Author's Notes: Thank you to all those who have taken their time and given a review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
As usual, please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).
All characters from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything in regard to their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.
Now chapter 5 is here. Reviews and feedback are very welcome.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 5-In the West
"Boredom is the absence of a good idea." -Sesshomaru on boredom
"Aiding those in dire need can give time meaning." -Kikyo on boredom
Boredom. At present, that was the state of constant for Sesshomaru. It had been mere days since his visit to the dungeons and already Hibiki, the esteemed high chancellor of the west, was keen to fathom his motives. So keen in fact, that he initiated a conference regarding the miko in the imperial courtroom.
Exclusively built with polished white stones, the imperial courtroom was a sight to behold. Its sole purpose was to shelter its inhabitants, so it was built with the most durable materials available. It was a near-indestructible structure that made its architects swollen with pride. While the outside was nothing short of being showered with praises, the inside was also a splendid sight to behold. A huge rectangular table stretched across the marble floor in the middle of the room. Twelve wooden chairs were spaced evenly around it, with the largest one made of gold and decorated with polished gemstones around the edges. Surrounding the entire room in three directions were three enormous shelves crammed with piles of scrolls. Each was labeled, sealed, and ordered chronologically.
Only twelve privileged youkai from an esteemed lineage were allowed to enter this room. The rule was purposely enforced to stop curious youkai from snooping around the room for confidential contents stored within the scrolls. Anyone but the assigned twelve who entered would instantly be captured for public execution.
At present, the occupants were locked in a debate. Scrolls were scattered over the polished table as three youkai quickly jotted down notes with the quill in their hands. They had the lowest rank amongst the twelve, so they were tasked with scribing. While capable of multitasking, their task guaranteed they would contribute less to the discussions — not that it mattered much since their opinions weren't regarded as high compared to the others. Given that the one with the highest status — the Lord of the West, Sesshomaru — sat on the golden chair deepest in the room, they were positioned at the lower end of the table, closest to the door. The layout of the room, their seating, and the jobs they were given were all factors that plainly reflected their status in the west.
Hibiki, who sat on the right of Sesshomaru, was listening thoughtfully to a suggestion. As the second in command, his job was to pay close attention to any worthwhile ideas. The elderly daiyoukai was pensive, his fingers clasped together and his elbows placed on the table. In the eyes of the speaker, it appeared that Hibiki was giving them their full attention, but in reality, his concentration was diverted. His golden orbs would occasionally blink before taking a glimpse at the impassive Sesshomaru. The chancellor mentally heaved an exasperated sigh, noticing the younger daiyoukai's lack of interest.
'Touga-san, your firstborn is once again giving me a headache. Were you here, I'm certain you would have provided better guidance. He is of a rebellious age and nothing I say has managed to dissuade him from his ambition.' Seeing Sesshomaru like that only made Hibiki wish his old friend was here. Because of the Inu no Taisho's premature death and his mate's subsequent renouncement to the throne, Sesshomaru became the next successor to the Western Land, even well before he was of an age suitable to rule. Hence, being the Inu no Taisho's closest friend, Hibiki was given the responsibility of being Sesshomaru's guardian and advisor. Sesshomaru might no longer be a pup, but the chancellor couldn't retire from his position, at least not until the Lord of the West was a thousand-year-old, the age when a demon lord could rule without an advisor.
The elder daiyoukai secretly sighed again. 'For half a millennium, I have watched him from the sidelines… It certainly has been a long time. At any rate, I am more than halfway…'
Oblivious to the thoughts inside the chancellor, Sesshomaru welcomed the mental image of his sword piercing through the closed door that confined him in the room. While his expressionless countenance never wavered, he inwardly sought to barge down the exit to leave this dreadful and suffocating place. But knowing that was beneath his dignity, he could only fume in silence. And it was only because of self-control that he restrained the urge to vent his frustration on the closest youkai, namely Hibiki.
Although harboring an ill intention, Sesshomaru held no actual resentment for the chancellor. However, others might envy the older daiyoukai's charismatic look that even age feared to spoil. Born into the Inu clan, Hibiki's presence commanded authority and his pleasant attitude naturally captured followers. Dressed in a marvelously designed green kimono with flowing silver hair longer than Sesshomaru's, he emanated a magnanimous air around him that even the Lord of the West could never replicate. But no matter how respected Hibiki was, he was a sickle for rules and tradition, and that frustrated the younger daiyoukai to no end. After all, Sesshomaru clearly believed that he was ready to rule the Western Lands alone.
