InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Saying Goodbye ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Thirteen:

Saying Goodbye

 

Kagome awoke in pain, her body stiff.

She ached.

Her limbs felt like lead, and her head pounded as if someone had dropped a ton of bricks on her head. She couldn't move an inch of her body, so she sat there, letting the pain wash over her in waves.

It hurt to move, it hurt to breath, everything just plain hurt.

At least she knew why it hurt so much. Katzunami had told her it was because of the stress she had been under lately that made this process so painful.

Eyes closed, she lay there, buried in the fur and pillows, trying to gain the strength to at the very least open her eyes. No such luck; they stubbornly refused to obey her command. Mentally sighing, she gave up and listened to the sounds around her. It was a bit muffled, but she could pick up voices and shuffling. Someone was in the room with her.

"….are you sure this is wise?" asked a male voice.

"Aye, we have no choice. Rykotsu has disappeared; there's no way of getting out of this,"

That was Miroku's voice.

She tried to focus on it but her murky brain refused, it swam and spun, making it difficult to understand or make out was being said or who Miroku was talking to. Sound once more reached her ears and it took her a moment to figure out what the muted sound was.

He was talking again, but she didn't know what the hell he was saying, she couldn't make it out.

Darkness lapped at her sense and her head spun in dizzying circles.

She was fading again. She could feel herself drifting.…

Kagome woke a second time, less achy than before but still throbbing in various places. She opened her eyes, squinting at the sunlight that streamed through her window. She yawned tiredly, stretching like a lazy cat before sitting up and surveying the room.

There was no one here.

How long have I been out?'

Had it not been moments since she had heard those voices, or days?

She had absolutely no idea.

Swinging her legs to edge of the bed she tested them on the floor. Slowly she added weight to her shaky legs. Satisfied she hadn't crumpled to the floor, she walked to her chest of cloths, only, to her shock, to discover that most of her clothes were missing. Brows drawn down in confusion, she stood and searched the other chests and dressers. They too were missing substantial amounts of clothing, some were even completely empty!

Reaching into one of the chests she grabbed a kimono and obi and headed to the adjoining room for a quick bath.

Afterwards, she gingerly made her headed for the door, determined to find out who had taken her clothing and for what possible reason someone had done so. Before she could even open the door, it opened for her, revealing none other than Miroku.

She gaped at him.

He looked terrible!

Fading bluish bruises marred his neck, his face was a bit puffy, and there were dark shadows underneath his eyes.

He smiled tiredly at her despite his appearance.

For a moment she was too shocked to speak.

"My Lady, you're awake,” he began, his voice a bit hoarse, “You had me worried for a moment, You seemed to be in more pain than usual. Is all well?"

Kagome smiled sadly at the older man.

It was just like her adviser to inquire of her health while he stood before her, bruised and beaten, she knew, because of her.

What other reason could there be for his injuries?

She hugged him, overcome with emotion that he would be so kind. He smiled and patted her head. He had become like an older brother to her. Comforting her when she needed it, giving her advice on life and protecting her like the big brother she'd always wanted. Hell, as far as she was concerned, he was her brother.

"How can you ask me that when you're hurt? Because of me no less,"

He pulled back and looked at her with a wry smile.

"You have no reason to worry for me, my Lady. As long as you're okay, then I am fine as well," he said with a cheeky smile and wag of his dark brows, “Besides, my bruises have gotten me some sympathy from the ladies,”

She wanted to argue more but decided not to, she would not begrudge him his little speech. And he was getting female attention. She fought the urge to laugh. Leave it to Miroku to make the best of anything and everything.

Instead she asked, "What happened? And do not forget, I am still your Lady and I will have no less than an honest answer,"

He chuckled at that. He knew she wasn't serious in speaking to him that way, but she knew he would most likely tell her a diluted truth, skirting around any painful truths. She always pulled that card when she wanted to know the answer to a question he wasn't willing to give. He shook his head in amusement.

His little sister, what would he do with her?

His humor vanished, smile fading.

What would he do without her?

Though they shared no blood they were as close as any two siblings could be, mayhap even closer.

Deciding not to battle the head strong woman he said, "Lord Sesshomaru doesn't like to be lied to,"

Anger burn hot inside her.

She knew it! Had known it as soon as he entered the room! This had Lord Sesshomaru's name written all over it! How dare he abuse Miroku! If anyone was gonna be punished in such a way it was her, not her advisor!

She would set straight when she saw him! Already she could feel her palms tingling with miko energy.

She would purify his ass to ashes and watch them scatter in the wind.

