twisted her hands free to place on his chest and create some space, but a small huff was her only objection when the hand she'd escaped from only joined its twin about her middle.
"There's pups going hungry because of this.."
The inu no taishou actually almost flinched at the forceful push to his soft spot, his ire melting from him, and Kagome fought back a smirk. He really was a sucker for children, after all it was Shippo's judgement that had resulted I him keeping her.
"They've been displaced since that awful winter three years ago...you're their alpha too, right? Then let them work here, earn a fair wage and give their little ones stability."
He searched her azure eyes for a moment, and finding nothing but confidence and determination he couldn't help but agree. She only would've continued to talk his ear off about it anyway, and he'd much rather do anything but. Especially because she was right.
"Fine. I'll have contracts drafted for them."
Her bright smile of gratitude was almost blinding, and - good deed aside - it made everything worth it.
"Don't worry, I've got them done already."
He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he leaned forward to nuzzle her neck. Covertly he took a large whiff of her scent, letting it wash over him and pull him out of his bad mood and into the present. With her.
"You should do something about that head man too, Touga."
"Yes, yes,"
He mumbled, his nose traveling her collar.
"Now, tell me what you learned today."
And of course she had been right. The families were actually happyabout the arrangement. The children were ignorant to the heavier details but of course were glad for the additional playmates. Where before Shippo mostly smelled of himself and the pack, now he ended the day drenched in the scents of his adventures and his various companions. After cleaning them all from him, man and beast came to an accord with ease: his should be the first on the boy.
His claim to Shippo had been unspoken for the most part, developing easily over his time at the palace, and with so few others even knowing about him and his mother it hadn't particularly mattered. Now that he was out and about, Touga wanted everyone to know he was his. His adopted pup giggled and yipped as he continued to nose and lick around his face and neck, but when he pulled back to meet his eyes - eyes identical to his own - he knew the symbolism was not lost on him either.
"Otou?"
Shippo whispered sheepishly, biting his lip just like his mother. Touga smiled warmly at him before dropping a kiss to his forehead.
."Good pup.".
He growled, tussling his wet hair as he finally set him free. He looked up, catching his miko's watery stare through the billowing steam. She looked away bashfully, as if she felt bad for having been caught watching, but he wasn't concerned. He had claimed the boy so everyone would know - he would do it officially soon, and so he certainly wasn't distressed about the pup's own mother knowing.
Besides, it was only a matter of time before he claimed her too.
"Here, Maru-chan, you can play too."
He heard her say, watching as she situated his younger pup. As he got bigger Sesshomaru took more of a liking to his bath. Mai and Touga had both assured Kagome thoroughly that his skin could accommodate the temperature of the main bathing pool, so finally she relented. After painstakingly cleaning him of his day's adventures as well, she found a large, smooth stone on the shallow end she felt was suitable. She sat him up, the water rising only to his naval, and he splashed around squealing when Shippo would tickle him or splash back. As usual, the older boy was ready to watch him, allowing Kagome a moment's rest.
"You know..I've never seen happier pups."
Kagome looked over her shoulder to regard the inu lord wading toward her. She flashed him a small smile before looking back at the little boys. It was true, they certainly did look happy. In fact, the scene they made was so sweet it almost gave her cavities.
"It's because of you."
She whispered, not wanting to spoil the moment by speaking too loudly. Touga snorted, wrapping arms around her waist and pulling her back to his chest; she allowed him this, settling comfortably in the hold that was becoming more and more familiar.
"You can't possibly believe that's true."
She went to look at him quizzically, but stopped when he growled at her. She didn't know what he meant per say, but she recognized him using it or something similar whenever he wanted Shippo to be still. She gasped and then let out a contented moan when she felt his hands in her hair a moment later.
"You're their alpha, if they're happy it's a reflection of you, right?"
Her words were only just barely not slurred together in her pleasure as he worked to cleanse her scalp and hair.
"I ensure they are safe, full, and well-rested at best. But you…you do all of that and more. You make them laugh, you build them up, you can sing to them – I certainly cannot sing."
