InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Alignment ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 6-The Alignment
Recap: Inuyasha has been introduced to the Clan, and not all are pleased. He and Sesshomaru have had their first actual civil conversation. What happens now? Read on!
Come on, now, I think you know who owns Inuyasha and company-and it’s not me! However, Kokuzoku, Atae, Yotogi, Orokashii, Dokueki, and the Hamayami are mine.
Inuyasha hesitated as he strode out of the double doors of his brother’s apartments as a guard approached. That Onjou Inu. He held a bundle in his hands.

“My Lord Inuyasha?” the short, golden brown haired Inu bowed.

“What?” he asked, looking at him with a frown, he didn‘t like this, any of it.

“My name is Onjou, my Lord. The Lady Kagome bid me bring you these things, and asked that I escort you to the baths and then to supper with my Lord Sesshomaru, if it pleases you.”

“What things? Couldn’t she bring them herself?” he asked, taking it and frowning.

“My Lady did not entrust that information to me, my Lord. She did however suggest that since you are newly arrived, you do not yet know the layout of the Keep, my Lord.”

“Fine, I guess. Cut that my lord crap though,” Inuyasha replied, and the Inu bowed again to cover his dismay. Sesshomaru was a formal sort, apparently his half-brother...wasn’t.

“Er...” Inuyasha glanced again at Kagome’s door, and went to the one she’d pointed to and was followed. “Wait here.”


He shut the door in the guard’s face. Opening the bundle, he was confused. What the hell did she pack this for? His kimono, the one he’d worn courting her. There was a note with it.-Wear this to dinner. Please?-

He came back out scowling, bundle in hand.

“Let’s go,” he told Onjou, and the guard led him to the baths.
***
Later, Inuyasha, dressed as she wished, entered the private room used for informal suppers at the Keep, seeing Sango and Miroku. They had cleaned up and arrived first. But the hanyou stopped and stared.


There was a set of silk paintings hung on the walls. One large, and two smaller ones, clearly the work of a master to the hanyou‘s eye. The largest one was of Lord Inutaisho in his human form, staring impassively over the room. The two others were what caught his attention. One was a female Inu, steely hair, cool grey eyes, and delicate stripes on her cheek the same shade as Sesshomaru’s, dressed in armor and bearing a sword, her bearing regal even in stitching. The other one depicted...a delicate, black haired human woman with kind dark eyes, draped in an elegant kimono, and he sat down hard next to his friends.


Kagome had given a lot of orders in the last few hours...some of which had been about decor.
“What the fuck is my Mother’s portrait doing there?” he managed, shocked.

“I thought there was a family resemblance,” Miroku said with a nod.

“That is your Mother? She was quite lovely, Inuyasha,” Sango commented. “That must be Sesshomaru’s then. The other one.”

“I guess. But-what is it doing here? No way he’d have had that up.”

“No, my Lord, it wasn’t, at least the last time I had the pleasure of eating here.” The hanyou turned his head to see a short male, arm in a sling, with a taller, grave Inu woman entering side by side. Lord Yotogi and Lady Atae.
They both bowed, Yotogi fussing over Lady Atae as she looked over the trio with sharp eyes. He beamed, it was unfortunate his dear Lady was under the weather...she would have enjoyed this. He certainly intended to.

“My name is Yotogi, my Lord Inuyasha! I present the noble Lady Atae, lead female of the Bentclaw pack, and Clan Elder. A most undoubted pleasure, I assure you, especially as you did not see fit to raid my lands, as so many others cannot claim! This is the monk Miroku, I assume? The cursed fellow with the Kazaana in his right hand who trained with the High Monk Mushin and is known for his-ah former fondness for mortal maids? Your recent union to the tajiya notwithstanding, of course. I understand your line’s spiritual powers are quite formidable even with the author of your curse banished,” Yotogi smiled. Miroku’s eyes widened as they bowed in greeting. “And your charming Lady, the noble and formidable tajiya Sango, without her Hiraikotsu! A most interesting meal to come, indeed, with such company,” he finished and bowed from the waist with a smile to her, one that was returned.

“You...seem very well informed, Lord Yotogi,” Miroku managed.

“It is his way,” Atae answered dryly.

“Oh, one must be aware of things. I merely do my poor best to keep up. I must say, seeing the Lord Inutaisho‘s portrait flanked by both his mates, as well as finally meeting his youngest son, is a most interesting development. I must compliment Lady Kagome on her taste in decorating, yes indeed,” Yotogi answered easily.

“She ordered it up, do you think, my Lord?” Sango asked.

“No doubt of it. She is mistress of this Keep. No one else would dare do so and risk our Lord’s reaction. You appear well, honored tajiya, mating agrees with you,” Atae noted in her blunt way and Sango smiled shyly, remembering when she‘d met her.
“Thank you, my Lady. As do you. Your packs...did they have trouble with the quake?”

“No. We were fortunate in that it was only minor damage,” Lady Atae answered.

