InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bitterly Yours ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.07.2013 | Pages: 3 | Words: 7.0K | Visits: 607 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.07.2013 | Pages: 3 | Words: 7.0K | Visits: 607 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 4
Kagome also woke early, just after sunrise, surprisingly feeling energetic and rested despite her restlessness of the evening before. She was also nervous and filled with anticipation.
Taking a few minutes to simply sit in the cool, shadowed air of her personal room, she closed her eyes and centered herself, breathing deeply in a calm, rhythmic manner in an attempt to calm her jangling nerves.
It took a few, but it finally worked, at least to an extent, and with a slight sigh, she pushed back her blankets and rolled out of her futon, too much to do to be ready to linger over her meditation.
She had already packed most of her belongings the previous night, but she still had to meet with the village headman and her apprentice healer to inform them of her departure. By the time Sesshoumaru had left last night, most of the villagers had already sought their beds, leaving her unable to notify anyone until this morning.
Gathering her bathing accoutrements, she hurried through the cool, crisp morning air to the bathhouse, knowing that it would be empty at this early hour, though not for much longer. With little time for soaking, she washed thoroughly but quickly, using extra of her homemade herbal soaps in her hair so that it would leave it soft, fragrant, and easily manageable. She wanted to look and smell her best, of course, especially today of all days.
She finished just as the first couple of women arrived to bathe, and with easy greetings, she left, hurrying back towards the hut that she'd called home for over sixty years, though now would no longer.
Who should I bequeath it to? she wondered, just now having thought of that. Since Shippo and Kirara will be coming with me... oh, dear, I didn't think to talk to Sesshoumaru about that. I hope he doesn't get angry with having an extra person and a neko added to his household, she worried, not sure what he would think of the whole thing. But Shippo was like her son, and she wasn't willing to leave him behind, and Kirara was family, too. Where she went, they went, they'd already decided that years ago when Shippo had told her that he would not want to be separated from her, and Kirara had let it be known that she would stay with the last of her companions after Sango's passing.
Of course, someday Shippo would take a mate and make a life for himself, but until then, they were a package deal, and she didn't think Sesshoumaru had thought of that.
After a few minutes spent worrying, however, she finally brushed the concern away – there was little point in thinking about it. She'd just have to talk to Sesshoumaru when he and his servants arrived.
I suppose I can leave my hut to Sango's daughter Michi – she has such a large family that the several rooms of my hut will come in handy for her. She and her husband were already speaking of having to build a larger hut, so this will really help them out. I'll send Shippo over to her house to make the offer, she decided, nodding. Yes, that's the best route. They need the room more than anyone else in the village. As for my cookware... I daresay I won't be needing any of that with Sesshoumaru, since he has his own cooks and everything, so I can give those to Suzumi – they will come in handy for her as the new village healer. She'll have a lot of herbal concoctions to cook up, after all, besides her own food.
With the disposal of the things that she wouldn't be needing any longer decided to her satisfaction, she chivied Shippo into finishing his packing and then sent him off to speak to Michi and offer her the hut, and she went to the village headman's hut, the oldest son of Sango and Miroku, and informed him of her coming mating and departure from the village.
While saddened, nonetheless, he was happy for Kagome. He well remembered his mother's wishes that her best friend would find someone to love her, and her worry, even on her deathbed, for her friend. And being who he was, the fact that she'd found that love with a youkai, a Lord, even, a daiyoukai, didn't bother him – he was pleased, and he knew his parents would be, too, wherever they were. When she told him of her wishes in passing on her property, he was in agreement that his sister could most definitely use the room.
Heaping blessings on her and wishes for her eternal happiness, he watched her walk away, knowing that what was happening was for the best, despite his sadness in seeing her go. After all, she was not a normal human, with her endless life span, and in order to be completely happy, she needed to be with those that were outside of time's control just as much as she was. Her chosen mate was the most powerful being in the land, and he would take care of her, it was certain. Seidai smiled a little sadly as he watched her disappear back into her hut, and sighed. It wasn't going to be the same around here ever again, he realized. There was just something about Kagome that livened anyplace she happened to be. Sesshoumaru's gain was most definitely their loss.
She would be seriously missed.
By the time noon was finally closing in, Kagome was ready, and in a state of high nervousness. She could feel Sesshoumaru through their bond, and knew he was already on his way, which didn't surprise her one little bit – Sesshoumaru was always a most precise and punctual being, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that since he had said he would arrive at midday, he would appear at midday – and not a second later.
By that time the word of her betrothal, coming mating, and imminent departure had spread through the whole village, and almost everyone had gathered near the hut she had called home for so long to watch the goings on and say their goodbyes to the well-loved miko.
Sesshoumaru was a little surprised to be greeted by an entire village on his arrival to escort his soon-to-be mate to her new home, but brushed the inconvenience aside; after all, she had lived there for sixty years and had formed many lasting friendships with the people there, so he could hardly begrudge them all coming out to see her off.
The villagers all backed away respectfully when he landed with several servants and Ah-Uhn in tow, and he approached Kagome slowly as she stood up, her fingers twisting nervously – a fact which his sharp eyes did not miss, not that he could have missed her nervousness, anyway, what with the bond that already lay between them.
“You have gathered everything you wish to bring with you?” he asked her softly once he reached her, allowing his aura to gently brush against hers and calm her.
She took a deep breath, held it, and then released, allowing a great deal of her tension to dissipate with her expelled breath and his aura's deft touches against hers. After a moment's silence, she nodded. “Yes. Everything that is near the entrance I'm bringing with me. But Sesshoumaru,” she added as he motioned for the servants, who had heard her words to begin gathering her belongings, “you do know that where I go, Shippo and Kirara go, as well?”
Returning his gaze to Kagome, he inclined his head regally, his manner formal because of their extended audience. “I am aware of this, Kagome, my servants have readied a room for the kitsune, and the neko may rest where she wills. But I will not allow anyone in my home to be idle,” he warned her. “The kit will begin training with me in the dojo in two days.”
Kagome, relieved that he wasn't upset about having her companions with them, smiled. “I daresay he will enjoy that. He's not an idle sort, you know. Shippo always trains himself, and I think he will be grateful to train with you.”
Sesshoumaru nodded, and then they waited silently for his servants to finish loading her belongings on Ah-Uhn, although the one piece of furniture she was bringing, a hand-carved, beautiful tansu made of sakura wood that held her clothing, would be carried between two of the servants on the return flight. It didn't take long for her belongings to be loaded, and then it was time for her to say her final goodbyes.
Tears were already sliding down many of the cheeks there, especially Sango and Miroku's children. After all, she was family, and had actually helped deliver most of them when they had been born, as well as assisted at their own children's births. She was intimately entwined with many of them, and they were all feeling the loss.
So was she.
With tears in her own eyes, she hugged all those she considered her family, encouraging words given to all to help ease her departure.
“Don't think this is goodbye forever, everyone! I will always return to visit and check up on you all! And if something happens and I'm needed, you know where the Western Palace is, simply send a messenger – I'll come as quick as I may,” she consoled the group, a cheerful smile on her face despite the tears.
“Indeed. I will extend my protection to your village, as well,” Sesshoumaru said then, to everyone's surprise. “Should you be attacked or have need,” he continued, beckoning the headman over and handing him a small, oddly engraved stone, “simply allow a drop of water to touch this stone, and we will be warned of your need. It will take but minutes for assistance to arrive.”
