InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ The Trial Beings ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter Fifteen:

The Trial Begins

 

 

Kagome walked through the door, and immediately felt an intimidating air. Everywhere she looked, males, all males; looking down on her, as if she were beneath them. She stood straighter and stared them down; receiving intense disapproving glares in response.

She could care less about their disfavor, they could all kiss her ass.

Boldly, she took her time to look around the room, meeting the glower of more than one male in the room.

The room was tastefully decorated, and well lit, large cathedral style windows let the sun shine down into the room. The wooden floor gleamed and sparkled, clearly polished to perfection. Chairs behind her were lined up in two separate sides. Three rows and four chairs on each row, a small table and chair sat next to the judge's booth.

It would have been a cheerful room if not for the immense intimidating judges podium that dominated most of the space. The booth was long and tall, about a foot taller than her, it curved into a semi-circle. At one end sat Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Yamiko and Lord Sarinji, all three Lords looking regal and serious, and at the other end were what she assumed the elders.

It was surprising because they didn't look elderly at all.

More like they were in their mid thirties to forties.

The one next to Lord Sarinji was a tiger youkaiwith bright orange hair and even brighter orange eyes; his features were exotic and dangerous, and one of the more disapproving looking individuals. He wore a very expensive looking blue kimono and hakama. He regarded her with intense scrutiny, disdain and curiosity.

Instantly, she knew she probably would not like him. He looked like the type bastard to speak nonsense about “a woman's place”.

Well he could kiss her ass.

Deliberately she dismissed him from her notice, nearly smiling in satisfaction as his orange eyes narrowed on her in clear disapproval.

Next to him sat a falcon youkai, his features were sharp as his deep chocolate eyes. He was quite handsome, his shoulder length braid resting on his right shoulder. His clothing was equally expensive except the color of said garment was a bright red.

He was looking at her much like the tiger youkaihad except he lacked the open disdain and censure, so she couldn't say she disliked him right away, but she did decide that she wouldn't decide to like him right now either. Looks could be deceiving and he could turn out to be her worst enemy in this trial.

She would have to watch him and listen closely to what he had to say about this whole mess.

And last sat there was a inu youkai. Shockingly, he looked just like Sesshomaru, except older. From the crescent moon that graced his forehead, and the magenta markings on his face, he was definitely related to the Western Lord. His expression was direct and piercing. Seeming to see right to her core, she avoided his gaze.

But he didn't seem to look at her in a disrespectful way; his gaze was merely curious and intense.

She was led further into the room by General Haku halting the middle of the room before the royal demons.

It was intimidating and galling, pricking her temper.

They looked so disapproving and serious, and the open condescending air with which they regarded her grated on her already frayed nerves. With the patronizing body language she couldn't help but wonder how in the hell would make it through the proceeding without saying or doing something that would land her in even more trouble?

She knew herself, knew her temper was easy and quick to stir. She knew that when she opened her mouth with her temper consuming her that she had little control over what was said and how it was said.

Clearing his throat, General Haku came to attention, clicking his boots together with a loud thump and stated in a strong clear throat, "Prisoner is presented before the royal council as requested,"

Wrong words to say.

Kagome's eyes narrowed in outrage, "Prisoner?“ she sputtered, “I am the Lady of the Northern lands! Not a prisoner! I demand to be released and returned to my home immediately! I've broken not laws and committed no crimes,"

The tiger Youkai's eyes flashed at her, lips curling back in a snarl. Kagome straightened her spine, ready to see what ignorant bullshit spewed from his lips. She was not to be disappointed either.

"You will hold your tongue, woman. You are in enough trouble presently, best you keep your mouth shut and show respect for this council,"

Her hands clenched and her jaw ached as she ground her teeth together.

That pompous, stuck up, chauvinistic, ignorant old bastard! If her hands were free she'd purify his ass!

"I'll not be silent!” she shot back, ignoring the shocked gasps of the males seated behind her watching the trial, “You have no right to do this to me! I have broken no laws!"