Sesshomaru's eyes shifted from the door to a speaking elderly youkai before resting his sight on the beautifully decorated portraits that lined the walls, just above the bookshelves. They were the illustrations on a golden frame, depicting those who once helped the west develop and rise into power. The ancient gallery served as a reminder to the future generations about their feats, forever engraved into the history of the west.
Unfortunately, they failed to impress the current Lord of the West. Looking at the portraits only aggravated Sesshomaru and strengthened his resolve to eradicate the regulations that forced him to endure these tedious conferences. Oh, how much he despised the imperial courtroom; it was probably one of his most hated things, second to humans. Although he knew the conferences were essential to the land's administration, he could never bear the dragged-out discussions. After all, he was never much of a public speaker and would never be — that was Hibiki's job. But then again, why bother speaking when his power spoke volumes? To him, unnecessary talking was for the weak, for those who begged and pled. The strong did not need words. They did as desired and no one would dare to question them.
Sesshomaru searched the frames until he found the one that held his father's face.
Despite being powerful, the Inu no Taisho was born lenient. Under his command, democracy came to the west, where everyone had a right to voice out their opinions regardless of their status. Unlike the rulers before him, the Inu no Taisho was gentle and abhorred the idea of spilling unnecessary blood. He dedicated his entire life to protecting the weak and uniting the Great Continent for the sake of both demons and humans. While Sesshomaru wanted to rule over the realms in a manner he saw fit, his father wanted to create a world where mortals and immortals could coexist peacefully.
Unlike his father, Sesshomaru had no desire to protect the weak, the ones who were previously sheltered by the Inu no Taisho's rules. Democracy would only hinder Sesshomaru in his path of conquest. Once he could do without Hibiki's assistance, he decided he would make several changes.
"My lord, does this suit you?" The youkai who had been hogging the conversation suddenly directed a question at Sesshomaru, dragging the daiyoukai back from his deliberations.
The Lord of the West let out a grunt, obviously irritated that his thoughts were interrupted. While it appeared that Gorou had asked for his lord's opinion, Sesshomaru could easily perceive the hidden intention behind the inquisitive tone.
'Foolish old man… He is another reason why I detest the Imperial Courtroom.' Anyone would've thought that as the reigning monarch for centuries, Sesshomaru's superiority ought to be a certainty amongst all the possibilities in the world. Nevertheless, there were still some who questioned his authority and attempted to seize his birthright. While not many dared, those who did were often annoyingly persistent; Gorou was a primary example. Unfortunately for Sesshomaru, it was because of his father's system that he couldn't settle the issue by killing the elder. Unnecessary violence was something the Inu no Taisho loathed after all, and according to him, no council member was permitted to spill each other's blood. Unless a reason as serious as treason occurred, then all council members were lawfully safe from Sesshomaru's claws. While the daiyoukai was less than pleased with the arrangement, he couldn't dishonor his father by violating his rules.
Kotori cast a worried glance in Sesshomaru's direction while holding her breath. Since she and Inuyasha were not an active part of the council, they were excluded from the high tables. However, being someone who Sesshomaru trusted — which was far and few between — certainly had its perks. During a conference, they were permitted to stand guard near the doorway and in so doing, listen in to what was being spoken. In other words, they were entrusted with confidential information regarding the west. Such duty naturally had Kotori swell with pride when Sesshomaru first suggested it. Hibiki and the other members once stoutly protested, but a death glare from the Lord of the West resolved the issue rather peacefully.
Having heard everything, Kotori was trying to suppress her concern for her lord. She had detected subtle hints that gave away Sesshomaru's inattentiveness. She was anxious that the daiyoukai would not know how to respond. Fighting her uneasiness, she stole a glimpse at the chancellor and discerned the mirth within his sunlit orbs. 'I don't believe it! Hibiki-sama is laughing in a situation like this? Does he not care about the possibility of Sesshomaru-sama losing face in the presence of all council members?'
