InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cinderella Stroy ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 8 )

Kagome was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She knew that Yoshi, Ayame, and Yuka would spend the night at Sesshomaru's palace and deep down she wished she were still there. She had enjoyed standing in the garden with him, letting his scent surround her and allowing the peace of the moment to wash over her. Still, she was no princess, and she needed sleep if she was going to continue with her little intrigue. In her sleep she fingered the ring, feeling the comforting coolness of the metal and letting the memory of the Taiyoukai carry her away.

The next morning was as every other in her life. She dressed and fed Shippou before preparing a light informal breakfast for the others. Yoshi, Ayame, and Yuka arrived home as she finished setting the table. She brought them their food and settled back in the corner to await their orders. She listened as they spoke of the party, talking over-loudly of the food, the wine, and the company. She knew they were trying to rub it in her face, so she set her gaze into something akin to angered longing and let them think that they were getting to her.

After the meal she cleared the table and went to attend her half-sisters. Yuka would not meet her eye and was silent as Kagome helped her bathe and dress. Ayame would not shut up. She prattled on about the other women, the men, the youkai, and a dozen fantasy Lords who where madly in love with her. Kagome nodded in agreement as she pinned her hair up.

“What happened to that kimono I loaned you?”

The words stuck in her throat, but she said them anyway. “It was ruined, my Lady. This unworthy one failed to treasure it properly.”

“I should think so. That was one of my favorites. You will see to it that I have another just like it by dawn.”

“As my Lady wishes.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Sesshomaru watched in bemused silence as the shock transformed Inuyasha's face. Though the Taiyoukai gave no sign of it, he rather enjoyed his brother when he was shocked into silence. Of course all good things come to an end and eventually Inuyasha got over his paralysis and found his tongue.

“But…how…I don't understand.”

“The jewel.” Inuyasha looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate. “The Shikon no tama is a source of immense power. It has been sought by creatures of evil for centuries. Only the Guardian can completely control it, and I believe that extends from the fact that the Guardian refuses to use it.”

“Why?”

Sometimes Inuyasha really was obtuse. “Have you forgotten all your training? Objects of power often have a will of their own, seeking to use the person who is attempting to control them. The Guardian must be a woman of substantial power or else she would be reaching for the jewel all the time. In doing so, the jewel would eventually overpower her, and consume her.”

He sucked in his breath. “So by accepting Guardianship she has placed herself in great danger.”

“She knew it when she did it. I doubt the other Guardians would let someone under-qualified or naive bear the jewel.”

Inuyasha nodded slightly. “You still didn't explain why you gave her your mother's ring.”

“The ring is a bridge, an item that allows me to tell when and if she is in trouble. She refuses to use her powers against that ningen she calls her father.”

“You intend to protect her.”

“If she will let me. I don't plan on angering someone who can control a Doom.”

The hanyou shuddered slightly. “I think I can agree with you on that. So what do we do now?”

Sesshomaru let a tiny cruel smile touch his lips and heard Inuyasha's pulse race as his scent became spiked with fear. “We make a formal inquiry about the granddaughter of Lord Tokuji.”

“Is that wise?”

“Yoshi will learn just how unwise it is to keep us from a person we wish to meet. Call the runners to me, I have messages to send out to the other Lords.” Inuyasha rose then paused, somehow he sensed that Sesshomaru was not finished with him. “What was your impression of the daughters? I did not have a chance to meet them.”

Inuyasha swallowed a comment, he liked living too much, and answered. “When I questioned them, Ayame reeked of triumph and joy, like she defeated an enemy by keeping Kagome away. Yuka smelled guilt-ridden.”

“I see.”

“Lord Asano showed interest in her.”

Sesshomaru's head snapped up, but he only nodded. “Go, I have work to do.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Kagome was busy washing Ayame's kimonos when the messenger from Sato's village arrived. He nodded to the other servants before bowing to her.

“A messenger from Sesshomaru-sama wishes to cross the border.”

“His intent?”