"Yet you have not shown this council respect. Playing everyone for a fool, you have broken a law indeed. Those who live under the royal council must show proper respect and deference to their superiors. You have broken this vital law, female. For this reason alone you have forfeited your lands, position, title, and subject yourself to penalization."

Kagome trembled, trying to pull air into her lungs.

Not in fear of her punishment, but in unadulterated rage. Energy thrummed fiercely through her body, pounding painfully through her veins. She wanted to kill him; kill them all, wipe the earth clean of chauvinistic, arrogant, pigheaded, condescending, no good males! Good Lord she had never been so angry and disgusted in her entire life! Never had she ever had a reason to hate anyone.

But dammit she could feel it now. Taking over her thoughts; turning them dark and ugly and violent. It scared her, these hideous feelings, and yet at the moment, she revealed in it. Letting it consume her as she stared the tiger youkaidown, unable and unwilling to back down.

She lifted her chin in defiance.

"I have not played any a fool. Nor did I directly deceive anyone."

"Enough," the elder inu youkaiinterrupted, "We will begin the first phase of the trial now. There will be time enough for objections as we proceed. This is a place of order, and it will be maintained as such,"

Kagome stayed quiet, but it was one of the most difficult things she'd ever had to do in her life.

“Continue General,” the inu youkaicommanded.

General Haku nodded and intoned in a strong voice, "Yes sir."

He marched over to the door and opened it, and more people, human and youkaialike filed in, all male,their clothing and postures oozing smug elitism. She assumed that these had to be Overseers of some of the villages. Overseers were second only to the four Territory Lords.

They were probably all here just to catch a glimpse of the female that had “fooled” them all.

She knew she had no supporters among that group.

One of the newcomers took a seat in the small chair behind the desk next to the judge's booth. He was human. Short brown hair and kind brown eyes, he wore a beige kimono, not nearly as grand or expensive as some of the other material in the room, but was still above average. He carried a few scrolls inside a leather bag, took them out and opened a blank scroll and whipped out writing utensils, waiting patiently.

Clearly he was the stenographer. He looked up at her, and stopped. His eyes widened slightly and his mouth moved as if he wanted to say something to her.

Kagome's dark brows drew down in confused disapproval; what was he staring?

As if reading her thoughts he blushed furiously, looking embarrassed and flustered he fumbled with his materials. Scribbling words on it in a distracted manner, he stared at the scroll as if his life depended upon it.

What the hell was his problem?

Weirdo.

She was beautiful! Good lord almighty! He felt as though his heart was constricted, he could barely breathe! This was what it felt like! This was love! Love at first sight. He had to be in love. There was no other explanation for it. Forget Julia, she no longer held his heart. He could not have loved her, for he loved this raven haired beauty.

He paused for a moment.

His mother had told him that he fell in love with a new woman every other week and that if he ever fell in love with another woman that he should stop and count how long it had been since he had claimed to be in love.

He began to think back to when he had first declared his love for Julia…

It had been two days since then, and five days before that it had been Michi, and three days before that it had been Kotiko.

He frowned.

Was his mother right? Did he fall in love to easily?

Hojo blushed as he stole another look at the glaring woman. Her cinnamon eyes flashing at him.

No, this was real love, maybe he had fallen in love too easy before, but this was different.

It had to be.

He wanted to laugh aloud. She was so beautiful to look at! He could stare at her all day!

He sighed; she was too beautiful for words.

He would write a poem for her later today when he was alone, although he wanted to leave now. Steal away to his bedroom and write for days, weeks. Knowing he could not was sorely disappointing. But for now, he had to be her hero! He had to be her champion as she was facing the elders and the Territory Lords. He would record her trial word for word! He would not let his new love down!

Lord Toramaru sat quietly, his sharp amber eyes taking in the people inside the room, not missing a single detail.

His eyes drifted over to his nephew.