Kotori soon found that her concern was needless, a feeling rapidly disposed of when she heard Sesshomaru's reply.
"No. Why should I, Sesshomaru, lend your words credence? Your suggestion is a mere pittance in comparison to mine," the Lord of the West stated plainly while Gorou's eyes widened in both surprise and confusion. Truth be told, the daiyoukai didn't pay the elder's suggestions any heed. However, that did not mean his sensitive ears failed to perceive Gorou's words.
"Why, Sesshomaru-dono? Why rebut my suggestion? Surely, our best approach is to instill fear into the miko. Psychological torture will do just that! She needs to be tamed before she can be of use to us. Waiting for her cooperation is time-consuming!" Gorou insisted, barely keeping his fist from slamming down onto the table. The older youkai realized that Sesshomaru had indeed heard everything, though he refused to back out. He couldn't back out; he had to teach the arrogant dog a lesson by humiliating him.
Ever since the day of Sesshomaru's coronation, where Gorou was publicly outsmarted, the elder developed extreme hatred and envy for the current Lord of the West. Gorou once had high hopes that when Sesshomaru took over as the next ruler, he would be able to manipulate him from behind the scenes. However, he misjudged the daiyoukai's intelligence. Like his father, Sesshomaru didn't fall for his tricks and illusions. His thoroughly devised plan backfired, just like it did with the great Inu no Taisho.
At the same time as Gorou's humiliating reflection, Hibiki and the nine council members looked at Sesshomaru. It was clear to them that one of their oldest members, and the one retaining the fifth position, had just intrepidly demanded an answer from their lord. All of them understood that if Sesshomaru could not provide a reasonable counter, he would be disgraced in front of the whole council. Several inhaled deeply as they tried to contain their overflowing enthusiasm. Even Hibiki, famed for his poker face, couldn't help but let a minuscule smile play on his lips.
In a brawl, Sesshomaru would triumph without contest. But this was a verbal battle of wits. Violence was not permitted. Thus, the result was more difficult to predict and that excited the members of the council. As immortals, who had all the time in the world, they bore witness to several interesting events. Nonetheless, one of the disadvantages of eternal life was that they got bored rather easily. While repetition didn't result in death, they found many things tedious and would find themselves attracted to anything out of the ordinary. Strangely enough, they found themselves most entertained whenever someone daringly challenged the fearsome Lord of the West. The commotion that followed was always a blessing, but that didn't mean that they would dare to challenge Sesshomaru themselves. So now that Gorou had volunteered, they couldn't help but watch in glee.
"Foolish. To even suggest such a notion shows your true ignorance," Sesshomaru uttered, his eyebrows falling to a dangerous level. Gorou had to fight back a gulp as the daiyoukai continued, "I never intend to wait. However, psychological torture serves no purpose in the grand scheme of things, and will only create unnecessary complications."
"Complications?" Gorou parroted back.
"The miko's powers are associated with her emotions. Your methods will only make her more defiant and unwilling to cooperate. It may elicit fear, but fear is not the emotion that brings out her potential."
"Hmm, now isn't this interesting?" Hibiki mused and rubbed his chin with his index finger. "If fear does not amplify the woman's spiritual powers, what does?"
"It was my intent to elaborate, Hibiki-san, had you kept quiet. Need I remind you that I despise interruptions?" Sesshomaru sniffed, pitting a glare at the elder daiyoukai. In response, Hibiki smirked somewhat sheepishly, which Sesshomaru ignored in favor of continuing. "Anger is what liberates the miko's aura from its feeble containment. And I do intend to unleash her full potential, for only then will she become a valuable weapon for the west."
"Ah! I see, my lord. Um, please forgive my rudeness..." Gorou gave a stiff nod, a gesture that showed his understanding and signaled his defeat. That said, the elderly youkai sank deeper into his chair and did not utter a single word for the rest of the conference.
The afternoon sunlight streamed lazily through the clouds and down on the Western Lands, dissolving the chilly air that lingered from the morning. Trees swayed gently in rhythm with the breeze and insects hummed their tunes. The palace ground was vibrant with life as hundreds of youkai revolved around their daily lives. Each was busy with jobs and tasks that were all needed to keep the place running.