Seidai, completely stunned, merely clenched the stone carefully in his hands and nodded, bowing to Sesshoumaru. After a few seconds to gather his thoughts, he thanked the daiyoukai formally even as Kagome also added her own heartfelt thanks to him for his offer of protecting those she cared for.
With that done, Sesshoumaru turned to her and asked if she was ready to depart, and she nodded. Without another word, he wrapped his arm around her and began to form his cloud beneath their feet, though he moved more slowly than usual to accommodate not only the servants but Kirara, who was carrying Shippo.
Even at that slower pace, however, it was only moments before the village was out of sight, and Kagome shivered. Immediately, Sesshoumaru looked down at her, his eyes softening just a little, due to the fact that they were still not alone, though their audience was greatly reduced. “Are you cold?” he asked solicitously, tightening his grip around her waist.
She shook her head. “No. It's just... a lot to take in. Everything has changed between yesterday and today. It almost seems unreal,” she admitted. “Like a dream.”
“Hn. To me, as well. Were it not for the bond between us, I would also think this merely another dream,” he murmured in return, keeping his voice down so no one else could overhear what he clearly wanted kept private. “One of many I have had over the years,” he admitted softly.
“Sesshoumaru,” she said, and then hesitated, even as he looked at her enquiringly. When he prodded her to continue, she asked, “Did you already tell your people about me? I mean... do they know what to expect, or should I be prepared for a lot of surprise and... and anger?” obviously worried about what to expect at her new home.
He was pleased to be able to set her mind at ease. “I announced our forthcoming union as soon as I returned home last night, Kagome, do not be concerned. No one will dare to touch you for fear of my wrath – and your own. You are well known as the Shikon miko, and most would not dare tempt your power. I believe the only one who is even angry at all is the male that Yue was currently keeping company with,” he stated, his voice going cynical and almost coldly amused.
Kagome gasped. “You... you mean, she was sleeping with someone else?” she asked, astounded that apparently the female was cheating on her mate – and he didn't even appear to care.
“Better someone else than me,” he replied, almost shuddering at the mere thought of once more touching that bitch. “I would never be able to bring myself to touch her again – the once was more than I could stand. I have no desire for anyone that is not you. And besides, I told you she was a whore, did I not?”
“Y-yes,” she said, blushing, still looking up at him with surprised, though pleased, eyes at his avowal of desire for her alone. “But even though you, you know, seemed to hate her, I still thought you'd be, I don't know, more possessive in the sense that you wouldn't want your mate to... to betray you with some other male.”
He snorted. “It was a measure of my disdain for her that I did not care, you are correct. Normally, such a thing would have engendered rage in me, in any youkai male. But the fact that I did not even care that others used her showed to all youkai how much hatred I had for her. It was a mark of shame, truly, in the eyes of the youkai world, denoting her complete worthlessness to me.”
“Oh,” she breathed, not knowing what else to say to that.
His eyes burned with warning, then. “My reaction would not be the same were you to do so, Kagome. I would destroy anyone who tried to come between us.”
She blinked, nonplussed for a minute, but then, “Hey!” she retorted indignantly, once what he was intimating caught up to her. “I'm no cheat! I wouldn't do that to anyone, especially not someone I have feelings for.”
“That is good, Kagome, for I will not share. As I will remain faithful to our bond, I expect the same courtesy in return,” he said firmly. “It is good that we are in agreement on this score.” He fell silent for some few minutes, but then asked, “Did Inuyasha cause you any trouble last night after I left?”
The change of topic caught her slightly off-guard despite the short silence, but then she shook her head, letting her mild annoyance at the former topic go. “Oh, no, not really. He didn't want to believe me when I told him that I had... cared for you for so long, but... he finally got it.” She sighed, eyes going distant. “I told him that he'd said his goodbyes sixty years ago when he disappeared without a word, even if he didn't realize it, and that it was far too late for him to come back and expect anything but friendship from me. He didn't like it, but he had no choice but to accept it.”
“Good,” he nodded absently, his mind turning to other matters as the palace that was their destination came into view and he began flying lower in preparation for landing, followed by the servants, Ah-Uhn, and Shippo and Kirara.
It had been a long time since Kagome had seen the palace, and even then, she had only seen it from the outside – she'd never been inside. Inuyasha had pointed it out once on one of their shard hunts as they'd passed through Sesshoumaru's lands, and Kagome had been impressed even then. It was a beautiful palace and different from the average mansions that dotted the landscape of Sengoku Jidai in that it's owner and Lord was a daiyoukai of awesome power and even greater wealth.
The building was made of wood and trimmed with gold, and the roof tiles were made of semi-precious stones that glimmered in the crisp sunlight. The shoji at the entrance to the palace were beautifully decorated, obviously hand-painted by an artist of great skill, one who was probably youkai, because the scenes depicted were three-dimensional and actually glowed, keeping Kagome's eyes glued to them in awe as Sesshoumaru landed on the steps before a gathering of many youkai, completely bypassing the outer baileys of the castle.
It was that fascination that caused her to miss the raggedly familiar presence that stepped forward from amongst the gathered servants and confronted them loudly and aggressively. Shocked at his hardheadedness in the face of her words of the previous night and the fact that he had obviously traveled through the night to arrive here ahead of them, Kagome stared uncomprehendingly at Inuyasha as he approached them with caustic words.
“You have no business with Kagome,” he growled, a low tone that rumbled almost sub-sonically in the air around them. “She deserves better than a cold, unfeeling and hateful bastard, Sesshoumaru.”
Letting go of Kagome as his cloud touched down, he gently braced her until she found her feet, and then looked at his nuisance of a half-brother, an even lower growl following the hanyou's like the after-echo of thunder as he warned his brother without words that he would not tolerate interference in his life – not by anyone, not ever again.
“You have no say in this matter, Inuyasha. You are not her mate, nor her guardian. Kagome can speak for herself, and she has chosen to accept me.” He smirked tauntingly after a moment of eyeing his brother's temperamental form. “She obviously feels that I am the better choice, and you are just angry that she turned you away.”
That did it, just as he knew it would, it riled his half-sibling's always mercurial temper and loosened his tongue. “Oi!” Inuyasha snarled. “I thought you hated humans, you bastard! Why the hell d'ya want Kagome, eh? What could you possibly have found in her that attracted your dead ass?” he asked crudely, oblivious to the audience around them listening avidly.
He was taken aback and silenced by the answer, even as all the other gathered youkai in the courtyard watched breathlessly the confrontation between the two siblings. Oh, yes, they all knew who Inuyasha was – despite his crudity, he had proven his power, and many full-blooded youkai there knew they would be no match for the younger son of the Taisho. That engendered some little respect for the hanyou that he normally wouldn't have received – especially with his uncouth tongue.
Compared to him, Sesshoumaru's elegant figure and formally correct language was simply breathtaking, every last being all ears to hear his response to his brother's demanding questions.
