Standing outside the grand room, Kagome was already regretting letting InuKimi play dress-up. The floral kimono was stunning, yes, but it was layered so heavily she could barely move. With her own fur pelt wrapped securely around her arms she felt less like a graceful priestess and more like a flower-laden burrito. Sesshoumaru had even warned her to dress comfortably, but no—she'd decided to be fancy.
At least Rin had been merciful, styling her hair in a simple but elegant half-updo, secured with the delicate blue ribbon Sesshoumaru had given her. She risked a glance at Sesshoumaru standing beside her and felt a rush of admiration—and maybe a touch of annoyance. He looked like some kind of celestial warrior-king, effortlessly cool with his hair styled back, several ruby and gold earrings glinting in his pointed ears. How was it fair that he pulled off "demon lord chic" so flawlessly while she fought the urge to trip over her own hem?
Trying not to fidget, Kagome's nerves took over, and she began twisting the sleeves of her kimono. Sesshoumaru, taking pity on the priestess and thought to distract her, leaned down and whispered in a low voice.
"Your pet has taken a lover."
Kagome stopped fidgeting and stared up at him with wide blue eyes. "What?!"
At that very moment, the doors to the hall cracked open as the guard announced their entrance, but Kagome waved him off, eyes still glued to Sesshoumaru. "No, no—close that! We're not ready!" she called over her shoulder before turning back to him, hands on her hips. "You're telling me this now?! Who is it? Spill!"
Sesshoumaru's face wavered as he tried to keep his composure, clearly entertained by her reaction. He looked through the still crack open doors before it shut again, noticing the other lords craning their necks to see what was causing the delay, then back at her with a smirk. "We can discuss it after," he said smoothly, clearly aware that she'd take the bait.
"Absolutely not. I'm not moving an inch until you tell me," she retorted, her eyes lit up with uncontained curiosity.
He leaned in even more, "It is your new… friend."
Kagome blinked, the wheels turning until she finally gasped. Trying to be subtle, she mouthed, "Shinobu?"
Sesshoumaru gave her a small confirming nod.
"Oh my god," she whispered with a smile and gave him a playful smack on the arm. "Shut up! Really?"
Sesshoumaru, struggling to make sense of her reaction, just arched a brow. "Yes?"
She suddenly began to pout. "How did you even find out?"
He tapped his nose with a smug expression. "I have my methods."
Kagome rolled her eyes while muttering, "That's cheating."
A discreet cough broke through the tension, prompting both Sesshoumaru and Kagome to glance toward the source. Standing awkwardly near the door, a guard shifted uncomfortably under Sesshoumaru's sharp gaze, his throat clearing again in an effort to remain composed. "My lord and lady," he began cautiously, "the other nobles are growing, um… restless."
Sesshoumaru turned back to Kagome, his golden eyes softening as he took her hand. Gently, he brushed his lips over her knuckles. "Shall we?" His lips curved in the faintest shadow of a smile—one that promised both mischief and unwavering support.
The grand shoji doors slid open with a stately grace, revealing the magnificence of the hall beyond. The polished floor wood gleamed under the glow of suspended lanterns, casting an ethereal light over the assembled nobles. As they stepped forward, the guard stationed at the entrance let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
Straightening his back, the guard's voice carried across the room. "Please rise for Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands and Prince to the House of the Moon." He paused, letting the weight of the words settle over the crowd. "And Lady Kagome Higurashi, the Shikon Priestess and future Lady of the Western Lands."
The nobles rose as expected, their gazes a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. Kagome tried to ignore their scrutiny, her steps steady only because of Sesshoumaru's calming presence beside her. But not even thirty minutes later, her sanity shattered.
Kagome stormed out of the hall with Sesshoumaru following closely behind, his measured pace a stark contrast to her fury. Each step she took shed another layer of the elaborate kimono she had been forced to wear, leaving a trail of fine silks like breadcrumbs for the demon lord to gather.
By the time she reached their private chambers, her frustration boiled over, and she let out a scream that reverberated off the walls.
Sesshoumaru appeared moments later, his arms full of discarded garments. He slid the door closed behind him with a subtle nudge of his boot and let the silk tumble unceremoniously to the floor.
Kagome spun on him, her chest heaving. "How can you be so calm right now? Did you hear what they said?!" She yanked pins from her hair, freeing it in wild waves that framed her flushed face.
