InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ever the Lotus ❯ chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Classic / Mystery / Psychological / Romance / Drama | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 08.11.2011 | Pages: 6 | Words: 10.9K | Visits: 694 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Classic / Mystery / Psychological / Romance / Drama | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 08.11.2011 | Pages: 6 | Words: 10.9K | Visits: 694 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 5
An hour later found Kagome held within Sesshoumaru's arms as he flew them towards the first stop on his planned tour – his favorite perch over the northern portions of his lands. There would be other stops, but this first one was one he wanted her to see first during the day.
She was quiet, looking around with wonder, the expression on her face pleasing him greatly. He had wondered if she would fear heights, as he was aware that many humans did, but it was apparent that she did not suffer from that same affliction. There was nothing in her expression but awe.
He watched her with a quiet amusement as he flew them towards their destination, intrigued once again by the play of pleasure across her face and in her eyes. So expressive, he mused. She hides nothing of herself away.
He'd never seen a person, human or otherwise, like her, and a good portion of that was her birth era, he was certain. The rest of it was just who she had been created to be.
But funny enough, while he'd always held those who were ruled by their emotions in high disdain, he couldn't bring himself to feel that way about Kagome. His thoughts then wandered back to the undead miko that had masqueraded as one of the living for so long, and he scoffed inwardly. She'd been quite cold, showing almost no emotion towards anything except disdain – rather like he, himself, truthfully. And yet, he'd been unable to even stand the sight of her.
It must be just because it is her. She is meant to be exactly as she is, and for her to be any other way would be blasphemous. He thought about that for a while, realizing that if she were to suddenly become like the dead miko, or himself, stoic and cold, he wouldn't know how to handle it, and he certainly wouldn't like it.
The very thought made him shudder inwardly.
His attention was brought back to his surroundings as they neared their destination, and as he settled down, dissolving his cloud as their feet touched the ground, he turned her around with him, before removing his arm from around her, and letting her take in the breathtaking sight before her quietly.
He watched her expression closely, and wasn't disappointed – awed pleasure shown in her eyes as she took in what was before her with a wide open, happy gaze.
“It's so beautiful, Sesshoumaru! However did you find this place?” she asked, unable to wrench her eyes away from the sight.
He looked out at the view himself, considering her words. After a short moment, he said, “This place gives me an eagle's eye view of the northern half of my lands,” sweeping an arm out to encompass the lands below them, “and I came across it once when I was searching for just such a vantage point. But the visual... it was more than I had hoped for, and it became an important place for me. I come here often when I am troubled, or wish to simply rest peacefully.”
“It's a good spot for it,” she murmured, finally looking away from the view and glancing up at him thoughtfully. It's so him, she thought, I could just see him sitting here for hours at a time staring at the view. “I bet it's amazing at night up here.”
He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Hn.”
She smiled a little and looked back out at the view, sitting down to stare her fill. She scooted over a bit as he sat down next to her. “So... what is it about this place that's the most important to you?”
He shot her a quicksilver glance from golden eyes at her question. The most important aspect of this spot? That would be... “The peace that it engenders in me allows me to clear my mind when needed, which in turn gives me the chance to think clearly. At times, that is most helpful.” An almost rueful expression settled on his face. “I would come here frequently after encounters with Inuyasha.”
At that, Kagome actually laughed, humor crinkling the corners of her eyes as she grinned. “Now that, I can readily believe. I almost wish I had such a place – there's been many times I've needed it after dealing with him.”
There was a contemplative silence for a few minutes, and then Sesshoumaru spoke up, asking a question he'd wondered on at different times. “Tell me, Kagome. At one time, you carried... feelings for the hanyou. What changed?”
Caught off-guard at that question, she looked over at him, curious. “Uh... why do you want to know about that?” she asked.
“Curiosity. Are you afraid to answer?”
“No,” she said slowly, a weighing expression in azure eyes as she studied him. After a moment, she said, “I'm dense sometimes, but I'm not stupid. I realized a long time ago that there was too much between he and Kikyou, with myself as a third wheel, for there to ever be anything of a romantic nature between he and I. I'm quite happy not to be stuck on that idea any longer, actually.”
“Hn.” It grew quiet again, and stayed that way for a time as both just enjoyed the mild breeze and beautiful view. That is a very good thing – I would not like to have to deal with unresolved feelings between the two.
After a little while, Sesshoumaru stood up, and held out his hand for her to take. “Come. There is another place I would show you – it is also very important to me.”
A wide smile crossed her face and she placed her hand in his happily. “Really? Important... how?”
“You will see,” he replied, once more forming his cloud beneath them.
She pouted just a little. “You're going to make me wait, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“No fair.”
“Fair is as I make it, Kagome, and I assure you, it is very fair.”
Eyebrows practically in her bangs, Kagome huffed at his words, and turned to stare at the view once more. Oh, so arrogant he is. But if he weren't, he wouldn't be Sesshoumaru, I suppose, she decided with a sigh. He's so difficult to get to know, though. You have to watch him constantly, or you might miss the next tiny insight.
She hadn't yet realized that in this case, the difficulties she was noting were deliberate on his part. He wanted her to be focused solely on him – and making it a challenge such as he had was, in his considered opinion, the best way to do so.
It was working, too... and driving Inuyasha insane – which was an added benefit, as far as the daiyoukai was concerned.
He had heard Kagome use the phrase 'multi-tasking', and was proud of his first forays into that phrase himself – annoying Inuyasha, and luring the miko into his clutches, was a most impressive first attempt at that foreign phrase.
It will not be long, and I will have her just as fascinated with me, as I am with her.
He still hadn't realized that she already was...
Though she wasn't quite ready to be made his mate, she was more than halfway there, and the rest wouldn't take long.
He was pulled from his thoughts by an exclamation by his guest, and looking down at her, he asked, “What is it?”
Kagome pointed down at something that lay before them, and Sesshoumaru smirked when he realized what she was seeing. “That is what we have come to see, Kagome.” He began to lower them towards what she was staring at so fiercely. “Welcome to the heart of the western lands.”
Eyes wide, she looked up at him. “What do you mean?” She knew what that phrase meant, of course, but there'd been an odd inflection in his voice when he'd said it that indicated he was meaning something a little different.
“Just that. This place is the heart of the West. It is here that its greatest secret is found.”
“Secret?” she breathed. “And you're going to show me this... secret?”
“Would I have brought you here were I not going to do so?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Knowing you? Maybe,” she retorted. “Just to torment me. You do, after all, enjoy such things.”
“If you were Inuyasha, then that would be so. But I would not waste my time to bring you here merely to turn and leave immediately.”
“Hm,” she said wryly, shooting him an amused look. “I just bet.”
He smirked at her a little, then settled gently to the ground as his cloud dissipated beneath him, reluctantly letting go of the tiny woman. He watched her closely as she looked around curiously.
After a few minutes, a slight frown creased her brow, and she looked at him, a bit confused. “Why does it seem... not right?” she asked. “This place, I mean. It seems... fake.”
He nodded approvingly. “Very good. You are correct. What most people see, and what is actually here, are two different things.” A pulse moved through the air as he allowed his youki to rise, a pink shimmer beginning to swirl around him, and before Kagome's eyes, an answering shimmer phased into being right before her. Sesshoumaru took her arm and led her directly into the area that was pulsing...
And her eyes widened in awe as she looked around, shocked.
They were in a different place, entirely.
“What... what is this, Sesshoumaru?” she asked, turning in a circle as she strove to take in everything she was seeing.
“My home,” he said softly, allowing his youki to fall back into himself, the glow dying back down. “The heart of the Western Lands will never fall, Kagome – not as long as there is a Lord to protect it. Only one with my blood can even enter this place, and the barrier that protects it has been created to withstand everything but the kami themselves.”
The landscape revealed before her had never known the touch of man, and Kagome sincerely hoped it never would as her eyes feasted on the wild beauty before her. Untamed wilderness lay at the heart of the West, apparently, rolling hills pierced with patches of dense trees and vining plants lay open as far as the eye could see.
She shivered as she felt Sesshoumaru move up behind her, his heat dangerously close to her flesh. The shiver came again, more intense as he leaned down to speak softly into her ear.