“Ah...if only I could say the same. A great pity, but at least, no loss of life. For that I am grateful,” Lord Yotogi answered sadly, as all three Inu glanced up. “My Lord comes,” Yotogi said, as the doors opened.

Lord Sesshomaru entered, with Kagome on his arm. She’d changed into-damn. A very familiar emerald kimono, the back of her hair pinned up with a gold and jade comb, two thick, loose locks covering where her ears would have been...as proper for a woman who was not a maid. She smiled as she was led in with Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha just stared. He’d given her that kimono.
“Sit,” Lord Sesshomaru directed as his eyes ran around the room-and stopped dead when he got to the wall. There was a distinct twitch. He glanced down at Kagome, who followed his gaze serenely. “I see,” he said.

“Surprising what’s in storage here,” Kagome commented pleasantly as Inuyasha scowled.

“Hmp.” She sat easily, taking the seat at Sesshomaru’s left hand, and Inuyasha uncomfortably took the right and food arrived. Sesshomaru had decided not to permit a banquet, feeling it in poor taste as a quake had just struck. He had instead invited only those to dine he had interest in speaking to. This was a working dinner, and he made that clear to disappointed servants.
Others in the keep, with access to the extensive supply of sake and at loose ends...wouldn’t be so circumspect this night.
“Yotogi. Tell me what has occurred.”

“My Lord...” Yotogi had begun-and he related what had happened with Kouga. Kagome listened, clearly upset. So, Kouga had claimed he was innocent? She wanted to believe him...“A low ranking wolf with him was struck.” Ginta, she realized from the description, he’d been kind to her, a silly sort of guy, called her sister, just like Hakakku...

“But escaped. An entire pack arrayed against him, and he slipped your grasp,” Sesshomaru said coldly. Yotogi lowered his eyes, accepting the blame without hesitation.
“Kouga’s tough and tricky, Sesshomaru. It’s done now, anyways,” Kagome commented. “Any news on whatever these blades were he was carrying?”

“No, my Lady. The quake has disrupted my sources of information, but I shall continue to inquire,” he shook his head, grateful for Kagome’s defense of him even as he willingly shouldered the blame.

“So the wolf’s got a new toy. So what? Won’t help him,” Inuyasha said easily and Kagome wanted to roll her eyes. Baka.

“He was headed south, though. And claimed his business was not with us. The question is, where would he go to?” Yotogi mused.

“To find Kagome, of course,” Miroku answered, making everyone look at him. “Think about it. If he’s innocent, and has an injured packmate, she’s the first person he would think of to find. I would bet he’s heading to Kaede’s village to get help for the wolf. And...if he is telling the truth, and he didn’t choose Ayami-well, I think we’re all aware of how he viewed Kagome, as a potential wife.”

Kagome’s lips thinned as both of her packmates frowned at that.

“But-he’d have time to reach there by now, so then what?” Kagome asked the room, choosing to gloss over the implications of Miroku‘s words.

“That’s the question. What he may have discovered there, and what he might have done afterwards. Kaede is quite capable of managing him, I would suspect,” Miroku agreed. No one had an answer for that. Atae frowned.

“What I would know is what exactly is the situation here with-Lord Inuyasha, my Lady, if this wolf would consider you as an object of courtship,” she asked, eyes sharp as she looked at the pair of hanyou.

“Uh...” Kagome looked down, and Inuyasha scowled over his supper. The food was excellent, but the conversation wasn’t.

“Don’t see how it’s any business of yours!” he snapped.

“Still feral, I see,” Atae commented, eyeing the hanyou. “Your Father’s temper as well.”

“You don’t want to find out about my temper.” At that, Atae-chuckled?

“Your Father indeed.”

“Lady Atae is the eldest female in the Clan, show respect,” Kagome hissed.

“So? That doesn’t mean she has any right to ask things like that!”

“I do, and I will ask, son of Inutaisho,” Atae told him. Kagome explained, and Atae frowned as Yotogi absorbed it.


“That’s all of it,” Kagome finished sadly.

“I see. I warned you to learn and master’s Tenseiga fully, Sesshomaru. See what comes of failure to do so.”

“Perhaps,” the youkai Lord frowned uncomfortably. Inuyasha was stunned at the rebuke, and the way it was accepted. His opinion of the old bitch went up a notch.

“Such a union would be beneath a daughter of Inutaisho,” Atae said flatly, meditatively sipping her tea.

“As though I would permit it,” Sesshomaru said coldly.

“See that you do not,” Atae warned him as Inuyasha fumed.
Supper went quickly after that.
***
Night had fallen fully, and after the meal, Kagome rose to leave. She excused herself, wanting a soak and a good think. Kouga back, doing who knew what...and Inuyasha. Ever since he’d come back into her life, things had gotten complicated again. But when she walked alone towards the baths, the strong smell of sake and Inu crossed her nose as she heard giggles. From her private bath!
Opening the door without knocking, she scowled. Two Inu were in there, a female servant...and a large guy. A lordling, from the looks of the expensive clothes scattered about. Also a lot of sake...the baka had been drinking. He scowled at her, surging up from where he’d been sporting with the girl on the wooden deck-style floor that surrounded the steaming water. Clad only in his hakama, he looked contemptuous as the girl quickly pulled her kimono together.
“Who tol’ you to cover up?” he barked at the servant who started edging away, scooting back across the floor. Jaken had created this small hot spring a few months ago, and a bathhouse had been erected over it for Kagome’s personal use. Everyone who served at the keep knew Lady Kagome jealously kept this place as her own private reserve. He’d sweet talked her into coming here with him and some sake though...and the hapless maid was deeply regretting it.