"How was the vision?"

Focusing her attention back on Miroku, Kagome shook her head. "We've got more trouble Miroku,"

She decided not to tell anyone about the whole baby thing, the less people knew, the less males she'd have running after her trying to impregnate her. Besides, she had no intention of becoming pregnant until this threat was removed. She would not leave that responsibility to any child of hers, the only thing they could do was to this Evil Six and destroy them.

Miroku straightened, going from goofing off to serious in the blink of an eye.

"Come, you must explain it to the other Lords as well."

Kagome had nearly forgotten. Panic set in.

Shit, what in the hell was she gonna do?

Surely they didn't mean to let this go! There had to be some kind of penalty for her, there was no way those arrogant males would let things continue on as they had before. They were probably down stairs now dividing her lands among themselves.

The thought made her bristle with indignant ire.

She looked up at him, "What have they decided to do? With me I mean."

Uncomfortable with answering her, he turned and said, "They will explain it to you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seated at a table in the conference room, the three Lords were revisiting the details of what they had learned and the consequences. The last couple of days had been going smoothly, but now they had come to a standstill. They were trying to decide who would get the lands and mate with the little black haired vixen. It was safe to assume the Elders would mate her off to either one of them and each male refused to entertain the notion that they were not the best choice.

So far, neither male was willing to back down.

"The only male here, worthy to take over the Northern lands is I," Sesshomaru informed them coolly, amber eyes narrowed.

"Why should you get her? You don't need the extra lands!” Yamiko objected. “You have more than enough! Besides, I've already asked her to become my woman,"

"She has not agreed to such a thing, and well you know it." Sarinji countered.

Yamiko flushed angrily at that stated truth.

"She would have, had it not been for your interruption! You have some goddamn nerve, spying on us!"

"And you yourself would not commit such an act would you Yamiko?" questioned sarcastically.

The young Lord had the decency to flush even harder, knowing Sarinji had him there. He himself had lowered himself to doing such a lowly thing as spying; he could not deny it without looking like a foolish liar.

Sesshomaru scuffed inwardly at their pathetic activities.

Spying?

How juvenile.

If he wanted to know to whom his female spoke then he'd simply demand an answer and, depending upon who it was, he'd instruct her on proper behavior, subject her to punishment if it was needed and be done with it. Their willingness to lower themselves to such a thing as snooping proved they were not qualified to take her as a mate, let alone rule a land as vast and prosperous as the Northern lands.

"Your childish quarreling matters not; I am the only Lord qualified," he smirked, “Feel free to continue your useless dispute among yourselves,”

Sesshomaru stood, dismissing the pair.

As Yamiko went red and prepared to do social battle with Sesshomaru, footsteps, moving rapidly towards their room. Sesshomaru paused, scenting his female moving towards him.

The door opened and Miroku stepped through, Kagome in tow. Though he was still furious with her for deceiving him, he could not halt his reaction.

Lust sprang forth, quick and intense.

Blood rushed to his cock, his fangs aching to bury into her exposed throat.

She was beautiful. Aside for her tired mocha eyes, she looked no worse for wear. Seeing her awake and undamaged was a relief to him.

And very, very irate. She was fuming, her brown eyes flashing, her full lips pulled into a deep frown. She stomped up to him, a delectable ball of feminine fury.

"How dare you abuse my advisor?!” demand behind clenched teeth.

"You dare question me?" he inquired with narrowed eyes, bristling at the tone of voice.

She had nerve, he would give her that. Not accustomed to be spoken to in such a way, and by a woman no less, he was not going to start tolerating disrespect, especially from this woman, this woman that would very soon become his.

"Of course! You have no right to do that to him, or any of my people! He's done nothing to warrant such treatment from you or anyone else!” she admonished, “If anyone is to be punished, it should be me! Leave my people out of this, they are not to blame, I forced them to aid me!"

He stepped closer to her, nose to nose, "You will hold your tongue, female,"

"I'll do no such thing! It was I who schemed, not him, nor any other of my people. I demanded their compliance, so I would thank you not to put hands upon him, or any other," straightening to her full height, even though it was not much, she gave him a cool stare, "I am the Lady of the Northern lands and I demand respect,"

A muscle in his jaw ticked.

"As of this moment, you are the Lady of the Northern lands no longer."

She seemed stricken for a moment, and for a brief, ridiculous second he felt a tweak of an emotion that could be what the human's called remorse. He was disturbed by the look on her face, almost feeling as though he should not have said such a thing to her, perhaps not as callously as he had.