“Look up, Kagome. Look up and see where it is that I live.”
Following his exhortation, she slid her eyes obediently up, and her eyes widened again; floating in the skies above the unspoiled lands around them was a beautiful castle surrounded by clouds that resembled Sesshoumaru's. She realized that it was his magic that was keeping it where it was.
He's so strong... much stronger than I or Inuyasha ever realized for him to be capable of maintaining such a thing, and not even showing any weakness because of it.
“It's drawing from your power.”
A lock of silver fell over her shoulder, the strands like silk as he nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent, causing her knees to go weak.
“Yes,” he breathed softly over the flesh of her neck, and she moaned almost inaudibly; Sesshoumaru heard it, though, and his body heat intensified.
“Doesn't it make you tired?” she asked softly, eyes falling closed at his barely there touches against the nape of her neck, her hair brushed aside by impatient fingers.
“No.” As her scent intensified, the heat output of his body did, as well; deciding to pull back so he could calm his body down, he nuzzled against her fragrant nape once more, licking over the soft skin and then backing away and clamping his formidable control over himself as his black blood screamed at him, wanting to take her now.
“W-why not?” she stammered, turning to look at him with a rosy blush painting her cheeks.
“It draws from my excess power that is stored within mokomoko,” he replied, smirking inwardly at her flushed cheeks.
Her brows rose as she looked at the fur draped over his shoulder. “Oh... I didn't realize it was for anything,” she replied.
“Everything I wear or carry has a purpose, Kagome. I do not wear anything for simple vanity – it is a waste, and unneeded, in any case,” he said calmly.
She rolled her eyes at that piece of egotism, not willing to say aloud that he was perfectly correct – the male would probably look even better naked than he did dressed.
No probably about it... her traitorous thoughts shouted.
“So,” she asked after a moment, “do you and Rin and Jaken live in that castle alone?”
“There are servants,” he said, stepping up to her and once more wrapping his arm around her waist as his cloud formed beneath their feet and he lifted them towards the castle floating on clouds in an otherwise clear sky. “Magical constructs, mostly, for now, until I am ready to take up full-time residence here.”
She looked a bit confused. “Huh? Don't you live there now?”
“It is technically my residence, however, those born of my line do not typically take up full-time residence until we are mated,” he responded.
Kagome looked down at that. “Oh, I see. Kind of like in my world when a couple gets married and moves into their first home together.”
“Hn,” he said absently as he landed at the castle's gates, his eyes inspecting everything as he let go of her and moved to pass through them.
Kagome noted his busy eyes and stayed silent, allowing him time to look over his home while she did the same, eyes wide and awed at the beauty of the place.
Despite the fact that technically the castle was empty, it surprisingly didn't feel that way, and Kagome was very confused. She didn't realize that Sesshoumaru had noted that until he spoke.
“What is wrong?”
Startled, her eyes swung to him, and then away again as she tried to figure out why the place seemed so warm and welcoming. That was definitely not something she would have ever thought to find coming from a place that the cold-natured Sesshoumaru called home.
Though I'm beginning to wonder just how deep that ice really goes, she thought.
“Oh, umm, well... it's just that you said no one really lives here right now, ne?” When he inclined his head in the affirmative, she continued. “Well, you'll probably think me crazy or something, but this place doesn't feel empty – and it almost feels like... like it's welcoming me.”
Little did she know that she'd just made his day. The castle only did that for it's owner – and his ideal mate. In all the centuries since the place had been built, never once had it chosen wrongly, the one that the castle chose always becoming the mate of the ruling daiyoukai at some point.
“You are not mistaken,” he finally said, not looking at her. “The magic that created it is sentient, after a fashion. It is letting you know that it approves of you.”
“Oh,” she said, eyeing him and then the castle again rather dubiously, not sure what to make of the whole thing, but eager to see more. “Well, that's nice of it. I'm glad it didn't decide it hated me or something. That would be rather uncomfortable.”
He smirked at her, motioning for her to follow. “Come, Kagome. Let me show you my home.”
She nodded silently, simply looking around at everything as he strode in through the wide open doors and following him rather absently. And every moment she felt as though she were being looked at by friendly eyes, as if, were she to stare at a spot just a little longer, she'd actually see whoever was there. But she couldn't see anyone, just feel their presences. At first it bothered her, but after a little while, when she felt nothing but welcoming vibes, she stopped worrying about it and simply enjoyed the tour Sesshoumaru seemed to be taking her on.
Walking along a pillar-lined hall, he led her to a set of great doors, and sliding them open, motioned for her to step inside – as she did, her mouth fell open at the opulent grandeur set before her.
It was an audience hall, huge and open, with supporting pillars lined in gold against floor and ceiling, and painted red and black. Stylized silver inu paced the edges of the great room, and a huge mural of two huge inu entirely covered the rear wall, in front of which what appeared to be a small throne sat, with a slightly smaller one set to its left.
Everything was highly polished, so much so that in the black lacquer of the walls and pillars, you could see your reflection, and set at different points along the walls were highly detailed nature scenes, all deliberately placed to catch the natural ambient lighting of the room. It was absolutely beautiful, and Kagome couldn't even get a coherent word out, staring with awe and flashing an impressed look at the daiyoukai.
He simply seemed to expect her reaction; leading her to one particular painting, he said, “The paintings you see here are details from different places within the heart of the West. But look closely...” he trailed off, and Kagome, frowning now, did so...
And almost jumped with shock as she watched the trees in the so-called painting actually moving to an unfelt breeze, and as the water in the river in the piece of art flowed, as well, the birds painted within it moving just as freely. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen...
“What...?” she whispered, awed.
“It is a painting, and yet, it is not. What you see happening in the painting, is actually happening in that particular place within this area. These paintings in this room only represent this hidden heart of the Western Lands, and not the more chaotic outside areas of the West.” He shrugged. “Too many times, with other youkai and humans also added to the mix, any kind of painting of those places would only show death and destruction.”
Kagome blinked, thinking that through, and something occurred to her. “But it would be useful to have certain places, ones that, say, are hotspots for trouble within your lands, in a painting such as this... it would be like having access to what is happening there twenty-four seven,” she said, and was a bit surprised when he glanced approvingly at her, as though she'd passed a test.
“And I do have such in my study – that is a much more appropriate place for paintings that are used for security rather than beauty,” he replied, and Kagome smiled, pleased that she'd caught something he seemed to have wished her to. “This room, however, is used for a different purpose. This room is meant to impress. Actually,” he said, gesturing as though to encompass the whole of the palace, “this whole place is meant to impress. No other place like it exists anywhere in any of the other cardinal lands – the silver Inu of the West being the only race of youkai with anywhere close to enough power and wealth to put on such a display.”
He sounded proud, and looking around again, Kagome had to admit he had plenty of reason to be – she'd never known just what the inu of the West were truly the heirs to until now. That brought something up...
“I know that you don't like your brother, Sesshoumaru – but really, is he completely broke and truly a vagabond when his father was a Lord, and his brother is also?” she asked, skepticism in her voice.
Casting her a weighing look, he considered his words for a few moments, and then said, “No, you are correct – Inuyasha is a prince of the West, second son and half human or not. My father's proud blood still flows in his veins, and he has proven his strength. There are very few full youkai with Inuyasha's power, and that has earned him much respect in the youkai realm, you would be surprised to see.” He looked away, a musing look on his face as he continued, “When we were inside Naraku, and he was possessed by Magatsuhi, I at first thought his mind would be overwhelmed. But he fought it off... and when you threw him Tessaiga, and his youketsu appeared when he drew forth the dragon-scaled ability of the sword, I was surprised, taken aback, if you will, at the size and power of it.”
Nodding encouragingly, she smiled at him, pleased to see that his opinion of his brother had changed so much.
“Do you know why the forest near the village is called 'Inuyasha's Forest'?” he asked after a moment.
“Umm... because he was pinned there for so long?” she said, rather questioningly, sounding a bit confused.
