Author's Notes: I'm pleased I'm actually managing ahead of my prescheduled times for once to deliver a chapter before this month ends. I do try to update once per month after all, and this progress can be viewed from my profile for those who are interested.
And of course, I would like to give a big thank you to everyone who is reading and supporting this story. I know that SessxKik is not a popular and well-received pairing out there and I'm really happy to see more people who enjoy the possibility of these two developing some kind of chemistry.
just4storys: Just doing my job as a writer with uploading and thank you for reading. I hope that you're enjoying it thus far.
8579: It's great to know that you're finding this story to be enjoyable and good. Thanks for the support.
Yami2703: Ohhh! You're insightful. There's going to be more about the Lord of the South in this chapter.
Meech Macko: You do bring up some good points by comparing the Inu no Taisho with Inuyasha. It is true that, at this point, they are both more alike in the sense that they are able to communicate and hold respect for other people.
And I thank you for letting me see a clearer picture of Sesshomaru's current mindset in the eyes of the readers. Indeed, Sesshomaru is definitely far less commendable when it comes to ruling over the west and understanding his people in general. But I do have plans for the way that Sesshomaru perceives his legacy and his superiority over humankind, as that itself is a part of his character development in the story. As of now, he is similar to how he was at the beginning of the Inuyasha series — cold, merciless, and without a trace of compassion for others. However, there will be a pivotal point where he will start to undergo changes, and Kikyo will have a role to play in all of that.
Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).
Disclaimer: All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, etc.) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.
Without further ado, onward to Chapter 12!
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Chapter 12-Precaution
"External appearance is nothing more than a mere illusion, a disguise to catch foolish ones off guard." -Sesshomaru on beauty
"True beauty comes from within the heart." -Kikyo on beauty
The banquet hall was bustling with humans and demons of all kinds. Many of the participants were conversing while standing on the red-carpeted floor, below the sparkling chandeliers hanging above. Several round tables were placed around the area, with a great variety of dishes made to suit the appetite of different species. Even the most fastidious eater would have no complaint regarding the assortment to choose from. In addition, maids would emerge from the kitchen carrying new dishes at scheduled times, while simultaneously replenishing any eaten food.
The way that the banquet ran was a reminiscence of the west's cultural tradition. It was the previous Lord of the West's idea that partakers were provided the freedom to roam around and interact. Within the space of the hall, status and species were practically non-existent as everyone could attain the same rights. All participants were expected to show respect to each other, meaning that violence and abuse of any kind would not be tolerated. Any violation of the rules would be dealt with accordingly.
Kagewaki was informed of that by the chancellor, Hibiki, the moment they stepped into the room. Despite having obtained the knowledge no more than half an hour ago, the Lord of the South was already scheming to take full advantage of what he was told, especially since even the Lord of the West himself was expected to oblige to the same regulations.
Holding a goblet half-filled with an expensive red drink, Kagewaki surveyed the crowd with a disinterested look. While the majority of his subordinates seemed uncomfortable around the demon kind, a few actually managed to hold a conversation. Nonetheless, Kagewaki had no interest in knowing that they were getting along. He couldn't care less. There were more pressing matters to attend to. His eyes skimmed over to Sesshomaru, noting with a small smile that the daiyoukai was preoccupied with Koga.
"Hey, Sesshomaru. You really do know how to put high-quality stuff on the table. Not bad at all." Koga praised while gnawing on a large piece of meat on a bone. Fat and oil drizzled down his chin as he wiped the grease away with the back of his hand.
"Hmm," Sesshomaru hummed in acknowledgment, completely apathetic towards Koga's mannerisms. He took a sip of wine from his golden goblet. Unlike Koga, his action was smooth and elegant, the expected carriage of royalty.
The stark contrast was very apparent as the two lords stood side by side. To anyone else, Koga's etiquette contradicted his status, appearing as though he had not eaten in days. But that was just commonplace for the Yourou clan. All members behaved similarly when it came to the lack of table manners. Since meat was scarce during winter in the tall regions of the North, the wolf demons residing there often went without fresh meat for months.
Besides the shortage of food, the Yourou clan was constantly targeted by their archenemy Gokurakucho, a type of migrating bird youkai notoriously vicious and territorial. That, combined with the harsh environments, made the Yourou clan very powerful and reputational despite its relatively small population. Fierce and loyal to their pack, it was no understatement to describe each wolf youkai as a seasonal survivor with sensational instincts.