Lord Sesshomaru had not taken his eyes from the woman since she arrived. An intense sense of possession surrounded him, as though he had some unspoken claim upon the young woman. His demeanor spoke volumes. He wanted this brown eyed spitfire currently engaged in battle with them.

He had never seen his nephew so ensnared before.

And there had been a lot of women that went through the capable hands of the young Lord. But none had ever lasted beyond a day or two.

Through it all, Sesshomaru treated them as a mere annoyance when not in bed, something to be fucked and tossed without a second thought. He'd feared his nephew would never mate and insure the inu youkailine continued and thrived. Although, if his brother InuYasha, produced pups their line would not completely die out. A small portion of his line would be preserved.

Besides, his younger nephew was no where near settling down. He wasn't as big of a man whore as his older brother, but he did have his share of women, none of which lasted more than a night or two.

What would InuTaisho say if he could see his sons today?

He sighed, his brother.

InuTaisho had been his best friend, his comrade, his closets confidence. They had been as close as twins, though InuTaisho was three hundred years his senior. He'd been presumed dead years ago, leaving two sons behind.

Because of that Sesshomaru had had to take over as the new Lord of the Western lands. Cold and aloof, he was described as "Killing Perfection."

Though Toramaru liked to think there was another side to the young Lord, he knew it was most likely just wistful thinking on his part. But he could still hope, could he not? And he did, he hoped that one day his nephew could have the ice melted from around his heart and the wounds of the past healed.

But he was not certain if that would ever happen.

And then there was InuYasha.

Hot headed and foul-mouthed, the complete opposite of his older brother. Unlike him and InuTaisho, Sesshomaru and InuYasha were more blood enemies than close brothers. They fought often and exchanged insults daily.

Though hanyous were not nearly scorned as they were back in his day, InuYasha was snubbed because he was a noble and a degenerate. Those of high breed were expected to conduct themselves in a certain manner.

InuYasha could care less.

He spent most of his time in the forest, away from his brother and those that would sneer at him.

It was well known that the two brothers had no love for each other due to the events that occurred between his father and mother and InuTaisho's subsequent actions with InuYasha's mother Izaoi.

That had been years ago but still the, hatred and resentment had carried over.

Sesshomaru's mother, Kaori, passed away from a mysterious illness; wasting away before his very eyes. The mating between InuTaisho and Kaori had been arranged purely political. There had been friendship between them and nothing more. After her death, InuTaisho had moved his lover Izaoi in to the castle, mating her almost immediately, and soon after she gave birth to InuYasha.

Toramaru had to admit that his brother had made a mistake in mating Izaoi so soon after Kaori's death, especially with a grieving son to look after, but at that time, InuTaisho had not been thinking clearly.

He'd been blinded by his love for Izaoi, too excited that they could finally be together as true life mates. Toramaru had understood his brother's feelings.

Sesshomaru had not even pretended to understand.

Never again had Sesshomaru spoken to InuTaisho as a father, but merely as a stranger, it had broken his dear brother's heart. It had been as though Sesshomaru had cast his father completely from his heart, like a parent that had disowned his child. After some time, InuTaisho had come to understand what he'd done wrong and why his son had turned from him, and the guilt had eaten at him.

He had carried around that guilt for a long time, up until the time he had disappeared.

But he had been happy at times, able to escape the guilt for a few peaceful moments with his new mate.

Unfortunately, a few years later, even that was lost to him with the passing of Izaoi in a tragic accident.

InuTaisho had never recovered, losing both his mate and, to him, his eldest son had thrown him into a deep, dark depression. Toramaru still remembered that awful time. His brother had considered suicide on more than one occasion, hiding the attempts from all but his younger brother. Toramaru had not been fooled, he knew how hurt his brother was and had taken the precaution of checking every vial of poison they had in the castle, noting any missing weapons, even going so far as to follow him for several weeks when InuTaisho seemed to be at his worst.

After a heart to heart talk with his older brother, Toramaru had seemed to curb his suicidal compulsions, reminding him of his youngest son and his responsibility to his people as the Western Lord.

