InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Those We Leave Behind ❯ The Queen of Hearts Returns ( Chapter 11 )

Sesshoumaru reached up, and as he was about to grasp the rope, an arrow flew and singed the hand of the demon lord.

Everyone turned to see.

There was...

“Kagome?!” cried the Spirit Detective.

No one, including Lord Sesshoumaru, escaped the shock of seeing her there with her eyes blazing in fury. He noticed the green and white uniform he had so missed over the centuries. However, he was the first to recover.

“Hello...wife.”

`What the hell?' Kurama was too shocked to even perceive the demon cat that accompanied her.

“Let my friends go!” Kagome's voice seethed with unbridled rage. She would no longer let him use her for his amusement. She had learned her lesson long ago to stay away from him.

“Would you like to know the two things I have missed the most about you, wife?”

“I'm not your damn wife, Sesshoumaru! And why is it that you dogs do not find it suitable to use my name?!”

`I knew that bastard was lying. There was no way innocent little Kagome would hang with such a creep.' `Something just is not right. Why would Kagome have a bow and arrow? Where would she acquire enough power to scorch the King of Makai? How does she even know about demons? How did she know to follow us? This does not add up.'

“You'd think the great King of Makai would be able to recall such details, unless you're admitting your old age, your Highness.” No one mistook the sarcasm and bitterness in her voice for anything else.

His jocular, almost playful tone immediately reverted to something akin to the stoic and pensive demon she challenged so long ago. Although he seemed more normal to her, something was seriously off. His attitude was just not quite right.

“No, not yet. However, you will become my wife. As for your request, I cannot set them free. In order for me to take back what rightfully belongs to me, I must obliterate those who would stand in the way.”

Yusuke did not recognize the double meaning of his words. Kurama, however, who did not, responded first. “What right have you to claim something that you were weak enough to lose in the first place?”

“Unless I am mistaken, which is highly unlikely, you cling to the world of the living when, by all rights, you both should be dead.”

“Shuuichi, what is he talking about?”

A cold and uncharacteristically cruel laugh was heard from the Demon Lord.

“I see.” Sesshoumaru took a long pause and called the name of his most trusted servant.

Within five seconds, Jaken had appeared and bowed submissively before his lord.

“Jaken, escort your Lady to her chambers.”

Kagome snored indignantly and folded her arms defiantly. “Why? I am not going anywhere.”

“I wish to negotiate certain matters with you in privacy. This Sesshoumaru guarantees your `friends' will not be harmed upon your return. After you have changed into attire more becoming of your stature, I wish to discuss matters of a personal nature involving the past. Upon the conclusion of our discussion, your friends will be released.”

“I don't believe you. Why just set them free after working so hard to capture them? It doesn't make sense. There's something else. I know you too well to believe you would let anything interfere with you gaining power. Anything. I am not your wife and I don't have to agree to any of this.”

“You may not be my wife, Kagome, but you are, however, my Queen.”

“That's a technicality and you know it.”

This admission to her royal status nearly caused Yusuke to crap his pants. Was the world insane, or just him?

“WHAT?! Kagome, you are the Queen? I thought that was a load of bullshit! How is that even possible?”

“That seems highly unlikely. The Queen has been gone for centuries. Kagome and the Demon Lord have both divulged that they are not maritally connected, which, to the best of my knowledge, is the only way to become royalty without descending directly from it.”

Sesshoumaru and Kagome had not broken eye contact since she arrived. Their emotions caused the energy in the room to grow tense and angsty, which would have caused onlookers to anticipate something of great importance to happen. Obviously, these two people have been through a lot together, and neither was really expecting to see the other at this particular point in time.

However, the difficulties between them had only just begun. It appears neither was to ever enjoy lasting happiness, especially not together.

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Kagome's face was laden with anger and confusion. Why did he have to come back into her life now, when she was starting over?

It had taken a great deal of coaxing to manage to get her into the chambers he had proclaimed hers. The truth was she wasn't as worried for her friends' safety as she was for her own resolve. She could never go back to him. His betrayal had been far too hurtful. He had used her and fully expected her to accept it. She wouldn't accept that kind of treatment anymore. Not from Inuyasha, not Sesshoumaru, not anyone.

Did he ever truly love her? Or was she just the means to an end? Yes, that's what she was to him. A willing accomplice. An associate. He never considered her anything but a fool he was obligated to protect.

She could not believe how stupid she had been. She had almost married the bastard too, until she found out about the deal. Why was she so stupid as to always devote herself to the men who only considered her second-rate? She was never the first priority to those she fell in love with.

She laughed bitterly at the ironic twists the universe had on her life. She laughed as tears streamed down her face at how horrible she felt to do the same to all the men who loved her.

Why couldn't fate just let her be happy? Why couldn't she love someone who loved her? Better yet, why couldn't someone she was in love with love her back?

Composing herself, she readied herself to return. She could not let him see her like this. She had to get her friends back. Then, she would put him behind her, forever. If she stayed, he would only use her again. He would go off in search of greater power, only to leave her heart behind. She was always the one who was left behind.

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