Absurd!

He did not have such an emotion. It was a weak, disgusting thing; remorse. He sneered at the word.

"W-what are you talking about?"

She looked to Miroku, who looked down. She looked over at Sarinji for answers, who gave her a steady stare, his normally friendly eyes more distant and reserved. Her gaze shifted to Yamiko, whose anger was not hidden at all. His unconcealed emotion made her feel guilty.

She knew they were mad about the deception, and she could understand that, but dammit that didn't give them the right to take away everything she'd worked for!

"I am legally the Lady of these lands! You can't just come and take everything from me! There are no laws forbidding a woman from running a territory independent of a male!"

"And yet when you schemed, deceived and made a fool of the royal courts you forfeited your lands,” Sarinji informed her, “The elders will decide the fate of the Northern lands. We leave in four days time."

Her face went white, drained of color; she looked as though she would faint. As though the world had tumbled onto her shoulders and she could barely hold it up. As if a single touch would break her; shatter her into a million pieces and never be put back together again.

The males of the room shifted uncomfortably at the extreme distress radiating from the small woman, waves of turmoil cascading from her slight form.

As her face began to crumble she whispered, "You can't do this…"

Then the tears began.

Horrified of the wet proof of the pain they had inflected upon her; cheeks aflame she quit the room, a sob breaking free and slipping past her trembling lips as she ran to the safety of her bedroom.

She hated them. She hated them all!

How could they even call themselves noblemen? They were bullies is what they were, all of them!

Wiping away her humiliating tears, she opened her bedroom door, stepped inside and slammed the door behind her. God she was so damn angry! Angry and hurt.

Angry at them for taking away her rights as though she were nothing but dirt under their feet; angry at herself for allowing them to see her tears, to allow them to glimpse the pain in her heart.

Plopping onto her bed, she took deep calming breaths, clenching her fists in an effort to stop those damnable tears of hers.

It took a moment fore her face to dry. She sniffled, wiping her tears away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome looked around her room once more. Trying to memorize it, trying to take it into her mind and never let it go. She had spent the last four days going to each and every village, saying goodbye, laughing with the people she loved so much, crying with them, pretending everything would be okay for their sake as much as her own. They were her family, these people, she almost could not bear it.

It was almost too much.

This place was everything to her.

The only thing left of her parents.

She could not bear it!

It hurt so much.

As if a piece of her was being ripped from her body. But there was nothing she could do right now. She had to wait until she reached the Western lands, standing before the haughty, asshole Elders. Chauvinistic males no doubt, still clinging to the old ways of the world.

They were so full of themselves!

What gave them the right to judge her!

To rip everything away from her!

To decide her future!

It made her literally sick with fury. She could barely contain her hostility. She had avoided all three Lords these past few days, barely leaving her bedroom, fearing she would lose control of her rage, hiss at them and try to scratch their eyes out and no doubt make things worse for herself than they already were. She knew that, but that didn't stop the tingle she felt in her nails when she thought of them.

She wanted them to hurt as bad as she did.

The knock at the door was like the executioner coming to escort her to gallows.

It was time to go.

Time to leave her homeland behind.

She closed her eyes, hoping this was all a horrible dream, that any moment she would wake up screaming.

She knew it was not to be, that she was being silly, and yet she could not seem to stop herself from trying to wish away this travesty. The knock came again, louder this time. Her heart constricted, taking her breath away.

She steeled herself.

No matter what they said, she was the Lady of the Northern lands.

Fist clenched, head raised, walked to the door, and opened it. There stood a soldier. She remembered him; he was one of the Western soldiers she had healed, saving him from a horrific death.

By the flush on his cheeks, she could tell her remembered her as well.

"My Lady, I've come to take you into custody and escort you outside, as was order by Lord," he mumbled, his cheeks scarlet with what had to be shame and embarrassment.

She wasn't upset that he had come to take her away; after all, he was only following orders and decided not to make this harder than it already was on him. She nodded and stepped out of her room, closing the door behind her. Before she could make her way down stairs, he moved slightly, blocking her descent.

He cleared his throat and raised iron cuffs; his flush increasing tenfold.

"My Lady, if you'd please-"

"For what reason do I need to be confined!"

Kagome was outraged!

As if she was not humiliated enough! She was visibly shaking with rage; brown eyes flashing, tiny fists clenching and unclenching.