“That is true enough, from the point of view of the humans of that village. But that forest had always been his. It is a very large portion of land bordering the West, and though technically a part of it, it is autonomous, and is Inuyasha's lands inherited not only from our father, but the Southern reaches of it from his mother's family. When Myoga, the coward, calls him 'sama', it is not just the ramblings of an old retainer of our father's. Inuyasha is a Lord in his own right, though his lands are not a cardinal point, and not as large as the West itself.”
Kagome blinked, surprise writ large on her beautiful face. “Does Inuyasha know this?” she asked finally, after taking in his words.
“Not truly,” Sesshoumaru responded. “He protects them by instinct, it is where he lives, and in his own way, he has claimed them – and no youkai alive at this time save myself is powerful enough to challenge him for them, even if they wanted them. I, myself, have no desire to steal his inheritance.”
“Hm. So... at some point, Inuyasha's going to need an heir... rather like you,” she said, eyes narrowed in thought.
“It is something I have been recently considering on his behalf,” Sesshoumaru admitted, ignoring the part about himself. She had no clue yet, but she would be the one bearing his heir. “There are only a few of my race left... and besides Inuyasha and I, only three others are males. The rest are females. One is my mother. I will be introducing Inuyasha to his duties, and each of the females, within a very short time, in preparation of a mating. I would not see our race disappear, and with Inuyasha's blood added to the mix, it will diversify it enough that it will not.”
“But... will a youkai female have anything to do with him, since he's hanyou?” she asked, worried. “I won't let some uppity twit hurt him, Sesshoumaru, I'm warning you right now.”
Shaking his head, he turned and led her slowly around the room, allowing her to look at the other paintings. “Inuyasha will have his pick of the females, Kagome. Youkai only respect power, and with the exception of my mother, none of the females left are close to him in strength. Plus, as his youkai blood is that of the great Dog General, his human blood will simply be overlooked – the females will be quite amenable to a mating if he were to choose one of them, you have no need to be concerned.”
She thought about his words for a few minutes, and then nodded. “Okay. So... what about you? I mean... I can't really see you going for a weak female, so... are you going to look for a mate in a different clan of inu?”
Not sure what to make of the smirk that hit his face at her question, she watched him cautiously. “This one has already chosen a female, Kagome. And no, she is not inu. But it matters not, for her blood, while of a different race, will breed power untold into my line.”
He wondered if she would catch on, and it seemed as if she might actually be beginning to get an inkling, because her eyes narrowed, and she stared harder at him. “Oh?” she asked leadingly. “If she's not inu, then what race of youkai is she?”
“I did not say she was youkai, now did I, Kagome?” he asked silkily, stepping closer to her, crowding her space as he watched her step back into the wall in surprise at his advance. He pressed himself into her, enjoying the resulting blush that washed across her face at the same time as a hint of arousal washed across his senses from her, and his smirk widened, becoming predatory. “No... I did not say she was youkai at all. She is... something quite different,” he said, reaching a finger up and trailing it down a soft cheek as her eyes widened so much he could see the whites all the way around.
“W-wait a minute,” she choked out, “y-you can't possibly mean... no, no way. I'm imagining all of this.” She closed her eyes tightly, to his amusement. “When I open my eyes I'll be laying underneath the Goshinboku waking from a nap – this is all a dream.”
“Hn... would it make it seem more comfortable for you to believe that, miko?” he asked mockingly, calling her by a name he really hadn't much since he'd realized she wasn't one. “Hiding from my words might be possible, but hiding from my intentions is not. I have chosen the female I want, and I will have her. And she-” he trailed the tip of his clawed finger down around her chin and then back up the other petal soft cheek, “-does not seem inclined to deny me.” He held up that finger as she went to speak, and finished, “If she attempts to cover her interest, she will merely be lying, as I can smell quite easily the attraction she carries for me. It is, needless to say, returned in full.”
“But I'm human, Sesshoumaru-” she broke off as he scoffed at her.
“Let us say for the sake of argument that you are. What of it? That will not change what is to come, Kagome. But it is a moot point, because we both know that you are quite a bit more than human.” He stepped back, then, just a little, letting her think he was going to back off, and then caught her eye. “It is interesting to note, however, that you are not denying me because of your own wishes, but simply because you think your humanity dismisses you from my consideration.”
She flushed red at that, opening her mouth to rebut him, but then closing it when she found that she couldn't. Well, of course I can't... I do want him. But... mating??? And why does he even want that? “Why do you want me, Sesshoumaru?” she asked abruptly, his nearness getting to her, but not enough for that particular question to be knocked from her mind. “I may not be entirely human, but I'm not youkai, either. Our children would be hanyou, there is no getting around that.”
He looked amused at her question, and her suspicious expression. “What is it you think I am after, I wonder? With that look on your face, you must think it something reprehensible. Why does any male want a female, hm, Kagome? As for the potential offspring we would create between us-” he openly eyed her form, “-they would be something new. And they would not be weak, as I stated before. An entirely new race we would become the parents of. What part of that is something to object to?”
She stared at him, holding his gaze despite her embarrassment, and couldn't find anything misleading in his eyes. He was entirely serious. “None of that really answers my question,” she whispered as he leaned further into her, subtly dominating her.
“Does it not, Kagome?” he whispered right back, his heated, sweet smelling breath brushing tantalizingly over her lips. “I have said that I want you – is there any other answer necessary? I desire you, as you desire me, and I have no intentions of denying myself what I wish to have. Consider this your only warning. I am on the hunt, woman,” he flared his nostrils and his lids lowered as her scent intensified, “and you are my prey. I will have you, and it will be a very permanent arrangement.”
A silent gasp was torn from her lips at his words, and he took shameless advantage, sweeping in and taking over her mouth like the conquering warrior he was and branding his claim into her body and soul in lines of passion ignited flame that burned into her mind like white hot fire.
Kagome was instantly swept under, unable to fight this male that she desired with everything inside her, and Sesshoumaru sensed it, her surrender igniting his passion like fire dropped into dry tinder – exploding from him in waves that nearly took the palace up with them, and only him clamping his adamant-hard control over himself at the last minute kept him from taking her right where she stood. Over and over he tasted her, dragging his lips along hers and nipping them when they needed to breathe, and then deepening the kiss once more when he could stand being away from her taste no longer.
Finally, tearing himself away from her before the whole complex caught on fire from his lust for the tiny woman, he stared at her, eyes crimson and unrelenting. “That is what I want from you, Kagome – and I will have it. Nothing less than your complete surrender, and all your passion, will do.”
Panting, in shock, she stared at him for several long, silent moments, and then asked bewilderedly, “Why did you do this to me, Sesshoumaru? Springing such a surprise on me out of the blue like this?”
“Surprise can be a most effective weapon if used correctly. In this case, it has made sure that you were too shocked to fight me. I am a tactician, woman, never forget that – I plan every campaign as though it were a battle that absolutely must be won – which is why I never lose,” he said bluntly, no amount of arrogance in his voice at all, merely plain fact. He stepped back from his position crowding her against the wall, and allowed her to move away, watching as she immediately put a bit of distance between them and then turned to eye him uncertainly.
He watched her watch him for a few seconds, and then beckoned her to follow him, leading her back out of the audience hall and down another pillar-lined corridor towards a somewhat more separate wing. Nothing was said the entire time, Kagome following mutely behind him with her eyes looking everywhere and seeing nothing and her mind in turmoil.
Wow! That was... that was just... wow. And he wants permanent? I don't know why he thinks I'd fight him on it – I'm not stupid, after all. Sheesh... if he wants me, he can have me!
Some might think Kagome would force him to wait until he could claim love for her; she wasn't so stupid. Even if he felt such an emotion, she was positive he would never speak those words... no... his caring would all be in his actions. It would show in how he treated her, how he spoke to her, how he touched her. Which... she had to admit – even at this time, already showed his earnest desire to be with her.
It was odd, because until the moment down below the castle when he'd nuzzled into her, she'd had no inkling that he found her in any way attractive in such a manner, but looking back at it, now that she knew, she could see in his actions that he was. However, she was definitely surprised that he wanted more than a lighthearted affair with her. Not that she thought he would deliberately dishonor her, but they were both consenting adults...
