InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing Swords ❯ Truths and Consequences ( Chapter 3 )

Crossing Swords

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters of the manga. That privilege goes to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for my own evil devices.

 

 

Chapter 3: Truths And Consequences

 

Sango stood staring at the princess, her closest friend, as though she'd never laid eyes upon her before. Kagome was blushing brightly, mostly because the hanyou was wearing only his pants. His inner kimono and haori were still on her bed. With their wet hair and his lack of dress, coupled with the messy bed sheets, there was no doubting what had taken place.

 

“Kagome?” Sango asked. “When, why?”

 

Inuyasha looked down at the princess. He could feel her anxiety but to his surprise there was no shame laced with it. He thought for certain she would have felt embarrassed or even a little disgusted when they finally appeared before people she knew. Kagome met his gaze and gave him a small smile.

 

“Sango, let's sit down. I'll explain what I can but I still have to tell Father and the rest of the family. I don't want to be repeating myself all day.”

 

“But Prince Houjou is arriving within the hour. You are to marry him,” the exterminator rushed out, taking a seat on the mat beside the bed.

 

Kagome sat on the edge of the futon while Inuyasha moved behind her, encasing her between his raised knees and allowing her to once again lean back on his chest.

 

“Did I ever give any indication that I wanted to marry Prince Houjou? I don't care for him in that way. The betrothal was Father's idea so he could enlist the northern kingdom's aid,” Kagome explained patiently. She had gone over this before with Sango but the young taijiya thought the match was a good one. However, the reaction she got was nothing like what she expected from her friend.

 

Sango's face contorted. “So as a way to get back at your father you went and whored yourself to a demon?”

 

Shock danced across Kagome's features. She knew her friend was raised to slay demons but she thought it was only the ones who caused harm and deserved the fate. Kagome never imagined Sango to hate all demons. She attended many of the king's rallies and heard Kagome speak out against the new policies against demons. Behind her, Inuyasha was growling.

 

“Damn you! How can you think Kagome would act like that? I don't care if you are her friend, if you speak to my mate like that again, you'll pay.” His claws flexed slightly against her stomach.

 

Kagome tried to calm the agitated hanyou but Sango continued on.

 

Your mate?” Sango sneered, “That's something I can take care of as soon as I'm given my hiraikotsu. Once his Majesty has the chance to question you about why you chose to defile his daughter, your life will be mine.”

 

“Sango, stop it!” The princess cried. “If you kill Inuyasha then you kill me as well.” She moved the layers of silk covering her left breast and exposed just enough for Sango to see the mating mark. She watched with some satisfaction as the fire died out of the taijiya's eyes. Turning her head to the side, the other mark was clearly visible.

 

“How long have we known each other, Sango? Three years, is it? I consider you my dearest friend, my sister, but I will not stand for you to threaten my mate. He belongs to me just as I belong to him. It was the only way to get Father to listen to the demons side of things. Tell me, did you know that the Inu no Taisho called for meetings with Father?”

 

Sango shook her head, still struggling with the fact a demon was sitting in the same room with her. She studied the two with trained eyes. His arms were wrapped possessively around her friend's waist, but no so tight as to seem like he was forcing her there. Kagome's back was resting against his bare chest, her head pillowed by his shoulder. She could clearly make out both sets of mating marks he bore. There was an air of uncertainty surrounding them, though.

 

“Exactly how long have you two known each other, Kagome?”

 

The young princess swallowed and looked to Inuyasha. The hanyou shrugged his shoulders and nuzzled her neck.

 

Kagome let out a breath. “I'll tell you what I plan on telling Father. This was my choice. What he's doing is wrong. He needs to listen to the demons as well as his own people and not just his advisors. If he plans on enslaving the demons then he plans on enslaving his own grandchild as well. Until I know I can trust you, you will receive nothing else from either of us.”

 

The exterminator's jaw dropped. Before she could utter a reply, Kagome stood pulling Inuyasha with her. She grabbed his under kimono and handed it to him as she clutched his haori.