"Sesshomaru-sama had me worried. I didn't think he was paying Gorou-sama any attention," Kotori admitted as she and Inuyasha left the kitchen and out into the long corridor. Their footsteps echoing on the timber floor were masked by the maids who were on cleaning duty.
"Don't even know why you're so worked up about it. It's not like this is the first time or anything," huffed Inuyasha, with two hands resting behind his head.
"I know… but still, Sesshomaru-sama never ceases to amaze me," Kotori said with uncharacteristic cheerfulness, turning sideways to avoid an approaching maid from the opposite direction. As usual, she could barely keep her admiration for Sesshomaru in check. To her, the daiyoukai was her whole world. Without him, she would've been long gone.
At the young age of six, she was abandoned by her father and banished from the Tori clan that resided in the snowy peaks. Even supposing that her father, the clan's leader, had always brooded over that she was born flightless, Kotori never thought he would be so coldblooded as to discard her. On the verge of starving and freezing to death, it was Sesshomaru who stumbled upon the half-dead girl shivering at the base of the mountains. It was he who saved her and gave her a new world to live in. He fed her, sheltered her, and even taught her the art of the sword.
From the first day, Sesshomaru made it clear that he wanted to turn her into a living weapon, to fight for him. It was the only reason why he bothered to rescue her. In a sense, she was an investment. But Kotori didn't care about that. All that mattered was that Sesshomaru was her savior. So she pledged her loyalty to him. Discarding her past, she instead chose the life of carnage in order to serve Sesshomaru. No longer the heiress of the Tori clan, she was reborn as Kotori, the falcon swordswoman serving under the Lord of the West.
"Keh, why are you so loud when it comes to Sesshomaru? What's so great about that iceberg?" Inuyasha groaned loudly, oblivious to the reflections going inside Kotori's head. He turned his head left towards his partner for a reply, not understanding her appreciation for the heartless daiyoukai.
Instead of becoming upset, Kotori let out a slight chuckle. Inuyasha, who had never seen her laugh unless she was ridiculing something, raised an eyebrow in curiosity. He was aware that the serious demoness had a hobby in teasing him, though he was unsure where the appeal lay. She seemed to enjoy getting a rise out of him — and only him — even if it meant acting childishly.
"What're ya laughing about now, stupid woman?" he barked defensively.
"Pfft! Inuyasha-sama, you don't have to be jealous of Sesshomaru-sama."
"Say you, I'm totally not jealous!" Surprise latched onto Inuyasha's pupils, and he nearly collided with a servant. Relying on instincts, he managed a not-so-elegant sidestep before pitting a glare at the apologizing youkai who promptly brushed past his shoulder. "Me? Jealous of that bossy boots? Hah, as if!"
The two were approaching a garden full of flourishing trees when Kotori let out another snicker. "Why bother denying the truth, Inuyasha-sama? Of course, you're jealous."
"No, I'm not!" Inuyasha looked like he was throwing a tantrum, stomping his bare foot hard on the grass-covered ground to highlight his irritation. His gruff voice carried off into the garden, loud enough to frighten the several birds resting on a nearby tree. The creatures spread their wings and flew into the blue sky, squawking at the top of their lungs while fleeing. Yet, the birds' piercing cries were no match for the clamor below.
"Denial won't get you far. Just admit it."
"I'm not jealous!"
"You are jealous."
"So not!"
"You are."
"No!"
"You are!"
"Grrr! Just how many times do I have to say it? I AM NOT JEALOUS! DAMMIT, WOMAN!" roared Inuyasha, his head arching towards the sky in an earsplitting shout.
Kotori shook her head, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face. She enjoyed teasing the hanyou, as his over-dramatic reactions never failed to get a laugh out of her. More than anything else, she seemed to enjoy bringing Sesshomaru into the conversation, and witnessing Inuyasha's reactions when the two were compared. The playful banter had come to an end, but she was left wishing for more. While she wouldn't mind fooling around a little longer, she had an obligation on hold. It was time to end the fun. 'It's a pity really. I would love to get more out of him.'