It had seemed to work.

To dim the pain, InuTaisho had thrown himself into his work, making the Western lands the most prosperous in all of Japan, rushing into battle after battle until one day, he never came back.

After decades of searching, he;d been pronounced dead, and Sesshomaru had taken his place.

He turned his attention back to said demon.

Amber eyes were still locked onto the female.

Interesting…..

A man stepped forward; scroll in hand and waited for the attention of the occupants. When the room quieted, he unrolled his scroll and began to read.

"The trial of the accused; Kagome of the North will begin. Presiding judges:

Lord Yamiko of the Southern Lands.

Lord Sarinji of the Eastern Lands.

Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands.

Elder Torao

Elder Kiji

Elder InuTaisho

First phase of trial shall commence under the witnesses of the village Overseers:

Of the Southern lands, Overseers:

Overseer Ryokotsai

Overseer Naverna

Overseer Katio

Overseer Sarikuyo.

Of the Eastern lands, Overseers:

Overseer Rintaihu

Overseer Lankoyuu

Overseer Shirantu

Overseer Gentama

Of the Western lands, Overseers:

Overseer Rankiku

Overseer Shintaku

Overseer Reyuuki

Overseer Jankotski.

Prisoner Kagome of the North has committed numerous crimes, and shall be tried for each charge on this day. Phase one of said prisoner's trial will come to order and begin, now."

Bowing, the man stepped aside, taking a position near the door.

Kagome fumed.

Numerous crimes her left big toe!

How dare they?!

She had committed no crimes!

And she found it very funny that they invited none of her own Overseers to her trial. This trial was a sham, a complete and utter farce, more for show than anything else and she knew it, they knew it.

She would not stand for this!

She looked into the eyes of each male before, letting them see her hatred, naked and undisguised. Lord Yamiko had the gall to look at with those same twinkling eyes and winked at her as though they were still friends and this was some sort of game they were playing. As if he weren't sitting up there with the rest of them and trying to ruin her life.

He had some nerve!

She wanted to scratch his fucking eyes out and make him eat them.

She turned away from him deliberately and insultingly, fixing her attention else where.

Lord Sarinji did not look pleased but more resigned to what was taking place here, giving her a nod of good luck she neither wanted nor needed from the likes of him. If he wanted to give her encouragement or even make her feel better then he would put an end to this travesty of a trial or at the very least stand in her corner.

As far as she was concerned, he was just as bad as that damn smiling Lord Yamiko.

Her attention reluctantly moved to the silver haired Lord, who looked composed and aloof, but whose eyes burned with such passion and possessive desire that she blushed and looked away.

Her gaze landed on the elder tiger youkaiTorao, who once more regarded her with keen interest, then to the elder Kiji who was a bit surprised that she dared to reveal her hatred so openly to her superiors, and then finally to Toramaru who gazed at her then to Sesshomaru; a calculating look in his wise old eyes.

Did he suspect the attraction between them?

Kagome would not be surprised if did, Sesshomaru sure as hell didn't seem very good at hiding his feelings.

Torao spoke, detaining her attention back to him reluctantly.

"Kagome of the North, you have been charged as follows:

Concealing your identity with malicious intent.

Deceiving nobility.

Commanding the Northern inhabitants to assist you in your deception.

Abusing your power to cause confusion and unrest.

Disrupting the trust and peace between the Territory Lords and promoting disrespect for the position of the Lords.

To these chargers, how do you plead?"

Kagome felt her stomach churn; they had turned all her actions against her! Made her out to be a bad person when they knew she had not done any of that.

Mentally she went over each and every charge and debunking it for the made up, non-sense that it truly was.

Okay, so she had concealed her identity but not with malevolent intent. She had done it because she knew that these dusty old bastards would give her trouble for not being born with a penis between her legs.

And what disrespect had she brought to the House of the Northern, Western, Southern and Eastern territories? If anything, they had brought the disrespect.