“Her indomitable spirit, Inuyasha. Despite everything that you, Naraku, your undead miko, and even I put her through back during those days, she did not break. No matter what has come against her, she has always triumphed, always overcome, and it is that – that fiercely unbreakable will and spirit – that drew me to her. In no other being, ever, human or youkai, have I seen the same,” he said, his flat stare not deviating from his brother's stunned one by an inch. “And it is that which I will always crave to have near me. If you wish to challenge me, then draw your sword and do so now, because I will not tolerate you interfering in my affairs – just as I will tolerate no interference from anyone else,” he reiterated, raising his voice so it could be heard by all as his hand closed around the hilt of Bakusaiga. “Take the fates of Yue and her father, and even my scheming mother as the warning they are,” he finished dangerously, once again growling deeply, a frightening, almost feral sound that everyone there understood implicitly as the threat it most certainly was.
Everyone gathered there except Inuyasha, Shippo and Kirara shivered at the reminder of the deaths the day before – while Yue had died outside the palace, and Satori had been killed in hers, Nobu, Yue's father, had been killed right there in the Western Palace in full view of everyone.
He'd seemed resigned the moment he'd caught sight of Sesshoumaru's wickedly grinning face, and had just submitted to his death with no fight and hadn't even said a word, having known since the day they'd forced the daiyoukai's hand that one day, he would take their lives in payment. Because of that, his death had been less gruesome than the others, and less drawn out – Sesshoumaru had merely finished him quickly and then left the servants to clean things up and dispose of his remains.
Nonetheless, the swift manner of his death and the reasons for it hadn't been lost on the inhabitants of the palace, nor those on his council, and so Sesshoumaru's reminder of said death the day before had many a being there in the courtyard paling with fear. His words were met with silence, even from Inuyasha, who was suddenly calm once more, eyeing him speculatively as Kagome stayed back and quiet, letting the two come to their own understanding.
“Keh,” he said finally, allowing his aggressive stance to dissolve into his usual casual slouch. “I had to be sure. I didn't do right by her before, as she reminded me quite implicitly last night, an' I wanted to be certain you would treat her better.” He shrugged and looked away uncomfortably as Kagome's eyes met his and softened on him. “Don't screw it up, Sesshoumaru, or you'll regret it, I promise.”
With that, he leaped away, heading away from the palace with all speed, still upset that Sesshoumaru was getting what he'd thought he would now be able to have, but not willing to hurt the girl anymore. He'd hurt her plenty back in that distant past, and he just couldn't bring himself to do it again, now that he'd been forced to face his culpability. He had to let her go in order for her to be happy.
Guilt seems to be quite the motivator for Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru thought as he released his grip on his sword as his brother's presence diminished and the gathered youkai began drifting away to their differing pursuits. Soon, the only people left standing in the courtyard were those that had gone with Sesshoumaru to gather Kagome's belongings, and a very quiet and thoughtful Shippo holding a once again kitten sized Kirara.
Sesshoumaru directed the servants to take Kagome's things to his quarters, while another servant was called and showed Shippo his new room so that he could unpack himself and get comfortable, and once the courtyard was once again empty, he turned to look down at the woman who was now his with a pleased expression she couldn't miss.
He gestured towards a high-walled area with a small gate in it. “Would you like to see our private garden?” he asked, almost ready to purr with the pleasure of being able to say the word 'our' in reference to something being shared between them. Especially now that this was 'their' home, and not just his.
Since he'd killed Yue, yesterday, the whole palace felt different – for the first time in sixty years he was able to feel comfortable, and even happy, in his home again. He no longer felt trapped, unable to breathe, and life felt interesting and new again now that he was not only freed from the terrible bitch he'd been forcibly chained to, but actually was finally to be bound to the one he'd wanted to be bound to all along.
Life was finally good again, and he looked around their private gardens once more with pleasure for the first time in so many years as he led Kagome through the magical gate. His home was no longer a prison, but a home once more – a home he was sharing with the one who completed him and who he could share himself with without fear of betrayal.
Kagome looked around with wide eyes as Sesshoumaru led her through the fairly extensive private gardens, and then looked up at the palace, and noticed that there were no windows or doors that led out to this garden save one, which Sesshoumaru was quick to tell her was the door – and window - into what was now their shared quarters. When she asked about why there were no other windows facing out to it, he told her that it was because these gardens were completely private, and no one was allowed out there except two specially chosen gardeners at certain times when care of the garden was needed and he did not have the time himself, and he, and now she, themselves.
“You... you work on this garden?” she asked, wide-eyed. In some ways, it seemed so not Sesshoumaru – and yet, if you looked deeper, it was completely him. The garden was done in the Zen style, and there was even a bonzai garden, beautifully formed miniature trees and well-placed rock paths making it quite the sight to see.
“Yes. It is particularly good for soothing ones mind and allowing one to settle ones thoughts,” he replied. “Does this surprise you?”
“On first glance, yes, but after a second thought... no,” she said in an odd tone of voice, one laden with discovery. She had just learned something new about Sesshoumaru.
A quick smirk flashed across his face before disappearing once more, and he led Kagome back in the direction of the gate, through the flowering section of the garden that lay closest to the palace.
“It allows the breezes to enter in the morning carrying the scents of the flowers,” Sesshoumaru stated when Kagome questioned why the flowers were so close to the palace. She hadn't really taken him for a male interested in such a thing, but when he explained the scent association, she nodded. That made sense.
“Did Yue ever come here?” she asked after a moment. Maybe it was strange of her, but she wanted to know...
Sesshoumaru shot her a sharp look, then demurred. “No. I never allowed her into my areas of the palace. She had her wing, and the main palace garden area she could use if she wished, and she was kept there. I would not have her in my personal space, making my life worse than it already was.”
“Oh,” Kagome said, still continually surprised at his absolute hatred of his former mate. It was so... uncompromising. That female must have been something else for him to hate her so much. From what little she had seen of the female, she couldn't say she didn't understand his desire to stay far away from her, beautiful or not. She had been very antagonistic.
And odd. She'd actually thought that killing off the object of Sesshoumaru's affections would then allow him to want her. But that was absolutely ridiculous, as she'd found out the hard – and fatal way - yesterday.
She looked around with interest at the grounds as Sesshoumaru led her back out to the main courtyard of the palace and then up to the huge main doors. She couldn't help but exclaim at the beautiful artistry that had gone into creating them, however, she was completely unprepared for Sesshoumaru's response to her wonder.
“Thank you,” he murmured at her statement that the artist was a great talent. “It is something that I enjoy, though I do not often have time to paint,” he added at her wide-eyed look of awe.
“You... you mean you did these?” she gasped, totally caught off-guard at that revelation. She would have never taken Sesshoumaru for the artistic type – once again, on face value. But now that she thought about all that she had learned from him since yesterday, including his revelation of his rather sensitive side, she couldn't say that she was actually surprised. She could see him with the brushes and paints, using the creative process to rid himself of his frustrations over his mating and his feelings of being trapped. “No, never mind,” she said, “on second thought, I'm not surprised.”
He cocked a brow at her at that, then nodded faintly as he understood that everything she was learning of him and that she already knew was coming together, and that she was understanding him better and better as he spent more time in her company and actually opened up to her as he had not been able to do before.
“Come, then,” he said, entering through the open doors. “I will escort you around the palace to show you your new home. It will probably take some time for you to remember where everything is, but the layout of the palace is fairly straightforward,” he added. “You should be fine.”