Unbeknownst to Kotori, Inuyasha was entranced by her mirth as he watched her demeanor transform from tense and serious to playful. She was truly a lovely sight to behold when all tension was stripped from her countenance. Inuyasha had grown accustomed to Kotori's more serious nature, as she practically worshiped Sesshomaru and treated him like a god — honestly, Inuyasha wouldn't be surprised if she suddenly started a religious cult. So seeing her impish side was a refreshing change and it gave him a glimpse into a different side of the demoness.
"It is futile, Inuyasha-sama," said Kotori, "I'll admit you claim the upper hand when it comes to a physical brawl, but we both know you can never win against me verbally. And though I can go on enlightening you on why you were jealous, I don't have much time on hand at the moment."
"Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked in feigned ignorance. Some like Sesshomaru believed him to be a fool, but he wasn't that stupid. The Lord of the West must have assigned a task to Kotori for her to end their conversation so abruptly. Regardless of how trivial it may be, the demoness always took jobs assigned by her lord precedence over anything else. Inuyasha's eyebrows twitched in pure frustration and he crossed his arms over his chest. 'He's doing this on purpose to piss me off! Why must that bastard always ruin any fun I get?'
Inuyasha was notorious for his temper, having a reputation for being short-fused and quick to act. He often struggled to work as a team, but when working with Kotori, they seemed to cooperate well. Still, they did not often get the chance to spend leisure time together, as they were usually paired on assignments. There were many things he wanted to talk about but was never given the appropriate chance. It was just so maddening!
Kotori must have mistaken his intense glare as perplexity because she quickly indicated her free hand to the wooden bowl she had been carrying on a tray the entire time.
"Sesshomaru-sama would prefer if the miko doesn't go hungry. So I'm delivering her meal to her," she explained. Her voice was slow and calm as if she was speaking to a child. In a way, she supposed Inuyasha was still a child.
Inuyasha didn't mind her tone as his gaze drifted from the demoness to the bowl, containing a steamy broth made with ingredients suited for humans. Not only was it properly cooked, but there was no raw meat or anything that would suggest catabolism. Inuyasha was somewhat astonished. If truth be told, he hadn't thought that the daiyoukai would have the heart to arrange for cooks to prepare human food for a captive.
"Gotta say it smells really good..." As Inuyasha sniffed the savory scent of the vegetables, his mouth nearly watered. "But why are you doing this instead of the maids?"
"Actually, Sesshomaru-sama believes I'm the most suited for this task — to care for the miko. He told me that it's very important that I do it and do it right," Kotori responded with a trace of self-importance in her voice. For fear that Inuyasha didn't comprehend the implication behind her post-shift, she decided to elaborate, "You know, I'll be spending the majority of my time with the miko. Because of my new schedule, you'll have to do a proportion of my work… including the paperwork."
When Inuyasha offered only silence, Kotori glanced at him and narrowed her eyes upon seeing what had caught his undivided attention. Exasperated, she sighed and shuffled away from him, using her own body to shield the broth from view. "Eyes off the broth! You can't have any, Inuyasha-sama… And more importantly, don't drool all over it!"
Inuyasha's expression shifted to an impish grin as he thought about gaining Kotori's sympathy. He rubbed his stomach dramatically, his acting skills on full display as he portrayed an exaggerated plea. "Hey... Kotori, how about you just let me have a sip? A single sip. Nobody will know, I swear. Come on. You're not so heartless that you'll let me starve to death, are you?"
The effect was almost instantaneous. Kotori's expression softened and her ears quivered at the hanyou's rough yet somehow alluring voice. She let out a derisive snort — an attempt to hide how he was affecting her — and averted her gaze from his puppy-like eyes.
"No, wait until lunch," she informed bluntly before disappearing around the corner and into the next hallway.
"You want me to starve?" Gritting his teeth in mock anger, Inuyasha's shout echoed through the corridors as he called out to the retreating figure of Kotori.
His sensitive hearing caught her small scoff, followed by the remark, "You have demon blood running in your veins. You can't starve to death that easily."
"Hmph!" Seeing that Kotori was out of sight, Inuyasha let his dramatic facade drop and unknowingly mimicked her snort. He had just put on his most theatrical performance. How could Kotori just shrug it off like it was nothing? No, that wouldn't do, he thought. He wouldn't be ignored, especially not by her.
