InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Slipperless Cinderella ❯ A Slipperless Cinderella ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: RoseThorns 
A/N: I know I’m suppose to work on only one story at a time, but I just couldn’t help myself! I got inspired by Lasting Memories (On Fanfiction.net) and just had to get this out of my head! But I promise that I used only a day to write this, so think of this as a treat for all the people that reviewed.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 08.04.2005 | Pages: 27 | Words: 20.1K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Completed
A/N: I know I’m suppose to work on only one story at a time, but I just couldn’t help myself! I got inspired by Lasting Memories (On Fanfiction.net) and just had to get this out of my head! But I promise that I used only a day to write this, so think of this as a treat for all the people that reviewed.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 08.04.2005 | Pages: 27 | Words: 20.1K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Completed
Summary: A/U SessxKag cotton-candy fluffy; A Cinderella with three balls, only one evil step sister, an adorable lil' step brother and a prince with an attitude problem (as in he doesn't have one). One-shot.
A/N: I know I'm suppose to work on only one story at a time, but I just couldn't help myself! I got inspired by Lasting Memories (On Fanfiction.net) and just had to get this out of my head! But I promise that I used only a day to write this, so think of this as a treat for all the people that reviewed.
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Kagome Hiragoshi, servant in her own home, was preparing the evening meal while Shippo Afurohea sat at the kitchen table telling her about the days lesson.
This was a daily occurrence; Yura Afurohea, Shippo's mother and Kagome's stepmother, had hired one of the most expensive scholars available to teach her son. She over-looked one thing though, the man was a scholar not a teacher. It all evened out to Shippo barely understanding anything the man said. He was only six for crying out loud! (and those were Shippo's exact words to Kagome) So, the young kit went to Kagome for help. He would tell her about what he had been “taught” that day while eating the treats she made for him earlier in the day. Somehow, though Kagome rarely made any vocal corrections to his ramblings, he always seemed to leave the kitchen understanding a lot more about the subject then he had before.
Today's subject was Ancient Egypt.
Kagome was singing softly to herself as she cooked while Shippo began his explanation in-between bites of the chocolate-chip cookies Kagome had provided.
“Bast is the goddess of dawn, civilization, home, bounty, plenty, enlightenment, creation, truth, the Moon, Sun, art,” he trailed of un-able to remember the rest and looked to Kagome for guidance.
She simply smiled at him and kept singing softly while she cooked. When he continued to watch her she began to sing a bit louder (he could now make out the words) and moved to the refrigerator.
Now Granny said
“Sonny stick to your guns
If you believe in something no matter what
`Cause it's better to be hated for who you are
Then loved for who you're not”
She was five feet of concrete
New York born an' raised on slick city street
She'd cold stare ya down, stand her ground
Still kickin' an' screamin' at ninety-three.
I remember just how proud she looked,
Layin' in that hospital bed,
Takin' her last few breaths of life,
An' smilin' as she said,
“Don't get to high on the bottle,
Just a lil' sip every now and then,
Fight your fights, find your grace
An' all the things that you can't change
An' get right with the man”
When she stepped over the fat cat Boyu, his memory jogged.
“And dancing, singing, and cats!” he finished, puffing his chest out with pride at Kagome's loving smile.
“Very good! Now, can you tell me what she looked like?” Kagome asked absently while paused on her way to the stove with the milk in her hands to rub Boyu with her foot.
“Erm,” he said while watching her interactions with the over-fed feline, “she had a full cat form and… she, uh, sometimes had the body of a woman and the head of a cat.”
“I'm impressed; you do your father proud, Shippo.”
At these words the young kitsune beamed. His father had married Yura five years after Kagome's father had died. Then, two years later Shippo was born, but his father didn't live to see it. This didn't overly surprise Kagome (Yura had never kept a husband very long), who had become Shippo's nurse as soon as he was born. She had been fourteen at the time and was forced into the role of Shippo's mother. Not that she minded; she adored the kit. Now, you may ask why Yura didn't tend to her child. Well, the answer is simple enough: she didn't want to be bothered with such a trivial thing. It wasn't that she disliked the kit, oh no! Quite the opposite, she spoiled him with lavish toys and adored showing him off. And, now that he was older she spent more time with him so she could coo to him how special he was.
“You better hurry along and get ready for dinner; it'll be done soon,” Kagome advised with a soft smile.
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“Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama!”
A handsome face calmly looked up from the parchment in front of him and looked towards the source of the noise.
“Yes, Rin?”
The small girl in front of his desk, now known as Rin, smiled up at him and offered him a fist full of wild flowers, “Rin picked Sesshomaru-sama some pretty flowers!”
Sesshomaru stood from his desk and took the flowers, patting Rin on the head. He put them in an already prepared vase (the girl brought him at least two bouquets a day) before scooping her up in his arms and settling her on his shoulders.
“Where are we going, Sesshomaru-sama?”
“It's time for your lessons, is it not?”
The girl tightened her small, chubby arms around her guardian's neck, “Rin doesn't want to go to lessons! That lady scares Rin!”
“Me, Rin. That lady scares me,” he corrected gently.
“Rin's new teacher scares Sesshomaru-sama, too?”
He resisted the urge to sigh. No matter how many specialist he tried, his niece still referred to herself in third person. Yes, Rin was his half-brother Inuyasha's daughter. He had taken over the roll over her guardian when the hanyou was killed during a battle with a snake youki that had been attacking a neighboring village. The girl's human mother had died during the child's birth.