She bubbled with laughter at that, dipping her hair beneath the water to rinse it when he indicated.
"But that's just how you are, you make everything better. You just can't help yourself can you?"
Kagome turned to him, tears stinging her eyes in gratitude. Hesitantly she put her hands on his cheeks, her thumbs running over the jagged stripes on his cheeks making him purr in content.
Damn this man.
She pulled his head down to hers, her eyes sliding shut as she crushed their lips together in a searing kiss; though caught by surprise, the inu lord was only too happy to oblige her. His tongue licked the seam of her mouth seeking entrance which she swiftly granted. She moaned as they reacquainted themselves, enjoying the intimate contact they had abstained from for weeks. She didn't even want to bother trying to ask him to define their relationship, knowing they were bound to get interrupted some way or another again. She just wanted to kiss him.
Well, she wanted to do a lot more than kiss him, if she was being completely honest, but they had an audience.
Pulling back, dragging desperate mouthfuls of air into her starving lungs, Kagome opened her eyes to see him staring back at her; she was more than a little pleased to see him panting too, amber gaze a little unfocused.
"All this time? I just needed to give you a compliment?"
Kagome giggled and then dissolved into full blown laughter, splashing the daiyoukai and shaking her head.
XXXXX
Touga was grateful once more to wake to no great fanfare. Birds could be heard singing to each other, a gentle breeze rustled the growing grass and leaves, and small creatures skittered about.
The miko slept against him again, this time of her own accord, and his heart sang at that. He was pacing the room with Sesshomaru, hoping the motion would lull the little one to sleep when they all had been bedding down the previous night after their bath. When his pup was near completely settled he had turned to make his way to bed only to find his miko in the middle with Shippo dozing off to her right. He very well could have slept comfortably on the other side of Shippo, but he assumed that this was an invitation – or as close to, and probably the only, he'd receive.
Bless the Kami, his plan of patience was so far paying off.
He moved ever slowly, as if she was an animal that would be spooked if he approached too quickly, but she only surveyed him in return with a playful smirk. With each step he took toward her that she didn't grow nervous and tense, he became more confident, carefully passing her his snoozing son before climbing in beside her.
She turned away from him to lay Sesshomaru down gently, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead and Shippo's before laying down herself, and he was unsure for a moment if this was really what she wanted. But when she scooted closer to his warmth once she felt he was near and settled her arms over his after he snaked them around her waist, he had sighed with relief.
It was the best night of sleep he'd had in almost a year's time.
And now he couldn't help but feel as if this was the calm before the storm. Indeed, he could not shake the uneasy feeling in his gut.
Kagome had shifted in her sleep to face him, and he kissed her forehead sweetly as he carefully freed his arms from around her. She had groaned for a moment while he disengaged, but his "magic growl" as she called it sent her right back to sleep.
Or so he thought.
"Mmmm…so early. We have to start getting ready now?"
The western lord chuckled softly, looking over his shoulder to see his miko and his younger son, in the process of waking. She whispered a good morning to the pup whose only response was to whine as he attempted to cuddle closer to her, so strategically piling all the pillows she could reach, she reclined back and laid him on her chest, still able to see Touga. He smiled at the sight. Her long, raven black hair was rumpled but somehow still flattering, her skin glowing in the light of the newly risen sun, and with one of his pups in her arms and the other at her side…
He was sure she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
He had to look away. He had to look away or he'd never leave.
"No, just me. I must meet with Kenta and Yoshirou once more to make sure our statements are consistent and I have ceremonial armor I must don."
He couldn't see her nod sleepily in understanding, but he knew her enough to know that if she objected she would absolutely let him know.
"So when should I join you?"
She asked, her voice low as she rubbed the waking baby's back. He secured the tie of his haori and made his way back to the bed, rounding the side Shippo slept on. Carefully, as not to rumple his clothing too much, he laid down beside him.
"I want you to stay here for a while."
