InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Embracing Destiny ❯ Discoveries ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

I do not own Inuyasha or it's characters. I do own fluffy house slippers.

Author's Note: I am aware that most people are not very fond of the paring of Sesshomaru/Kagome, but please give my story a chance and please do review as I would love to hear your comments.




Chapter Four



Discoveries



It was just as she had seen it so many times on television. Paparrazzi, news casters and magazine photographers lined the edges of the red carpet that graced the entrance of the Tokyo Museum. As she took Miroku's hand and stepped out of the limosine, cameras began to flash all around her. People were asking Miroku a number of questions to which he mostly smiled and uttered. "No Comment." He led her up the stairs into the lavishly decorated modern art exhibit, which was succesfully turned into a reception hall. Bodies of men and women, of whom she never dreamed of meeting in her life, littered the hall in small groups. Hiten Yui, the third ranking business man in Japan, stood by the stage speaking with none other than her boss, Sesshomaru InuTaisho. He looked good enough to eat wearing a black tuxedo and a black rubber band holding his silky hair in a low ponytail. Kagura, blast her, was molded to his body in a strapless red gown. Her cow utters sandwiched his right arm and her hair fell in spiral curls down her back with a rose at her temple. Kagome was feeling decidedly homicidal.

Miroku seemed to be moving in that direction and she calmed her heart as it pounded against her ribs. When they got to the small circle, Miroku said something in which she paid no attention, and Sesshomaru turned. When his eyes met hers they softened slightly, then his eyes took her in. They widened and a slow grin graced his features. It was breathtaking. "Welcome to the party Kagome. I trust you will enjoy yourself." he said soflty. She nodded. "Thank you for allowing me to attend Mr. InuTaisho. I hope I will." she responded. Kagura was not pleased. "I suggest you do your best because it isn't likely you will get a second chance." she said haughtily. Sesshomaru glanced at her and his expression was frosty. "I believe in your profession they call that 'speculation'" he said icily. Kagura's face went white, then red with embarrassment as Miroku let out a hearty laugh. "That they do, good friend." he chuckled.

Kagome smiled in triumph, then looked down as she realized that the statement could well be true. "Meet my assistant and Public Relations major, Kagome Higurashi." she heard Sesshomaru say. She looked up into the face of Hiten Yui who kissed the back of her hand. "Such a beautiful woman. Is there any way I could persuade you to cross over? At the moment I have a position in my company that needs filling, and a rare gem such as yourself would have no problems becoming a very popular public relations agent indeed." he said smoothly. She was so startled by his sudden job offer that for a moment she just stared at the man. It was an excellent opportunity, but she wasn't stupid. Sesshomaru was coveted all of his possessions, and in the business world, she was clearly a part of that group as well. The offer might very well be a bluff to gouge her loyalty and insult her employer.

"Thank you, but no thank you Mr. Yui. I am grateful for the offer, but I am content with my current position for the moment." she said giving him a genuine smile. Hiten raised a brow at her. "You would turn down an offer to realize your potential in your chosen profession to be a mere assistant?" he asked incredulously. Kagome gave a small laugh. "You make me sound quite silly, but in truth I have faith that Mr. InuTaisho will allow me to develope that potential into true skill while working at InuTasho Enterprises." she responded. Hiten looked truly taken aback. Then a smile curled on his handsome lips and he smirked appreciatively at Sesshomaru. "I'm impressed my old friend, you seem to inspire great loyalty in your employees." He turned and gave Kagome a slight bow. "If at any time you tire of this old hound, you must come to Yui Corp. as soon as you step out of the door." he stated with a wink.

He excused himself and Kagome stared after him in shock. She turned and beamed at Sesshomaru who smiled back. "You have out done yourself tonight Kagome. You look enchanting." he said. They stared at each other in a wordless exchange and he inclined his head at her in acknowledgment of her gratitude. Miroku suddenly broke the spell. "Now, now Sesshomaru! You have your own date and I think I will take mine over to get a glass of wine." he said with a smirk. Sesshomaru merely raised a brow at him as he sauntered off, dragging Kagome with him. "I am beginning to think you would rather be here with someone else." he asked her as he got her a glass of white wine. She took it from him and sighed. "I would deny it, but I know why Sesshomaru hired you. You must be as shrewd as you are charming." she responded with a small smile. Miroku sipped his wine and gave her a look devoid of all of his usual teasing.