But now she also understood Inuyasha's anxiety. She would bet ten to one he also had no idea that his brother's intentions were honorable, since even she hadn't. Honestly, thinking about it, she was surprised that he hadn't gone further off the deep end than he already had over the matter. Casting a quick glance at the handsome male pacing just slightly ahead of her, she idly flicked a lock of ebony over her shoulder, wondering where he was taking her as she suddenly became aware of their surroundings once again.
From the doors lining the hall, she assumed they were in the family wing of the palace, an assumption that was borne out by the inu-guarded doors they came to at the end of one section of the wing away from every other room. And then she got very nervous... because if she wasn't mistaken, these were his rooms, and she was about to be inside them.
Just what was he thinking...?
“You may relax your posture, Kagome,” he intoned as he slid the doors open, “I am merely showing you what will be our rooms when we have mated. Though I look forward quite eagerly to that moment, today is not that day.”
Relaxing instantly, she did bristle a little at his automatic assumption that she would just cave in and let him mate her... though she would. He was just not supposed to know that so easily – he was supposed to ask, and then wait for her to answer, not just know she was going to accept.
“So these are your rooms?” she emphasized slightly, trying to distance herself a little from him and his infernal arrogance.
He looked at her from the corner of one eye, his lips tilting in open amusement once more at her expense. “Semantics, Kagome. Call them what you will, it does not change the fact that we will be living in them together very shortly. So step inside, woman, and look your fill.”
Almost growling at him in rather exaggerated annoyance – she wasn't really all that annoyed, after all – she stepped inside as he had bid... and promptly lost the ability to breathe, freezing in consternation as her mind supplied very detailed and highly erotic imaginings of what he would look like laid out across the huge futon that was the center of the room.
Dark blue silk the exact color of the crescent on his forehead was spread across it, white pillows with the red hexagonal sakura pattern of his crest liberally scattered across them. The furnishings were all dark wood, every aspect of the room chosen to emphasize the pale perfection of the palace's master. Each wall was covered in a detailed mural showing the creation of the castle, and Kagome was instantly drawn to the walls as she followed the storyline it told in great detail.
It had taken great magics and quite a bit of time, the first three Lords of the West coming to power and leaving it before the whole thing was finished, though it appeared as though each Lord added something to the palace as a testament to their reign. She wondered idly what Sesshoumaru would be adding.
“It remains to be seen,” he said when he caught her looking at him after finishing the mural. It was not hard to deduce what her question was. “There are several things I might do – time will help winnow my choices down.”
She nodded. “Hey... you know, with this place not really being part of the landscape, how do you get water here for baths and the like?” she asked as the thought came to her.
“Coming from you, that question is really no surprise,” the daiyoukai came back with, watching her for a moment before turning to lead her towards a small door on on wall, sliding it open and gesturing for her to step through. He allowed her to look around, then said, “As with everything else, it is all done with magic. This heated spring, and the accompanying cooler pool of water next to it are parts of the spells that took the longest to create and also take the most energy to maintain. But they are worth it,” he said. “These are private, there is another set in this wing for everyone else, and one in the guest wing of the palace, as well.”
Well, should have expected that answer. No, it doesn't make any logical sense, but that's why it's called 'magic', she sighed to herself. I guess that was what magic was meant to do – create what logic couldn't. But boy... if I could just show this place to my old physics teacher... I'd love to hear his explanation for all of this. He'd probably go into apoplexy.
“Well, that answers that, I guess,” she said, shrugging wryly. “You've just got all the answers, don't you?” she asked, rhetorically.
She really should have expected his response.
“Of course, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you will understand that you need go nowhere else for said answers,” he said, blandly.
She rolled her eyes and turned back to look once more at the bathing facilities, impressed despite herself, then went back through the door into the bedchamber, where she studiously avoided looking at the bed with all its sinful connotations. She glanced back at him.
“Anything else in this palace of wonders you'd like to show me?” she asked.
He regarded her silently for a moment, and then simply turned and began to lead her out of the room, well aware of her refusal to peruse the bedding, and amused by it. And then something random occurred to him as they walked, and he asked, “Tell me, Kagome... I am learning who you are, and have realized that is a separate issue to what you are.” He paused, looking at her askance, only to find her looking back at him calmly, nodding encouragingly. “I find my question has changed a little though... what do you think you are?”
And now we get down to it, she thought. A much better question, Sesshoumaru – and it didn't even take you that long to figure it out. “I am an embodiment of the will of the kami, Sesshoumaru. I am change, incarnate. Just as you are an embodiment of your youki, it's the same,” she answered immediately and easily, her tone complacent. “When all is said and done, I am simply another creation of the gods, like anything else. It's just that I'm the only one, rather than just a small part of a race. Like the earth. There are other planets, but there's only one earth.”
Just that easily, I have my answer. It is all in how you phrase the question, I suppose. Of course, it is much the same answer as what the kami gave me, and even father. But she stated it much more clearly. It is her defining purpose that also defines what she is. Change... I was correct to label her thus.
“You give the answer so easily this time to my query. It is somewhat frustrating, I will admit,” he said, face still. “You are basically, is what you are telling me, the kami of change.”
A laugh burst from her at that, her eyes wide and filled with glee. “Oh, no, Sesshoumaru, that's taking things wayyy too far. I'm not a goddess, although,” her amusement changed to a musing thoughtfulness, “I suppose some might see me as such a thing – a minor member of the kami. But I'm not, really, since they created me. One cannot be equal to, or greater than, what created them, after all. And the gods didn't create me to be one of them. I wouldn't want to be, anyway. Ugh. What a horrid thought,” she chuckled.
Leading her through a set of doors out to a beautiful garden set at right angles to the family wing of the palace, he waited for her reaction to what she was seeing, for the moment, ignoring her words.
He wasn't disappointed.
She stopped, stunned, turning in a circle to catch sight of everything – and then she looked up.
Oh, wow... now this is how I always imagined the Hanging Gardens of Babylon should have looked had they had access to magic. It's beautiful...
These gardens were not strictly consigned to the ground, instead, floating islands carried every type of flower and tree she could imagine, vining plants interwoven with bushes and slender, wind-carved tree limbs, hanging over the sides of the islands and making trailing hedges that mingled with those plants and trees that were on the grounds of the palace. The breeze, passing through so many levels of flowering trees and shrubs, deciduous trees, and fruit trees, as well, heavily-laden with the scents of nature, answered the question of why the interior of the palace smelled so beautiful.
The breeze seemed designed to push the smells of this particular garden into the palace proper, providing it with such a delicious ventilation that Kagome was startled – nothing her own era had come up with came anywhere near touching this place, and she wondered at his seeming surprise at what he called the 'luxuries' of her own world... they were truly not comparable to the wonders that his home contained.
“Oh, how can you bear to leave this place?” she asked, wonder thick in her voice and on her face as she struggled to look at everything, not wanting to miss a thing. She could see, on the other side of the garden, entrance into another part of the castle, and it was this that Sesshoumaru began to lead her towards, walking slowly so that she could enjoy the trip more. “It's so beautiful here... why would you want to be anywhere else?”
“It is beautiful... but I was not ready to take up residence until now. Remember what I told you earlier – my line does not begin to actually live here until mated. Until then, we wander. It is in our natures,” he finished, in answer to her questioning look.
She nodded absently, coming to a halt at the next door with a certain regret as she looked back at the gardens for one more moment before stepping inside to follow the master of the castle. “Does Inuyasha know about this place?” she asked idly, her gaze flicking around to take in the wide hall they had stepped into.
“He knows there is an ancestral home, but he has never seen it,” the daiyoukai answered, leading her towards a towering set of doors at one end of the hall that had her wondering what could possibly be behind it.
His study, maybe? she wondered, eyeing the doors showing a carving of the palace itself, all inlaid with gold and mother of pearl, and accented with semi-precious stones. Just these doors alone would be worth hundreds of thousands in her era... it was quite possible that Sesshoumaru was wealthier than anyone in either era, and that his fortune would not be significantly reduced were it to be tallied by her own time's standards. Just the palace alone... even were it standing on the ground like any other, would be worth millions.
And she was pretty sure all his wealth was not locked up in the building itself – he always had plenty of money for whatever he wanted or needed, and Rin was always well taken care of.