He whispered, nuzzling the small boy's temple and ignoring her questioning look. Shippo whimpered grabbing a handful clothes to keep him close. Touga chuckled, dropping several kisses to his face like he had seen his miko do.
"Let these two wake up and have a meal with them. They're sure to want at least one of us."
He made sure to use sound logic, but all he really wanted to say was that she was to stay away from the proceedings. He knew that would crush her, though, and he did not want to take any more steps back in their relationship.
"You can come after they're both situated. We'll probably only be just getting started."
She beamed, not seeming to notice his hesitance, and for that he was grateful – he never wanted to give her reason to worry. Propping himself up on one arm, he carefully leaned over both his children to kiss her tenderly.
He would protect her.
XXXXX
It felt like he had hardly put a foot out of his room before his servants had whisked him away. He had broken his fast with the other cardinals, and they were united in their front. It almost didn't even seem as begrudging from Yoshirou either. Granted, if all went well the size of the north had increased by a third, but still – Touga would take each victory he was offered. By the time they had finished it was time for the inquisition to begin. Several of his staff helped him into his armor as he walked from the small dining room to the, and by the time he stood outside of the courtroom he was ready.
The fusuma was slid away, and Touga slipped on his mask. Swathed in cold indifference, he ignored the searching stares and whispers of the gallery, looking only forward at the podium where he was due to stand. Making it to his spot, he stared challengingly at the men along the dais.
"Accused,"
Called the booming voice of the largest and oldest looking youkai of the bunch, sitting appropriately center – a youkai named Susumu. Right to the point. Touga growled at the disrespect. This was his home and they called him without his titles for this farce?
"You have been brought before this court and council in regard to a full inquisition into the death of Kirei, lord of the south."
The daiyoukai felt his lip curl as he growled. The council seemed quite satisfied to demean him by not speaking his names, but histitle was worth mentioning? That weak, moronic scum? The inu lord smirked cruelly: that would perhaps be the deceased cat's biggest victory against him.
"Do not think to alter or withhold the truth in its entirety. Any deceit will be seen through immediately, and you will only serve to damn yourself. Is this clear?"
"Hai."
"Very well."
Yasu, sitting to the far right, briefly scanned the official record of events that had been submitted to them; it was undersigned by the lord Touga himself, and his key witnesses, lords Kenta and Yoshirou.
"You deny responsibility?"
Resisting an undignified (and rather disrespectful) snort, Touga replied:
"This one does. This one was, in fact, not responsible for ending Kirei. It was his own ally – broke his neck."
The five looked quizzically at one another, clearly not expecting such an answer.
"Is there anyone that can bear witness to this claim?"
Takeshi questioned, the slightest bit of irritation seeping into his tone. He had been pulled from the overflowing breasts of a fair maiden by the insistence of his advisor. The only reason the intrusion had not resulted in the man's immediate death was because of the import of the matter; the council had been called on for a full investigation into the death of the cardinal of the south by way of lord Touga of the west, his dear cousin.
He had jumped at the opportunity to oversee a trial like that. He hadn't seen any trial before actually, only being grandfathered into the position thirty or so years ago after his own father's death, but he knew that his cousin's would be the one to attend.
His hope was that the pompous bastard had done it, and that it was ruled undo, because with his pup as young as Sesshomaru and mate-less, the west would default first to his next of kin – Takeshi himself. That was the real reason he had showed up, and now he would walk free because he didn't do it? No, there had to be something, anything. He was tired of him getting everything.
"Hai."
Touga's commanding voice pulled the musing councilman out of his thoughts.
"As indicated in this one's record of events,"
The irritated lord could not resist his small jab.
"Lords Kenta and Yoshirou were both witnesses to the entire chain of events."
They both stood, dressed impeccably in their own ceremonial garb, awaiting questions if the council had any. It was at that moment that he felt her enter the room. He would have heard the sliding of the door, as with anyone who went in and out of the room, but of course he recognized her distinctly. Her aura was so unique, hitting him like the warm sun on his face, and her sweet scent followed soon after.