“There is no malice that Yumi can detect, only fatigue and a sense of duty.”

She nodded, her eyes never leaving the laundry. “Let him enter, and watch him closely. Tell Yumi to send one of her people up here to be on hand just in case.”

“As you command, Kagome-sama.”

Several of the servants eyed her nervously, but Tsume showed no sign of witnessing anything unusual, so they continued about their tasks. A few minutes later, word of a youkai messenger entering the palace spread among the servants. Miroku appeared, a tired smile on his face.

“How do you fair, Kagome-sama?”

“I'd be better if you removed your hand.”

His hand twitched away from her rear and he gave her another smile. “At least you don't beat me unconscious.”

He fingered the rosary on his other hand and she frowned slightly. “Is it bothering you?”

“I…it itches.”

She pulled his hand toward her and removed the rosary, her power sealing it before the wind tunnel could do any damage. “It's widened slightly. I will do what I can.”

There were several tense minutes while she held his hand, her eyes closed in concentration. The other servants knew she was a miko, and knew that she was capable of healing almost anything, but few of them had ever witnessed this. They drew closer, trying to see what was plaguing the monk that would require him to seek out her services. At last she released him.

“I did my best, now you need to be about your job.”

“I will have to go soon. I cannot allow any children I might have to be cursed with this.”

She looked up at him. “You may not have to go far. Naraku is seeking something that now resides within these borders. He will come to you. Stay with us, Miroku-san. Together we stand a better chance of defeating him.”

“I will stay with you, but on one condition.”

“Yes?”

“Smile.”

She grinned at him and he laughed softly before moving off to allow her to finish her work. Kagome took Yuka's laundry up to the girl, leaving Ayame's to dry. Yuka was sitting on her porch, combing her hair, a small dish of sweets untouched at her side. Concern touched Kagome's eyes as she began to replace the kimonos in the wardrobe. She heard the door close and turned. Yuka was staring pointedly at the floor.

“I'm sorry, Kagome.”

Kagome jumped. “For what?”

“For the past thirteen years.”

Kagome saw the tears slip down her face and she dropped the kimonos and rushed to the girl, pulling her into her arms. Yuka rested her head on Kagome's shoulder as she cried softly. Kagome smoothed her hair and whispered soft words into her ears, trying to calm her younger sister.

“No, Yuka, no tears. I don't blame you, I never did.”

“Never?”

Kagome pulled away so Yuka could look into her eyes and see the truth. “Never.”

Using her sleeve she dried Yuka's eyes. Once the girl had control again, Kagome returned to her task. It was good that they had managed to get themselves under control because a moment later, Yoshi slammed the doors open, a look of triumph on his face. He handed a letter to Yuka and rocked back on his heels, waiting. Kagome watched in silence as Yuka's face was transformed by slack-jawed shock. She let the letter settle on her lap as she looked up at her father.

“I only talked to him for a few minutes…I don't understand.”

“I don't care, you will pursue this relationship and agree to court him.” His eyes flashed with some unnamable emotion and Kagome suppressed a tremor of terror. “Draft your response.”

He slid the doors shut and Kagome moved to read the letter sitting in Yuka's nerveless hands. A smile touched her lips. “Asano-sama. If memory serves me he is Sesshomaru-sama's reikon.”

“Reikon?”

“Every great youkai Lord has a person in his court who can read souls. They are called reikon. Asano needed only to meet you for a moment, to look into your eyes and touch your soul.”

“How…how do you know this?”

“Tsume was my teacher, she did not stop teaching me simply because your father no longer considered me a child of the Blood. I know more than you think. Do not let Yoshi edit your response. Asano will be able to tell which parts of the letter came from you and which came from him. He will be able to sense any falsehoods simply because he knows you as well as any person can.”

She nodded and moved toward her writing desk. Kagome continued to clean the room as Yuka wrote. The letter was short and simply phrased. She sealed it and rose, halfway to the door she paused.

“Thank you, Kagome.”

“Get going or your father will come looking for you.”