"Sesshomaru lives a hard life Kagome. He has been fighting for years to stay in control of his surroundings. It isn't easy to watch the world change around you and then be forced to adapt to it. There is much they don't teach you in the youkai text books. Things humans like you and I shouldn't know. Sesshomaru once ruled the Western Lands of Japan with an iron fist and a frozen heart. He is and always will be much more than he appears. He is the last of the four lords that ruled Japan and as far as the demon world is concerned, he remains Taiyoukai. His power in business is this era's decree of monarchy. There are always those who wish to take the power from him, and most of them do not go about it honorably. Not all who wish to rule will do it well. To be Sesshomaru InuTaisho is to carry a heavy burden."

Kagome stared wide eyed at Miroku for a moment. "Two things have just been confirmed tonight. Sesshomaru indeed inspires loyalty in his staff and you are definately shrewd." she said. Miroku smiled. "I have known him a long time. Not once has a woman been able to weather the storm with him. It seems only fair to warn you." he said with a shrug. "Here comes InuYasha, I will be back." he said. He walked away but Kagome hardly noticed him. No wonder Sesshomaru was so reluctant. If the women in his life so far all buckled under the pressure of being with him, it seemed logical that he would push her away. She knew he cared. Now she just had to find a way to get him to see that she wasn't going to be like them. Inuyasha made his way to her looking fine in a tuxedo identical to his brother's with a dazzling Kikyo at his side. She wore a long black strapless gown with black gloves to counter Kagome's white. "Goddamn Kags, almost didn't recognize you. Where'd you get the dress?" he asked in appreciative surprise.

After giving Kikyo a brief hug, she gave Inuyasha a pointed look. "Son of a bitch. Went all out didn't he? You better be very careful Kagome cause you're treading on thin ice." he warned. Kagome met his glare with on of her own. "And you think I don't know that Inuyasha? But tell me this; if you had a chance to finally be happy, wouldn't you go for it?" she asked fiercely. Tears welled in her eyes and she hastily blotted at them with the handkerchief she had brought along. Inuyasha seemed stunned by her intensity. He turned to Kikyo who was watching with a confused, but undoubtedly concerned expression on her face. "Kikyo, can you get us both a glass of the red?" he asked. Kikyo took the hint and gave Kagome a pat on the shoulder before giving them privacy. "You really do love him, don't you?" he asked seriously. Kagome nodded bitterly. "Ah well, I guess you always did take the bumpiest rode when it came to men." he commented.

Kagome shot him a withering look. "I haven't been prepared for this Yasha. I never knew that you could feel this way about another person. I've never wished for someone's happiness this badly in my life." she said looking across the room at the subject at hand. Inuyasha followed her gaze and gave an irritated snort. "I'll ignore the fact that you've been down grading my so called 'happiness' for that of my fleabag brother. I gotta hand it to ya, Kags, you seemed to have made some impression for him to send you a dress that beautiful and expensive. He always did have an eye for detail and that dress brings out your eyes perfectly. That being said, you might as well forget it. Sesshomaru has demons to haunt his demons. It may not even be worth it." he pointed out bluntly. Kagome sucked in a pained breath at his brutal honesty and gripped his arm. "You will wish me luck Inuyasha or you will wish you had, cause if you ever say something that cruel to me again I will personal see to it that you are neutered." she whispered venemously.

Knowing Kagome to be capable of such horrors, he nodded sedately before peeling her fingers off of his sleeve. "If anyone deserves you, it's my brother." he muttered. Kagome shot him another furious glance to let him know she heard him and then smiled brightly as Kikyo returned with Miroku in tow. "Why thank you Miroku for keeping my date company." he said in an even tone. Miroku laughed. "It was so long ago when I asked her to bear my children, must you still hold it against me? Besides, have no fear, my own date is gorgeous enough to hold my attention even had that not been the absolute truth." he finished with a bow in Kagome's direction. Inuyasha shot him a look of disgust. "Yeah, whatever. I'm going to take MY date and go mingle. Try not to let yours bare her teeth. Her bite's worse than her bark. " he said as he turned. Kagome let out a suitably inuyoukai growl, inadvertently making his point.