The completely besotted expression could only have been on the lord's face a moment – perhaps even half a moment – but Takeshi saw it. He scanned the room for any changes in the audience and found her immediately. She sat unassumingly in the back, not even seeing him observing her as she had her own version of the silly look on her own face as she looked at the back of his cousin's head, and he Takeshi resisted gagging. Another beautiful demoness pining after Touga, there was no surprise there. He pulled a face, focusing in to get a good sniff of the whore…
And then a grin found its way to his face.
Perhaps there was something here he could use after all.
"Pardon, Lord Touga, but do not be so quick with your relief. This inquiry is not yet rescinded."
Takeshi spoke up excitedly. He saw the other cardinals being reseated after they had answered their share of questions – he assumed, he hadn't been paying much attention – and knew he did not have much time to turn the tide against Touga before it was all over. That damn Susumu, he had always liked Touga. But the old man was also a loyalist. He was sure he would swing him over to his side very soon.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling through his nose in clear irritation, Touga managed to subdue the strong urge to shred every individual behind the high table, starting with his favorite relative.
"There is still the matter of the miko."
At that, he froze; it took all of him not to look over his shoulder at the one in question.
"What concerns are raised on her behalf?"
He said smoothly instead. A chill crept over the skin at the back of his neck that he immediately recognized as her - her fear. A thread of his youki wrapped around her in a way he hoped she would be reassured by.
He would protect her.
"Well, it is a tad odd that you would keep one in your company."
Takeshi offered, leaning back in his chair, but still raking his eyes hungrily over the striking woman.
"Though she is quite beautiful,"
He relayed his thoughts aloud, thinking everyone should know. The miko in question felt as if she were humming with her wariness. Touga growled in warning, ignoring Kenta who was surreptitiously urging him to maintain his cool, but Takeshi was eating it all up.
"And quite popular, if what I hear is to be believed. Is this the same miko I have heard assaulted a tutor?"
Kagome was stunned in her seat. The critical eyes of all the councilmen had since found her, and some of the gallery as well. The sound of whispers began again with renewed vigor, only quieted by Susumu-san's booming voice.
"Silence!"
He bellowed, and silence he certainly got.
"Miko…come forward."
This time Touga did turn to look at her, catching her eyes as she obediently rose from her seat to make her way forward. He almost wanted to smile at how fearless she looked, because it was actually funny; his tiny miko marching through a room of youkai like she could take them all. He never should've allowed her to come.
"Step down, Touga-sama."
He had a small moment of relief hearing his name spoken with respect. He knew he was cleared of his own charges at that point, but now worried what they could want with Kagome, who took his place in front of them.
"From where did you come?"
She received her first question from the, until now, silent councilman to the far left of the table – Arata-san. Such a simple little question, and yet the miko had no idea how to answer it.
It's not as if she could very well tell them she was from the future!
During her time with Shippo they had kept to themselves, stopping into villages here and there to offer assistance off of a lead or to resupply, but she couldn't recall any names. And they would know if she lied.
"This is no trial, why is she being questioned?"
Touga cut in, breaking the building silence. Susumu narrowed his eyes.
"Inquiring into her origin is not questioning."
"If I were you,"
The other councilmen, until then unspoken also, piped up too. He had kept quiet because he never liked Touga, but he wasn't petty like the inu lord's cousin. This issue of the miko though certainly had him intrigued.
"I'd be less concerned with our questions, and more with her answers. Especially since she has yet to provide one."
Kagome cleared her throat, hoping to put an end to the back and forth; she hated being discussed as if she wasn't standing right there.
"I am from a village in Musashi."
It wasn't a lie, so she was sure she'd be in the clear. Between the satisfied smirk on Takeshi-san's face and seeing Touga go stiff from the corner of her eye, she knew she wasn't.
"There are no villages in Musashi."
Susumu-san stated.
'Oh no…'
"I think that proves quite enough. We require some time to think over-"
"She didn't lie."
