She offered her name in return, and the sound of it on his lips was sinful enough to make her shiver. He said it with such reverence that she had to pull away, needing space to calm the rapid beat of her heart. Turning a corner, they pushed through another set of ornate doors and stepped out into a winter paradise.
Forgetting her state of dress, Kagome ran out into the snow, bare feet leaving a trail of footprints behind her. No one called out for her, so she knew she was safe, hands raised as she twirled around. Snowflakes were sent off course, following graceful fingers as she beckoned them to join the dance.
Sesshoumaru stopped on the edge of her periphery, and she smiled at him, leg raised as she leapt over her footprints. She should've been shivering with cold, but the air was surprisingly warm, the ground surprisingly soft. As she continued to spin, some of the snowflakes grew, their geometric designs expanding into delicate skirts. The sprites copied her movements, giggling at each other as the snow increased.
"It seems you are not the only one to receive a warm welcome." Sango stroked Kirara's fur, using her for support while the falling snow healed what was left of her injuries.
"Are you surprised?" Miroku asked, flexing his fingers, the weight of his hand lessening.
Sango grinned knowingly. "Not in the slightest."
"Your confidence always amazes me," he replied. "I had begun to lose hope Onigumo would ever meet his end."
"So had I," she confessed. "But Kagome was different from the start. She played with us longer. And she knew things about us no small child should ever know." She nudged Miroku's leg, pointing toward the mesmerized expression on Sesshoumaru's face. Kagome was still dancing, the sprites and snow swirling faster, almost obscuring her limbs, but she continued to laugh, enjoying the game.
"Do you think they'll accept her?" Miroku whispered, laying his chin on Sango's shoulder.
"There'll be hell to pay if they don't." They could've been the only two people in the world for all they cared, Sesshoumaru content to watch, Kagome's joy reflecting in his eyes. He'd been away for so long, yet he was in no rush to return to a land he'd been stranded from. All because of her.
"I would prefer to avoid another altercation so quickly after the last one," Miroku lamented.
Sango smirked, shaking her head. "There won't be anything of the sort."
"How can you be so sure?"
Her smile softened as she watched the pair. "She chose him."
The sprites were clearer now, melodic laughter echoing between spins and jumps. Kagome still wasn't sure how she wasn't cold—or tired—but the dance was hypnotic, revitalizing her until she realized her vision was completely blocked. Her laughter joined the song, and she gave one final turn before reiki shot out of her hands, sending the sprites reeling.
When the snow cleared, her robe had been replaced with a dress of the softest gossamer. Layers of shimmering pink cascaded from her hips, each trimmed with gold, forming an intricate snowflake, a matching design extending from the collar in the middle of her chest. Her sleeves had shortened, delicate cuffs fanning out from her elbows.
Even her most expensive tutu had never been so lovely.
The thin fabric should've left her frozen, but the cold had barely sunk in, and Kagome was beginning to believe that the white layer below her feet wasn't snow at all. Everything smelled sweet, but it wasn't overpowering, and it warmed her insides with each inhale.
She spun around again, heading in Sesshoumaru's direction to show off her new outfit, then watched as the sprites danced around him, a plum blossom blooming on his uniform every time they touched him. The lavender darkened to crimson until the hue complimented her own, and Kagome blushed at the insinuation.
The sprites continued to giggle, combining their efforts into a synchronized motion to form a heart above Sesshoumaru's head, but he brushed them off. They made faces at him as they darted away, though a few blew her kisses before disappearing into the mist.
"You look lovely," he said.
"As do you," she replied. She bit her lip. "That is, the colour suits you. But every colour probably suits you." She internally groaned, wondering when she'd become so lacklustre in her vocabulary, but he simply chuckled. Offering his arm, he led her through the forest, Sango and Miroku trailing behind.
Everything felt foreign but unthreatening, so she enjoyed the feel of his arm under her hand. He was so much warmer than his small wooden counterpart. Every link of the nutcracker had been stiff and unfeeling, his sour expression etched so deep she couldn't imagine him with anything else. But after her uncle sprayed the room in sparkles and her shoe rebounded off Onigumo's head, everything about him had softened.