'Just you wait, this isn't over.' He gave her a silent warning before taking off. There was an unspoken rule about not running in the corridors, but that was the last thing on his mind. Pursuing the demoness, he turned a sharp right around the bend, seeking to relocate his target on the next corridor. If he was lucky, she should be in his line of vision after the turn.
Thud! He rammed into something cold and firm.
With a hiss, Inuyasha crashed to the floor on his rear.
"Dammit! Why can't you watch where you're going?" the hanyou bellowed as he rubbed his sore head with his hand. Just what did he crash into? He swore it was harder than a steel coat.
There was no oral response, but he sensed Sesshomaru's youki flare.
'Not good!' He perked up with caution and cringed. Just as his senses had forewarned, the Lord of the West stood before him, with clear disdain on his features. The realization came a second later, and it became apparent that he had rammed headfirst into Sesshomaru's breastplate. 'No wonder it hurts like hell!'
"What's with that look, Sesshomaru?" he demanded, leaping up and gripping the hilt of his mighty blade, Tessaiga, in his right hand. He dared not stay relaxed while in the daiyoukai's attacking range, lest he was given more painful injuries to worry about than just his head. "You wanna go, eh?"
Sesshomaru disregarded his provocative words, with no movement to draw his weapon. Instead, he resumed his light stride and walked towards Inuyasha. The hanyou made no move to attack despite his battle stance. As Sesshomaru moved past him, their shoulder just missing each other, the daiyoukai glanced at the sword of men and said, "Should you not be honing your swordplay, Inuyasha."
His firm tone turned a supposed question into an obligation. There was no doubt that Sesshomaru wasn't interested in fighting at the moment. Inuyasha felt relief and anger coursing through him at the same time, and he wasn't certain which was more predominant. 'Damn it… Did he really need to show off his youki like that? Bastard made me look like a big idiot, getting all tensed up for nothing!'
Inuyasha finally eased himself from his rigid pose and snorted, "Keh, whatever. I'll let you off the hook for now. We'll settle things next time."
"Hmm." A deep rumble emitted from Sesshomaru's throat, his exclusive way of saying yes reaching Inuyasha's triangular ears.
Since Sesshomaru made no sardonic comments, Inuyasha didn't feel like responding in kind. So instead, he gave an acknowledging nod before hopping down from the polished floor. Grass tickled his bare feet as he sprinted off in a hurry, heading for the garden where he usually practiced. He moved quickly because he didn't trust Sesshomaru with his back, despite knowing fully too well that the daiyoukai had no intention of attacking him. As Inuyasha disappeared into the green foliage, he caught a glimpse of Sesshomaru continuing down the right corridor.
'Seems like that bastard is in a good mood,' Inuyasha thought to himself as he leaped from tree to tree, his favorite method of moving around. Normally, Sesshomaru would be aggravated after conferences and a slight tumult would completely ruin his mood. But today was different; Sesshomaru was not irritated, even though it was impossible to tell from his countenance. Still, the Lord of the West actually responded when Inuyasha challenged him, rather than adapting to his usual indifference.
'Heh, so the old man Gorou did do a good thing with his lousy mouth for once.' A sly grin tugged the corner of his lips as he propelled his body into the air by pushing his right foot off a branch.
Kikyo's face was blank as she sat in a lotus position near the corner of the dark, gloomy dungeon. Her body was partially concealed in the shadows, her hands resting awkwardly on top of her legs, restricted by a pair of handcuffs. With her eyes closed, she appeared to be meditating, though her mind was anything but empty as contemplations prevented her from finding any true inner tranquility.
She felt isolated inside the eerie prison, the four solid walls surrounding her and sealing her away from the outside world. The cold, dark room offered no distraction and comfort, and she was limited to mediating, deliberating, and staring at the cobwebs hanging from the stone ceiling. Despite being accustomed to solitude, the confinement was starting to wear away her mental well-being little by little.
Counting today, she estimated that she had been locked up for at least seventeen days. Surprisingly, Sesshomaru had not made a single move in that time. At first, Kikyo felt certain that he would work her to the bone, but all the dog youkai did was imprisoned her and left her alone in the darkness. At times, she wondered if he had simply forgotten about her, and she would be left to rot. But the occasional visits from the maids' proved otherwise. They did things like deliver her meals, clean her with cold water, and — much to her mortification — replace the clay pottery currently in the opposite corner of the room.