Deceiving nobility?

What noblemen?! There was not one noble male in this entire room!

Bringing shame to the Northern lands. She snorted inwardly. Oh please, she had brought no shame to anyone.

She hadn't demanded the cooperation of her people; they had helped her deceive the other Lords out of loyalty, respect and the general good nature of their hearts. Something these bastards would know nothing about.

She had certainly not abused her powers, nor had she disrupted any trust or peace between the Territory Lords.

She was not guilty and she would not say she was to please them or anyone else. She would tell the truth and continue to protest her innocence, no matter what happened, no matter what the outcome of this trial was.

She was innocent.

Good Lord she hated men!

"Not guilty" she hissed between clenched teeth, the heat of her answer blazing over everyone in the room.

Miko energy crackled, and a few youkai shifted uncomfortably at the electric charge. Most in the room had not been this close to a real Miko before. A large portion of miko's had retreated to a coven in the Eastern lands after peace between youkai and humans had stabilized, leaving only a few to, roam the free lands, their services used only for unruly youkai.

Torao raised a brow at her answer but made no comment. Instead, the tedious and harsh questioning began. At first, the questions had been fairly simple.

Was her name Kagome?

Yes.

Was she the daughter of the late Lord and Lady of the Northern Lands?

Yes.

Simple questions.

But then it turned bad, it turned into something akin to a witch trial. And the way they phrased their questions! They delivered them in a way that would easily confuse her, trick her into saying something she would rather not say.

By the time they had finished with their ridiculous and insulting inquiry, Kagome was drained from the intense emotions coursing through her body.

Anger, despair, frustration, all of her emotions seemed on the edge of bursting free.

She was quite ready to commit murder to more than a dozen males, and not all of them were on the judges bench.

She could feel the heated glares of the Overseers behind her. She could hear their murmurs of agreement when ever one of the judges made a comment about women aren't allowed to do this, or women aren't fit to do that.

Non-sense, stupid, ignorant non-sense.

Women were as good as men, better even! And she had said as much over and over through out the trial, satisfied with the venomous denials from the males.

Hours came and went and before Kagome knew it, the first part of the hearing was over.

For that Kagome was grateful, she'd had more than enough.

The trial had been long and tiring. Every time she tried to defend herself they had shot her down, turning her words around on her, trying to make her incriminate herself. The elders and Lords had left for a brief recess to go over the facts and evidence provided.

She'd had to stand the whole time and she was still to remain standing even though she was so tired, she was shaking. She was almost relieved to see the males file back in and take their respective seats. She hoped with all her heart that they were going dismiss this whole thing and return her to her lands in the North. Her heart was pounding so loud in her ears as Lord Toramaru spoke,

"The elders and Territory Lords have deliberated and come to a decision. The prisoner shall appear before the royal courts once more on the morrow, at mid-morning for said verdict. Court is adjourned."

Her heart sank at his words, and she could barely stop the anger that wanted to break free.

As the court began to file out, Kagome was lead back out by Lord Haku. As she was led away, she clenched her fists, so damn angry she was tempted to turn back and purify every male she could get her hands on.

Beside her, General Haku walked quietly, clearly reluctant to be the one to lead her away. He seemed to think everything around was interesting, for he looked everywhere but at her. For his sake she decided not to make a scene. Besides, it wouldn't really get her anywhere. Succumbing to temper tantrum and acting like a female controlled by her emotions would only make things worse.

She had to be smart about this. She had to pick and choose her battles, and not start a pointless war she couldn't hope to win.

Right now, she had no choice but to go along with this farce, adding more trouble by doing stupid things in rebellious female fury was not a good way to go about things. It would only prove what they were already saying about women.

That women could not use reason because of overactive emotions.

She wouldn't give them such ammunition to use against her.

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

Looking around the room, he shook his head.

His collection had been destroyed; he would have to start over again, collecting every shade of blue he could find just like he had before his imprisonment.