She nodded and simply continued looking around as they passed through the imposing entry and into the equally imposing greeting room. As they passed through more open doors, they stepped into a pillar lined walkway and walked along it for several moments before entering what was obviously the main reception room of the palace.
The gasp that came from her throat couldn't have been stopped if she'd tried, the impressive work of art that was this room showing the wealth and power of its owner to all those who entered its also hand-painted doors, a great inuyoukai howling at a crescent moon depicted on each one.
The room itself was designed to show those who came through its doors that they were definitely the supplicants, and Kagome craned her head around to take everything in. The main walkway was lined with pillars just as the hallway outside had been, though these were hand carved to look like sakura trees, the tops supporting the roof actually looking like the canopy of a forest rich with blossoming sakura blossoms. She'd never seen the like, and was absolutely stunned at the intricate details of the completely wooden forest lining the intricately laid wooden floor of the room.
“I've never seen anything like this,” she whispered, just too stunned to talk any louder. “It's so beautiful.”
“It is,” Sesshoumaru replied softly in return. “It is meant to be that way.”
“I know,” Kagome returned absently, still busily looking around as they walked towards the dais at the end of the room, where an actual chair was placed, an elaborate affair that could almost be called a throne, but not quite.
Her attention was snared by Sesshoumaru again as he spoke. “There is another seat, one slightly smaller that was removed on my mating to that female, where my mate is supposed to sit. The servants are bringing it out of storage and cleaning it up. It is where you will sit during formal audiences.” He looked down at her, then. “Unlike most males, I do not expect you to remain silent during those audiences. I wish to have your input – for after all, what other male has a female that not only knows the future, but has had such extensive scholarly training? I would not wish to waste such a valuable resource as you are, Kagome.”
Now that was not surprising, not with what she already knew of Sesshoumaru. He went his own way, and be damned the rules and strictures of the time. And he had always shown that he valued her opinion, the few times he'd asked her about certain questions that had been put to him, and that he was considering carefully. She was glad that he was so different from most males in this time – if he hadn't been, she didn't know if she could have been with him. She just wasn't the submissive type – mostly. She could practice discretion with the best of them, but she would never allow herself to be treated as a brainless and helpless woman that couldn't think for herself.
As they reached the dais, she turned to look at the view from the front of the room, and just sighed. It was beautiful. The pillar-lined walkway was framed on either side by differently patterned flooring from what lined the walkway, and there were many cushions scattered there, for people coming to petition Sesshoumaru to sit until it was their turn to have their cases heard. The cushions were in deep, jeweled tones, echoing the tiles of the roof which were also many colors of green and blue-hued semi-precious stones, although most of the cushions in here were richly hued reds, echoing the soft pinks of the sakura blossoms decorating the painted wooden forest that held up and braced the ceiling of the room in deeper tones.
“Wow,” she finally said after taking it all in. “This is something else again. Absolutely beautiful.”
Sesshoumaru inclined his head regally and then led her to the back of the dais and into an alcove behind the wall, obviously for Sesshoumaru to use to enter the room. They slipped through sturdy doors, and into the ante-chamber, a smaller, plain room simply meant for quick straightening of attire and preparing for the audiences.
He led her through that room without stopping, and as they stepped out the other doors, they found themselves in another pillar lined walkway, Sesshoumaru turning to the left as soon as he stepped out of the doors.
At the end of that walkway there was a set of stairs, and Sesshoumaru led her to them, Kagome following along willingly. As they hit the top of the stairs on the second story, they entered a hallway with many windows making it light and pleasant, and he walked easily along it to another turn towards the right, and then down another hallway to another set of great doors. Kagome, thinking of the layout of the palace, or what she'd already seen of it, realized that this room was over the great audience hall.
He pushed them open lightly, and led Kagome into a huge room with several long, low wooden tables lined by plump, soft looking cushions.
“This is the dining room, and all meals are usually taken here. I have not, though... not since my previous mating,” he said with distaste evident in his voice. “But now that I am freed from my onerous chains, I will again take my meals in this room.”
Kagome nodded, not having anything to say to that. “So where is Rin? I know you said she's here with her mate, and I'd like to see her. It's been so long, and she's the only other human that has an extended life like I have, though hers was gained from mating your General, I know. Still... it's someone that I can relate to.”
Sesshoumaru was not surprised at her question. He'd told her of Rin's mating to his General many years ago, and she'd evinced a desire to see the girl even back then. But he just couldn't allow Kagome to come near the palace – not with Satori's threats, and not with Yue's nasty presence. He never wanted her pure heart tainted by their darknessess.
“Rin is most likely in the family wing of the palace, which is also where our rooms are. She has a sitting room she particularly loves there, and she can most often be found there, or in the private family gardens. I am sure you remember her extreme love of flowers,” he said with an almost cynical twist of his lips. Rin was legendary for her adoration of flowers, and most of the time, she was outside gardening anytime the weather was decent enough for such endeavors. “I will take you there next,” he finished.
“Okay,” Kagome returned, a slight smile on her face at his tone. He almost sounded annoyed at the topic he'd been speaking of, but she knew better. He adored Rin and always had, raising her like his daughter. She knew he had been quite happy at her mating, making it so that he would not lose her soon to the death most humans expected in far too few years for a youkai's tastes.
Without further ado, he led her from the room to go find Rin, this time turning to the left as he exited the room and turning down a different hallway that headed alongside the wall of the dining room. At the end of that there were a couple of doors, and another set of stairs, and it was that which he led her down, heading back to the main floor.
Kagome could barely contain her excitement. Her new home was beautiful and she could hardly wait to explore all of it, and she would even have a human companion around, one that was understanding of a human living in a youkai world because she'd been doing it since she was quite young.
Eyes still darting everywhere as Sesshoumaru escorted her through the palace, taking no note of the occasional servants they passed, Kagome tried to calm her racing heart. Because there at the back of her mind was the fact that as the day waned, the hour of her mating approached. She was still untouched, and though she was more than well-acquainted with the subject of sexuality, it was one thing for it to be in reference to other people, and an entirely different thing when the subject was oneself.
She glanced out a window as they passed, eyes noting the slowly lowering sun with increasing nervousness. Oh, boy. I know what's coming, but I'm getting more and more nervous as the hour grows later. I need to calm down...
Sesshoumaru slid a secretive glance at Kagome, picking up on her nervousness, and knowing what was causing it. He couldn't help the predatory instincts that were beginning to surface...
Mating was a primal passion, and youkai were primal beings. His blood was heating in response to his knowledge of what was to come, and as the time grew closer for him to take her, he would begin to lose some of his normal civilized behavior, moving closer to his more animalistic side. He purred inwardly at his thoughts as Kagome's nervousness fed his instincts and called to his primal nature.
Tonight, he would be closer to his true form, that of a great inu, than at any other time while still remaining in his humanoid form. Most youkai reverted to their animal forms when mating because they didn't have enough power and control over their forms to maintain their humanoid form while doing something such as mating. Only the higher youkai could, the more intelligent ones like kitsune and inu, and most neko. Lower youkai forms, those with little native intelligence like boar and bulls, were left to mate wildly as the animals they truly were.
It was this ability to mate in their human forms that sometimes led the higher youkai to taking human mates, as had his General, and as he now was about to do.