“No, Rin. I was correcting you. Now say it again. `That lady scares me.'”
“That lady scares me.”
“Well done, Rin.”
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Kagome gave an exhausted sigh as she collapsed against the God Tree, which was located on the border of the estate.
“Tired?” a voice asked from beside her seated position. She opened her eyes, not surprised to see her neighbor and best friend Sango sitting beside her.
“A little,” she responded with a small smile.
Sango snorted, “ `A little' my ass. That bitch should be exterminated for all the work she forces on you. If it wasn't for Kaede-baba she'd have worked you to death by now.”
Kaede was the kind, elderly lady that was in charge of the staff. She was a surrogate grandmother to Kagome and always made sure that she had breaks in which she could regain some of her energy.
“It's not that bad,” Kagome said gently.
“It is so and you know it,” Sango said while scratching behind her fire-neko, Kilala's ears, “This estate rightfully belongs to you. Your father left it to you! Not Yura and Kikyo!”
Kikyo was Yura's daughter from a previous marriage. She and Kagome looked remarkably alike and had often been mistaken for blood sisters in those few years in which Yura had been married to Kagome's father.
“And what of little Shippo? Yura would leave in a rage if I took control of the estate, and she'd take him with her. I can't lose him, Sango,” Kagome explained.
“It's not fair!” Sango exclaimed.
“Life rarely is.”
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“You called, your highness?” Miroku asked, forgoing the usual bow. Miroku never bowed. Why should he? Sesshomaru was his longtime friend; no body bows to their friends.
Sesshomaru threw the same document he'd been studying for the past week at Miroku.
“King Inutasho's will,” Miroku said looking over the documents, “You have to…”
Miroku broke out into laughter.
“Control yourself. This is serious. I need you to assist me in finding away out of this,” Sesshomaru growled.
Miroku, still snickering, commented, “This is your father we're talking about. There are no loopholes.”
Sesshomaru knew this of course, but with the monk's confirmation, he was forced to accept it. Damn his luck!
“What am I going to do? Marriage for the crown?!”
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Kikyo's sequel of delight rang through the morning air at the Hiragoshi estate.
“Mother! Mother! Can you believe it? A masked ball!”
Yura smiled of the breakfast table at her daughter. She of course had already heard the rumors concerning the ball. It was to find the prince a mate. The deceased King had left an ironclad clause in his will: Prince Sesshomaru could only take the throne when he'd mated. There would be a series of three balls, and her Kikyo was going to be the star of all of them.
“This calls for shopping, my dear Kikyo!”
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That evening found Sango, Kagome, and Kilala back under the God Tree, discussing the ball.
Well, arguing about the ball.
“You have to,” Sango insisted, “If I have to go, so do you! You wouldn't leave me, would you?”
“Think Sango. Yura would never let me go. Besides, what would I wear?”
“Leave that to me, child.”
The girls turned to see Kaede standing to the side of the God Tree. Sango flashed her a mischievous smile and then looked back to Kagome.
“Well?”
Kagome threw her hands up in defeat, “Fine.”
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Sesshomaru stood in the corner, completely bored. But, at least the usual female drones weren't hounding him. That was why he made it a masked ball. No one knew who he was, with the obvious exception of Miroku, who had helped find his mask. It was an ivory white color, simple, but elegant. He was dressed in all white, as usual.
With a mental sigh, he headed for the gardens. Maybe he could find Miroku and talk to him for a while.
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Kagome sighed with relief. Sango hadn't needed her company after all. She had found a, er, gentleman who she had hit it off with.
Literally.
The violet masked man had groped Sango in the middle of asking her to dance. Behind her pink mask, Sango's eyes had blazed with fury and she immediately whacked him upside the head.
They'd been talking since.
Kagome, not wanting to be a third wheel, had slipped off to the gardens where she had promptly found a bench to sit on and slipped her shoes of.
Hey, heels hurt!
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Sesshomaru stopped short at the site of the blue-masked beauty.
Her shoes had been discarded on the ground and her feet were in one of the koi ponds.
He had to bite the inside of his cheek to hold back the chuckle threatening to come out.
Forgetting all about Miroku, he slipped up behind the lady and sat behind her.
He then leaned in and whispered against her ear, “Feeding the koi?”
She started and whipped around to face him, bringing her feet out of the water as she did so.
He had to hold back a smirk while she looked him over.
“You scared me!” she chided, something he hadn't expected.
No one chided him!
But then again she didn't know who he was.
Hmmm… Time for some fun. After all, if no one knew who he was, he didn't have to worry about his reputation, now did he?
He looked her over, getting his first real look at her.
She had midnight black hair, so black that it was almost blue. And her eyes, they were a stormy, electric storm blue. Her lips were full and very inviting…
He snapped back up to her eyes.
“Did I?”
“Yes you did. Make a little noise when you move,” she suggested.
He raised an eyebrow.
She raised one back.
“What are you doing out here? And shoeless no less?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Well, except for the shoe part.”
He couldn't help it, he laughed.
She smiled at him, her head cocked slightly to the side.
“Yes?” he asked.
“I like your laugh is all,” she said with a smile.
He grinned at her, “You never answered my question.”
“Have you ever worn four inch heels?”
“I can't say I've had the pleasure.”
“If you ever get the opportunity, pass it up.”
“I'll keep that in mind. Now, why are you out here all alone?”
“The only reason I'm here at all is to keep a friend company.”
“You have no interest in finding a mate?”
She laughed. He liked the sound.