It was precisely those instincts that captured Kagewaki's attention. In the worst-case scenario that Sesshomaru refused to cooperate, he planned to obtain the aid of Koga's clan as a bare minimum. And while persuading Koga to his side was important, Kagewaki wasn't planning on doing so tonight. Instead, he wanted Koga to interact with Sesshomaru, unwittingly distracting the latter. All the while, Kagewaki would focus on his deemed first precedence.
With a clear objective, he searched the banquet hall, eventually finding what he was looking for in the form of an alluring woman dressed in white and red garbs. Seemingly aware that she was incompatible with the lively atmosphere, she kept herself in a corner and secluded within a protective barrier. Her eyes were closed, not bothering to regard those who treated her like some exotic animal on public display.
There were a few loud whispers, spreading words about the miko being tamed by Sesshomaru. But Kagewaki knew that the gossips were false, for the woman in question was far too composed. Her back was straight and her shoulders were squared, lacking the listlessness often seen in those who had given up.
Come to think of it, the demons were speaking too loudly. The miko must have heard, yet she didn't care. Her posture demonstrated her attitude toward the current situation. She sat with one leg crossed and the other bent, knee up. Nothing that signified the grace of a lady, but it fitted the image that she probably wanted to portray. Distant, unwavering, and cold to anyone in the room. For her, to show even a hint of discomfort in the crowd of demons and humans alike would crush her pride.
'A prideful woman, indeed. With her hands cuffed like that, one would think the esteemed archer would feel quite helpless. Yet she continues to challenge that belief with her demeanor. Ah! Yes, this one is very willful… as expected.' Having made his analysis, Kagewaki couldn't suppress the delight that made his lips curve upward. Everything was proceeding as planned. Under his orders, the demon slayers were making a deliberate attempt to disregard the miko while trying to gather information discretely. Of course, it was simply misguidance aimed at Sesshomaru, whose sensitive hearing would allow him to pick up on the conversations around him. Not only would it befuddle the daiyoukai, but it could also be used to assess the miko's reactions. Although the said reaction was unexpected. Never once did she dissolve her kekkai and speak with the people that could potentially rescue her from Sesshomaru's clutches.
Questions manifested inside the Lord of the South. Was it really arrogance that prevented her from initiating first contact? Or was it caution that prompted vigilance rather than immediate action?
Kagewaki could speculate all he wanted, though the truth would continue to elude him unless he extracted the correct answer himself. Therefore, he would need to have a heart-to-heart with the woman. With that in mind, he moved towards the corner of the room unreservedly, all the while reminding himself to be tactful. Depending on the standpoint, the upcoming negotiation held a greater significance than the ones he would have with the other lords. A slip up would adversely impact his plan in the long term.
From what he gathered from rumors and observations, the woman was assertive yet also full of compassion. If he could appeal to her sense of empathy, then she might be persuaded to provide aid. Her loyalty was with the east, but that didn't change the fact that they shared a common foe. And as a popular saying went, the enemy of my enemy was a friend.
"Lord Kagewaki." Kagewaki was just about to reach the barrier when a fruity voice called out from behind him. Turning around, his sight landed on a woman who looked up at him with an ebullient smile that even radiated from her blue-colored eyes. Dressed in the standard outfit common to the maids in the west, the demoness was holding onto a small wood barrel that smelled strongly of alcohol.
"What is it?" he asked, despite knowing exactly why the maid approached him. His fingers rubbed against the surface of his empty goblet, spinning the cup around absentmindedly.
"Lord Kagewaki, would you like a refill?" asked the maid, positioning her body at an acute angle to bow respectfully. But at that moment, her headgear toppled, drooping forward and covering her eyes. She quickly adjusted it with one hand, securing the ear flaps of the headgear that greatly resembled an ushanka hat. Her movement was uncoordinated, almost like something was growing out from the side of her head that prevented her from keeping the headwear straight.
"Yes, one can certainly learn to appreciate this fine beverage. But before that, allow me." Kagewaki supplied a gentle chuckle and extended a hand to straighten the maid's hat, an effort to convey a friendly demeanor toward the female. Unfortunately, the gesture was met with opposition and the youkai swiftly retreated, placing an arm's length between them in an attempt to establish distance.
With his extended arm suspended in midair, Kagewaki blinked twice and offered a humorless smile. "What is the matter, my dear? Why do you withdraw from my touch? Is a mortal such as myself unworthy to lend aid to a fair maiden such as yourself?"