To be truthful, the thought was rather intimidating. She'd never been exposed to this much wealth, and wasn't sure how she felt about it now that she was.
He stopped before the doors and turned to look at her. “You showed me the equivalent to this room in your world, Kagome, and now I will show you mine. It is not as large, but... the quantity is not as important as the quality, I believe,” he said, sliding the doors open to allow her to see into the room.
She stared in wonder, again, at what lay before her.
It was a library.
Beautiful wood cases stood around the room, holding many elaborate and carefully bound scrolls, some capped in gold and precious gems. The polished bamboo cases they lay in were elegant and simple, meant as showcases for the rare works they housed, and Kagome could feel her pulse pounding at the thought of getting her hands on the scrolls in his collection – she just bet there were works there that were no longer available in her time, much like the collection that had been lost when the Library of Alexandria had been lost to antiquity. Oh, what she would have given to have wandered its legendary halls!
Sesshoumaru was almost amused at the look of exaltation that swept over the young woman's face, and knew that he had been forgotten for several moments as she stared in alt at the scrolls held within the large room. While nowhere near the size of her era's library, his own was nothing to sneeze at, containing thousands of writings that were probably not available in her time.
He knew that sooner or later, he would lose her in this room, and she would have to be pried out.
Amused, he said, “There is not another collection like it in the world,” his voice rightly proud. “Much of the collection on the southern wall of the room is magical texts – many of which were used in the creation of this place. There are even several studies on reiki, and the usage of it. There are medical texts here, and the eastern wall is nothing but collections of scrolls from other lands – works of legend and lore, and studies of philosophy, as well.”
Kagome turned around and walked out of the room, to the daiyoukai's surprise, and when he joined her, she said, “I think you'd better get me out of here, Sesshoumaru, or I'm going to go back into that room, and you'll never find me again. Besides... it's getting a bit late, and I'm really hungry. Just be prepared... at some point, I am going to plunder your library,” she warned him, her expression serious.
He actually chuckled, unable to hold back the sound of amusement at her demeanor. A very curious woman, he thought approvingly. “I will keep that in mind,” he said, dryly, as he led her back the way they had come, heading once more for the gardens. “I am glad you approve of my home, as it will soon also be yours,” he added, slanting a glance her way to catch her reaction to his announcement. He caught the glint in her eye as she glanced back.
“Hm,” was all she said, neither denying or confirming – which was a confirmation in and of itself. If she had truly not wanted him, she would have said so.
When they reached the outside once more, he tucked her into his side and lifted them into the air, bound once more for terra firma, and the outside world.
It was time to go back to reality – at least for a little while.
But it would not be long before they would both be back here in the heart of his lands...
To stay.
~oOo~
Kagome was ravenous by the time they made it back to the village, and didn't say a whole lot to Sesshoumaru after he settled back to the ground, making straight for Kaede's hut where she could smell dinner waiting. He watched her go with amusement, quite well aware of the golden eyes of his brother plastered with ill humor to his back.
“She is unharmed, Inuyasha, there is no need for your anger,” he said calmly, turning to make his way back into the trees as Kagome disappeared inside the hut. The hanyou watched him with ill-concealed distrust, still trying to come to terms with the relationship that seemed to be coming to fruition right underneath his nose.
Keh... for now she is. But for how much longer? he thought darkly, still worried. He seems serious, but...
“Feh,” he mumbled as he heard Kagome's voice call out to him, beckoning him inside the hut with purpose. “This whole thing stinks,” he decided, even as he stepped inside and answered her query.
“Have you eaten, Inuyasha?” she asked, piling her own food on her plate, the roast pig and rice smelling quite delicious.
“Yeah, wench, since you came back so late, we've already all eaten. Kaede had to go – one of the village women is in labor,” he replied as he plopped down opposite her, answering her next question before she could ask it.
“Oh,” she said as she took a bite, closing her eyes and enjoying the yummy flavor of the meat – Kaede made the best roast pork Kagome had ever had, and she was always right there whenever Inuyasha managed to catch a pig, practically salivating at the thought of the meal to come. She opened her eyes again after a moment, her thoughts going to all the things she needed to say to her friend, and how to say them.
Somehow, she just knew that Sesshoumaru expected her to bring up the situation with his inheritance and a possible mating to her friend, knowing that the hanyou would be easier to reason with if the information came from her, rather than him. And she intended to do just that... if she could figure out how to bring it up. She sighed quietly as she finished her meal, Inuyasha just enjoying the comforting sense of her presence and not saying anything to detract her from her thoughts.
Finally... “Inuyasha... have you ever wondered why the forest here is named after you?” she asked, setting her plate aside with the chopsticks set neatly atop it, ready for when she took all the dishes to be washed.
He looked at her blankly, not certain he had heard her correctly. “What?”
“You heard me. You do realize that it's not just called Inuyasha's Forest by the villagers here, don't you?”
He blinked big golden eyes at her. “So... what? I don't get what you're asking about,” he replied, truly not comprehending what she was getting at.
I guess Sesshoumaru was right... he doesn't realize there's more to his protection of the place than the fact that it's where we all live. “You don't know, then,” she murmured, eyeing his increasingly curious expression. “Sesshoumaru said you didn't, but I wanted to be sure.”
“What's that bastard got to do with your question?” he asked, confused.
She sighed, narrowing her eyes warningly at her best friend. “Inuyasha... he's not a bastard. I'll admit, he has been in the past... but everyone can change. And he's doing that – what's more, you know he is, too, you just don't want to admit it. First things first – stop antagonizing him and calling him names, you might be surprised at what you find out when you do.”
She held up a finger warningly as he started to shoot off at the mouth, just knowing what he was going to say. “I'm not saying be all buddy buddy with him. Just... stop with the names, and at least, instead of being downright hostile, be neutral. Then if he continues hostilities, then it's not your fault, and I won't be mad at you, okay? For me?” she asked, and it was his turn to sigh, the sound disgruntled.
“Fine,” he finally grumped, not looking at her. “I'll play nice – for now. Until he proves he's the bastard I keep sayin' he is, and then I'll go right back to callin' it as I see it.”
Nodding, Kagome let that subject go, knowing that was as close to an agreement as she was going to get. “Okay. So... anyway, back to what we were talking about. Sesshoumaru took me to see some things, and also told me a few things about you that I didn't know... and apparently, you don't, either. You know when Myoga calls you Inuyasha-sama, he's not just kissing your rear. That really is your proper title,” she stated, not missing the surprise in his eyes.
“Keh!” he spouted, startled. “It's just because he thinks it's the polite thing to do because of who my father was, that's all. I ain't the Lord, Sesshoumaru is.”
“You're right... and wrong. You aren't the Western Lord – but you are the Lord of this forest, which is quite large, by the way. And it isn't just because of who your father was, but because of your mother, too. She was a hime, after all, and you are the only Setsuna heir, according to your brother. The southern reaches of the forest came to you from your mother's family.”
Inuyasha blinked, stunned, at what Kagome was telling him. While he'd known his mother had been a hime, he didn't know anything about her family or what had happened to them after her death and his own leavetaking of them. After all, by the time his mother had died of old age, he had been over fifty in human years... though still a small child by youkai standards, and none of the family that had known and cared for his mother had still been alive by that time.
“You're telling me that my mother's family has all died out, and I'm the only one left?” he asked, needing clarification.
“Yup. That's what your brother said. He said that you'd been taking care of this place because it was where you lived, and it was just instinct. But the truth is, this place is actually yours. It's your land, and you are the Lord of it.” She winked at him. “I'd say you're doing a pretty good job as the Lord, Inuyasha – you've kept the forest safe and this village even safer all this time without even thinking about it.”
He stared at her, not sure what to make of what she was saying. “Yeah, well,” he said after a moment, “not but what it's an empty title – it ain't like I got any money to be the Lord of anything. 'Bout the only thing I can do is keep the forest clear of dangers.”
“We didn't really go into details, but I think you're less broke than you think, Inuyasha,” she muttered, thinking back to the palace in the sky. It might not be his, but she could just bet that the Inu no Taisho hadn't left his second son penniless – and now that Sesshoumaru had decided to stop being a bastard, (she could admit that he had been one, at one point), she was pretty sure that the daiyoukai would be willing to release Inuyasha's inheritance from their father into his hands.