And he could hardly wait.
His wild blood surged at the thought and his eyes reddened just a tiny bit.
Kagome also woke early, just after sunrise, surprisingly feeling energetic and rested despite her restlessness of the evening before. She was also nervous and filled with anticipation.
Taking a few minutes to simply sit in the cool, shadowed air of her personal room, she closed her eyes and centered herself, breathing deeply in a calm, rhythmic manner in an attempt to calm her jangling nerves.
It took a few, but it finally worked, at least to an extent, and with a slight sigh, she pushed back her blankets and rolled out of her futon, too much to do to be ready to linger over her meditation.
She had already packed most of her belongings the previous night, but she still had to meet with the village headman and her apprentice healer to inform them of her departure. By the time Sesshoumaru had left last night, most of the villagers had already sought their beds, leaving her unable to notify anyone until this morning.
Gathering her bathing accoutrements, she hurried through the cool, crisp morning air to the bathhouse, knowing that it would be empty at this early hour, though not for much longer. With little time for soaking, she washed thoroughly but quickly, using extra of her homemade herbal soaps in her hair so that it would leave it soft, fragrant, and easily manageable. She wanted to look and smell her best, of course, especially today of all days.
She finished just as the first couple of women arrived to bathe, and with easy greetings, she left, hurrying back towards the hut that she'd called home for over sixty years, though now would no longer.
Who should I bequeath it to? she wondered, just now having thought of that. Since Shippo and Kirara will be coming with me... oh, dear, I didn't think to talk to Sesshoumaru about that. I hope he doesn't get angry with having an extra person and a neko added to his household, she worried, not sure what he would think of the whole thing. But Shippo was like her son, and she wasn't willing to leave him behind, and Kirara was family, too. Where she went, they went, they'd already decided that years ago when Shippo had told her that he would not want to be separated from her, and Kirara had let it be known that she would stay with the last of her companions after Sango's passing.
Of course, someday Shippo would take a mate and make a life for himself, but until then, they were a package deal, and she didn't think Sesshoumaru had thought of that.
After a few minutes spent worrying, however, she finally brushed the concern away – there was little point in thinking about it. She'd just have to talk to Sesshoumaru when he and his servants arrived.
I suppose I can leave my hut to Sango's daughter Michi – she has such a large family that the several rooms of my hut will come in handy for her. She and her husband were already speaking of having to build a larger hut, so this will really help them out. I'll send Shippo over to her house to make the offer, she decided, nodding. Yes, that's the best route. They need the room more than anyone else in the village. As for my cookware... I daresay I won't be needing any of that with Sesshoumaru, since he has his own cooks and everything, so I can give those to Suzumi – they will come in handy for her as the new village healer. She'll have a lot of herbal concoctions to cook up, after all, besides her own food.
With the disposal of the things that she wouldn't be needing any longer decided to her satisfaction, she chivied Shippo into finishing his packing and then sent him off to speak to Michi and offer her the hut, and she went to the village headman's hut, the oldest son of Sango and Miroku, and informed him of her coming mating and departure from the village.
While saddened, nonetheless, he was happy for Kagome. He well remembered his mother's wishes that her best friend would find someone to love her, and her worry, even on her deathbed, for her friend. And being who he was, the fact that she'd found that love with a youkai, a Lord, even, a daiyoukai, didn't bother him – he was pleased, and he knew his parents would be, too, wherever they were. When she told him of her wishes in passing on her property, he was in agreement that his sister could most definitely use the room.
Heaping blessings on her and wishes for her eternal happiness, he watched her walk away, knowing that what was happening was for the best, despite his sadness in seeing her go. After all, she was not a normal human, with her endless life span, and in order to be completely happy, she needed to be with those that were outside of time's control just as much as she was. Her chosen mate was the most powerful being in the land, and he would take care of her, it was certain. Seidai smiled a little sadly as he watched her disappear back into her hut, and sighed. It wasn't going to be the same around here ever again, he realized. There was just something about Kagome that livened anyplace she happened to be. Sesshoumaru's gain was most definitely their loss.
She would be seriously missed.
By the time noon was finally closing in, Kagome was ready, and in a state of high nervousness. She could feel Sesshoumaru through their bond, and knew he was already on his way, which didn't surprise her one little bit – Sesshoumaru was always a most precise and punctual being, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that since he had said he would arrive at midday, he would appear at midday – and not a second later.
By that time the word of her betrothal, coming mating, and imminent departure had spread through the whole village, and almost everyone had gathered near the hut she had called home for so long to watch the goings on and say their goodbyes to the well-loved miko.
Sesshoumaru was a little surprised to be greeted by an entire village on his arrival to escort his soon-to-be mate to her new home, but brushed the inconvenience aside; after all, she had lived there for sixty years and had formed many lasting friendships with the people there, so he could hardly begrudge them all coming out to see her off.
The villagers all backed away respectfully when he landed with several servants and Ah-Uhn in tow, and he approached Kagome slowly as she stood up, her fingers twisting nervously – a fact which his sharp eyes did not miss, not that he could have missed her nervousness, anyway, what with the bond that already lay between them.
“You have gathered everything you wish to bring with you?” he asked her softly once he reached her, allowing his aura to gently brush against hers and calm her.
She took a deep breath, held it, and then released, allowing a great deal of her tension to dissipate with her expelled breath and his aura's deft touches against hers. After a moment's silence, she nodded. “Yes. Everything that is near the entrance I'm bringing with me. But Sesshoumaru,” she added as he motioned for the servants, who had heard her words to begin gathering her belongings, “you do know that where I go, Shippo and Kirara go, as well?”
Returning his gaze to Kagome, he inclined his head regally, his manner formal because of their extended audience. “I am aware of this, Kagome, my servants have readied a room for the kitsune, and the neko may rest where she wills. But I will not allow anyone in my home to be idle,” he warned her. “The kit will begin training with me in the dojo in two days.”
Kagome, relieved that he wasn't upset about having her companions with them, smiled. “I daresay he will enjoy that. He's not an idle sort, you know. Shippo always trains himself, and I think he will be grateful to train with you.”
Sesshoumaru nodded, and then they waited silently for his servants to finish loading her belongings on Ah-Uhn, although the one piece of furniture she was bringing, a hand-carved, beautiful tansu made of sakura wood that held her clothing, would be carried between two of the servants on the return flight. It didn't take long for her belongings to be loaded, and then it was time for her to say her final goodbyes.
Tears were already sliding down many of the cheeks there, especially Sango and Miroku's children. After all, she was family, and had actually helped deliver most of them when they had been born, as well as assisted at their own children's births. She was intimately entwined with many of them, and they were all feeling the loss.
So was she.
With tears in her own eyes, she hugged all those she considered her family, encouraging words given to all to help ease her departure.
“Don't think this is goodbye forever, everyone! I will always return to visit and check up on you all! And if something happens and I'm needed, you know where the Western Palace is, simply send a messenger – I'll come as quick as I may,” she consoled the group, a cheerful smile on her face despite the tears.
“Indeed. I will extend my protection to your village, as well,” Sesshoumaru said then, to everyone's surprise. “Should you be attacked or have need,” he continued, beckoning the headman over and handing him a small, oddly engraved stone, “simply allow a drop of water to touch this stone, and we will be warned of your need. It will take but minutes for assistance to arrive.”