"Oh no. That was not my intention." The demoness gave an emphatic shake of the head while holding her headgear tightly with one hand. "If anything, it is I who is unworthy of your attention. I simply cannot let a person of noble birth sully their hands by coming into contact with one of such low status as myself."
"But surely you jest. As I've said, you're a fine lady... Ah, I suppose my attempt at a joke has gone awry. I suppose it can't be helped." His smile morphing into a playful smirk, Kagewaki presented his goblet to the maid, who immediately took it to pour wine in. Watching her, the Lord of the South inwardly marveled at the practicality that a conversation could have. He had exchanged no more than a few sentences with the maid and already, he was grasping the basis of her personality, namely her seriousness.
"Here you go." The maid's voice pulled him out of his amused thoughts as she quickly replaced the lid on her bottle and returned his goblet to him. Their hands fleetingly brushed against each other before the Lord of the South could place his fingers around the cup's stem. The moment's contact with calloused skin made Kagewaki furrow his eyebrows, though he recovered just as quickly and pasted his usual smile onto his face.
"Thank you, my dear." Placing his free hand to his chin, he deliberately gave the impression of someone deep in contemplation as his eyes flickered toward his left. His eye movement was slow, allowing the female demon to follow his gaze until her sapphire orbs also landed on the barrier.
"Hmmm, is there a reason you keep her in there?" he inquired nonchalantly, lowering his voice but ensuring it would be audible to the miko's ears. Needless to say, it was irksome when the subject of his interest outright ignored him, her eyes still closed.
"…No, we're not the ones who… imprisoned her in a barrier. She is doing it of her own free will."
"Is that so? It appears she harbors no appreciation for the lively atmosphere here. Why not allow her to leave? Surely there is no need to keep a captive around to sullen our moods."
"I'm afraid I cannot do that. Her presence has been decreed by the will of the Lord Sesshomaru. I am not privy to the reasoning behind his agenda, neither is it in my place to discuss such a matter." Her reply was concise and flawless, almost like it was rehearsed lines.
"I see. Oh, well." That said, he dismissed the maid with a nod. Nonetheless, she didn't seem to understand his gesture, for she merely stood where she was and gazed at him with strange expectation. Involuntarily, Kagewaki found himself pursing his lips.
"You may leave now." Being subtle had failed to carry across his intended message, so he dropped the refinement and went with a more direct approach.
"Hmmm, is that all that you need from me?" Puzzled, the maid tilted her head to the side.
"Yes, that's all."
"Oh… I see. If so, then I shall humbly take my leave. Please enjoy your stay in the west."
To Kagewaki's confusion, she did not stall him like she was seemingly instructed. Suspicion crept into his mind and he wondered if this was an elaborate plan devised by Sesshomaru. Still, he didn't dwell on the matter for long since there were objectives he intended to complete before the end of tonight's banquet.
'Sesshomaru's intention does raise questions, though it is not something that demands immediate attention. No matter. I will get what I come here for, regardless of how meddlesome the west becomes.' His inner contemplations eased his mind and he continued with his initial plan.
Walking up to the kekkai, he inched his hand forward and touched the dome's surface. It rippled but otherwise remained still. Just as he thought, the barrier was purely made to protect its inhabitant and couldn't deflect things it came in contact with. He knew that barriers capable of the latter consumed a lot of energy, which would've been too draining for the miko to maintain for the entire night. Besides, he doubted she would have been allowed to create barriers suited for counterattacks, lest she accidentally purified a nearby youkai.
Touching the kekkai caused a disturbance in energy, which alerted the miko. To Kagewaki's obscured glee, the woman finally revealed her pair of mahogany to the rest of the world as she decided to spare him some of her attention.
Apart from that barely perceivable glint of curiosity, there was nothing else that betrayed the apathy presented on her fair features. Needless to say, Kagewaki was impressed. The eyes were the gateway to the soul, and barring others away by closing them was no simple task. Yet, not only was the miko able to do it efficiently, but she could also seemingly communicate filtered thoughts with her eyes alone. Taking note of that, the Lord of the South knowingly took a peek at Sesshomaru, whose single glance immediately told a maid to refill his cup. In that sense, the daiyoukai was the same; he also had a way of conveying unspoken messages and authority with his golden orbs.