Touga cut in again.
"What is the problem?"
Susumu narrowed his eyes menacingly with a shake of his head; it was obvious the old daiyoukai had had more than enough. Such potential this boy had.
"She claims to be from a place that does not exist, that is not problematic for you, lord Touga?"
He seethed, rising from his seat.
"My biggest problem, however, is this unprecedented insubordination. Perhaps we were too quick to clear you of your crimes."
"Now now, Susumu-san, I don't think we need to get too hasty."
Takeshi rejoined the conversation, ready to deliver his killing blow. Everything had been going according to his hasty plan so far.
"You know lord Touga would never offend the council on his own judgement. In fact,"
He feigned all the concern he could, even biting back his smile to make it look genuine.
"Are you feeling alright, cousin? This isn't like you."
He chanced a look at the trial leader in his peripheral and saw his eyes widen a fraction; he had fallen right into his trap.
Touga growled, his hand flexing over the hilt of his sword.
"As if you know any-"
"SILENCE!"
Susumu bellowed once more, slamming his hands down on the table before them.
"Everyone will leave this court until this council has decided how to move forward in the case of this miko. Any further acts of insubordination will be punished to the highest degree."
Gritting his teeth against the less than pleasant words on his tongue, the western lord plotted.
Every little detail of Takeshi's death was being decided.
"You will be called back when we have reached a decision."
XXXXX
"Don't they know they'd all be sleeping on dusty, bare floors if it weren't for me? A little gratitude would be nice!"
Looking over her shoulder to see that her try at levity was not well received, Kagome started to get serious. Touga had stopped after only just barely coming into the room, frozen with his eyes downcast. She crossed her arms nervously, rubbing her arms to ward of her sudden gooseflesh.
"And so…what happens to me now?"
The taishou's head snapped up, his eyes ablaze.
"Nothing."
He insisted firmly, his blood boiling. How dare those old bastards think they could take her from him. Let them try.
"Touga, they may want to see me stand a trial."
Kagome reiterated, not truly understanding the council's decision herself.
"I don't care what they want."
The daiyoukai said grimly. His beast nudged him forward – he had been pacing anxiously back and forth within his imagined cage – and he wrapped his arms around his little miko. She fell willingly into his embrace, her hands grasping fistfuls of the fabric covering his chest…as if to convince herself that he was really near. She could no longer ignore the dread that had her stomach roiling.
"…Touga?"
She whispered after she couldn't stand their silence any longer.
"Hn."
He acknowledged; a response with more words would've required he move, pull his nose from the crook of her neck and his lips from her pulse point. And he refused to do anything in this moment other than memorize the feel of her in his arms, like he did in his dreams. For the first time, though, he wished he would wake up, so that this would end. That feeling of dread had now tied his stomach completely in knots. He hated nothing more than being blindsided, and if there was anything he had been expecting least, it had been the council finding interest in Kagome. And he knew if this interest moved to trial it would not be good; a miko would have very few allies in a room of youkai.
He never should've allowed her to come.
"I am from a village in Musashi."
He actually smirked, nipping at the sensitive spot. It was true, there were no villages in Musashi. But it was also true that she had not lied. He had found no tell of deceit on her in the courtroom or now, and that was enough for him.
"I know."
They stood silently for a while longer, if not for the sounds of the buzzing gallery crowd from where they stood in the hall, they would probably be able to hear the racing of each others' hearts.
"Please tell Sesshomaru and Shippo that I love them so much."
He growled, tightening his hold on her waist almost too tight, but she didn't utter a word in reprimand.
"Please, Touga, you'll tell them wo-"
"The council has finished deliberating, my lord. They've decided they do have more questions for miko Kagome."
The muffled voice cut her off, and after that she couldn't speak. She had pulled back from Touga, stunned, her hand flying up to her mouth that had dropped open in shock. Things seemed to pass in a blur after that, her feet carrying her back to the court space on their own. Her walk forward seemed to take forever this time.
