InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Allies with Benefits ❯ The Gathering ( Chapter 9 )

A.N. I am SO sorry! This chapter has been finished since NOVEMBER and apparently I forgot to upload it!!!! I'm so sorry!!!!! I only noticed when I started typing up chapter ten!

Allies with Benefits

Chapter 9: The Gathering

“Hi,” Kagome said softly, smiling awkwardly and wringing her hands as she backed towards the wall. She'd been here for over an hour and not only had Rin abandoned her almost immediately upon their arrival, but Sesshoumaru was nowhere to be found. Wasn't the host supposed to you know, host? But so far, it was just her and a room full of youkai. Not to mention she was feeling a little self-conscious given she was wearing a kimono that was probably worth more than her family's shrine in the future. Bowing her head politely as another youkai lord passed her, Kagome once again cursed her luck. She really needed to learn to think things through instead of just rushing in—it never ended well for her.

It wouldn't be so bad if she had any idea what usually happened at these events, but she knew nothing. “Damn that taiyoukai. He is going to be in SO much trouble whe—“

“When what?”

Spinning around, she frowned up at him. “Where have you been? I've been standing here like a fool ever since I got here!” She wanted to smack him on the arm, but somehow she didn't think that would end well.

“Where is Rin?”

“She abandoned me!”

“Poor little miko, would you like me to rescue you?”

She scoffed. “You'll probably abandon me too.”

“Not while you're wearing that.”

She chuckled. “Oh you like it huh?” She gave a little turn, grinning madly as he growled approvingly. The surprise on the back had turned out to be a crescent moon etched onto the silk and Kagome has practically squealed in excitement when she saw it, eager to see his reaction.

“Very fitting,” he said, grabbing her waist to pull her against him. Kagome felt her skin flush as he ran his hand almost greedily over her body. “No youkai would dare challenge my claim when you are so exceptionally marked.”

She knew he was merely talking about Koga, who had given her a wide berth ever since he'd entered the banquet hall, but she couldn't help the jolt of—was it excitement?—at the word “mark.” She didn't focus on it too much though. She was his entertainment. That was all. He just didn't want to share.

Her stomach rumbled loudly and Sesshoumaru chuckled. “Hungry miko?”

“Sorry,” she mumbled, shuffling hr feet nervously.

“Don't be. It's time for dinner anyway.” He caught the eye of one of the guards and nodded watching as the man rushed off to announce dinner was served. Then he led Kagome through a doorway into another elegant banquet hall with several long tables placed end to end for the celebration.

“Oh wow! I've never seen such a tablescape!”

“It serves its purpose,” Sesshoumaru replied, leading her to the head of the table. “I would personally rather eat in the kitchen.”

She chuckled. “Or under the stars?” She joked, knowing the lord's penchant for wandering.

“Perhaps.” He motioned for her to sit and Kagome had to once again hide her shock. She knew who that seat was usually reserved for among humans, but was it the same for youkai? Surely not, otherwise why would he be motioning her to that seat—the seat usually reserved for the lord's mate. There was no way she was going to question him about it though. Taking her seat, she watched as the rest of the guests made their entrance, slightly surprised when Rin appeared alongside a younger youkai with pale blonde hair, her arm entwined with his.

“His name is Kazuki,” Sesshoumaru said softly, noticing her confusion. “He's a lightning youkai from the south.”

Kagome watched the couple approach, both facing alight as they spoke. It seemed strange to think the little girl she'd seen hiding behind the taiyoukai's leg all those years ago had grown into such a beautiful young lady, but Kagome couldn't deny they looked beautiful together. Kazuki leaned down and whispered something in Rin's ear and she giggled in response.

“But I thought she was still living in Kaede's village. How have I not met him before?”

“He has been away helping his grandfather for over a year. He only just returned.”

“Oh ok. So, what do you think?”

“Hmmm?”

“What do you think about him and Rin?”