“Anyway... it brings something else up, you know that, right?” she asked gently. “You are the Lord here, and that comes with certain responsibilities. You're going to need an heir, Inuyasha,” she said, and the hanyou stared at her like she'd gone crazy.
“W-what?” he sputtered, shocked and embarrassed. “Have you forgotten, wench? I'm just a filthy half-breed – ain't no female gonna want to mate me!”
“Well, your brother says you're wrong. We talked about it,” Kagome admitted, blushing a little. “He said that it's not so much the half-blood status of hanyou that makes youkai angry – its the half power they have, since they don't respect anything weaker than themselves. But you've proven yourself – he said that you've gained the respect of the inuyoukai that are left. Apparently, of the few females of the silver inu that are left, any one of them would be amenable to mating you should you choose them, and your brother wants to arrange for you to meet them, to see if you might like one of them.” Kagome sighed. “He doesn't want the silver inu blood to die out, and he says that there are only a few of your kind left. I can see his point,” she said, hoping the hanyou wouldn't argue just because it was his brother suggesting the whole thing.
Inuyasha just looked shell-shocked, blinking at her blankly as she told him that his world was basically very different from how he had thought it was. He could have a mate? And pups? With a youkai female? He'd always been certain that would never happen... but apparently, the search for Naraku and his subsequent defeat had wrought a wonder – it had given him a reputation, and proved that he was strong, and not to be taken lightly.
“S-so... he wants me to meet these females and choose one of them to be my mate?” he asked uncertainly, still having a hard time believing it.
“Yeah... I think he hopes that you'll take to one of them,” she replied. “I think it would be great if you did, you know. At least, you could agree to meet them, to decide, right? It wouldn't hurt anything,” she finished, looking hopefully at him, and he nodded weakly in agreement.
“I... I guess not,” he said softly.
“I just want you to be happy, Inuyasha,” Kagome said then, smiling at him. “And I know you've always wanted a family... now you'll have that chance.”
“Keh,” he said after a moment, and then his expression hardened, and he narrowed his eyes on her. “And what about you and the...” he trailed off for a moment at her expression, changing his words last minute, “... Sesshoumaru? What's goin' on there?”
Kagome blushed, her eyes falling from his in embarrassment now that it was her turn in the spotlight. She stared at the floor hard, her fingers knotting in her hakama as she said, “He wants to mate me,” so softly that the hanyou barely heard her.
He did, though, and he almost fell over at her words.
“Mate?” he asked, twitching.
She nodded.
A heavy silence fell as Inuyasha took in her words and pondered their significance.
~oOo~
A/N: Surprise! Yes, I finally updated one of my stories... I'm hoping to work on the others in the next days and start posting again, though there are no guarantees that my posting schedule will be back to normal right away. And to whoever nominated this story for Best Portrayal Sesshoumaru, a sincere thanks goes to you – that's one of my most coveted awards, since Sesshoumaru is such a challenge to write convincingly.
Amber
Converting /tmp/phpGKko9k to /dev/stdout
An hour later found Kagome held within Sesshoumaru's arms as he flew them towards the first stop on his planned tour – his favorite perch over the northern portions of his lands. There would be other stops, but this first one was one he wanted her to see first during the day.
She was quiet, looking around with wonder, the expression on her face pleasing him greatly. He had wondered if she would fear heights, as he was aware that many humans did, but it was apparent that she did not suffer from that same affliction. There was nothing in her expression but awe.
He watched her with a quiet amusement as he flew them towards their destination, intrigued once again by the play of pleasure across her face and in her eyes. So expressive, he mused. She hides nothing of herself away.
He'd never seen a person, human or otherwise, like her, and a good portion of that was her birth era, he was certain. The rest of it was just who she had been created to be.
But funny enough, while he'd always held those who were ruled by their emotions in high disdain, he couldn't bring himself to feel that way about Kagome. His thoughts then wandered back to the undead miko that had masqueraded as one of the living for so long, and he scoffed inwardly. She'd been quite cold, showing almost no emotion towards anything except disdain – rather like he, himself, truthfully. And yet, he'd been unable to even stand the sight of her.
It must be just because it is her. She is meant to be exactly as she is, and for her to be any other way would be blasphemous. He thought about that for a while, realizing that if she were to suddenly become like the dead miko, or himself, stoic and cold, he wouldn't know how to handle it, and he certainly wouldn't like it.
The very thought made him shudder inwardly.
His attention was brought back to his surroundings as they neared their destination, and as he settled down, dissolving his cloud as their feet touched the ground, he turned her around with him, before removing his arm from around her, and letting her take in the breathtaking sight before her quietly.
He watched her expression closely, and wasn't disappointed – awed pleasure shown in her eyes as she took in what was before her with a wide open, happy gaze.
“It's so beautiful, Sesshoumaru! However did you find this place?” she asked, unable to wrench her eyes away from the sight.
He looked out at the view himself, considering her words. After a short moment, he said, “This place gives me an eagle's eye view of the northern half of my lands,” sweeping an arm out to encompass the lands below them, “and I came across it once when I was searching for just such a vantage point. But the visual... it was more than I had hoped for, and it became an important place for me. I come here often when I am troubled, or wish to simply rest peacefully.”
“It's a good spot for it,” she murmured, finally looking away from the view and glancing up at him thoughtfully. It's so him, she thought, I could just see him sitting here for hours at a time staring at the view. “I bet it's amazing at night up here.”
He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Hn.”
She smiled a little and looked back out at the view, sitting down to stare her fill. She scooted over a bit as he sat down next to her. “So... what is it about this place that's the most important to you?”
He shot her a quicksilver glance from golden eyes at her question. The most important aspect of this spot? That would be... “The peace that it engenders in me allows me to clear my mind when needed, which in turn gives me the chance to think clearly. At times, that is most helpful.” An almost rueful expression settled on his face. “I would come here frequently after encounters with Inuyasha.”
At that, Kagome actually laughed, humor crinkling the corners of her eyes as she grinned. “Now that, I can readily believe. I almost wish I had such a place – there's been many times I've needed it after dealing with him.”
There was a contemplative silence for a few minutes, and then Sesshoumaru spoke up, asking a question he'd wondered on at different times. “Tell me, Kagome. At one time, you carried... feelings for the hanyou. What changed?”
Caught off-guard at that question, she looked over at him, curious. “Uh... why do you want to know about that?” she asked.
“Curiosity. Are you afraid to answer?”
“No,” she said slowly, a weighing expression in azure eyes as she studied him. After a moment, she said, “I'm dense sometimes, but I'm not stupid. I realized a long time ago that there was too much between he and Kikyou, with myself as a third wheel, for there to ever be anything of a romantic nature between he and I. I'm quite happy not to be stuck on that idea any longer, actually.”
“Hn.” It grew quiet again, and stayed that way for a time as both just enjoyed the mild breeze and beautiful view. That is a very good thing – I would not like to have to deal with unresolved feelings between the two.
After a little while, Sesshoumaru stood up, and held out his hand for her to take. “Come. There is another place I would show you – it is also very important to me.”
A wide smile crossed her face and she placed her hand in his happily. “Really? Important... how?”
“You will see,” he replied, once more forming his cloud beneath them.
She pouted just a little. “You're going to make me wait, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“No fair.”
“Fair is as I make it, Kagome, and I assure you, it is very fair.”
Eyebrows practically in her bangs, Kagome huffed at his words, and turned to stare at the view once more. Oh, so arrogant he is. But if he weren't, he wouldn't be Sesshoumaru, I suppose, she decided with a sigh. He's so difficult to get to know, though. You have to watch him constantly, or you might miss the next tiny insight.
She hadn't yet realized that in this case, the difficulties she was noting were deliberate on his part. He wanted her to be focused solely on him – and making it a challenge such as he had was, in his considered opinion, the best way to do so.
It was working, too... and driving Inuyasha insane – which was an added benefit, as far as the daiyoukai was concerned.
He had heard Kagome use the phrase 'multi-tasking', and was proud of his first forays into that phrase himself – annoying Inuyasha, and luring the miko into his clutches, was a most impressive first attempt at that foreign phrase.