Kagewaki was aware that the miko was conducting scrutiny of him. Providing her with enough time to quench her curiosity, he remained silent and kept his eyes lingered on her face until, at last, she shattered the stalemate.
"You are the Lord of the South, I presume. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?" Her monotonous voice carried no emotion, so Kagewaki couldn't distinguish whether or not her words held concealed disdain. But one thing was certain, the miko was very guarded. Forget about a demon, even an ordinary human would not earn her immediate trust. He couldn't blame her for being mistrustful given the situation, thus he allowed her insolence to slide.
"Remove this barrier, if you would be so kind. My wish is to converse with you without any disturbance." For emphasis, he gently tapped the screen of energy with his knuckles.
"I would prefer to keep it intact. Would that be an inconvenience?"
"Yes. I want to talk face-to-face with you, without the barrier's obstruction. I ask that you do not mistake this for a violation of your personal space."
There was no response from the miko, nor was there any implication that she had heeded his words. Just when he was about to reword his request again, he noticed that the beads she wore around her neck transiently flashed. The miko's face paled and for a second, Kagewaki saw a glimpse of pain that made her pupils quiver, an agony that she seemed adamant to hide with other emotions. A surge of uncontaminated anger poured out from the layer of mahogany and flew straight for Sesshomaru, who sensed her glare but barely bothered to acknowledge it with a side glance.
Since Kagewaki's attention was on the woman, it took him a while to realize that the barrier keeping him at a distance had vanished without a trace. Although he had a lurking suspicion as to how that had happened, he didn't confirm any of the possibilities. Now that he was free to interact with her, the Lord of the South wasted no time and found himself a seat beside the miko.
"Good. I'm pleased," Kagewaki beamed at the not-so-happy woman, despite knowing she did not willingly dissolve her only form of protection. "I am indeed the Lord of the South, Kagewaki. Please tell me your name."
"…It's Kikyo." There was a slight hesitation before she concluded that telling him her name would not harm.
"Ah, a lovely name." Making his action obvious, he placed his goblet by his side before slipping that hand into the folds of his kimono to pull out a small sack. He opened it and tipped the contents out, letting several seeds rest on the palm of his empty hand. "I intend to run a test while in the west. Would you consent to aid me with this endeavor?"
Kikyo turned her head towards him, bemused. Then a crafty smile descended on her lips. "Surely there are more suitable candidates to assign the role to."
"Well, the west excels in terms of power and might, its residents equally impressive. However, I sense that they lack the, let's simply say, subtlety necessary to properly care for these," Kagewaki explained, pointing at the objects in his possession. "These are known as bellflower seeds, abundant in the east yet seldom seen in the west. I wish to conduct an experiment to determine if they can flourish in the Western Province as well. I have already tested such a theory in the south and the outcome proved to be very successful."
"Why go through all this effort, Lord Kagewaki?"
"Curiosity is the innate nature of mankind," he answered, rolling the seeds around by swirling his palm. "That aside, it must be said that you, Kikyo, possess a noble and compassionate character driven by a selfless desire to care for the benefit of others. I am certain that you are more than qualified for this task."
"Have we met?" asked Kikyo, not even trying to hide her lurking distrust.
"Not quite. But I know you, for you're the reason I came to be." Surprise flickered briefly in his eyes, before a small smile appeared on his lips. He hadn't expected her to catch on that quickly. However, her astuteness would certainly simplify the procedure.
She quirked a brow at him, almost challengingly, though she refrained from speaking what was on her mind.
"These flowers will mirror the heart of who disperses their seeds. You have a beautiful and pure heart, so you are naturally my first and only preference." Despite her silence, Kagewaki comprehended what was left unsaid. The circumlocution was no longer necessary. However, he continued speaking metaphorically, if only to deceive those around him. With a charming smile plastered on his features, he grabbed Kikyo's hand and passed her the seeds. The action turned out to be more difficult than he thought. With the miko's hands secured together, he had to take extra care when pouring out the seeds to ensure that none would fall onto the ground.
"Please spare me your flattery. The association is quite unjust, given the ambiguity of my true nature in your eyes."
"Provided you can understand the implications," Kagewaki paused briefly and Kikyo nodded in confirmation. Reinvigorated by her acknowledgment, he continued onward without hesitation. "With all that in mind, what do you say? The outcome intrigues me as much as your opinion. Will they become desiccated and perish? Or will they brave the harsh storms common only to the west?"