The servant trembled, tipsy, nervous, and she tried to bow as she knelt. But she was ignored as the Lady walked inside to throw them out. Probably a refugee, drowning his sorrows in sake and an apparently willing girl. A moment of sympathy was felt, and but vanished at his next words.
“So, it’s Sess-sesshomaru’s hanyou bitch,” he slurred, eyeing her. As he spoke, fumes washed over her and her nose wrinkled. “You don-look so tough,” he chuckled. Oh goody.

“Go get some sleep. I’ll forget you said that,” Kagome offered, in no mood. Like she wanted to soak now, who knew what they’d been up to in there? Something she rather missed after a few days of being single again, she’d bet. The thought of strong, but gentle hands, fangs nibbling her ears...clasping a lean, muscular frame when they‘d soaked in the spring in the valley together that time...she shook it off. Darn him. But there was a slight, telltale shift of her scent at the thought of her beloved baka.
“Wanna keep me comp’ny, little hanyou? You look friendly enouh...or do y’only like ‘taisho? Hm? They share you, hanyou?” he asked her, swaggering a bit, not bothering to dress. He was a foot taller then Kagome, after all.
Kagome considered. She could call the guard, or deal with this herself. He was drunk-it wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Poised, relaxing into a loose stance, she scowled. Darn it. So much for her bath.
“Get out,” she ordered.
“D’you know who I am?!” the drunk drew himself up.

“I don’t care. You haven‘t got a clue who you’re dealing with,” Kagome answered, flexing her claws. She didn’t even bother unlimbering her bow as their eyes met in challenge. When he scowled and lunged-she was more then ready. A yank, a twist, a brace of screams that rebounded...and a crash!
So it was that Orokashii, packsecond and heir of Kokuzoku, was thrown through a paper and wood wall. Kagome ruthlessly moved to restrain him, and another scream echoed when he tried to get up from a jumble of scraps and splinters where he sprawled on the ground. There were growls as Guards came running.
“Lock him up, and let him dry out.” She ordered, as people heard the commotion. One Lord arrived, livid. Kokuzoku, alerted by the packbond to his son...that he was in danger.

“What is the meaning of this? Release my son at once!” he demanded.

“Lord Kokuzoku?” Kagome released him alright-into the guard’s tender care.

“Lady, I demand to know! What is the meaning of this outrage?”

“S-she attacked us, Father! We did no wrong. The hanyou is at fault!”

“You dared lay hands on my son?” the Lord was furious.

“Your son was drunk and swung at me. Be grateful I didn’t kill hims” She told him tartly.

***

Sesshomaru agreed, when the matter was sorted and the Inu led away. The girl was reprimanded and punished. The proud young Lord made to apologize, but he was immediately banished from the Keep and Court in disgrace. Sesshomaru would gladly have ordered his execution, but Kagome had argued being drunk and stupid wasn’t cause, not mentioning his insults.


Kokuzoku was livid under his mask of parental disapproval and proper expressions of horror and shame. Sesshomaru had slighted him already by not inviting his council on the matters of the Clan that night or to sup with them, now this was the final straw. No one, certainly not a damned half-breed bitch, laid hands on and humiliated his son. A son that clearly was too weak if she bested him so easily...had shamed them by his error...and Orokashii took the path honor demanded with help from his own Father. The body was wrapped in a blanket and dumped unceremoniously by his packmates.
But a small, winged emissary was waiting for him in his chambers as he ordered his pack to prepare to leave...and filled with rage and grief, he was happy to agree to the offer brought by the Samiyousho. High time Inutaisho’s proud mewling human-loving brats were brought low, and their halfbreed bitch. He would avenge himself, and offered a method of achieving that end...treason, once embarked on-left no choice but to enter into it fully. There was no turning back. It was not as though he had shied from it before, long ago, to try and prevent a prophesy from coming true...this would perhaps end that threat as well.
Ayami had her steadfast ally at last. As dawn neared, he sent certain messages, spoke to a few allies, and acted. Waiting-would only offer more chances for failure or discovery after all. He had little time.


Author’s Notes- Hm. The manga has gone into Sesshomaru’s mother and depicted her since this was written. No name yet, since Madame Takahashi has not seen fit to list one. She doesn’t match my Lady Kumori, but ah well. Plus scheming! Delightful scheming! Enjoy!Two names were introduced. Orokashii means stupid, or fool. Another form of Baka. Kokuzoku? That means traitor or rebel. See? This is why I didn’t say what it meant when he was introduced! Thanks for reading!-Namiyo