Seidai, completely stunned, merely clenched the stone carefully in his hands and nodded, bowing to Sesshoumaru. After a few seconds to gather his thoughts, he thanked the daiyoukai formally even as Kagome also added her own heartfelt thanks to him for his offer of protecting those she cared for.
With that done, Sesshoumaru turned to her and asked if she was ready to depart, and she nodded. Without another word, he wrapped his arm around her and began to form his cloud beneath their feet, though he moved more slowly than usual to accommodate not only the servants but Kirara, who was carrying Shippo.
Even at that slower pace, however, it was only moments before the village was out of sight, and Kagome shivered. Immediately, Sesshoumaru looked down at her, his eyes softening just a little, due to the fact that they were still not alone, though their audience was greatly reduced. “Are you cold?” he asked solicitously, tightening his grip around her waist.
She shook her head. “No. It's just... a lot to take in. Everything has changed between yesterday and today. It almost seems unreal,” she admitted. “Like a dream.”
“Hn. To me, as well. Were it not for the bond between us, I would also think this merely another dream,” he murmured in return, keeping his voice down so no one else could overhear what he clearly wanted kept private. “One of many I have had over the years,” he admitted softly.
“Sesshoumaru,” she said, and then hesitated, even as he looked at her enquiringly. When he prodded her to continue, she asked, “Did you already tell your people about me? I mean... do they know what to expect, or should I be prepared for a lot of surprise and... and anger?” obviously worried about what to expect at her new home.
He was pleased to be able to set her mind at ease. “I announced our forthcoming union as soon as I returned home last night, Kagome, do not be concerned. No one will dare to touch you for fear of my wrath – and your own. You are well known as the Shikon miko, and most would not dare tempt your power. I believe the only one who is even angry at all is the male that Yue was currently keeping company with,” he stated, his voice going cynical and almost coldly amused.
Kagome gasped. “You... you mean, she was sleeping with someone else?” she asked, astounded that apparently the female was cheating on her mate – and he didn't even appear to care.
“Better someone else than me,” he replied, almost shuddering at the mere thought of once more touching that bitch. “I would never be able to bring myself to touch her again – the once was more than I could stand. I have no desire for anyone that is not you. And besides, I told you she was a whore, did I not?”
“Y-yes,” she said, blushing, still looking up at him with surprised, though pleased, eyes at his avowal of desire for her alone. “But even though you, you know, seemed to hate her, I still thought you'd be, I don't know, more possessive in the sense that you wouldn't want your mate to... to betray you with some other male.”
He snorted. “It was a measure of my disdain for her that I did not care, you are correct. Normally, such a thing would have engendered rage in me, in any youkai male. But the fact that I did not even care that others used her showed to all youkai how much hatred I had for her. It was a mark of shame, truly, in the eyes of the youkai world, denoting her complete worthlessness to me.”
“Oh,” she breathed, not knowing what else to say to that.
His eyes burned with warning, then. “My reaction would not be the same were you to do so, Kagome. I would destroy anyone who tried to come between us.”
She blinked, nonplussed for a minute, but then, “Hey!” she retorted indignantly, once what he was intimating caught up to her. “I'm no cheat! I wouldn't do that to anyone, especially not someone I have feelings for.”
“That is good, Kagome, for I will not share. As I will remain faithful to our bond, I expect the same courtesy in return,” he said firmly. “It is good that we are in agreement on this score.” He fell silent for some few minutes, but then asked, “Did Inuyasha cause you any trouble last night after I left?”
The change of topic caught her slightly off-guard despite the short silence, but then she shook her head, letting her mild annoyance at the former topic go. “Oh, no, not really. He didn't want to believe me when I told him that I had... cared for you for so long, but... he finally got it.” She sighed, eyes going distant. “I told him that he'd said his goodbyes sixty years ago when he disappeared without a word, even if he didn't realize it, and that it was far too late for him to come back and expect anything but friendship from me. He didn't like it, but he had no choice but to accept it.”
“Good,” he nodded absently, his mind turning to other matters as the palace that was their destination came into view and he began flying lower in preparation for landing, followed by the servants, Ah-Uhn, and Shippo and Kirara.
It had been a long time since Kagome had seen the palace, and even then, she had only seen it from the outside – she'd never been inside. Inuyasha had pointed it out once on one of their shard hunts as they'd passed through Sesshoumaru's lands, and Kagome had been impressed even then. It was a beautiful palace and different from the average mansions that dotted the landscape of Sengoku Jidai in that it's owner and Lord was a daiyoukai of awesome power and even greater wealth.
The building was made of wood and trimmed with gold, and the roof tiles were made of semi-precious stones that glimmered in the crisp sunlight. The shoji at the entrance to the palace were beautifully decorated, obviously hand-painted by an artist of great skill, one who was probably youkai, because the scenes depicted were three-dimensional and actually glowed, keeping Kagome's eyes glued to them in awe as Sesshoumaru landed on the steps before a gathering of many youkai, completely bypassing the outer baileys of the castle.
It was that fascination that caused her to miss the raggedly familiar presence that stepped forward from amongst the gathered servants and confronted them loudly and aggressively. Shocked at his hardheadedness in the face of her words of the previous night and the fact that he had obviously traveled through the night to arrive here ahead of them, Kagome stared uncomprehendingly at Inuyasha as he approached them with caustic words.
“You have no business with Kagome,” he growled, a low tone that rumbled almost sub-sonically in the air around them. “She deserves better than a cold, unfeeling and hateful bastard, Sesshoumaru.”
Letting go of Kagome as his cloud touched down, he gently braced her until she found her feet, and then looked at his nuisance of a half-brother, an even lower growl following the hanyou's like the after-echo of thunder as he warned his brother without words that he would not tolerate interference in his life – not by anyone, not ever again.
“You have no say in this matter, Inuyasha. You are not her mate, nor her guardian. Kagome can speak for herself, and she has chosen to accept me.” He smirked tauntingly after a moment of eyeing his brother's temperamental form. “She obviously feels that I am the better choice, and you are just angry that she turned you away.”
That did it, just as he knew it would, it riled his half-sibling's always mercurial temper and loosened his tongue. “Oi!” Inuyasha snarled. “I thought you hated humans, you bastard! Why the hell d'ya want Kagome, eh? What could you possibly have found in her that attracted your dead ass?” he asked crudely, oblivious to the audience around them listening avidly.
He was taken aback and silenced by the answer, even as all the other gathered youkai in the courtyard watched breathlessly the confrontation between the two siblings. Oh, yes, they all knew who Inuyasha was – despite his crudity, he had proven his power, and many full-blooded youkai there knew they would be no match for the younger son of the Taisho. That engendered some little respect for the hanyou that he normally wouldn't have received – especially with his uncouth tongue.
Compared to him, Sesshoumaru's elegant figure and formally correct language was simply breathtaking, every last being all ears to hear his response to his brother's demanding questions.