It will not be long, and I will have her just as fascinated with me, as I am with her.
He still hadn't realized that she already was...
Though she wasn't quite ready to be made his mate, she was more than halfway there, and the rest wouldn't take long.
He was pulled from his thoughts by an exclamation by his guest, and looking down at her, he asked, “What is it?”
Kagome pointed down at something that lay before them, and Sesshoumaru smirked when he realized what she was seeing. “That is what we have come to see, Kagome.” He began to lower them towards what she was staring at so fiercely. “Welcome to the heart of the western lands.”
Eyes wide, she looked up at him. “What do you mean?” She knew what that phrase meant, of course, but there'd been an odd inflection in his voice when he'd said it that indicated he was meaning something a little different.
“Just that. This place is the heart of the West. It is here that its greatest secret is found.”
“Secret?” she breathed. “And you're going to show me this... secret?”
“Would I have brought you here were I not going to do so?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Knowing you? Maybe,” she retorted. “Just to torment me. You do, after all, enjoy such things.”
“If you were Inuyasha, then that would be so. But I would not waste my time to bring you here merely to turn and leave immediately.”
“Hm,” she said wryly, shooting him an amused look. “I just bet.”
He smirked at her a little, then settled gently to the ground as his cloud dissipated beneath him, reluctantly letting go of the tiny woman. He watched her closely as she looked around curiously.
After a few minutes, a slight frown creased her brow, and she looked at him, a bit confused. “Why does it seem... not right?” she asked. “This place, I mean. It seems... fake.”
He nodded approvingly. “Very good. You are correct. What most people see, and what is actually here, are two different things.” A pulse moved through the air as he allowed his youki to rise, a pink shimmer beginning to swirl around him, and before Kagome's eyes, an answering shimmer phased into being right before her. Sesshoumaru took her arm and led her directly into the area that was pulsing...
And her eyes widened in awe as she looked around, shocked.
They were in a different place, entirely.
“What... what is this, Sesshoumaru?” she asked, turning in a circle as she strove to take in everything she was seeing.
“My home,” he said softly, allowing his youki to fall back into himself, the glow dying back down. “The heart of the Western Lands will never fall, Kagome – not as long as there is a Lord to protect it. Only one with my blood can even enter this place, and the barrier that protects it has been created to withstand everything but the kami themselves.”
The landscape revealed before her had never known the touch of man, and Kagome sincerely hoped it never would as her eyes feasted on the wild beauty before her. Untamed wilderness lay at the heart of the West, apparently, rolling hills pierced with patches of dense trees and vining plants lay open as far as the eye could see.
She shivered as she felt Sesshoumaru move up behind her, his heat dangerously close to her flesh. The shiver came again, more intense as he leaned down to speak softly into her ear.
“Look up, Kagome. Look up and see where it is that I live.”
Following his exhortation, she slid her eyes obediently up, and her eyes widened again; floating in the skies above the unspoiled lands around them was a beautiful castle surrounded by clouds that resembled Sesshoumaru's. She realized that it was his magic that was keeping it where it was.
He's so strong... much stronger than I or Inuyasha ever realized for him to be capable of maintaining such a thing, and not even showing any weakness because of it.
“It's drawing from your power.”
A lock of silver fell over her shoulder, the strands like silk as he nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent, causing her knees to go weak.
“Yes,” he breathed softly over the flesh of her neck, and she moaned almost inaudibly; Sesshoumaru heard it, though, and his body heat intensified.
“Doesn't it make you tired?” she asked softly, eyes falling closed at his barely there touches against the nape of her neck, her hair brushed aside by impatient fingers.
“No.” As her scent intensified, the heat output of his body did, as well; deciding to pull back so he could calm his body down, he nuzzled against her fragrant nape once more, licking over the soft skin and then backing away and clamping his formidable control over himself as his black blood screamed at him, wanting to take her now.
“W-why not?” she stammered, turning to look at him with a rosy blush painting her cheeks.
“It draws from my excess power that is stored within mokomoko,” he replied, smirking inwardly at her flushed cheeks.
Her brows rose as she looked at the fur draped over his shoulder. “Oh... I didn't realize it was for anything,” she replied.
“Everything I wear or carry has a purpose, Kagome. I do not wear anything for simple vanity – it is a waste, and unneeded, in any case,” he said calmly.
She rolled her eyes at that piece of egotism, not willing to say aloud that he was perfectly correct – the male would probably look even better naked than he did dressed.
No probably about it... her traitorous thoughts shouted.
“So,” she asked after a moment, “do you and Rin and Jaken live in that castle alone?”
“There are servants,” he said, stepping up to her and once more wrapping his arm around her waist as his cloud formed beneath their feet and he lifted them towards the castle floating on clouds in an otherwise clear sky. “Magical constructs, mostly, for now, until I am ready to take up full-time residence here.”
She looked a bit confused. “Huh? Don't you live there now?”
“It is technically my residence, however, those born of my line do not typically take up full-time residence until we are mated,” he responded.
Kagome looked down at that. “Oh, I see. Kind of like in my world when a couple gets married and moves into their first home together.”
“Hn,” he said absently as he landed at the castle's gates, his eyes inspecting everything as he let go of her and moved to pass through them.
Kagome noted his busy eyes and stayed silent, allowing him time to look over his home while she did the same, eyes wide and awed at the beauty of the place.
Despite the fact that technically the castle was empty, it surprisingly didn't feel that way, and Kagome was very confused. She didn't realize that Sesshoumaru had noted that until he spoke.
“What is wrong?”
Startled, her eyes swung to him, and then away again as she tried to figure out why the place seemed so warm and welcoming. That was definitely not something she would have ever thought to find coming from a place that the cold-natured Sesshoumaru called home.
Though I'm beginning to wonder just how deep that ice really goes, she thought.
“Oh, umm, well... it's just that you said no one really lives here right now, ne?” When he inclined his head in the affirmative, she continued. “Well, you'll probably think me crazy or something, but this place doesn't feel empty – and it almost feels like... like it's welcoming me.”
Little did she know that she'd just made his day. The castle only did that for it's owner – and his ideal mate. In all the centuries since the place had been built, never once had it chosen wrongly, the one that the castle chose always becoming the mate of the ruling daiyoukai at some point.
“You are not mistaken,” he finally said, not looking at her. “The magic that created it is sentient, after a fashion. It is letting you know that it approves of you.”
“Oh,” she said, eyeing him and then the castle again rather dubiously, not sure what to make of the whole thing, but eager to see more. “Well, that's nice of it. I'm glad it didn't decide it hated me or something. That would be rather uncomfortable.”
He smirked at her, motioning for her to follow. “Come, Kagome. Let me show you my home.”
She nodded silently, simply looking around at everything as he strode in through the wide open doors and following him rather absently. And every moment she felt as though she were being looked at by friendly eyes, as if, were she to stare at a spot just a little longer, she'd actually see whoever was there. But she couldn't see anyone, just feel their presences. At first it bothered her, but after a little while, when she felt nothing but welcoming vibes, she stopped worrying about it and simply enjoyed the tour Sesshoumaru seemed to be taking her on.
Walking along a pillar-lined hall, he led her to a set of great doors, and sliding them open, motioned for her to step inside – as she did, her mouth fell open at the opulent grandeur set before her.
It was an audience hall, huge and open, with supporting pillars lined in gold against floor and ceiling, and painted red and black. Stylized silver inu paced the edges of the great room, and a huge mural of two huge inu entirely covered the rear wall, in front of which what appeared to be a small throne sat, with a slightly smaller one set to its left.
Everything was highly polished, so much so that in the black lacquer of the walls and pillars, you could see your reflection, and set at different points along the walls were highly detailed nature scenes, all deliberately placed to catch the natural ambient lighting of the room. It was absolutely beautiful, and Kagome couldn't even get a coherent word out, staring with awe and flashing an impressed look at the daiyoukai.
He simply seemed to expect her reaction; leading her to one particular painting, he said, “The paintings you see here are details from different places within the heart of the West. But look closely...” he trailed off, and Kagome, frowning now, did so...