 

“Now, we speak with my father.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

King Higurashi paced his study for what had to be the twelfth time. His dark brown hair was slightly graying at the temples and his blue eyes were wrinkled with exhaustion. The past month had not been easy, between trying to secure the Northern king's alliance and dealing with his head strong daughter, he made little headway with his plans on a surprise attack to the Western stronghold. The engagement of his daughter and the young prince would secure him much needed support but he would have a wedding to deal with on top of everything else. He slumped down behind the great oak desk in the center of the room and eyed his top advisor.

 

Naraku sat relaxed in a straight backed chair near the fireplace. His long back hair was pulled half up off his face and his deep black eyes were calm. His robes of midnight blue, gray, and purple were impeccable as always, as if the stress of the impending rebellion and their plans to thwart it were not heavy on his mind. Of the king's four advisors, Naraku proved to be the most useful. His gift of magic and sight made him invaluable for tracking the demon's plans and for recruiting others of spiritual means to help the humans rise in power. The only indication that he was aware of his surroundings was the constant fluttering of his fingers over the glass phial he wore around his neck on a golden chain. Inside swirled a deep purple-black liquid that seemed to glow with an inner light. He was never without it.

 

“Does nothing worry you, Naraku? We have Prince Houjou and his father arriving within the hour, my daughter has yet to make an appearance, and my Queen is not speaking to me because of this,” the king asked, running a hand over his eyes.

 

Naraku leaned forward slightly, focusing his gaze on the patriarch. “My King, you have nothing to fear. The Queen and the Princess will come around to the idea eventually, though the marriage must happen soon if we are to secure the North's unyielding support. I have sent men into the demon's lands and soon we will have proof of what the demons seek and where they plan on attacking. We will attack them before they attack us.”

 

“Your confidence astounds me, Naraku. I can only hope that things progress as you foresee. I do no relish the thoughts of a full fledged war between the East and the West, too many human lives would be lost,” Higurashi replied.

 

“Why should the gods punish us when we are in the right? Demons have had far too much freedom amongst the humans and it is time someone set that right.”

 

“I suppose.”

 

The advisor caressed the phial and watched the king's eyes harden with resolve.

 

“No, after the engagement feast I want to call a meeting in the town square for tomorrow afternoon. I want to show my people that the entire royal family is behind me and my plans for the future. Come my good man, we should head to the conference room to await the North's arrival. I'll have someone send for my wife and children to meet us there. This will be the beginning of a new age of human rule.”

 

Naraku smiled wide at the king as he deposited the mist filled phial into his robes.

 

“As you command, my King.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

In the courtyard of the Western castle, another king paced, wondering about the welfare of his child. The Inu no Taisho was unsure about sending his willful young son to mate the human High King's daughter, but he was left with little choice. If an entourage were to approach the Eastern castle it could be taken as a threat. Couriers and letters were turned away or left unanswered. Even the few humans that served within the Dog General's own castle were beginning to feel uneasy about the lack of communication with their neighbors. Inuyasha, for once you better have followed my orders to the letter. The king paused when he sensed the arrival of a familiar youkai.

 

“You worry the half breed has failed in his task, Chichi-ue?” a smooth voice droned from the archway.

 

The Inu no Taisho closed his eyes. “I've told you not to refer to your brother like that, Sesshomaru, and we won't know what is going on for another six days.”

 

“Ah, yes, after he ensures his `breeding' takes hold. Chichi-ue, do you really think it wise to have Inuyasha speak to King Higurashi on behalf of the House of Inu?”

 

“Your brother is perfectly capable of being diplomatic when the need arises. Though I am hoping the mating to the princess will provide more of a calming influence over him,” the General said glancing at his eldest pup.

 

Sesshomaru was every bit as tall as the Inu no Taisho, but where the Dog General had a solid build, Sesshomaru was lithe, graceful. It was Inuyasha who inherited his father's rugged features and build, though in a more compact frame. The elder inu youkai pup's features had a delicate, almost feminine quality to them, though when he moved or spoke he radiated masculinity and power. A blue crescent moon graced his forehead along with two thin magenta stripes on each cheek, wrist, and thigh. Again, it was the younger son who bore the single violet slash on each cheek that his father had, though it only appeared in full youkai form.