"My Lady, please do not fight. I like it no better than you. I would rather not have been the person to do this, you saved me from a painful death. I would not repay such kindness this way, but I am honor bound to obey my lord,” he said, still mumbling, “Please my Lady. I have no choice. I don't want to have to physically put you into the cuffs, but, if you refuse to do so voluntarily I have been ordered to use force,"

General Haku really didn't want to go that route with Lady Kagome.

She was kind and gentle, and she had healed him and the other soldiers, never once asking to be repaid as was her rightful due. And yet none of the Lords had even taken that into consideration. But he had, which is why he was shamed to have to be the one to detain her. He wished it had been otherwise, but alas, it was not.

He had been order to do this duty, and he never failed to carry out his Lords orders, and he would not, could not start now.

Kagome sighed.

Clearly the soldier didn't want to be the one to do this and because of that fact, Kagome reined in her rage and reluctantly held out her wrists.

He rolled up the sleeves of her kimono and placed the iron cuffs onto her pale wrists, closing and locking them with a loud snap that made Kagome want scream. Instead, tears of frustration threatened to fall.

Savagely she forced them back.

She would not let them see how much she hurt; how much they had hurt her, not again.

She would go with dignity and pride.

They had taken almost everything from her, and she'd be damned if her dignity and pride was next.

No chance in hell.

As he led her down stairs, holding the iron chain that was connected to the cuffs, people watched. Her people watched with various emotions on their faces. Sorrow, anger, regret, and fear. She gave them a cheerful smile she neither felt nor reached her eyes, as she walked by, handcuffed like a common prisoner.

General Haku lifted her up and into a carriage. He helped her sit next to another soldier that she had healed as well. Although she did not remember him by face as there had been so many that had needed to be healed, the flush that stained his cheeks was a dead giveaway. If not for the circumstances she was in at the moment, Kagome would have giggled at the sight; seasoned youkai soldiers blushing like young maidens.

Kagome turned her attention to the sight ahead of her.

The soldiers were ready to march, the three Lords barking orders to their soldiers. Miroku came up to the carriage, his violet eyes sad. She smiled at him, tears rimming her sparkling cinnamon eyes. She grasped his hands in hers; the chain from the cuffs rattled, the weight of the iron bruising her delicate wrists.

She ignored it and said, "Take care of my lands until I return for them, okay?"

He smiled back at her. "Of course my Lady. I will not let you down."

His smile faded, "Be careful Kagome. Though we do not share blood, you are my sister. Do not forget that."

Kagome hugged him, throwing her cuffed hands around his neck, clunking him in the head with the chain on accident. As she tried to pull back, mumbling an apology, he pulled her back and hugged her tightly.

Kagome laughed through her tears.

"I love you big brother" she said, wanting to keep the warm feel of his arms around her, inside her heart forever, “Say goodbye to Sango when she returns from her extermination,”

Sango had left some time ago on an extermination that would last a fortnight. This was not unusual for the demon slayer, but Kagome still wished that she was here.

"And I love you little sister, I will tell her. Please take care; one of these men could be responsible for the attacks,” he gave her a reassuring smile, “When you return, your lands will be just as you left them."

"My Lady, it is time to go," the soldier in the carriage said softly.

As Kagome unwrapped herself from Miroku, she felt as though she were being torn in two.

Miroku stepped back from the carriage, his eyes speaking volumes to her. With their eyes they said goodbye. And as her carriage rolled forward, and began to head west, she felt hypersensitive to everything around her.

The pounding of the soldiers feet beat in time to her pounding heart, she could hear the birds sing, their singing seemed as sad as she felt.

Her heart began to crumble as the Northern castle began to fade into the distance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Damn him!"

Vishious paced the length of his prison over and over, every once and a while relinquishing his power on the poor unsuspecting stone walls, though barely retaining a scratch from his tantrum. The Ra Ku Youki he had sent to the Western lands to lure the Western Lord back to his lands had failed. The Ra Ku Youki had been defeated the damage they wrought negligible, certainly not enough to warrant Lord Sesshomaru return home at a hurried pace.

And now those idiots had his woman!

He would rip them to fucking pieces for this!

He tried to calm himself, knowing he couldn't do anything at this point of time, a tantrum would neither help nor hinder his current situation so it was foolish, not to mention pointless to engage in a fit of rage.

But dammit he couldn't help it!

She was his!

His.

And yet they continued to defile her with their hands! To command her as though they had any right to do so!

Calm, he reminded himself, he would destroy them, painfully!

He let out air and turned from the mirror. He could view no more this day, it made his stomach turn. Instead his turned his attention to Naraku, connecting with the demon's mind, finding it dark and responsive.

He was unconscious.