She squeezed his arm, head ducked as he looked down at her in question. "How many times have you fought him?" she asked.
A deep sigh rattled his chest. "Too many to count."
Kagome leaned her head against his arm, heart clenching on his behalf. "I'm sorry."
"I am not."
She paused, automatically pulling him to a stop, and warm amber eyes stole her breath away. He stood tall, a warrior through and through, even with his missing limb. He kept a slight distance between them, his hand tightening around hers. "Had I been victorious before today, our paths would not have crossed."
She let out a shaky breath, cheeks soon matching her dress. She wanted to agree with him, but that would be ridiculous. This was a dream. He wasn't real. When she woke up, she probably wouldn't even remember his name.
Yet, as they stood there, arms extended, fingers intertwined, her breath hitched at how right she felt in that moment. Nothing else mattered but him—not her family, not her career, not even her dancing.
And it terrified her.
Sensing her turmoil, he raised the back of her hand to his mouth, brushing his lips along her knuckles before tugging her through the tree line. He said nothing else, and Kagome was distracted by the illumination of daybreak. They hadn't been walking for that long, yet the telltale hue of morning tinted the sky, chasing away any lingering shadows.
A castle rose in front of them, quite similar to the mechanical one Touga had brought with him, but while the movement of the wind-up soldiers was stilted and repetitive, these ones fastened her with hardened glares, brandishing more than just guns. Sango and Miroku were still within arm's reach, and Kagome couldn't sense any trepidation, so she quickened her pace, staying in step with Sesshoumaru as he approached the gates.
She expected him to call out, but a flare of his power was all he needed to gain access. Various soldiers barked orders to release the drawbridge, which lowered without a sound. Each link was an alternating shade of red and white, and Kagome was once again reminded of the lack of chill, even with snow on the ground.
She reached out a hand to test her theory but was quickly dragged through the entrance, the hushed murmurs of the guards silenced with a calculating stare from Sesshoumaru. They formed a line on either side of them, spears and swords at the ready, and only the slight squeeze of his hand kept her power intact.
"They mean you no harm," he said, strolling toward the citadel.
"What about you?" she replied, still wary. The soldiers looked ready to pounce, and she wasn't about to let anyone else cause him harm. He'd been through enough.
Sesshoumaru chuckled softly, another squeeze of her hand splintering her focus as he led them up the stairs. A pair of golden guards stood on either side of the door, spears clasped tightly in their hands. "Shall we announce your arrival?" one of them asked.
He shook his head. "See to it that our companions receive medical aid first."
The other frowned, gazing past him to their comrades. "But the queen—"
"Would likely punish you, thinking it a cruel joke," he advised. "It is better I announce myself."
The twins glanced at each other, then bowed, golden braids hanging over opposite shoulders. "It is good to see you home safe, Your Highness," they chorused.
Kagome's eyes narrowed as they entered the citadel. "Your Highness?" Her brain had gone off the deep end now. Miroku had referred to him as 'lord', but that could've just been to prove he had higher standing. The castle was something out of a fairy tale—or at least a sugar-induced dream based on the work of a relative she hadn't seen in a while.
"A title, nothing more," he said.
"A big title," she hissed. "One I think I should've been told about before meeting your mother."
He finally stopped, the air stagnant in the long, stone hallway. The walls looked like they were made of fruitcake, every other brick coloured in red or green, but it was the gold that held her captive. He didn't release her hand, and she had yet to pull away, but she could feel his hesitation. "Would knowing such a title have affected your choices tonight?"
"Of course not!" Her reply was automatic, perhaps more than it should've been, as the amused gleam returned to his eyes.
"Then it will remain nothing more than a title." He stepped closer, releasing her hand only to tilt her chin up. He surrounded her, power teasing her skin, and Kagome inhaled deeply, unable to stop herself from leaning into his touch. He'd seen so many battles, yet his fingers were gentle against her cheek, thumb stroking softly. "You have nothing to fear here."