All in all, while a far cry from a life of luxury, she knew she could've been treated far worse. Considering her current status as the west's prisoner, it surprised her that she hadn't been manhandled, save for the first day. Soon after Sesshomaru left, two youkai marched into the room and grabbed her, waking her in the process. With her powers weakened and her body covered in wounds, she could only struggle helplessly as the demons dug into her skin with their claws and brutally secured her wrists with metallic cuffs connected by an extended iron chain. In comparison to standard handcuffs, hers was heavy and much longer, with nearly an entire arm span. It allowed limited movements, though at the expense of discomfort from the heavy attachment. Designed to keep her subdued, the metal rattled loudly whenever Kikyo even made the slightest attempt to move. She truly felt like a cat with a bell around her neck, unable to do anything without warning her captors.
Her eyes opened when a set of footsteps announced someone's arrival. Sesshomaru's toxin still lingered in her body, so her dulled senses couldn't identify the demon by its youki. Then again, the identity of the visitor didn't pique her interest; most likely, it was a maid delivering her food.
Clang! The door opened from the outside and Kotori walked in, carrying a tray. She wordlessly bent down and placed the serving dish on the ground in front of the seated figure. Out of simple courtesy, she rose to her feet and took a few steps back to give Kikyo some eating space. However, instead of eating, the miko merely looked at the bowl of steaming broth before looking at the demoness with a questioning frown.
Kotori couldn't help flinching when Kikyo's cold eyes met hers, but she promptly recovered by averting her gaze. "Don't worry. It's not poisoned," the demoness reassured.
"No?" inquired Kikyo, picking up the spoon set beside the bowl. There was no emotion in her monotone, so Kotori couldn't deduce whether she was serious or jesting. The demoness could only presume it was the former since the miko didn't appear as someone flippant.
Kotori inwardly sighed. Honestly, she should have expected hostility from the woman. Her cold attitude towards her and the demon race was warranted, she supposed. For the first time, Kotori took a moment to reflect on the situation from Kikyo's perspective. 'She— a powerful and well-respected miko detained and reduced to a deprived prisoner, whose only reason for being kept alive is to be used as a tool. There is no pride or freedom for her. To have so much power and yet be completely helpless… to watch the ones precious to her fall. It's sad… but all things considered, she's not simply a victim here. Many of my comrades were slain by her. This treatment is justified, and besides… it's also a safety precaution.'
"Do you plan to watch as I eat?" The miko's abrupt question dragged Kotori away from her musing. Blinking twice, she reassembled her thoughts and nodded.
"Naturally. I'm instructed by Sesshomaru-sama to supervise you, and that includes when you dine," the female warrior replied casually as she recalled her lord's orders from the previous day. While Sesshomaru's commands were less specific and only entailed Kotori being wary of the miko's moves, the demoness thought she was better safe than sorry. So she decided to keep a close eye on her assigned target whenever possible.
"Oh? Sesshomaru actually believes that I can make an escape with only a spoon and a bowl of broth at my disposal. I'm surprised. He does think rather highly of me —a human," Kikyo said incredulously, shrugging her shoulders in what Kotori could only assume was silent laughter. This time, there was a certain outline of mockery latched onto her voice. "You may inform him that he needs not to fret, for I have no intention of escaping anytime soon."
'Huh? What is this woman saying?' Kotori blinked, perplexed. Kikyo bemused her to no end. First, the miko had the nerve to mock her lord but then reassured her that she had no schemes devised to escape. Whatever the miko was up to, Kotori was out of the loop. She couldn't understand Kikyo's mindset at all. For someone as blunt and straightforward as Kotori, the labyrinth that was Kikyo's mind was proving far too challenging for her to navigate. What was her motive for saying what she said? The female warrior felt as though she was constantly stumbling into dead ends without a clue as to where the exit was. Already, she could feel her head spinning from the effort of trying to puzzle together Kikyo's sophisticated thoughts. Unwilling to drag out the mental torment, she decided to change the topic and said the first thing that came to her. "... So, since you don't seem like you're hungry, how about we take a stroll outside? Perhaps a breath of fresh air may increase your appetite."