“Her indomitable spirit, Inuyasha. Despite everything that you, Naraku, your undead miko, and even I put her through back during those days, she did not break. No matter what has come against her, she has always triumphed, always overcome, and it is that – that fiercely unbreakable will and spirit – that drew me to her. In no other being, ever, human or youkai, have I seen the same,” he said, his flat stare not deviating from his brother's stunned one by an inch. “And it is that which I will always crave to have near me. If you wish to challenge me, then draw your sword and do so now, because I will not tolerate you interfering in my affairs – just as I will tolerate no interference from anyone else,” he reiterated, raising his voice so it could be heard by all as his hand closed around the hilt of Bakusaiga. “Take the fates of Yue and her father, and even my scheming mother as the warning they are,” he finished dangerously, once again growling deeply, a frightening, almost feral sound that everyone there understood implicitly as the threat it most certainly was.
Everyone gathered there except Inuyasha, Shippo and Kirara shivered at the reminder of the deaths the day before – while Yue had died outside the palace, and Satori had been killed in hers, Nobu, Yue's father, had been killed right there in the Western Palace in full view of everyone.
He'd seemed resigned the moment he'd caught sight of Sesshoumaru's wickedly grinning face, and had just submitted to his death with no fight and hadn't even said a word, having known since the day they'd forced the daiyoukai's hand that one day, he would take their lives in payment. Because of that, his death had been less gruesome than the others, and less drawn out – Sesshoumaru had merely finished him quickly and then left the servants to clean things up and dispose of his remains.
Nonetheless, the swift manner of his death and the reasons for it hadn't been lost on the inhabitants of the palace, nor those on his council, and so Sesshoumaru's reminder of said death the day before had many a being there in the courtyard paling with fear. His words were met with silence, even from Inuyasha, who was suddenly calm once more, eyeing him speculatively as Kagome stayed back and quiet, letting the two come to their own understanding.
“Keh,” he said finally, allowing his aggressive stance to dissolve into his usual casual slouch. “I had to be sure. I didn't do right by her before, as she reminded me quite implicitly last night, an' I wanted to be certain you would treat her better.” He shrugged and looked away uncomfortably as Kagome's eyes met his and softened on him. “Don't screw it up, Sesshoumaru, or you'll regret it, I promise.”
With that, he leaped away, heading away from the palace with all speed, still upset that Sesshoumaru was getting what he'd thought he would now be able to have, but not willing to hurt the girl anymore. He'd hurt her plenty back in that distant past, and he just couldn't bring himself to do it again, now that he'd been forced to face his culpability. He had to let her go in order for her to be happy.
Guilt seems to be quite the motivator for Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru thought as he released his grip on his sword as his brother's presence diminished and the gathered youkai began drifting away to their differing pursuits. Soon, the only people left standing in the courtyard were those that had gone with Sesshoumaru to gather Kagome's belongings, and a very quiet and thoughtful Shippo holding a once again kitten sized Kirara.
Sesshoumaru directed the servants to take Kagome's things to his quarters, while another servant was called and showed Shippo his new room so that he could unpack himself and get comfortable, and once the courtyard was once again empty, he turned to look down at the woman who was now his with a pleased expression she couldn't miss.
He gestured towards a high-walled area with a small gate in it. “Would you like to see our private garden?” he asked, almost ready to purr with the pleasure of being able to say the word 'our' in reference to something being shared between them. Especially now that this was 'their' home, and not just his.
Since he'd killed Yue, yesterday, the whole palace felt different – for the first time in sixty years he was able to feel comfortable, and even happy, in his home again. He no longer felt trapped, unable to breathe, and life felt interesting and new again now that he was not only freed from the terrible bitch he'd been forcibly chained to, but actually was finally to be bound to the one he'd wanted to be bound to all along.
Life was finally good again, and he looked around their private gardens once more with pleasure for the first time in so many years as he led Kagome through the magical gate. His home was no longer a prison, but a home once more – a home he was sharing with the one who completed him and who he could share himself with without fear of betrayal.
Kagome looked around with wide eyes as Sesshoumaru led her through the fairly extensive private gardens, and then looked up at the palace, and noticed that there were no windows or doors that led out to this garden save one, which Sesshoumaru was quick to tell her was the door – and window - into what was now their shared quarters. When she asked about why there were no other windows facing out to it, he told her that it was because these gardens were completely private, and no one was allowed out there except two specially chosen gardeners at certain times when care of the garden was needed and he did not have the time himself, and he, and now she, themselves.
“You... you work on this garden?” she asked, wide-eyed. In some ways, it seemed so not Sesshoumaru – and yet, if you looked deeper, it was completely him. The garden was done in the Zen style, and there was even a bonzai garden, beautifully formed miniature trees and well-placed rock paths making it quite the sight to see.
“Yes. It is particularly good for soothing ones mind and allowing one to settle ones thoughts,” he replied. “Does this surprise you?”
“On first glance, yes, but after a second thought... no,” she said in an odd tone of voice, one laden with discovery. She had just learned something new about Sesshoumaru.
A quick smirk flashed across his face before disappearing once more, and he led Kagome back in the direction of the gate, through the flowering section of the garden that lay closest to the palace.
“It allows the breezes to enter in the morning carrying the scents of the flowers,” Sesshoumaru stated when Kagome questioned why the flowers were so close to the palace. She hadn't really taken him for a male interested in such a thing, but when he explained the scent association, she nodded. That made sense.
“Did Yue ever come here?” she asked after a moment. Maybe it was strange of her, but she wanted to know...
Sesshoumaru shot her a sharp look, then demurred. “No. I never allowed her into my areas of the palace. She had her wing, and the main palace garden area she could use if she wished, and she was kept there. I would not have her in my personal space, making my life worse than it already was.”
“Oh,” Kagome said, still continually surprised at his absolute hatred of his former mate. It was so... uncompromising. That female must have been something else for him to hate her so much. From what little she had seen of the female, she couldn't say she didn't understand his desire to stay far away from her, beautiful or not. She had been very antagonistic.
And odd. She'd actually thought that killing off the object of Sesshoumaru's affections would then allow him to want her. But that was absolutely ridiculous, as she'd found out the hard – and fatal way - yesterday.
She looked around with interest at the grounds as Sesshoumaru led her back out to the main courtyard of the palace and then up to the huge main doors. She couldn't help but exclaim at the beautiful artistry that had gone into creating them, however, she was completely unprepared for Sesshoumaru's response to her wonder.
“Thank you,” he murmured at her statement that the artist was a great talent. “It is something that I enjoy, though I do not often have time to paint,” he added at her wide-eyed look of awe.
“You... you mean you did these?” she gasped, totally caught off-guard at that revelation. She would have never taken Sesshoumaru for the artistic type – once again, on face value. But now that she thought about all that she had learned from him since yesterday, including his revelation of his rather sensitive side, she couldn't say that she was actually surprised. She could see him with the brushes and paints, using the creative process to rid himself of his frustrations over his mating and his feelings of being trapped. “No, never mind,” she said, “on second thought, I'm not surprised.”
He cocked a brow at her at that, then nodded faintly as he understood that everything she was learning of him and that she already knew was coming together, and that she was understanding him better and better as he spent more time in her company and actually opened up to her as he had not been able to do before.
“Come, then,” he said, entering through the open doors. “I will escort you around the palace to show you your new home. It will probably take some time for you to remember where everything is, but the layout of the palace is fairly straightforward,” he added. “You should be fine.”