A man coughed into the mike on the makeshift stage at the back of the exhibit and smiled brightly at the crowd. "The awards ceremony will begin upstairs, so please make your way to your assigned seats." he said. Everyone began making their way upstairs and Kagome let Miroku guide her. The upper level of the museum was dedicated to the feudal era of Japanese history. She passed along many different relics she knew to have been donated by the demon citizens that had llived through those times.
"Thump thump thump"
She felt her heart begin to beat heavily and her eyes widened as she thought she could hear something calling to her.
"Thump thump thump thump"
The rythym of the beating picked up and it was if someone was playing an intricate song with in her heart.
"Thump thump thump thump thump"
She murmered an excuse to Miroku and followed the distant voice until she was walking what seemed to be a maze through the upper level of the museum. She could hardly feel her footsteps as her body began to tingle with the intensity of the song that was playing in her heart. Her breath quickened and her eyes glazed as she followed the voice to an exhibit she had never seen. She walked into the room and was mesmerized by the miko garb that was encased in glass. She looked down and saw the name. Midoriko. She gasped as she recognized it. The greatest and most powerful miko in Japanese history. She stared as the voice became strong in her mind.
"You have come to me. It is time that you recognize your purpose."
Kagome's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" she asked as she stared at the garb. Suddenly an ethereal body began to fill the clothing and soon she stood staring at her own reflection.
"You are not what you seem and the only one who can protect you and the jewel is the demon who mirrors your soul."
Kagome shook her head and stared. "I have always been ordinary. I don't know what you mean. What jewel could you be talking about?" she asked in confusion. Midoriko reached through the glass of the display and raised her chin. The flesh of this glowing being seemed to be real and she felt the warmth of her palm on her flesh.
"You are my reincarnation. You have housed the Shikon no Tama and kept it safe all of your life. Now is a dangerous time for you, child. The evil one will come for you and try to use the jewel for his own purposes. You must cease resisting and remember."
Kagome let out a soundless wail as the memories of each reincarnation of herself ran through her mind. One face kept reappearing in different eras, each one fighting and failing to possess the jewel for himself. She struggled as the light burst through her body causing a pain so intense she couldn't exert the effort to scream. As the light faded, she sat in a heap on the ground, her palms balled into fists as the last of the pain receded from her trembling body. She raised her head and saw that Midoriko held a small pink jewel in her palm.
"The Shikon no Tama is a jewel of great power and purity. We are the guardians and it is our duty to keep the jewel from contamination. You have the power inside of you. Use it"
She could see the women before her as they fought to keep the jewel safe. Each woman wore her face and glowed with power and confidence. The bow seemed to be their weapon of choice and with it the pink aura of the jewel surrounded them. Kagome inhaled deeply as she accepted her fate and stood on shaky feet. "How will I know how to use the power? I've spent my entire life thinking I'm nothing but another woman trying to find a reason for my existance. I've never even held a bow and I surely never felt any power in me." she said. Midoriko laughed. The sound rolled over her senses and she stared as the woman crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Do not be foolish. The power has laid dormant in you, waiting for the moment you would have to use it to fulfill your destiny. You will learn to wield the power but it wil not be an instantaneous accomplishment. Though you will have a demon protector as did your predecessors,you will have to cultivate the skills needed to protect yourself and the jewel. Find the elder named Kaede, she has also been reincarnated through the years as it is her destiny to aide you."
Before Kagome could ask another question, the ethereal Midoriko faded and left her standing in confusion and panic. She found herself holding the jewel in her palm and gripped it tightly. She slipped it into her purse and turned quickly to find her way to Inuyasha, he had always been by her side. Had he been the demon Midoriko spoke of? She shook her head in frustration. Inuyasha was a half demon and something told her that, that little fact was important. She clenched her teeth in frustration. She would have to trust her instincts if she was going to survive her duty. Every memory of her predecessor's lives were filled with battle.
She made her way slowly through the maze she had passed through in a daze. He heart was still beating wildly and she was truly scared. As she triumphantly found herself back where she started, she heard a voice behind her.
"I see I'm right on time."
She turned to find herself staring into the glittering blood red eyes of the face she had seen in her visions. The face of the man that had fought her mercilessly through the centuries and her panic rose to new heights.
"Naraku."