"And what measures will you take if I deem them incongruous with the west?" asked Kikyo, and Kagewaki was thrilled by how quick-witted she could be. It looked like they were communicating on the same wavelength, which many wouldn't be able to understand. He doubted that even Sesshomaru could decipher the underlying message in their exchange, let alone the lesser demons.
"If that be the case, I would take them to the south, where they will most certainly flourish and be at their utmost quality. What do you think?" Holding a hand out with his palm facing the ceiling, Kagewaki waited for Kikyo's response. Depending on her answer, he would have to alter his plans accordingly. He could only hope that the miko wouldn't disappoint.
"Is that so? That's fine. I will take them. You have nothing to worry about."
To any other overhearing the conversation, it would appear as though Kagewaki was successful in getting the miko to help him. However, he understood what was kept obscured. The miko's voice was gentle, yet also uncompromising as she delivered the underlying message that made his mood go sour.
'What is she thinking? It makes no sense. She knows all too well that I may be her last hope for salvation. Yet this woman…'
Because his anticipation was high, it was harder to take the rejection she hurled at him. Kikyo's face was phlegmatic but he could tell that nothing else he could say would change her stubborn mind. Still, he couldn't help but notice that her hand was rolled into a fist, with enough pressure to nearly crash the seeds. For the briefest of seconds, he thought that he saw a flash of resentment burning in her irises, and made a note to store that observation into the unlimited abyss that was his mind.
"Fair enough, I respect your decision." It was taking a lot of his self-discipline to keep his tone unruffled, to not spit out the last line in pure venom. He grabbed his goblet, almost crashing it in his unvented frustration, before pulling himself back onto his feet. "I have taken up far too much of your time. Please excuse me now. I thank you for your help."
"It was an honor, Lord Kagewaki," said Kikyo, her face lowered respectfully as he took his leave.
That miko had the nerve to act as though everything was fine, he silently fumed. Gulping down all the wine at once, he suppressed the boiling rage welling within his pounding heart.
His pounding heart — it annoyed him to no end. No matter how much the negotiation had turned out to be a failure, he was adamant about not letting his human emotions triumph over his rationale. His hand found his chest and his fingernails dug deep into the fabric. 'She is some piece of work, that woman. How dare she defy me! Yet, my primary concern does not lie there. It's despicable to think that the useless mortal's heart that dwells within affects me to this very day. Hehehe… but don't underestimate me, Kikyo. I will have my way in the end.'
Kotori slipped out of the banquet hall with stealth that rivaled a cat's. Confident that she escaped unnoticed, she ripped off her headgear and allowed her ears some deserved freedom.
"Argh! I didn't think it would be this difficult," she muttered to no one in particular.
To conceal her identity while keeping an eye on Kikyo, she was instructed to disguise herself as a maid for the majority of the night. While she didn't mind humbling herself to serve her lord's guests, she had never imagined that a certain unique feature of hers would risk exposing her identity. The simple task of donning the maid's uniform had taken ages due to her flurry ears, which refused to stay tucked under the headgear due to discomfort. She was relieved no one noticed how her ears would instinctively move underneath. Had she been granted more free time, then she might've been tempted to file a detailed complaint to the designer, ranting about how the headgear was so poorly designed that it did not allow any mobility for the ears.
"So you're finally done. What took you so long? I hate having to wait." A gruff voice suddenly called out to her, and it was followed by Inuyasha's head peeking around the corner of the hallway. The hanyou's golden eyes darted around, ensuring that Kotori was the only one nearby. When he was satisfied that they were indeed alone, he left the corner and strolled assertively towards the demoness, with both hands preoccupied with a large tray of food.
"Sorry, but it's not like I could help it. As a bare minimum, I need enough details for the report Sesshomaru-sama wants tonight." Kotori stroked the feathers on her ears gently, trying to smoothen them out. She felt that it was nothing short of a miracle that she managed to retain her hearing after the hardship she went through.
"Well damn you for making me wait out here! Thought you had the nerve to forget about our deal." Although Inuyasha aimed a disapproving retort at Kotori, his tone betrayed the playful intent that he attempted to conceal. Obviously, the celebrative atmosphere had left him in a good mood and so he was looking forward to their usual banter.
"I did not forget about our prearranged meeting. If anything, I am quite confident with my memories. Inuyasha-sama, it's you who lack the brain capacity to store vital information." Kotori didn't disappoint, her words dripping with intended derision.