“No.”
“Not even the prince? Rumor has it he's looking for a queen.”
“Then I wish him all the luck in the world. In fact, I would advise him to look in the next deck of playing cards he came by. Rumor has it, there are four in every set.”
“I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life.”
“That's to bad. Like I pointed out earlier, you have a gorgeous laugh.”
“You really think I'm gorgeous?” he teased.
She flicked his nose before responding. “Not you, just your laughter.”
At this point another maiden found her way into the garden. She wore a pink dress and mask and seemed to be looking for someone.
To Sesshomaru's disappointment she found the person.
“ `Gome! Come on! We're leaving!”
His garden partner waved and called back, “Coming!”
She turned back to him and smiled, “It was nice to meet you.”
He didn't want her to go.
“Will you be coming to the next ball?”
“I doubt it. My friend seems to have found someone to keep her company.”
She had to come back to him. She made him laugh.
“I would like you to come.”
She blushed lightly and said, “Okay.”
He smiled, “Okay. Meet me here at the beginning of the ball.”
She nodded and turned to leave. As she walked into the doorway he leaned back and waited.
Three, Two, One.
She ran back out and took her shoes from his hand, blushing as red as a tomato.
After she had slipped them on, he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, discreetly inhaling her scent and committing it to memory.
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The next morning Sesshomaru woke up with a smile. In only a week he'd get to see that delightful woman again, the one that smelled of chocolate and honey.
He quickly put on his usual stoic mask and made his way to his study where he was to meet Miroku to discuss a new tutor for Rin.
“Good morning, your highness,” Miroku greeted.
He was surprised when he received a reply.
“Good morning. Now-”
“What has you in such a good mood?” Miroku cut in with a glimmer in his eye, “Could it be that charming young woman who's shoes you returned last night?”
Sesshomaru glared up at his advisor and best friend.
“How do you know about that?”
“I was the one with her friend,” Miroku pointed out while chuckling, “So, will she be at the next ball.”
“Yes,” Sesshomaru replied, a little sour that Miroku had found out about his… his what exactly?
He wasn't really sure, but he knew one thing, he wasn't going to share.
Miroku, taking the warning in the prince's voice to heart, quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, Lady Afurohea mentioned that her son had an excellent tutor and that the boy was actually learning about ancient Egyptian religious believes at the moment. I thought maybe he would be able to help Rin.”
“How can you be sure that isn't just a mother trying to show off her son?”
“I have arrange to meet the lad at their home later today. Shall I take Rin as well?”
“Yes, and I will be coming as well.”
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“Hurry up you foolish girl!” Yura screeched at Kagome. This was the perfect opportunity to get her Kikyo in a close relationship with the prince. It was simply too hard to find him at the ball.
Kagome quickened her pace as she placed the newly filled vase on the dining room table. She wasn't going to be beaten because Yura was expecting important visitors.
She rushed into the kitchen to finish the lunch and start on the dessert to find Shippo's tail sticking out from beneath the table. She smiled and squatted to crawl underneath with him.
Once she was face to face with him she asked, “What's wrong Shippo?”
He looked up into her smiling face and launched himself at her chest.
“I'mscaredwhatifIdosomethingwrongandIgetintroublethenthepri nce'sadvisorgetsmad?”
“Shhh,” she soothed while petting his tail and cradling him to her chest, “you'll do just fine. How could anyone not love you?”
“You mean it?” he asked with watery eyes.
“Would I lie to you? Of course I mean it! Now, you better go finish getting ready.”
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When they arrived at the estate Rin immediately wanted to go to the gardens. That was not surprising. The girl was obsessed with flowers and these gardens were even better tended then the ones at the palace; they were breath taking.
They were ushered into the manor to be greeted by a woman with bobbed black hair, a younger woman with the same black hair, but much longer, and a young boy, no kitsune, with red hair. When they went in for lunch Rin began to ogle the flowers on the table; seeing this, Sesshomaru plucked one of the lilies from the arrangement and gave it to her.
This caught Yura's attention and she gave her daughter a discreet kick under the table and motioned to the children.
Kikyo immediately spoke up, “Maybe the children would like to have a lunch taken out into the gardens? That way they won't have to listen to our conversation.”
Shippo perked up, “May we?”
Both Yura and Sesshomaru gave their permission and the children headed for the kitchen, being lead by Kaede.
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Kagome was already outside under the God Tree with Sango. When Kaede brought out the children they were immediately welcomed with open arms.
The children played with Kilala more than eating. Yet, Kagome noticed Rin's habit of speaking in third person and called her over.
“Rin! Come here please.”
Rin had taken to Kagome as soon as she met her and immediately complied with the kind woman's request.
“Yes, Kagome-neechan?”
Kagome smiled at the child and gently took a hold of her chin.
“Rin, why do you refer to yourself as `Rin'?”
“Because that's Rin's name.”
Kagome laughed softly and shook her head, “That's not what I mean. Why do you not say `I' or `me'?”
“Because, that's how Sesshomaru-sama talks when he's talking to somebody important.”
Kagome gave the girl a brilliant smile, “Is that so? Do you know why Sesshomaru-sama does this?”
Rin shook her head.
“He wants to remind them of who he is. But you, Rin-chan, are very unique. You don't have to remind anyone of who you are, because you're too special to be forgotten.”
Rin seemed to consider this and said, “But Sesshomaru-sama is special too!”
“Maybe he needs you to tell him that, ne?”