The snake youkai was still healing from the last ceremony.

And while he slept, Kagura was sneaking around again, trying to get aid.

He smirked, she honestly was a fool.

To think she could get anything by him. He nearly laughed aloud, the notion was so ridiculous. That female had to be the stupidest being he had ever created. His monsters had more common sense. He would be sure to inform Naraku to punish the stupid cow.

That decided, he once more shifted his attention, this time to Ehvil. He was pleased to see the dragon youkai had almost made it his location. At this rate, he would be out of his prison before the end of the year.

That thought easily restored his good humor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshomaru was content to be on his way back to his lands, his female in tow.

He had watched her tearful display with her advisor and felt a twang of something he dared not put a name to. He could feel her sadness even though she was a ways behind him. She would get over it once he claimed her. She would have no time for sadness. She would be too busy running the Western castle as his lady wife, and bearing his pups.

He would pup her this year, he decided. Why wait?

He needed a son to inherit his lands, and if he was honest with himself he'd hungered for a son of his own for some time now. He was a hardened warrior but sometimes, he wished for peace. A warm mate he could find comfort in at the day's end, a female he could plant his seed in, watch her swell with his child, watch it ripen to birth. Meeting his son for the first time.

He wondered if her coloring would be dominant, or his own. Would his son be a silver haired, amber eyed male like his father, half brother and grandfather or would he be a dark haired, brown eyed hellion like his mother? Mayhap a combination of both. He would have to wait a while and see.

Turning his mind to another matter all together, he replayed the information he had received from the adviser.

The Evil Six.

Her vision had not revealed much information on the six, except that they had to be stopped before they were all joined.

Sesshomaru snorted.

He was not worried, if they thought they were any match for one such as he, they were sadly mistaken. He was not one to be toyed with. If they were responsible for the attacks upon his lands he would make them wish they'd never been raised from the dead.

But that was neither here nor there.

Nothing could be done until more information was obtained.

For now, he would leave it as is. He had a battle of a different sort ahead of him.

What would the elders decide to do with her lands?

Surely they would not nay say him?

He wanted her and her lands. He would be damned if he let any of the other lords have that right. He was the only male worthy of those lands, and he would have them. If he had to go over their heads, so be it. No way in hell would he allow any other males to touch his female.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagura sat in the dark, watching Naraku sleep. Hatred burned deep in her heart.

Her teeth clenched.

She would never be free of him as long as Vishious watched her! She could hear his laughter inside her head, and it made her skin crawl.

'Fucking psychotic bastard.'

She wanted him dead!

She wanted them both dead!

As Naraku's breathing leveled out, she eased from the bed slowly, carefully.

Sometimes when he woke, completely healed, he punished her for leaving the bed without his permission if caught. Naraku required that she asked his permission for everything.

She had to ask to bathe in the hot springs, and even then he watched her, at times touching himself when she washed. She had to have permission to prepare his dinner, his bath and anything else he needed. She had to ask him for permission to sleep, to eat, anything she wanted to do; permission had to be granted by Naraku.

This is why she always snuck out of bed.

It was an act of defiance, of rebellion. A small one but it was hers all the same.

It was the only thing that kept her going when the days grew bleak.

Successfully slipping from the bed, Kagura walked silently to the bedroom door, her steps light and silent. She was too afraid to make a sound, to even breathe. Holding her breath, she silently open the door enough to slide through before closing it just as cautiously.

She turned right, walking down the long dark hallway. Coming to the dining room, Kagura walked through the elegant room, careful not to bump into anything, least she wake Naraku.

Finally, she made it to the front door. She released a breath she had not realized she'd been holding.

As she slid open the door, the cool air of the night rushed in to greet her. She reveled in it, taking it into her lungs.

She had never thought to run away before, sure they would catch up to her, but as she looked into the dark night she wondered; what would it be like to be free, if only for a moment.

For just a brief second.

She wanted to experience that feeling once, just once.

She knew not how long she sat there, but as the sun began to rise, she stood and went back inside, retracing her steps up to the bedroom, and she eased back into bed, staring up at the ceiling. As her eyes drifted close and her body relaxed, she felt a sudden dread, an acute feeling of unease.

The hairs on her neck stood up as a chilling voice said, "You did not have my permission to leave this bed Kagura. You shall be punished when I wake."

Kagura trembled at the deadly promise. As Naraku's breathing once more evened out, she closed her eyes tight and retreated into her mind.

Inside her mind she was free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello beautiful people! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Thank you all for the reviews!

Laters!

~Sessakag