"Hah! So you do think that our meet up is important! You must've been looking forward to it, even if you're too much of an uptight to admit it out loud." Not offended, Inuyasha moved the conversation in a direction that Kotori did not expect.
"Y-You! How absurd!" Kotori managed to stutter, jabbing an accusing finger in Inuyasha's direction. His straightforwardness caught her off guard and it was becoming extremely difficult to maintain a straight face.
Seeing her flustered only brought Inuyasha's trademark grin to his face, with a fang jutting out from the corner of his mouth. Centuries of verbal bantering with Kotori had allowed him to study and memorize things to say that would get her agitated. Under normal circumstances, his fierce temperament would place him on the receiving end of Kotori's spirited jeers. But the advantage was his so long as he remained unruffled and examined the scabs he could pick on. Despite her seriousness, she was awfully sensitive when it came to certain topics. 'Ha! This is what happens when you try to imitate Sesshomaru too much. You fall short and I grab the opening.'
"What's the matter, Kotori? Too proud to admit it?" Inuyasha's unannounced victory felt all the more satisfying when the demoness realized her mistake and scowled. She flung her arm in a dramatic movement. Her headgear left her hand and sailed in an upturned parabola, narrowly missing Inuyasha's head as he tilted sideways a little.
The cocky grin never left his face. But before Inuyasha could savor his victory with more sarcasm, he was interrupted by a voice. "My, young ones nowadays sure enjoy their love quarrel."
The search for the speaker diverted Kotori's attention. Thus, she missed the implications behind the words. On the other hand, Inuyasha caught on and his face involuntarily turned a darker shade in understanding. Because of that, extra caution was needed to ensure he didn't spill the content on the tray. He would've never forgiven himself if he allowed all the delicacy to go to waste without at least having tasted some. 'Damn that old flea! Why the hell is he talking nonsense!? What does he want?'
Inuyasha's last inquiry was answered. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a small shadow fly past him and towards Kotori. There was a strange noise that sounded like someone drinking from a straw, followed by a slap as Kotori landed her hand on her cheek. She gingerly lowered her arm, revealing a flattened Myoga against the base of her palm.
"Myoga-sama!" Kotori exclaimed, "My apology, you startled me and my reflex took over. I didn't know you were back in the west."
"Why are you sorry? He got what he damned deserved. The old man is running away from Shoga again," Inuyasha scoffed, not the least fascinated as the flea took a deep breath and returned his body proportion to normal. Although it was an impressive feat from an ordinary standpoint, it was commonplace for Inuyasha since Myoga constantly tried to target him whenever the opportunity arise.
"Running away won't solve the problem, Myoga-sama. I know! Why don't you try and talk it out with Shoga-sama?" suggested Kotori.
Myoga faked a cough and shook his head in obvious disapproval. "A terrible idea. She will never let me go! She doesn't understand how important freedom is to an adventurous man like me."
"Hah! She's just as much of a narrow-minded uptight as Kotori here."
"I beg your pardon, Inuyasha-sama? Narrow-minded, you say?"
"What? Got a problem?"
Kotori's lips curled downwards. "I am not—"
"Don't bother denying it when you blindly follow Sesshomaru's orders to the letter."
"That's because I am Sesshomaru-sama's subordinate. And it'll do you well to listen to Sesshomaru-sama too." Kotori's eyes narrowed dangerously. What was meant to be small jabs of witty remarks escalated into a full-scale argument, particularly because Inuyasha managed to involve the Lord of the West. She supposed it was unavoidable, given how their opinion on Sesshomaru was as different as night and day.
"No way in hell that's ever gonna happen." Not intimidated by Kotori's scornful look, Inuyasha returned a glare with equal ferocity. His golden eyes glistened, burning bright with flames of energy.
An invisible spark crackled in the air as the two glared daggers at each other. From the sidelines, Myoga felt that his previous statement was reinforced. While the pair was oblivious, they really do seem close from a third person's perspective. It was no wonder that there were rumors about the two's secret relationship.
"Now, now. Arguing won't get us anywhere. Allow me to tell you something," the flea youkai chimed in, effectively halting the bickering. Just when Inuyasha and Kotori thought he would preach and enlighten them with wise words from experience, Myoga ravaged the expectation when he directed a strange look at Kotori while addressing Inuyasha. "Master Inuyasha, you need to learn to appreciate Kotori-san more. Fine women come seldom these days, especially those with delicious blood."