No matter. He enjoyed collecting his favorite parts of the body; it soothed him to be surrounded by his jars of eyes. He had no idea why blue eyes fascinated him so much, but they did. He often looked for victims with some shade of blue so that when he was finished with them, he could harvest their eyes and place them into one of his jars.

Behind him, he heard a muffled scream of terror.

It seemed his first victim had awoken. Anticipation tingled up his spine. This would be the first of many victims since his resurrection, and he was more than ready.

He turned and looked at the youkai make manacled to the wall, his arms contorted painfully in the irons, the chain hung so high the man had to balance on his toes to keep from breaking his own arms. Blood dripped from beneath the iron bracelets, the result of the metal spikes connected to the inside of the manacles that were buried deep into his skin.

He `d caught the water demon unawares at the lake he had come across. His blonde hair and blue eyes had attracted him.

Blue.

The color entranced him.

He needed those eyes.

He strolled over to the confined male slowly, intimidating the man. He knew how he must look. Long dark hair, long bangs covering his eyes, purple eyes as cold as death, handsome, sinfully so. He looked much like the killer psycho he was. He smiled at the man before him; his gaze looked on his big blue eyes.

"Why have you abducted me foul demon?" the water demon demanded despite the fear radiating from his body.

Mahdness tilted his head to the side and said nothing. They stood there, looking at each other for long moments, the captured male breathing hard and fast.

"Why have you abducted me foul demon?" Mahdness repeated.

The male looked at him with a confused horrified look.

"Why do you mock me?"

"Mock me why do you?" Mahdness questioned , sitting down, knees bent.

"I know not what game you play, but I want no part of it! Release me."

"Mother shall be here soon, come in from the rain, yeah?"

"You're mad!"

Mahdness stood hastily and rushed over to the man and grabbed his face in both hands,

"Tell no one tell no one tell no one they will come for thee! My eyes will see me and judge me! Open!"

Madness's hands shook the man's head side to side.

"You'll take me home won't you big brother?"

He licked the terrified mans cheek.

"Incest… incest… incest… incest. They took one of my hands as well. Come with me big brother come with me!"

Pulling the man forward in one hard, jerking motion he broke both of his arms, the appendages snapping like twigs.

The man screamed in agony nearly passing out from the intense pain. His screams echoed off the walls of the room. No one would hear the screams. Not here. This was his secret torture room, carved into a mountain, hidden away in the Western lands. It was a damp room, large and sound proof. The walls made of rock, the floor of dirt. No light pierced the overbearing darkness save for dim torches that lined the wall.

Mahdness stood quietly as the man's screams became soft whimpers of pain.

"Do you think it will rain soon sister?"

Enraged, the water youkai screamed at the top of his lungs, "YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH!"

"Yes, I am not in my mind, I am outside of my mind. I am right here. Yes right here,” Mahdness replied.

He pulled him by his chin, bringing them eye to eye. In a movement almost too fast to be seen he pushed his fingers into the man's eyes, seeming oblivious to the tormented screams.

He pulled both blue eyes out.

As the male crumpled against the stone wall Mahdness looked at his bloodied clenched fist with childlike excitement.

He had two.

Two blue two blue two blue!

He went over to the small jar filled with a glowing green goo and dropped them both inside and capped it. He brought the jar eye level and smiled brightly.

"Two blue."

He would sleep well tonight. He shuffled over to the dead man's body and took off the shackles. The body fell lifelessly to the floor and Mahdness set the glass down and bent over the body. Gently, he turned it over on its back.

He spread the arms out, and tilted the head slightly to the right, and pushed the stiff mouth into a smile.

That done, he reached down and grasped one leg, pulling until the bone snapped before turning to the other leg to break it as well. He positioned the legs at an odd angle and rearranged his hair.

"Perfect. I will sleep this night."

He lay down between the jar and body, and shut off his shattered mind, allowing himself to sleep, his purple eyes still shifting about in the dark room.

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

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review!

See you later guys!

~Sessakag