The child flashed a bright smile at the adults, nodded, and then ran to play with Shippo and Kilala once again.
Sango stared at Kagome before saying, “You're going to be a great mom someday.”
“Huh?”
Sango just laughed.
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After lunch Sesshomaru arranged for Shippo's tutor to report to the palace in the morning to try and help Rin's speech.
Later that evening Rin burst into his study with a bouquet bigger than usual.
“Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama!”
He looked up form the document on his desk and at the child he considered his own.
“Yes, Rin?”
Instead of handing him the flowers as usual, she sprinted behind his desk and crawled into his lap, looking at him with the most serious expression a six year old can muster.
“Do you know why I picked these for you, Sesshomaru-sama?”
He looked at the little girl in his arms in shock.
“It's because you're special,” with that she leaned up and kissed his cheek.
She then ran back out the room, leaving Sesshomaru to gaze blankly at the flowers in his hand and wonder what had happened to cause that in his Rin. Not that the change was bad, just…unexpected.
Huh.
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The week dragged by incredibly slow for Sesshomaru. He had canceled the tutor and Rin went daily to play with the kit and reminded him at every opportunity that he was “special.”
When the second ball began he made his way towards the gardens, only to find the young woman from last week had not arrived yet.
After ten minutes of waiting he went to find her, slightly annoyed that she hadn't met him as she promised. Her scent was easy enough to find and follow. When he'd found her he had to bite back a growl.
She was being all but cornered. At least ten males of every species we're surrounding her requesting dances.
He would have to put a stop to this.
He let out a low growl that only a youki could hear. That took care of the demon suitors as their senses told them who he was. They weren't going to cross him.
Now there were only three humans to get rid of.
Easy enough.
He made his way around the room so he could slip up behind her unnoticed.
“I do believe the koi are missing you.”
She turned to face him and smiled before turning back to the remaining men and excusing herself.
He took her arm and led her to the dance floor.
Or, at least he tried to.
“What's wrong? Ashamed to be seen with me?” he teased when she made to head for the gardens.
Instead of the banter he expected, she shook her head franticly and mumbled something even his youkai hearing couldn't pick up.
“Try that again, love,” he said while leaning toward her without realizing the endearment he'd just used.
She leaned towards his ear and whispered, “I can't dance. I don't know how.”
“Is that all?” He asked with laughter shining in his eyes.
This, apparently, was the wrong thing to do, seeing as it sent her into a panic.
“Please! Please don't laugh,” she whispered, near tears.
He frowned down at her; she refused to meet his gaze. He gently forced her chin up to look into her eyes.
“Come with me,” with that he took her hand and led her out to a secluded part of the garden.
He took her free hand and placed it on his shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Wha-”
“I'm going to teach you how to dance,” he interrupted, smiling down at her.
She returned the smile full measure.
And, for the rest of the night, they danced.
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Sesshomaru woke up in the best mood he'd been in for years.
He greeted Miroku with a slight smile and a happy “Good morning.”
“Whoa, whom did you wake up with this morning?”
“And what's that suppose to mean?”
“If she can make you that happy, imagine what she could do for me!”
Miroku found himself slammed against the wall, looking into the red eyes of a very angry tai-youkai.
“You will not speak of her!” he snarled.
“Sorry,” Miroku squeezed out, “just a joke.”
Sesshomaru released his throat and let him fall to the ground before sitting at his desk.
“So,” Miroku started, eager to change the subject, “about the northern treaty…”
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Kagome woke up with a start to the sound of yelling in the kitchen.
She jumped out of bed a raced down the stairs to find Yura in a rage, throwing anything she could get her hands on at Kaede.
“STOP THIS!” Kagome slapped Yura hard across the face.
Yura redirected her anger at the younger girl.
“You little slut!” Yura backhanded Kagome, sending her flying against the wall.
“Child!” Kaede made to go toward Kagome, but she got back on her feet and motioned to the doorway.
“Go, Kaede. I'll be fine.”
The old woman hesitantly complied, unwittingly leaving Kagome to the beating of a lifetime.
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The third and final ball came and went.
Sesshomaru was still sitting in the garden looking down at the necklace in his hand. It was the Shikon Jewel encased in silver vines, which wrapped around to the top of the jewel then branched out to make a delicate chain.
It was a necklace fit for a queen of the inu youkai clan.
Rin told him everyday that he was special. If her absence tonight was any indication, his mystery date disagreed.
He'd been so sure.
A few moments passed.
He clenched the necklace in his hand.
He still was.
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The next morning Sesshomaru woke up determined to tear the entire kingdom apart in search of the woman from the balls.
He would find her, and she would tell him why she hadn't come to see him. Then, he would put the necklace on her neck and bring her home.
He slipped into Rin's room and kissed her forehead goodbye without waking her up. On his way out, he noticed a lily on her nightstand.
He picked it up. It was the same one that he'd given her that day at Lady Afurohea's. How was it still alive? Unless… was there a miko at the estate? That would explain the condition of the garden; mikos had a very powerful effect on their environment.
Still pondering on the possible existence of a miko, a creature that hadn't been seen in a century, Sesshomaru absently inhaled the lily's scent.
He froze. It had the slightest hint of chocolate and honey in it.
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Sesshomaru had never traveled so fast in his life.
He made it to the manor door and all but kicked it open. Without a word to the maid in the entranceway he stomped through the manor, trying to find that delicious scent.
Yura came running down the stairs when word reached her that the prince was stalking through her home like a madman. She assumed he'd finally come to his senses and came for Kikyo. With that in mind she sent a servant to warn her daughter.