He regarded her with a quiet, calm expression, his golden eyes tracing every movement. He stepped closer, his voice smooth as silk. "I heard." His lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. "I also heard how you put them in their place."
Before she could retort, he pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to nuzzle into her unruly locks. "Your spirit, Little Goddess" he purred against her hair, "is titillating."
Still simmering, Kagome pushed at his chest, though her effort was half-hearted. "Get off. I'm not in the mood."
Her resistance only seemed to arouse him further. He pulled back just enough to catch her fiery gaze, his eyes gleaming with predatory delight. "Your anger is intoxicating," he murmured, his clawed hand tracing a slow path along her arm. "Shall we direct it toward torturing the wolf?"
Kagome groaned, finally managing to slip out of his grasp. "I'm serious! I'm going to kill Kouga," she declared, pacing toward the open window and gripping the frame as if to steady herself.
Sesshoumaru's smirk deepened. "Hm. May I watch?"
She turned to glare at him again, only to be met with his infuriatingly sexy face. "Read the room, Sesshoumaru!" she hissed, throwing her hands in the air before turning back to the window.
Her mind raced back to the events that had unfolded in the hall. Barely had she and Sesshoumaru taken their seats on the dais when Kouga strode forward and declared his challenge.
"I reject this mating!" he had bellowed, puffing out his chest. "By pack rights, Kagome is mine! I found her first!"
The audacity of his words sent a bolt of anger through Kagome so fast she hadn't even realized she was standing until the resounding crack of her hand striking his cheek echoed through the hall.
Her slap, laced with enough reiki to leave a searing burn, silenced the room. Kouga staggered back, clutching his face, his blue eyes wide with shock.
Before the silence could settle, the Northern phoenix Lord Homura leaned toward his mate, his fiery red hair swaying as he smirked. "I see the priestess is not just a healer but a dog tamer as well," he remarked, his sharp yellow eyes glinting with amusement.
His mate, Lady Luanling, covered her laughter with an ornate feathered fan, though it did little to hide her sparkling silver eyes. "Such a barbaric wolf needs taming," she replied, her melodic voice dripping with mockery.
If that wasn't enough, Lord Haruto chimed in as well from across the room. "A priestess with such fire is rare. I wouldn't mind being tamed myself."
Shinobu visibly paled at his father's remark, taking a cautious step back as if bracing for an impending attack.
Kagome's anger spiked, and without hesitation, her reiki flared in a radiant, almost blinding display. Purifying energy surged across the hall, crackling like a living force as it rolled over the gathered demons. Gasps and murmurs were cut short as many stiffened under its oppressive weight. Sesshoumaru alone remained unaffected, his golden gaze steady and observant, the hint of approval flickering in his expression.
Kagome turned to Kouga, her eyes narrowing. She could feel the muscle in her temple twitching. "Are you going to drop this nonsense, or do I have to force you to submit?" Her voice was calm but sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade.
Kouga froze, his pride warring with his survival instincts. Kagome's position beside Sesshoumaru lent her a fearsome authority, one that even a headstrong wolf like him couldn't dismiss lightly. Her threat, paired with the reiki still humming in the air, pressed down on him.
For several agonizing seconds, he said nothing. Kagome's hand twitched at her side, prepared to follow through if necessary. But then, as if realizing the precariousness of his situation and that this wasn't the priestess playing hard to get, Kouga dropped his gaze and bowed stiffly before retreating to his pack.
Satisfied but still simmering, Kagome returned to her place beside Sesshoumaru. She threw him a pointed glare, silently demanding why he had let her handle the situation alone. Sesshoumaru met her gaze briefly before pointedly ignoring her. He straightened, turning his attention back to the assembly.
Sesshoumaru's voice carried an unyielding authority as it cut through the murmurs of the hall. "Are there any other concerns This One should be made aware of before we proceed with discussions regarding the Southern Territory?"
Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes at the return of his formal speech. His tone, so detached and imperious, grated against her nerves.
From the opposite side of the room, Lord Homura stepped forward with a dramatic sweep of his golden robes. They shimmered like liquid sunlight, a testament to his vanity and wealth. His angular features were sharp, almost avian, and his slanted yellow eyes gleamed brightly.
"My Lord Sesshoumaru," Homura began, his voice smooth and melodic, carrying just enough deference to be palatable. "While I would never question the Shikon Priestess'... contributions to this gathering, one cannot help but wonder if her presence here serves more as a distraction than an asset." His lips curved into a mocking smile. "Surely such brilliance is better suited to more—shall we say—minor debates and battles?"