 

Sesshomaru would have been the ideal candidate for a union between human and demon, with his stoic front and unwavering attitude, but he had already taken a mate and had adopted a daughter. Plus the human princess, while well-spoken, was willful and had quite the temper if the displays at the anti-demon rallies were to be believed. No, Inuyasha would be a much better pairing for the girl. The General smiled to himself as his musings drifted to another human female, his mate, the Princess Izayoi, whose ancient magicks his youngest son inherited.

 

Izayoi was independent and spirited for a human. She held the powers of the ancient priests and priestesses but no fear of demons, who at that time roamed both the Eastern and Western lands freely. Betrothed since birth to one of the human kings, the princess never took her role as a leader seriously, assuming she would simply be used to produce an heir and wave and smile at the people while her king told them of his decisions. The Dog General never intended on courting her. Sesshomaru's birth was political at best and he never saw the inu bitch again. He didn't feel the need to have a mate when he had a strong son beside him.

 

Izayoi changed all that. Over the course of her sixteenth year, one year before she was to marry, the Demon Lord courted her and she accepted his advances. She liked his ideals and opinions and could handle his temper and give back when necessary. Though she refused to alter her body by taking in demon blood, she agreed to bear his mating mark and wore it proudly. And the day she announced she would be having the Dog General's child was the second happiest day of his life. Sesshomaru had trouble accepting a half demon sibling and it only got worse after Izayoi's death, but the Inu no Taisho tried, more for his sanity than the boys, to keep them together.

 

“Will you have the pair stay in the main castle?”

 

The Demon Lord was pulled from his thoughts by Sesshomaru's question. He hadn't realized the pup had come up to lean against one of the elaborate fountains next to him.

 

“No,” he replied. “Inuyasha made it very clear that if he agreed to this, he and his new mate would be living in his home on the grounds with the kitsune child and old Kaede. I think he would prefer the child be born there as well. You know he doesn't care for the majority of the full demons in the high court or who serve in the castle.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “The half bre…Inuyasha may be wise in his decision. Not many will be pleased that the remainder of the Western Lands will go to a hanyou mated to a human and not a full inu. Have you received any more information on this jewel the humans spoke of?”

 

The General frowned. “Nothing. The only jewel in any of the demon libraries disappeared well over one hundred years ago. Izayoi used to tell me the story of it when she was up late at night with Inuyasha. Why King Higurashi would think I am planning a raid on the human lands to find it is beyond me. Perhaps your stepmother's journals will provide more clues.”

 

“Someone is feeding the human king false information.”

 

“Yes, but we can do nothing but wait and hope to receive an audience with him. We have our spies there as he no doubt has his among us.”

 

The Inu no Taisho turned to face the east. And how are you fairing now, my son?

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sango followed Kagome and Inuyasha all the way to the conference room before being stopped by one of the guards. After making it clear to the couple that their discussion was far from over, she took a place on the far side of the hallway to await the fireworks.

 

Inuyasha could sense Kagome's nervousness through their new bond. He never imagined that he would feel comfortable being tied so intimately to another being, but he found himself comforted by the princess's presence. She was feeling many of the same emotions Inuyasha was and she seemed protective of him, though they hadn't had much time alone together to talk. Before the guard could fully open the door, Inuyasha leaned down and caught the princess's pouting lips. Surprised, she opened her mouth and he lazily poked his tongue in to caress hers. Kagome put up no resistance. Stretching up on tip toe to wrap her arms around the hanyou's neck, she returned the kiss and drew comfort from the only person in the castle who wouldn't hate her after this meeting.

 

Inuyasha smirked. “Feel better, princess?”

 

Kagome playfully jabbed his ribs. “For the moment. Wait until we speak to Father. We may be leaving the grounds and traveling to your home tonight if he has his way.”