“Your majesty! Your majesty, what do I owe this pleasant surprise?” she asked while having to jog to keep up with his long strides.
“I'm looking for someone.”
Yura practically burst with happiness.
Sesshomaru found the scent he was seeking when he entered the kitchen. So, his mystery girl was a servant. He mentally grinned; she wasn't anymore. She was his mate-to-be. With that thought he followed the intoxicating aroma to a room at the base of the servants' stairwell.
When he saw what was behind the door he lost control.
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Kaede had been tending Kagome's wounds since the night she found her lying in the hall broken and unconscious.
While the girl was awake, the older woman worried. Kagome was still far to weak and wouldn't be able to stray from the bed for at least another weak, and she had a sneaky suspicion that there were broken ribs.
Kagome was sleeping at the moment the door was thrown open.
Kaede had to hold back a scream as the prince loomed in the doorway staring at her charge.
His eyes were pure red. He was in a demonic rage.
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Sesshomaru could only see the broken form of the woman who gave off the scent of chocolate and honey, now tainted with old blood.
Someone had to die.
But right now his mate-to-be took priority. He moved to the bed only to be stopped by an old woman who stood over the girl, trying to protect her sleeping form.
The only thing that saved her life was the loyalty she was showing his soon-to-be-mate. Instead of striking her down he snarled and moved her to the side.
He then scooped the sleeping figure off the bed and into his arms.
Then they were gone.
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On the way to the palace Sesshomaru slowly regained his control.
He landed in his study window as his youki cloud disappeared beneath him.
To say Miroku was shocked to see his friend holding a beaten woman in his arms was an understatement.
“Get the healers. Now.”
Miroku jumped to his feet to comply.
Once his friend was gone, Sesshomaru sat down on one of the couches and cradled his precious cargo against his chest.
She was beautiful when she slept.
But, then again, if she was beautiful with that frying pan sized bruise discoloring her face, she was probably beautiful no matter what.
“I'm so sorry.”
What was he going to tell her when she awoke? How could he explain why he didn't protect her?
He groaned and nuzzled his face into her hair, inhaling her scent to calm himself.
The next thing he knew the healers had whisked her to the hospital wing and locked him and Miroku outside in the waiting area.
“What's her name?”
“I… don't know.”
Miroku lifted an eyebrow.
“I met her at the balls. I had intended to give her this,” he held up his female ancestor's necklace, the “engagement ring” of his family, “at the third, but she never came. Now I know why.”
Miroku stared at his friend disbelievingly, before breaking out into a grin.
“I get my wedding before your mating ceremony.”
“You're getting married? To whom?”
“A lovely girl named Sango,” Miroku said with a dreamy look in his eyes.
Sesshomaru snorted, trying to keep his mind off the girl in the next room.
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An hour later the doors opened and Sesshomaru was allowed to see the now awake and very confused girl.
He was in the room with the door slammed shut before the healer finished his sentence.
She was sitting in the bed, her minor injuries completely healed, but bandages around her middle protecting her bruised ribs. She watched him curiously; obviously the healers had neglected to tell her what had happened.
Good.
“The koi went hungry last night, love,” he commented with a grin.
She started and fell out of the bed.
He rushed to her and cradled her in his arms before settling them back on the bed, with her planted firmly in his lap.
“How on earth did you find me?” she asked, blushing a pretty pink.
He nuzzled deeper into her neck before responding, “Did you know you smell of chocolate with hints of honey?”
“Oh.”
He reluctantly pulled himself away from her to meet her eyes.
“I have something for you.”
He held up the Shikon for her to see.
“Oh, it's beautiful,” she breathed, “but I can't take it.”
He frowned at her.
“It's been pasted down threw my family for generations. It's the mating gift of our family. All the first-born sons have given it to their mates. I want you to have it.”
She looked at him wide-eyed.
“Huh?”
He smiled gently at her.
“I want you to be my mate.”
“You don't know anything about me.”
“I know all I need to know, love.”
“Don't you even want to know my name?” she asked incredulously.
“It would be a handy piece of information, I'll admit.”
“Kagome.”
“Pretty.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to mate me?”
“I love you.”
“Okay.”
“Excuse me?”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“As in yes you dolt,” she said smiling while she flicked the end of his nose.
“I don't follow.”
“Yes I will be your mate,” she said with a silly grin on her face. Probably as silly as the one he was now sporting.
He leaned down to touch noises with her, before replying, “Okay.”
He pressed his lips against hers for the first time, finally getting a taste of her. He ran his tongue lazily across her bottom lip, waiting for her to grant him entrance.
When she felt his tongue on her skin she let out a small gasp, which her enthusiastic mate took full advantage of. He swept into her mouth, testing the feel of everything foorm her teeth to her tongue, which was contentedly playing with his. She finally slipped past him, into his mouth. He growled his approval, encouraging her to go deeper.
She was running her tongue along his teeth while he rubbed against her when someone cleared their throat at the doorway.
She immediately pulled back and made to leave his lap, but he held her fast; so, she settled for hiding her face into his chest.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Miroku said cheerfully to the couple.
“Get. Out.”
“Now is that anyway to treat your best friend?”
“Now!”
“I'm going, I'm going,” Miroku said as he backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Sesshomaru looked down and noticed what his mate was doing.
Kagome felt her mate's chest rumble with laughter. She pulled her face out of his haori to glare at him.
“You are so lucky I love you,” she said while poking him in the chest.