The thinly veiled insult struck like a blade. Kagome's reiki stirred beneath her skin she struggled to suppress. Her fists clenched at her sides as she opened her mouth to retort—only to be cut off by an unexpected voice.
"I beg to differ, Lord Homura," came the steady tone of Lord Haruto. The bear demon stepped forward, his dark eyes flicking briefly to Kagome before focusing on the phoenix lord.
"The Shikon Priestess was instrumental in our victory against the Southern Lord," Haruto said. "Her reiki not only neutralized the serpent's corruption but also saved countless lives. To diminish her role is to diminish the very battle that secured peace for our lands."
Homura's smirk deepened. "Ah, yes," he drawled, tilting his head slightly. "A valiant effort, no doubt. But tell me, Lord Haruto, how can you speak so confidently of her actions? After all, I heard you were otherwise occupied... perhaps securing your safety behind your tent while others fought on your behalf."
A ripple of uneasy murmurs spread through the hall. Haruto's eyes narrowed, his smile, which had been warm and confident moments before, now held a sharp edge.
"Says the lord who had to cross continents to find a female willing to bed him," The bear countered.
The room stilled, shocked by the boldness of Haruto's remark. The insult struck at a known sore spot: Homura's journey to the mainland to find a phoenix mate after failing to secure one among his own people.
The Northern Lord's composure cracked. "Would you prefer I take a human or, worse, a wolf as my mate?" he snapped. "Or shall we all follow your example and maintain harems for fleeting pleasures because no female would ever choose to stand by you?"
The jab was low, but Homura wasn't finished. His gaze slid toward Kagome, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Although, I suppose some of us are less discerning," he continued, his tone now dripping with condescension. "After all, if even the Lord of the West sees fit to take a human as his intended, perhaps the rest of us should lower our standards as well. Who needs tradition or pride when one's cock dictates the rules?"
Gasps rippled through the assembly, and all eyes turned to Kagome, whose face burned with humiliation and shock.
Sesshoumaru's aura surged, a silent warning that sent a chill through the room, but before he could respond further, Kagome stepped down again. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Say what you want about me," she hissed, her reiki flaring briefly, silencing even the lingering whispers. "But don't mistake my humanity for weakness. I've done more to protect these lands than your arrogance could ever achieve."
Homura opened his mouth to reply, but Kagome didn't wait to hear it. She made sure to send her reiki into the wooden floor zapping the feet of every demon in the room as she stormed out of the hall.
Back in their room Sesshoumaru watched Kagome as she stood at the open window, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the setting sun. Even now, with her reiki still humming faintly in the air and her emotions a whirlwind, she looked fierce and untouchable—a force of nature that had claimed her place by his side.
"You handled them well," he said, voice carrying a warmth that softened the edges of his usual reserve.
No more than a few weeks ago, Sesshoumaru would have effortlessly ended the lives of anyone who dared to insult Kagome. The idea of tolerating such disrespect would have been unthinkable. But at that moment, he held his hand. This was her battle to fight, her moment to demonstrate the strength that had drawn him to her in the first place.
Kagome turned, her stormy eyes locking onto his. "I slapped one of them, Sesshoumaru," she retorted, her hands gesturing animatedly. "And let's not forget I burned their feet just to make a point. How exactly is that 'handling anything well'?"
He closed the distance between them in two unhurried steps. His clawed hand rose, cupping her cheek with a tenderness that contrasted with the steel in his gaze. "You reminded them," he said, "that you are not to be trifled with. You are more than they deserve, I deserve, and you proved it. That is more than enough."
Her anger faltered, her shoulders easing as she leaned into his touch. For a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the soft rustling of the breeze. But the ember of her anger hadn't fully extinguished. Her brow furrowed again, her voice lowering with simmering determination. "Still, I'm starting to think I should've done more. I might actually kill Kouga and that ridiculous bird."
Sesshoumaru's lips curved into a menacing smirk, his hand slipping to rest at the curve of her waist. He leaned in closer, his breath grazing her ear as he murmured, "If you do, let us ensure it is a spectacle worthy of song and legend."
Her sharp intake of breath turned into an unexpected laugh. "You're impossible," she said, her tone a mixture of exasperation and affection.
His gaze softened as he pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. "And yet," he said, his lips brushing against her skin, "you chose me."
Kagome glanced up at him, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "Yeah," she admitted softly. "I did."