 

Hand in hand, the two entered the conference room. King Higurashi was deep in conversation with a man in gray and blue robes at the head of the long table. A few chairs down and dutifully ignoring her husband was the Queen. With her dark, wavy hair and delicate features, Inuyasha could easily see with parent the princess favored. Running around the table, smacking the high back chairs with a wooden short sword and terrorizing an overweight cat was boy of eight or nine. No one noticed the two until the little boy stopped and stared.

 

“Sis, who's the dog eared guy holding your hand?”

 

Everything in the room stopped. It was almost like a spell had been cast to freeze time in the exact moment everyone looked at the pair. Even with his demonic senses, Inuyasha couldn't be sure if they were breathing. Slowly, King Higurashi rose to his feet and came around the table. Inuyasha fought his instincts to growl at the human king but he couldn't keep himself from moving slightly in front of his mate. Before anything could be said, Inuyasha bowed deeply.

 

“King Higurashi, allow me to introduce myself. I am Inuyasha, youngest son to the Inu no Taisho and Lord Prince to the Western Lands.”

 

The king blinked at the sudden show of respect but recovered quickly.

 

“I surmised as much, but that does not explain why you are in my home or why you are so comfortable touching my daughter, demon.”

 

“Father,” Kagome started, but Inuyasha squeezed her hand.

 

Bowing once again, Inuyasha continued. “In accordance to demon custom, I have taken Princess Kagome as my mate. I formally present myself to her family.”

 

He winked at the princess and she smiled, amused by his ability to use court diplomacy. She just wondered how long it would last once her father started in on them.

 

The human king sputtered a moment, his eyes wide. A gasp from the table drew the pair's attention to the Queen who was now standing with her hand over her chest. The little boy was still just standing at the corner of the table, his toy sword dangling in his hand. The man in the robes spoke from his seated position.

 

“Your Royal Highness, surely this is some sort of ploy to prevent your engagement to Prince Houjou. You know that as princess to the Eastern Kingdom it is your duty to follow your father's commands.”

 

Kagome stepped in front of her mate. “It is my duty to do what is best for my people, not blindly follow the advice and whims of my elders, Naraku. A rule you would do well to remember,” she seethed.

 

“Kagome, you should show respect to Naraku. He has done nothing but help see us through these dark times. And you will still marry Houjou. I don't know how you two came up with this plan, nor when you met this beast but I will not tolerate a demon sneaking into my home,” the kind said, straightening his back.

 

“I can assure you, Father, I am mated to Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome turned her head slightly to reveal the mating mark on her neck. It was the moment of calm before the storm.

 

“Guards, seize the demon that dared defile the princess. Naraku, do you have a sutra that will force the beast to reveal his secrets to us? The dungeons are empty at the moment, take him there. My Queen, take Kagome to her room and have a bath drawn. Wash her until her skin is raw. Perhaps the Prince will understand and take pity on us. Then…”

 

“FATHER, STOP IT!” Kagome screamed and stepped into the hanyou's embrace. She held on to Inuyasha's arms as she faced her father and king. I can do this. I have a place to go. I have a mate and I will have a child. I can stand up to him. If there is war, too many will die.

 

“I have listened to you rave long enough. You would force me into a marriage with someone I don't love for your gain, but not allow me to choose my own path. You cannot kill or harm Inuyasha. I am soul bonded to him and to hurt him is to hurt me. And your grandchild.”

 

“A child?”

 

It was the first time the Queen had spoken since they couple entered the room. Tension was high and the guards shifted their weapons uneasily as the regal woman approached her daughter and her daughter's lover. Not wanting to release Kagome, Inuyasha settled for bowing his head to the woman. The Queen reached for the neckline of Kagome's kimono and pulled it aside enough to reveal the second mating mark. Stepping back, she stared deeply into Inuyasha's eyes before returning the bow.

 

“Inuyasha, do you care for Kagome?”

 

The hanyou nodded. Though he had only been in her immediate presence for less than a day, he knew from watching her for so long that she was a good person.