He grinned down at her and caught her finger.
“You don't want to bruise your pillow, now do you?”
“Huh?”
“Go to sleep. I want to know what happened when you wake up.”
She nodded absently, noticing how tired she was since he first entered the room.
“And you are going to tell me your name.”
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After he was sure his Kagome was asleep, Sesshomaru lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bedchambers. He laid her down in his bed and went into the hall.
“Jaken!” The toad-like youkai had just gotten back from delivering a treaty to the northern territories and suspected that his prince was going to order him to resume his post over that mostly ningen child again.
Boy was he wrong.
“Have a tray of food sent up for when my mate awakens.”
The toad was stunned. How long had he been gone?!
“Y-yes, your highness.”
His reply echoed in the empty hall; his lord had already returned to his chambers to watch his new mate slumber.
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Sesshomaru slipped out of his haori and let it fall to the floor before slipping into the bed with his mate. After she was flush against his chest he began to ponder her injuries while playing absently with her hair.
An hour or so later his mate began to stir.
When Kagome woke-up she was a bit confused by her surroundings; she wasn't in her room. Her memories slowly returned to her, but she wasn't in the room she'd fallen asleep in either. And somebody was holding her.
Sesshomaru grinned down at his sleep-influenced mate.
“Hi,” she said behind a yawn.
He grinned, “Haven't you forgotten something?”
She looked at him a few seconds before leaning up and softly pressing her lips against his.
That was not what he was expecting; he had been referring to what had caused her injuries. But this was good too.
He snaked his arm around her waist to pull her closer as her tongue tapped against his lips.
He grinned; she wasn't as shy when she had just woken up. He'd remember that.
Kagome's sleep-ridden mind couldn't comprehend why it was taking so long for him to open his mouth. She tapped a bit harder, causing him to let her enter with a laugh she could feel in his chest. She was eager to continue her exploration that had been cut short earlier that day.
After a few minutes Sesshomaru regained control and left her mouth, causing a disappointed sound to come from his mate.
He just grinned as he trailed kisses along her jaw line. When he reached her neck, he began to nip at her skin, then sooth it with his tongue. He paid special attention to the patch of skin that would bear his mark.
oOo.L.o.E.o.M.o.O.o.N.oOo
Kagome moaned when his hand found her breast and begin to gently massage it through the fabric of her kimono.
She whimpered and her hands began to roam his bear chest.
His eyes rose to meet hers and they simply stared, asking for and receiving permission.
His lips crashed down on her slightly swollen ones and began his attack on her senses anew.
Kagome couldn't think. All she knew was that she needed to be closer to him. She needed to feel his skin against her own, now.
As if he'd read her mind, his hands went for the obi on her waist and quickly untied it, tossing it to the floor.
The kimono soon followed.
He pulled his mouth away so he could take in the beauty before him. Kagome blushed under his heavy-lidded gaze. He led out a tortured groan. Her breasts blushed. He pulled her back into another fiery kiss, but quickly strayed from her lips in favor of kissing a path down to her aching breasts as he laid her on her back. His tongur slowly traced circles around her already taunt nipple while he kneaded the flesh of her other breast.
She arched against him, trying to force his mouth onto her straining nipple. He complied and was soon suckling like a greedy pup while tugging gently on her other breast. Her sent was spiked with arousal and it was becoming increasingly hard to keep from throwing her down and having his way with her, but no, he wanted her to beg for it, to scream his name. His name; she didn't know it yet.
He gave her nipple one more flick with his tongue before moving his mouth to her ear; running his tongue along the edges and sucking on her earlobe, he whispered, “My name, it's Sesshomaru.”
Her pleasure-fogged mind couldn't place the importance behind that name but registered it nonetheless as he moved on to the other breast. She let out a particularly throaty moan and wrapped her fingers in his hair, pressing him further against her. He bit down gently, and then soothed away the pain with his tongue, earning another loud gasp from his mate. All this time his free hand stroked the inside of her thigh, causing her to moan loudly. He answered with a loud growl and lifted his head to meet her now dark blue, passion clouded gaze. He gave her a roguish grin and bent back over her, moving down her body.
He grazed his fangs on her toned stomach and she let out a hiss of pleasure. He grinned in response and dipped his tongue into her naval before continuing on his path to her center. He growled lowly when he reached his destination, pleased by the virginal scent mixed with her arousal. He would be the only one to touch her, taste her, and that pleased him beyond reason.
He pushed his head into her lap and began to nip and lick her core, flicking his tongue over her clit and worrying the small bundle of nerves with his teeth. She was screaming unabashedly now, crying his name out to the heavens. He grinned against her at the sound of her name coming from her lips. This was the first time he'd heard it tumble from the swollen flesh, and he couldn't have imagined a better time for it.
He slipped his lithe tongue into her, causing her to leave the bed and wrap her legs around his neck with a surprisingly strong grip. He began to pump in and out of her as she moaned and ripped at his white-silver locks. A few minutes after he began this treatment, she cried his name out and her muscles began to clench around his tongue, pulling it deeper inside of her. He grinned and added a finger, then another to the mix and began to pump faster, bringing on her next orgasm before she finished her first.
He was aching hard at this point and, after licking his fingers clean while she watched on, he discarded his hamakas and flipped his mate over to her knees, ripping a startled gasp from her. He groaned as his need intensified at the picture she presented. Her curved behind was high in the air and her pretty head was cradled in her folded arms. He growled and leaned over her, keeping his chest flush with her back, and whispered into her ear.