He scoffed and Kagome tried to hide her grin. She could just imagine his thoughts on the matter. No matter what anyone else said, Sesshoumaru was a father first and foremost. And all fathers reacted to someone dating their daughters the same way. She wondered how many things he'd broken since finding out about them.

“Oh Kagome!” Rin said as she sat down on Sesshoumaru's other side. “There you are! I've been looking for you all night.”

“Sure you have,” Kagome grumbled under her breath.

She saw Sesshoumaru's eyes gleam briefly as the rest of the guests took their seats.

“Kagome,” he said regally. “May I present Lord Kazuki.”

“It's an honor.” Kagome said, smiling softly at him.

“The honor is mine Lady Kagome. Rin has told me much regarding your remarkable achievements. Are you truly the miko responsible for the destruction of Naraku?”

“Well, it was a group effort, but yes that was me.”

“Amazing,”

She was sure her face was redder than a tomato, but thankfully Sesshoumaru engaged Kazuki in a discussion about his father's kingdom and Kagome was able to watch the rest of the guests take their seats. She noticed with some unease that Koga kept glaring at her. She knew she should be happy that he finally understood she wasn't interested, but she hated it had to come at the cost of their friendship. Not to mention she was positive he wouldn't waste his time telling Inuyasha about her and Sesshoumaru. She just hoped his fear of Sesshoumaru would be enough to stop him from doing anything stupid.

By the time dinner ended, all Kagome could think about was lying down for a nice long food coma. Sesshoumaru was talking, but the fuzzies in her brain were making it hard for her to focus. The food had been so good! She definitely needed to convince Sasune to move to Kaede's village. And now she was moving…did she remember standing up? No, but she was definitely moving and Sesshoumaru seemed to be leading her. She hoped wherever they were going there would be a bed.

They reached his rooms and Kagome smiled at the futon. “Bed.”

He chuckled and she felt his hands on the ties of her obi. She hoped he didn't want to have sex. She was too damn tired. She didn't have the energy to stop him though. He was pulling on her kimono now and she felt it slip from her shoulders. “Sess…” she mumbled, but he shushed her and walked off.

When he returned, he was wearing a light sleeping yukata and appeared to be holding one for her as well. She stood there like a doll, letting him dress her, not even protesting when he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the futon.

“What are you doing?” She mumbled as he placed her in the bedding and laid down beside her.

“Sleep,” he said, pulling the covers over them.

“Ok,” she yawned. “I can…do…that.” She snuggled down beside him, smiling as his arm enveloped her. She could definitely get used to this.

Warm. That was her first thought when she woke up. Warm and safe. She tried to think when the last time was that she'd felt this safe in the feudal era. Like nothing could touch her. Inuyasha kept her safe enough it was true, but this was different. This went deeper. Behind her, Sesshoumaru grunted slightly in his sleep and she turned to face him. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his forehead, gasping when he pulled her to him, his head pressed to her chest and his arm tightened against her waist. She giggled, reminded of something she'd seen her cat do while he was sleeping.

He groaned again and opened one bleary eye.

“Morning,” she murmured. “Sleep well?” He grumbled in response and she giggled again as she stretched, her arms reaching high above her head, fingers and toes curled. “So, what's on the agenda for today?”

He didn't answer and she smiled, content to let him feign sleep for the moment. But she had to get up.

When she got back, he was getting dressed.

“Awww, and here I thought we could go back to bed.” She heard a soft snort of amusement from him as he finished tying his obi. “So, what are you doing today?”

“An endless stream of meetings.”

“Yikes. So, now the real business begins I guess.” He nodded, and she got the feeling he was mentally preparing himself for the day's problems. “So, what can I do today?”

“What would you like to do?”

“I don't know. What do you suggest? This is your home after all.”

“Honestly, I don't really get to do anything other than work and spar.” His eyebrows knit together slightly as he spoke, as if only just now coming to this realization himself.

“Oh,“ she replied, walking to the closet to retrieve one of the kimono Rin had purchased for her while in town. “No wonder you run away so much.”

“This Sesshoumaru does not `run away.'”

She grinned. “Of course not.”