The effect was instantaneous.
With the impression that Myoga was still craving blood, Kotori dropped the flea and covered the base of her neck with a hand in an endeavor to protect herself. Although the entirety of the blood-sucking process felt nothing more than an annoying prick, no one enjoyed having their blood extracted. Kotori was no exception as she took a cautious step back, almost as if Myoga had suddenly grown a pair of fangs.
"Quit it, Myoga. I don't need your damn opinion. What does this woman's blood have to do with anything besides pleasing your stomach?" Rolling his eyes in plain exasperation, Inuyasha felt foolish for believing that Myoga was capable of offering worthwhile advice. Irritation crept in and he jabbed an impatient claw at the bottle of saké sitting on the edge of the tray. "If you've got nothing to say, then shut it. Or else I'll pour this on ya!"
"Don't be like that, Master Inuyasha. Besides, it will be a waste if you go through with your threat." Saying that, Myoga bounded up to Inuyasha before the hanyou could protest. Out of all places he could find shelter, he deemed his young master's shoulder to be the safest. Even if Inuyasha acted on his words, surely he would think twice before dumping the beverage on his own clothes.
While Myoga was quick to retort, Kotori's mind took a minute to comprehend what was just said. The first notion to entertain her was how ludicrous Inuyasha's means of intimidation were. Apart from getting a sense of amusement from a soaked Myoga, she couldn't imagine what other benefit he could reap with that threat. And then realization finally arrived, and her brows furrowed.
"Wait, is that… saké?"
"Huh? Of course it is. What else can it be but Ayakashi Spring saké?" To prove his point, Inuyasha supported the tray in one hand while the other plucked the cap off the top of the bottle. A sugary aroma drifted into the air, prompting Inuyasha's lips to curve. Based on past occurrences, he could already predict what was to come from the demoness.
"Ugh! Please close that lid!" Kotori protested, forcing herself not to gag. She pinched her nose. It always mystified her how a dog demon like Inuyasha could tolerate the alcoholic stench while she couldn't bear to be in the same room as the beverage despite having a less acute sense of smell. From a young age, Kotori had detested alcohol. Her last experience with saké left a foul taste in her mouth, resulting in a terrible hangover. Shortly after that, she was told that most members of the Tori clan had low alcohol tolerance. 'Would've been more helpful if they had told me earlier…'
"Come now, weren't you fine during the banquet? You were serving everyone and all that crap." Inuyasha shrugged but obliged, all the while oblivious to the touch of despondence in his tone.
"I was holding my breath most of the time. I would much prefer to be spared the pain of doing that now that my shift is over," muttered Kotori.
"Just grow up! It's good stuff, okay. Totally relieves stress..." The zeal in his statement diminished when he noticed how Kotori's body tensed, almost in anticipation of an attack. Taking the cue, Inuyasha decided to stop, lest the demoness resort to a violent approach.
In terms of physical strength, Inuyasha did not doubt he held the upper hand, especially since Kotori was currently weaponless. However, the last thing he wanted was to endanger the bottle of saké that he went through so much trouble just to get. Obtaining food had been as simple as grabbing a plate and handpicking his favorites, though the same couldn't be said when it came to the beverage. For some reason, Hibiki loathed the idea of having drunken youkai around. Hence, any form of alcohol was banned and the bottles were kept in storage, only to be used for special occasions. And even then, the amount allowed was restricted.
"You will bring me more stress once you get yourself drunk. Please bring your attention to that last time, if you can remember that is." Her fingers rubbing her temples in exasperation, Kotori recalled a time when Inuyasha got drunk after falling into a barrel of saké. Not only did he end up swaying back and forth, but he was also mumbling nonsense about how everything around him had duplicated.
"Keh! Don't start that again! How many times do I have to tell you to stop bringing up old history?! If you keep bathing in past glory, you'll never move on. You and Sesshomaru are both like that, and that's why I'll always get the better of you."
"My, wise words coming from Master Inuyasha. I never thought I'll see the day." Myoga folded his four arms together and nodded thoughtfully.
"Shut up! The same goes for you too, Myoga." Inuyasha bared a fang at the flea on his shoulder. He was tempted to flick the demon off, though he was distracted by Kotori before he could initiate the deed.
"Myoga-sama does make a fair point. Do tell me who you stole the line from?" asked Kotori, an eyebrow quirking up in a suggestive manner.