“I'm sorry, love.”
And with that he pulled back and slammed into her to the hilt, taking her precious virginity as he went. She cried out in pain and he stilled, giving her the time she needed to adjust to his size while whispering incoherently to her.
A few moments passed, the pain diminished, and Kagome began to move her hips against her mate's. Sesshomaru let out a loud growl as he grabbed her hips and began to pump into her. Kagome moved with him, his thrusts were deep and controlled, but not for long. Her pleas of “faster” and “harder” snapped his control and he began to pound inside of her like a wild animal.
The sounds of her moans, his growls, and flesh slapping against flesh filled the room as she began to tighten around him. He jerked her up against his chest, unaware that his eyes where bleeding red. He growled louder and moved his hand down past her thighs and began to tease her clit. She came with an earth-shattering cry of his name. He soon followed, sinking his elongated fangs into the skin where her neck met her shoulder, marking her as his for the rest of eternity, and pumping his seed into her womb as her spasming muscles milked him dry.
oOo.E.o.N.o.D.oOo.L.o.E.o.M.o.O.o.N.oOo
A few moments later he laid them down on the bed and settled her on top of him, never pulling out of her. She let out a throaty yawn as he began to lazily clean his mark with his tongue. He paused to grin down at her.
“Now, now, mate. You've just woken up a few hours ago.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, and he promptly caught it with his fangs and used it to pull her into a lazy kiss. When he pulled back he returned to cleaning his mate's bleeding shoulder and made a decision. He would let his mate rest and he would go seek out the elderly woman who had tried to shield her at her old home. He'd have her explain what had happen, and then bring her back to the palace with him. She was loyal to his mate, and Kagome would probably like to have her near.
After he was satisfied that his mark would not be subject to infection, he noticed his mate's bandages. They were on the ground in shreds. Hmmm, he didn't remember clawing through them. He mentally shrugged and nudged his mate.
“Stay here. I'm going to get you some more bandages,” he explained while gesturing to the pile of ruined wrappings on the floor. She nodded and moved to the tray of fruit that had been sent up.
He slipped his clothes on and left his mate to her snack.
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He arrived a few minutes later to find his mate still unclothed and eating fruit.
It was definitely a picture he could get used to seeing.
She looked up when he entered and smiled.
“Hi.”
He sat on the bed, pulled her into his lap, and began to feel of her ribs.
“Tell me when it hurts, love.”
He went down to the bottom of her ribcage a she let out a startled yelp.
“It hurts!”
Slowly, he bent down and laid a small kiss on the injured area before wrapping the bandages tightly around her. After he finished he gave her a quick kiss.
“I have someone I have to speak with. Stay in bed,” at this his mate pouted, he quickly kissed it away, “you are still healing; you need rest. I'll be back soon.”
“So you're just going to leave me here with nothing to do?” Kagome asked with her hands on her hips.
He tilted his head slightly to the side, “That sounds about right.”
She narrowed her eyes when he laughed, got out of bed with the sheet wrapped around her and poked him in the chest.
“You can't order me around,” she pointed out.
He lowered his head so that his forehead rested on hers.
“I wouldn't dream of it. I simply want your ribs to fully heal so we can play,” he explained with a suggestive grin, causing a faint blush to appear on her cheeks.
“Be careful,” she ordered and leaned up to give him a quick kiss.
“Of course.”
He took the Shikon, which was hanging around her neck, into his hand before meeting her questioning gaze, “It's never been more beautiful.”
And with that he left Kagome, who we all know was not going to stay in bed.
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Kagome tried to rest, she really did. But she was hungry! You would be to if all you had to eat in a day was some fruit. Besides, what could it hurt if she just went to the kitchen and made something to eat?
With that in mind she quickly dressed and slipped out of her mate's bedroom.
As she stepped out into the hall she realized she had no idea where the kitchen was. That could pose a problem. But, hey, if she looked long enough she'd eventually find it, right? It was worth a try.
A half an hour later she had given up the search. She was tired, hungry, and lost, but Kagome wasn't the kind of girl that would let that bother her! She simply waited for someone to walk by so that she could ask them to tell her how to get to the kitchens.
After a few minutes the last person she expected to see came skipping down the hallway.
“Rin!”
The small girl looked to see who had called her name and when she saw Kagome standing near her she let out a happy squeal.
“Kagome-neesan!” Rin launched herself at the older woman and clung to her middle, not noticing her slight wince.
“I've been doing like you said! I tell Sesshomaru-sama everyday how special he is,” the girl boasted with a smile up at Kagome, who smiled back at her while her mind was working furiously.
Sesshomaru-sama! Of course! That's why his name was important!
oOoFlashbackoOo
He gave her nipple one more flick with his tongue before moving his mouth to her ear, running his tongue along the edges and sucking on her earlobe, he whispered, “My name, it's Sesshomaru.”
oOoEnd FlashbackoOo
He was the prince! And he didn't think to mention that little detail?! She was going to kill him when he got back!
Her stomach growled, ending her mental tirade. Right, she'd kill him later, after she ate.
“Rin? Do you know where the kitchen is?”
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After Kaede found out that Sesshomaru meant Kagome no harm, she eagerly told him about the beating. She told him about how Yura had found out that Kagome had been attending the balls with Sango and that Kaede had helped by providing the gowns. Yura had then gone into a rage and thrown everything she could get a hold of at Kaede, trying to injure the old woman. Kagome had stopped her before she could do any real damage, but had suffered in Kaede's place. Kaede hadn't realized this until she found the girl later that night, bloodied and unconscious.