"You cannot do this!"
Touga shouted immediately upon reentering the courtroom.
"Of course we can. The laws of our court are only trumped by those of blood, and thankfully her spell was not strong enough to compel you take her as your mate."
Susumu said, his tone and demeanor now ice cold. But Kagome was caught on one of his words: spell?
"We're doing this for you, cousin, really."
The growl coming from the western lord sang of death.
"Accused."
She almost jumped as the word reverberated thorugh the room. They had called Touga the same when he stood before them, but this was much different. This was no show. This was real.
"You are brought before this court and council as an enemy to all youkai kind."
She was floored. Because she couldn't name a village?
"Until such a time has passed that it can be proven you have not enchanted a cardinal lord, corrupted his heir, and conspired against to dismantle the rule of youkai, you are a menace."
The pause that filled the space was especially foreboding; Kagome felt like she could hardly breathe. Suddenly, as if on an unspoken cue, Takeshi began to speak. Or rather he started to chant.
"Hirofou. Mou soteyou satoso he hirotea ore ore. Satoso teyou. Gato so fouga, yourasato ore somei. Hirofou. OREGA HIRO SATOSO!"
She was surprised he didn't get caught up with the unfamiliar tongue, especially while he was still too smirking evilly at her. The words meant nothing to Kagome, but that only served to make her more uneasy. If Touga's obvious displeasure, which grew with each utterance from his smug faced distant cousin, was anything to go by, it certainly could not bode well. She started to feel like she would be sick.
"Stop that! I'm not under any enchantment."
Ryuushirou rolled his eyes.
"You understand why we can't take your word for it, don't you?"
Touga snarled, watching as his miko doubled over, her groan of pain stabbing him right through the heart. He hadn't heard the language used since he was little more than a boy, but he remembered more than enough to understand.
"Stop hurting her!"
"We are not the ones hurting her, boy, it's you. You witnessed the spell and you know how this magic works. As it stands, you are the one injuring her with your failure to align yourself with your new boundary."
Susumu declared. The daiyoukai was boiling with rage, but he knew the words were true.
"GO, boy–"
"No! Stay!"
Kagome ignoring the growing, searing pain ripping through her abdomen.
"Onegai!"
The taisho roared. The loud, savage sound reverberated in the court space, making the unsuspecting visitors start grabbing for purchase as the room shook. Even the flames topping the torches around the room trembled in fear. Some folk shrieked in terror as they were sure they would meet their doom, and they probably all would have had they not been in this very room; he was on the cusp of releasing his raging beast on a murderous rampage that he doubted would have stopped with just slaying the council, but to kill everyone would have involved remaining and hurting his angel. And that was something he couldn't allow. That penetrated the mind of both man and beast – he could never see her suffer.
With that in mind he took one measured leap to the other end of the hall. Kagome, with her little remaining energy, raised a hand to reach out to him,
"Onegai…"
Begging him not to leave.
The throbbing pressure in her head built into a stabbing pain that had her gasping and her eyes blurring with tears as the daiyoukai elder finished his chanting and the spell settled. Somehow, though, she could still make out the intensity of his golden gaze.
He was begging her right back.
Not outwardly, but she could see it in his eyes. He begged her forgiveness.
'I will protect you!'
She managed a weak smile at him as dark spots began to fill the edges of her vision, nodding her head to assure him she understood, and in the next moment she registered the murky image of his regal mass fleeing from the room before her vision went black.
XXXXX
A/N: Oh, you guys thought it was going to be a good surprise, didn't you? Teehee. I did at least try to give you more good stuff than bad. If you liked it, sound off! If you hated it, I wanna know! Are you mad at me? LET ME KNOW IN THOSE COMMENTS. Please please please, I'm finishing this at 4:08 a.m., so naturally it has not been beta'd. If there's any particularly glaring errors,, point those babies out to me too. Just review. Give me some good reading material on my favorite holiday! And for those who also celebrate – happy freakin' 4/20, my friends.