"Take me seriously, you goddamn woman! I'm serious, and the same goes for what I'm about to say next. So listen up... Actually no, not here." That said, Inuyasha strode off restlessly. He was never one to give things a second thought so he acted the instant his mind yielded input that he deemed significant.
"Whoa!" Startled by the movement, Myoga's heart jumped into his throat as he grabbed Inuyasha's Robe of the Fire-Rat to keep himself from falling. Regret came to him in crashing waves. He should've taken refuge on Kotori's shoulder; she would never do something so unpredictable that could result in a heart attack.
"This way. Hurry up!" Inuyasha gave a brusque order when Kotori remained stationary.
The demoness bristled at his command but obliged nonetheless. Snatching the headgear lying on the ground, she trekked in the silver-haired half-demon's footsteps yet found herself under pressure to match his pace. She was compelled to jog lightly until she was finally keeping up alongside him.
"Wait up! What has gotten into you?" To Kotori's surprise, Inuyasha was managing a quickened pace while keeping everything inside his tray perfectly balanced. Had the situation been different, then Kotori would have remarked that the half-demon possessed a skill that would make the maids jealous.
Inuyasha narrowed his eyebrows, his pupils radiating with indefinable intent. "Don't want nobody eavesdropping on us."
"What is it you want to say, Master Inuyasha?" asked Myoga.
"Is the secrecy really necessary?" Kotori's instinctive response was something along the lines of 'you are acting like a five-year-old who has been told a secret', though she restrained herself. Now was probably not the best time for a provocative statement that would lead to another back and forth.
Being perplexed by the sudden turn of events left her distracted and she nearly bumped into Inuyasha when he suddenly halted and whirled around. Stopping herself just in time, her head perked up as a pair of cerulean met gold in wonder.
"Inuyasha-sama?"
"Hey. I want you guys to stay away from that guy," he announced out of the blue.
Although his tone was clipped, Kotori's focus was not on how he delivered the content but rather on the content itself. That guy? Who? Even if she could reach Kikyo's level of astuteness momentarily, she highly doubted she would be able to comprehend the arbitrariness that was leaving the half-demon's mouth. One minute he was behaving as usual and the next he was going off with unfathomable warnings.
"Who?" Both Myoga and Kotori asked in unison, though the former's voice fluctuated with greater interest.
Tapping impatiently on the ground with his bare toes, it was then that Inuyasha realized how vague his words were. Neither Myoga nor Kotori understood his implications. As much as he was reluctant to admit it, the fault was on him. He clicked his tongue, gave a derisive huff, and then finally elaborated, "The Lord of the South. That guy is all bad news. I don't like his scent at all. There's something artificial about it."
"Hmm? Are you perhaps reading too much into this, Master Inuyasha?" asked Myoga.
Under normal circumstances, Kotori would have sided with the flea youkai and dismissed what appeared to be paranoia from Inuyasha. However, even she couldn't deny the strange vibes she got from the Lord of the South. There were no words to describe it, though there was something off whenever he smiled. In no way did it look like a pretense, and yet it didn't seem genuine either. In contrast to Sesshomaru's nonchalance, Kagewaki's casual smile felt more daunting from Kotori's perceptive.
Kotori's hand went to her chin, her fingers gently touching her skin. "It's debatable, though I do side with Inuyasha-sama. There is more than what meets the eye. It would be in our best interest to proceed with caution."
"So you do get it!" Having expected Kotori to be dismissive, Inuyasha felt triumphant upon hearing the demoness' opinion on the matter. Even as Myoga remained unconvinced, the female warrior's support was enough to bring a large grin to his face. Due to his reckless and somewhat immature personality, hardly anyone took him seriously and few even had the nerve to liken him to a court jester. Thus, it was refreshing when someone was actually acknowledging his words for once without any reserve. "That sure made things a hell lot easier. I thought I would've to drill the idea into ya thick skull."
"Don't push it." She pitted a harsh glare at him, but he didn't falter at all. To vent out some frustration, the demoness yanked a small piece of the meat on the bone sitting on Inuyasha's tray. She shoved it into her mouth and welcomed the unique flavor that impressed her taste buds.
If Inuyasha was peeved that she had taken some food before he could, then he didn't show it. Instead, he resumed his gait while continuing with their current topic. "Either way, stay on your toes. That's all I want to say."
Myoga and Kotori responded with a firm nod, each making a mental note to be vigilant while the guests diverted the Lord of the West's attention.