 

“I will protect the princess and our pup with my life. She will be safe with me, Queen Higurashi.”

 

“Pup?” the Queen smiled.

 

“Does no one see a problem with this but me?” King Higurashi shouted, tired of being ignored in his own meeting. “He is a demon, she is a human. We are at war. This could be considered treason to the crown! I could have the both of you executed for this!”

 

Inuyasha did growl at that.

 

“You will not touch my mate. How can you be a father if you would be willing to even entertain the notion of executing your own child because she affected your policies? You knew the princess disagreed with you from the start, yet you were willing to force her to be your pawn to gain troops. My word may mean nothing to you but the demons have no intension of attacking the human lands. My father only wants to meet with you to find out what changed your views in the last five years.”

 

“Lies.”

 

The man called Naraku stood. Inuyasha could see his long gray and blue robes were highlighted with deep purple, giving him a high place in the king's cabinet. Knee length waves hung free while long bangs parted over his black eyes. Inuyasha could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise. The man was human, but hiding something.

 

“Our men have discovered your plans to raid our lands in search of more power. We know of the unrest among your kind with being limited to their own lands, unable to have contact with humans. You will not be happy until we are all slaves under your power. But we shall rise above first. The gods will be on the side of the righteous, and that is the side of the humans.”

 

The man strode forward to stand beside the king and twirled something long and smooth in his hands.

 

Inuyasha snorted. “I have no idea who is feeding you those lies, your Majesty, but that is what they are. True, many of my people feel agitated that they are not allowed the same freedoms to wander the lands as they once did, but it is not worth starting a war over. And Kagome told me of this `power' we seek. It's a bedtime story, nothing more.”

 

The Queen stepped along side the couple, surprising them both.

 

“My husband, you know that I was against this forced engagement from the start. Kagome is old enough to make her own decisions and if she feels this will help our people then I'm sure she has plans to discuss with us. As for punishment, there will be NONE.”

 

A knock on the conference room door drew their attention away for a moment. A servant came in looking slightly flustered.

 

“Your Majesties, Highness, the Northern King and his son Prince Houjou have arrived. I have escorted then to the main library to await word from you.” The little man bowed and hurried away.

 

The Queen smiled.

 

“Well, then we should get this over with, dears. Kagome, Inuyasha come with me. Souta if you'd please go out to the gardens, we'll be there shortly. My husband, if you can control yourself, I'm sure the Northern King would like to speak with you as well.”

 

With a sweep of her elegant robes the queen left the room. With a last glance to her father, Kagome followed her mother from the room, tugging Inuyasha along. She knew better than to argue at this point. When her mother snapped back at the king she could be formidable.

 

King Higurashi was at a loss. All his plans were rapidly spiraling away. True, at one point he was friends with the Inu no Taisho, but he was sure the demon Lord harbored a deep seeded hatred for the human king and used his position to get close to the human lands. He didn't understand how the demon could have taken a human wife, but it must have been a forced marriage. Perhaps that's what happened here. A spell.

 

“Naraku, do you think my daughter is under some kind of a spell? Would it be possible to free her and destroy the demon within her without harming her?”

 

The advisor shook his head.

 

“Demon treachery runs deep, but perhaps we can use this to our advantage. If the Princess goes to the Western castle she will have access to more information than even our best spies would.”

 

The king shook his head.

 

“Kagome is too stubborn to spy for us. She's convinced we are no different than the demons and should work together for a common goal. She would never spy against them, especially since she is mated to one.”

 

A smile drifted across Naraku's face.

 

“We merely need access to the inner chambers of the castle. The princess will not be aware she is helping us to defeat the demons until it is too late. We may be too late to save your daughter, but we will be able to save the kingdom. Come, Your Majesty, we should greet the Northern King and discuss alliances. The gods will smile upon us.”

 

The advisor continued to smile as he followed behind the king. Perhaps this mating between human and demon would benefit him more than he could ever dream. He would be able to see books that only the demon libraries contained and no one would be the wiser. The bottled mist pulsed under his hand.