Kikyo apparently didn't like the suggestion at all, for her mahogany eyes narrowed right away. She didn't even bother to mask her incredulous expression as she inquired, "You are willing to let a miko roam in your lands? How will it benefit you demons in any way? Do you intend to humiliate me further by parading me in chains? You believe that will be sufficient to break my will?"
Venom dripped from the miko's hissing accusation. A sneer was the only thing missing to complete the reproachful look. Saying that Kikyo was apprehensive felt like an understatement. Kotori shook her head and inwardly sighed again. There was no ill intention in her proposal, but the miko had interpreted it wrong. Refusing to let the matter go, Kotori felt bent on getting Kikyo to lower her guard. One way or another, the demoness was going to get the miko to realize that she meant her no harm. After all, Kotori was stubborn if nothing else.
"We understand that keeping you cooped up in here is… unreasonable, I suppose. So we've made several arrangements. You're allowed outside, under my watch. I do not oppose the arrangement, so long as you remain compliant," Kotori explained, gesturing toward the door behind her for emphasis.
The wary look didn't vanish from Kikyo's face, its owner still searching for an ulterior motive from the demoness.
"Of course, there are places you are forbidden to roam, but I believe this is far better than staying here all day. It's completely your own free choice."
"…" Kikyo still said nothing and merely dropped the spoon she was holding back onto the tray. Barely any emotion registered on her now passive features, though the slightly raised eyebrows indicated attentiveness. The gesture told Kotori that she was listening, perhaps even mildly interested. It was a start for the demoness, and she decided to give the push.
"As for the parading in chains part, that's not what I had in mind. To be frank, I can't remove them… only Sesshomaru-sama has the power to. But I swear I harbor no intention of humiliating you… Kikyo-sama," she vowed, adding an honorific just to show some respect.
'Why must I show her respect?' No sooner had that left her lips did she ponder on the question that entered her head. Although used to being polite, this was the first time that she had attached an honorific when addressing a human. Like her lord, Kotori had little regard for humans, who were just feeble creatures. However, she had to admit that the miko was an exception. She was definitely outside the scope of expectancy. In a sense, Kikyo's attitudes could be related to Sesshomaru's. Pride was an integral factor that played into both of their lives, having been implanted deeply into their very soul the moment that they learned to harness their powers.
'The only reason why I'm addressing her so formally is because I don't want to shatter her leftover pride. Yes, honor is what defines me. I refuse to scoop so low and toy with someone on a mental level. I'll continue to use an honorific to help her maintain some self-esteem… Yes, I'm not doing this out of pity, but for honor. Mm, that sounds about right.' Finding the reason to be appropriate, Kotori concluded her thoughts just in time to notice that Kikyo was rising to her feet. Alarmed, her first impulse was to reach for her katana.
"I believe you. Please lead the way." Kikyo's voice was softer than previously, though hidden within was a tinge of desperation that only she knew. She yearned to breathe fresh air; being cramped in one place for more than two weeks was wearing her down. She just couldn't refuse the offer, or else she might lose her calm and beg for a moment of freedom. Besides, she could sense the genuineness in Kotori, who went so far as to use an honorific.
Kotori silently breathed a sigh of relief, somewhat feeling sheepish that she had reached the wrong conclusion. Releasing her hold on her katana, she beckoned Kikyo to follow and said, "Come on then, follow me."
With a nod, Kikyo obliged and did as she was told. As she departed her prison, she took one last glance behind her shoulder and her gaze fleetingly landed on the unfinished broth and the spoon resting on the tray. "Of course. Anything can be versatile if its owner is creative enough to see the possibilities of its use."
…
"…That's right. Even a spoon can be used for more than just eating. You can use it to dig through the prison you're locked in, or as a weapon to gouge the demon's eyes out… Of course, you can also use the spoon to continually sip the watery soup inside your heart's prison."
More Author's Notes: Just a quick heads up - Inuyasha will be paired up with the OC, Kotori, since I want a more unique relationship that doesn't involve Kagome. I'm well aware that Kagome is the fans' favorite when it comes to pairings. Not that I've anything against her, but since she's not going to have a significant role in this story, I'm going to refrain from adding her in.
Oh, and kudos to whoever recognizes where the bolded reference (the last part) comes from. It's foreshadowing to a certain degree.