"Don't I?" she whispered, forcing her eyes open. He was close, but not close enough, and she grabbed his wrist, intent on pulling him down. It was a bad idea, probably the worst she'd had to date, but if she wasn't going to remember any of this when she woke up, did it matter what she did while she was here? His breath ghosted over her face, chest swelling as his gaze lowered to her mouth, but she took too long to close the distance, and the doors in front of them burst open.
They were met with fanfare and confetti as they stepped through the threshold. He bent his arm at the elbow, raising his chin high as they marched through the room. They approached an ornate throne, and she had no doubt who sat upon it.
Even without the intricate cloth and lush fur around her shoulders, Kagome would've recognized his mother. She had the same air about her, though hers was more condescending and guarded. Starlit hair was pulled back into two elaborate pigtails that swayed with each tilt of her head. Kagome couldn't read her, as her face remained passive, and she followed Sesshoumaru's lead when he bowed.
"I have returned," he stated.
"So I can see." Her voice was calm and collected, but as she rose to her feet, Kagome's eyes widened in surprise when the woman threw her arms around her son's shoulders. Sesshoumaru stiffened as well, but he eventually inclined his head, sliding his cheek against hers.
"I apologize for the delay," he murmured.
"As if it was your fault," she chastised, pulling back enough to cup his face with both hands. She tilted his head side to side as she inspected him, not commenting on his missing arm, and Kagome wondered just how long he'd gone without it.
"If I had strategized more—"
His mother waved him off. "We both know how skilled Onigumo was at manipulating others. It is a wonder you are not in more pieces." She finished looking him over, brushing imaginary dirt off his uniform. "I am glad you thought to change before gracing us with your presence. Was there a reason for it?" Her eyes flickered toward Kagome, and she felt her face grow warm.
"Kagome found favour with the denizens of the northern lands," he said, as if that were enough of an explanation.
"Did she now?" She flipped a pigtail over her shoulder. "And here I thought you wished to dress up for your mother."
His expression became clouded. "I would not think to throw away such a precious gift."
His mother swallowed slowly, and Kagome was surprised by the emotion that lay hidden underneath. "How are they?" she whispered.
"Father had not renounced his ways. And—" He placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing tightly. "—she wishes for your return above all else."
She nodded stiffly, composing herself as a woman clad in golden armour approached, bowing low before whispering in the queen's ear. "It appears you have brought company with you. We will celebrate their return along with yours."
"Sango and Miroku fought valiantly," he agreed. "They deserve just as much recognition."
"And Kagura?" she asked. Kagome immediately perked up. There had been a myriad of other dolls in the cabinet, but Sango and Miroku had been the only ones who had entered the battle alongside Sesshoumaru. Why hadn't Kagura done the same?
Sesshoumaru shook his head once. "Her priorities remain the same."
His mother sighed. "I cannot fault her for that. Onigumo is likely responsible, but there is no way to prove it."
"Do you know where her missing piece is?" Kagome asked, unable to hold her tongue any longer. "Your Majesty," she added.
His mother sighed, finally stepping away from him. "Unfortunately, no. Her sister has been lost for as long as my son has been cursed. There had been no trace of her."
Kagome bit her lip. "But now that he's free, it's more likely that she'll be found, right? We just have to keep looking."
The queen raised an eyebrow and gave Kagome a considering look, a sly smile tugging at her lips before patting Sesshoumaru's cheek. "I can see why you chose her."
Kagome flushed as Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, giving the queen time to return to her throne. "She is the one who chose me, mother," he said, eyes soft as he stepped closer. "And I will be forever grateful."
"All I did was throw a shoe at him," she mumbled.
The queen's eyebrow quirked again as she slid into her seat and waved a hand at them both. "Clearly, there is a story to be told. Come, regale us with your defeat of the rat so we may all rejoice. "