Sesshomaru was fit to kill at the end of the tale, but had been held back by Kaede, who had reminded him that Kagome would most likely be upset if Yura were to die and leave Shippo motherless.
Of course, the mention of Shippo brought up more questions.
In the end, Sesshomaru heard his mate's life story.
He was not amused.
“You, the kit, and this Sango will be ready to leave for the palace in an hour. I will send someone for you. If Yura,” he spat out the name as if it were poison, “asks, simply tell her that you have been summoned. Tell her nothing about this conversation or my mating with Kagome.”
Kaede's mouth all but fell open.
“You and Kagome are mated, your majesty?”
He simply gave a curt nod of the head and left the old woman to prepare.
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Sesshomaru brooded the entire way home. The bitch Yura had to be punished for harming his mate, but the old woman was right. Kagome would be upset if he harmed the kit's mother. If she would be a slave in her own home in order to keep him with her, then she'd do anything for the kit.
`She'll be a wonderful mother to our pups,' he thought with a grin.
He landed in his open window, only to find his mate had left his chambers.
`Our chambers,' he mentally corrected with another grin. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
He followed his mate's scent through his castle. He had never walked in so many circles in all his life! Apparently his mate's sense of direction needed some work, but the transformation she would be undergoing tonight due to his mark should take care of that. While she wouldn't become a demon, she would get sharper senses, his life span, and sharper, more pointed canines. In the morning she would mark him as he had marked her.
He finally located both his mate and Rin in the kitchens, we're his cooks were watching her slightly taken aback by the fact she had taken over there kitchens.
Life is funny, life's a mess
Sometimes a curse, sometimes a blessing
Don't worry `bout a thing,
Don't worry `bout it
Life is sticky, Life can bruise
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose
Don't matter what it brings
Don't worry `bout a thing
Sesshomaru sent a look to the staff telling them to leave. They promptly vacated the kitchen. He also caught Rin's gaze and motioned for her to come to him.
Ever set yourself down when the seat is all wet?
Ever seen you ex sucking face with a lil' brunette?
Once she reached him he leaned down and whispered something in her ear. She nodded happily and ran out of the kitchen to find Jaken. Kagome never noticed the movement.
Don't worry `bout it
No, no don't worry
Ever lost your religion?
Ever lost your best friend?
Ever found your last record in the bargain bin?
Sesshomaru slipped up behind his mate and wrapped his arms gently around her waist, being careful not to upset her ribs and whispered in her ear.
“I can't wait to hear your sing to my pups.”
Kagome turned the stove off and whirled around to face him.
“How could you not tell me you were the prince?!”
Opps, he'd hoped he'd get to tell her that.
“I was going to, but I was,” he gazed over his mate's body and gave her rump a gentle squeeze, bringing her closer to him, “distracted.”
It worked like a charm. She turned a lovely shade of pink and gave him a soft glare.
“Where'd you go?”
He frowned at her and said, “Kaede, Sango and the kit will be arriving soon. I spoke with the old woman,” that earned him another glare, “What?”
“Don't call Kaede that.”
“Very well; I spoke with Kaede and she told me what happened. Yura has to be punished, you know that, right?”
Kagome was already frantically shaking her head.
“She's Shippo's mother!”
“I was under the impression you raised the kit.”
“I'm his nanny, yes-”
“Listen to me, love. I will not kill her, but I want to banish her,” he held up a hand to stop her complaints, “and keep the kit with us.”
“I can't take Shippo away from his mother!”
“If he wants to stay here, will you agree?”
She thought about it for a moment, before agreeing.
“I suppose.”
“Good, now, what are you cooking?” he asked leaning of the stove to taste the sauce she had been making. She slapped his hand away and motioned to the table.
“Go sit down, it's not done yet.”
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While the two were eating the meal Kagome had prepared, Rin came bouncing into the kitchen. After asking why they were eating in the kitchen, she gave Sesshomaru a bouquet of flowers and told him he was special before bounding back out to go play with Jaken some more.
Kagome burst out laughing.
“I have a funny feeling you know why she's been doing this,” Sesshomaru accused his mate with a playful glare. Kagome wiped the tears from her eyes and replied:
“It was the only way to get her to stop speaking of herself in third person.”
And that's all Sesshomaru could get out of her about the subject of Rin's undying need to tell him he was special.
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Shippo loved the idea of staying with Kagome; he'd considered her his mother anyway. It took him awhile to get used to Sesshomaru, who was stoic as ever with everyone but his mate.
Rin adored her new aunt and played with Shippo continuously.
Kaede lived in the palace as well. She took the role of the children's Grandma and continued to watch over Kagome as if she were her daughter.
Yura and Kikyo were forbidden to step foot inside Japan again and were shipped off to the China where they had to work as maids to make a living.
Sango of coursed moved into the palace with Miroku, her new husband. Miroku got his wedding before Sesshomaru's mating ceremony, too. But, Sesshomaru got a pup before Miroku.
Kagome never would tell Sesshomaru why Rin called him special, no matter how many times he tried to coax it out of her.
A year after Sesshomaru and Kagome were mated, Kagome, who had surprised them all by showing her miko powers during the night of her mating ceremony (Sesshomaru had brought them out through an intense…workout), gave birth to the new crown prince, a hanyou male that looked identical to Sesshomaru's deceased little brother. They named him Inuyasha.