She nodded and simply continued looking around as they passed through the imposing entry and into the equally imposing greeting room. As they passed through more open doors, they stepped into a pillar lined walkway and walked along it for several moments before entering what was obviously the main reception room of the palace.
The gasp that came from her throat couldn't have been stopped if she'd tried, the impressive work of art that was this room showing the wealth and power of its owner to all those who entered its also hand-painted doors, a great inuyoukai howling at a crescent moon depicted on each one.
The room itself was designed to show those who came through its doors that they were definitely the supplicants, and Kagome craned her head around to take everything in. The main walkway was lined with pillars just as the hallway outside had been, though these were hand carved to look like sakura trees, the tops supporting the roof actually looking like the canopy of a forest rich with blossoming sakura blossoms. She'd never seen the like, and was absolutely stunned at the intricate details of the completely wooden forest lining the intricately laid wooden floor of the room.
“I've never seen anything like this,” she whispered, just too stunned to talk any louder. “It's so beautiful.”
“It is,” Sesshoumaru replied softly in return. “It is meant to be that way.”
“I know,” Kagome returned absently, still busily looking around as they walked towards the dais at the end of the room, where an actual chair was placed, an elaborate affair that could almost be called a throne, but not quite.
Her attention was snared by Sesshoumaru again as he spoke. “There is another seat, one slightly smaller that was removed on my mating to that female, where my mate is supposed to sit. The servants are bringing it out of storage and cleaning it up. It is where you will sit during formal audiences.” He looked down at her, then. “Unlike most males, I do not expect you to remain silent during those audiences. I wish to have your input – for after all, what other male has a female that not only knows the future, but has had such extensive scholarly training? I would not wish to waste such a valuable resource as you are, Kagome.”
Now that was not surprising, not with what she already knew of Sesshoumaru. He went his own way, and be damned the rules and strictures of the time. And he had always shown that he valued her opinion, the few times he'd asked her about certain questions that had been put to him, and that he was considering carefully. She was glad that he was so different from most males in this time – if he hadn't been, she didn't know if she could have been with him. She just wasn't the submissive type – mostly. She could practice discretion with the best of them, but she would never allow herself to be treated as a brainless and helpless woman that couldn't think for herself.
As they reached the dais, she turned to look at the view from the front of the room, and just sighed. It was beautiful. The pillar-lined walkway was framed on either side by differently patterned flooring from what lined the walkway, and there were many cushions scattered there, for people coming to petition Sesshoumaru to sit until it was their turn to have their cases heard. The cushions were in deep, jeweled tones, echoing the tiles of the roof which were also many colors of green and blue-hued semi-precious stones, although most of the cushions in here were richly hued reds, echoing the soft pinks of the sakura blossoms decorating the painted wooden forest that held up and braced the ceiling of the room in deeper tones.
“Wow,” she finally said after taking it all in. “This is something else again. Absolutely beautiful.”
Sesshoumaru inclined his head regally and then led her to the back of the dais and into an alcove behind the wall, obviously for Sesshoumaru to use to enter the room. They slipped through sturdy doors, and into the ante-chamber, a smaller, plain room simply meant for quick straightening of attire and preparing for the audiences.
He led her through that room without stopping, and as they stepped out the other doors, they found themselves in another pillar lined walkway, Sesshoumaru turning to the left as soon as he stepped out of the doors.
At the end of that walkway there was a set of stairs, and Sesshoumaru led her to them, Kagome following along willingly. As they hit the top of the stairs on the second story, they entered a hallway with many windows making it light and pleasant, and he walked easily along it to another turn towards the right, and then down another hallway to another set of great doors. Kagome, thinking of the layout of the palace, or what she'd already seen of it, realized that this room was over the great audience hall.
He pushed them open lightly, and led Kagome into a huge room with several long, low wooden tables lined by plump, soft looking cushions.
“This is the dining room, and all meals are usually taken here. I have not, though... not since my previous mating,” he said with distaste evident in his voice. “But now that I am freed from my onerous chains, I will again take my meals in this room.”
Kagome nodded, not having anything to say to that. “So where is Rin? I know you said she's here with her mate, and I'd like to see her. It's been so long, and she's the only other human that has an extended life like I have, though hers was gained from mating your General, I know. Still... it's someone that I can relate to.”
Sesshoumaru was not surprised at her question. He'd told her of Rin's mating to his General many years ago, and she'd evinced a desire to see the girl even back then. But he just couldn't allow Kagome to come near the palace – not with Satori's threats, and not with Yue's nasty presence. He never wanted her pure heart tainted by their darknessess.
“Rin is most likely in the family wing of the palace, which is also where our rooms are. She has a sitting room she particularly loves there, and she can most often be found there, or in the private family gardens. I am sure you remember her extreme love of flowers,” he said with an almost cynical twist of his lips. Rin was legendary for her adoration of flowers, and most of the time, she was outside gardening anytime the weather was decent enough for such endeavors. “I will take you there next,” he finished.
“Okay,” Kagome returned, a slight smile on her face at his tone. He almost sounded annoyed at the topic he'd been speaking of, but she knew better. He adored Rin and always had, raising her like his daughter. She knew he had been quite happy at her mating, making it so that he would not lose her soon to the death most humans expected in far too few years for a youkai's tastes.
Without further ado, he led her from the room to go find Rin, this time turning to the left as he exited the room and turning down a different hallway that headed alongside the wall of the dining room. At the end of that there were a couple of doors, and another set of stairs, and it was that which he led her down, heading back to the main floor.
Kagome could barely contain her excitement. Her new home was beautiful and she could hardly wait to explore all of it, and she would even have a human companion around, one that was understanding of a human living in a youkai world because she'd been doing it since she was quite young.
Eyes still darting everywhere as Sesshoumaru escorted her through the palace, taking no note of the occasional servants they passed, Kagome tried to calm her racing heart. Because there at the back of her mind was the fact that as the day waned, the hour of her mating approached. She was still untouched, and though she was more than well-acquainted with the subject of sexuality, it was one thing for it to be in reference to other people, and an entirely different thing when the subject was oneself.
She glanced out a window as they passed, eyes noting the slowly lowering sun with increasing nervousness. Oh, boy. I know what's coming, but I'm getting more and more nervous as the hour grows later. I need to calm down...
Sesshoumaru slid a secretive glance at Kagome, picking up on her nervousness, and knowing what was causing it. He couldn't help the predatory instincts that were beginning to surface...
Mating was a primal passion, and youkai were primal beings. His blood was heating in response to his knowledge of what was to come, and as the time grew closer for him to take her, he would begin to lose some of his normal civilized behavior, moving closer to his more animalistic side. He purred inwardly at his thoughts as Kagome's nervousness fed his instincts and called to his primal nature.
Tonight, he would be closer to his true form, that of a great inu, than at any other time while still remaining in his humanoid form. Most youkai reverted to their animal forms when mating because they didn't have enough power and control over their forms to maintain their humanoid form while doing something such as mating. Only the higher youkai could, the more intelligent ones like kitsune and inu, and most neko. Lower youkai forms, those with little native intelligence like boar and bulls, were left to mate wildly as the animals they truly were.
It was this ability to mate in their human forms that sometimes led the higher youkai to taking human mates, as had his General, and as he now was about to do.
And he could hardly wait.
His wild blood surged at the thought and his eyes reddened just a tiny bit.