And almost jumped with shock as she watched the trees in the so-called painting actually moving to an unfelt breeze, and as the water in the river in the piece of art flowed, as well, the birds painted within it moving just as freely. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen...
“What...?” she whispered, awed.
“It is a painting, and yet, it is not. What you see happening in the painting, is actually happening in that particular place within this area. These paintings in this room only represent this hidden heart of the Western Lands, and not the more chaotic outside areas of the West.” He shrugged. “Too many times, with other youkai and humans also added to the mix, any kind of painting of those places would only show death and destruction.”
Kagome blinked, thinking that through, and something occurred to her. “But it would be useful to have certain places, ones that, say, are hotspots for trouble within your lands, in a painting such as this... it would be like having access to what is happening there twenty-four seven,” she said, and was a bit surprised when he glanced approvingly at her, as though she'd passed a test.
“And I do have such in my study – that is a much more appropriate place for paintings that are used for security rather than beauty,” he replied, and Kagome smiled, pleased that she'd caught something he seemed to have wished her to. “This room, however, is used for a different purpose. This room is meant to impress. Actually,” he said, gesturing as though to encompass the whole of the palace, “this whole place is meant to impress. No other place like it exists anywhere in any of the other cardinal lands – the silver Inu of the West being the only race of youkai with anywhere close to enough power and wealth to put on such a display.”
He sounded proud, and looking around again, Kagome had to admit he had plenty of reason to be – she'd never known just what the inu of the West were truly the heirs to until now. That brought something up...
“I know that you don't like your brother, Sesshoumaru – but really, is he completely broke and truly a vagabond when his father was a Lord, and his brother is also?” she asked, skepticism in her voice.
Casting her a weighing look, he considered his words for a few moments, and then said, “No, you are correct – Inuyasha is a prince of the West, second son and half human or not. My father's proud blood still flows in his veins, and he has proven his strength. There are very few full youkai with Inuyasha's power, and that has earned him much respect in the youkai realm, you would be surprised to see.” He looked away, a musing look on his face as he continued, “When we were inside Naraku, and he was possessed by Magatsuhi, I at first thought his mind would be overwhelmed. But he fought it off... and when you threw him Tessaiga, and his youketsu appeared when he drew forth the dragon-scaled ability of the sword, I was surprised, taken aback, if you will, at the size and power of it.”
Nodding encouragingly, she smiled at him, pleased to see that his opinion of his brother had changed so much.
“Do you know why the forest near the village is called 'Inuyasha's Forest'?” he asked after a moment.
“Umm... because he was pinned there for so long?” she said, rather questioningly, sounding a bit confused.
“That is true enough, from the point of view of the humans of that village. But that forest had always been his. It is a very large portion of land bordering the West, and though technically a part of it, it is autonomous, and is Inuyasha's lands inherited not only from our father, but the Southern reaches of it from his mother's family. When Myoga, the coward, calls him 'sama', it is not just the ramblings of an old retainer of our father's. Inuyasha is a Lord in his own right, though his lands are not a cardinal point, and not as large as the West itself.”
Kagome blinked, surprise writ large on her beautiful face. “Does Inuyasha know this?” she asked finally, after taking in his words.
“Not truly,” Sesshoumaru responded. “He protects them by instinct, it is where he lives, and in his own way, he has claimed them – and no youkai alive at this time save myself is powerful enough to challenge him for them, even if they wanted them. I, myself, have no desire to steal his inheritance.”
“Hm. So... at some point, Inuyasha's going to need an heir... rather like you,” she said, eyes narrowed in thought.
“It is something I have been recently considering on his behalf,” Sesshoumaru admitted, ignoring the part about himself. She had no clue yet, but she would be the one bearing his heir. “There are only a few of my race left... and besides Inuyasha and I, only three others are males. The rest are females. One is my mother. I will be introducing Inuyasha to his duties, and each of the females, within a very short time, in preparation of a mating. I would not see our race disappear, and with Inuyasha's blood added to the mix, it will diversify it enough that it will not.”
“But... will a youkai female have anything to do with him, since he's hanyou?” she asked, worried. “I won't let some uppity twit hurt him, Sesshoumaru, I'm warning you right now.”
Shaking his head, he turned and led her slowly around the room, allowing her to look at the other paintings. “Inuyasha will have his pick of the females, Kagome. Youkai only respect power, and with the exception of my mother, none of the females left are close to him in strength. Plus, as his youkai blood is that of the great Dog General, his human blood will simply be overlooked – the females will be quite amenable to a mating if he were to choose one of them, you have no need to be concerned.”
She thought about his words for a few minutes, and then nodded. “Okay. So... what about you? I mean... I can't really see you going for a weak female, so... are you going to look for a mate in a different clan of inu?”
Not sure what to make of the smirk that hit his face at her question, she watched him cautiously. “This one has already chosen a female, Kagome. And no, she is not inu. But it matters not, for her blood, while of a different race, will breed power untold into my line.”
He wondered if she would catch on, and it seemed as if she might actually be beginning to get an inkling, because her eyes narrowed, and she stared harder at him. “Oh?” she asked leadingly. “If she's not inu, then what race of youkai is she?”
“I did not say she was youkai, now did I, Kagome?” he asked silkily, stepping closer to her, crowding her space as he watched her step back into the wall in surprise at his advance. He pressed himself into her, enjoying the resulting blush that washed across her face at the same time as a hint of arousal washed across his senses from her, and his smirk widened, becoming predatory. “No... I did not say she was youkai at all. She is... something quite different,” he said, reaching a finger up and trailing it down a soft cheek as her eyes widened so much he could see the whites all the way around.
“W-wait a minute,” she choked out, “y-you can't possibly mean... no, no way. I'm imagining all of this.” She closed her eyes tightly, to his amusement. “When I open my eyes I'll be laying underneath the Goshinboku waking from a nap – this is all a dream.”
“Hn... would it make it seem more comfortable for you to believe that, miko?” he asked mockingly, calling her by a name he really hadn't much since he'd realized she wasn't one. “Hiding from my words might be possible, but hiding from my intentions is not. I have chosen the female I want, and I will have her. And she-” he trailed the tip of his clawed finger down around her chin and then back up the other petal soft cheek, “-does not seem inclined to deny me.” He held up that finger as she went to speak, and finished, “If she attempts to cover her interest, she will merely be lying, as I can smell quite easily the attraction she carries for me. It is, needless to say, returned in full.”
“But I'm human, Sesshoumaru-” she broke off as he scoffed at her.
“Let us say for the sake of argument that you are. What of it? That will not change what is to come, Kagome. But it is a moot point, because we both know that you are quite a bit more than human.” He stepped back, then, just a little, letting her think he was going to back off, and then caught her eye. “It is interesting to note, however, that you are not denying me because of your own wishes, but simply because you think your humanity dismisses you from my consideration.”
She flushed red at that, opening her mouth to rebut him, but then closing it when she found that she couldn't. Well, of course I can't... I do want him. But... mating??? And why does he even want that? “Why do you want me, Sesshoumaru?” she asked abruptly, his nearness getting to her, but not enough for that particular question to be knocked from her mind. “I may not be entirely human, but I'm not youkai, either. Our children would be hanyou, there is no getting around that.”
He looked amused at her question, and her suspicious expression. “What is it you think I am after, I wonder? With that look on your face, you must think it something reprehensible. Why does any male want a female, hm, Kagome? As for the potential offspring we would create between us-” he openly eyed her form, “-they would be something new. And they would not be weak, as I stated before. An entirely new race we would become the parents of. What part of that is something to object to?”
She stared at him, holding his gaze despite her embarrassment, and couldn't find anything misleading in his eyes. He was entirely serious. “None of that really answers my question,” she whispered as he leaned further into her, subtly dominating her.
“Does it not, Kagome?” he whispered right back, his heated, sweet smelling breath brushing tantalizingly over her lips. “I have said that I want you – is there any other answer necessary? I desire you, as you desire me, and I have no intentions of denying myself what I wish to have. Consider this your only warning. I am on the hunt, woman,” he flared his nostrils and his lids lowered as her scent intensified, “and you are my prey. I will have you, and it will be a very permanent arrangement.”
A silent gasp was torn from her lips at his words, and he took shameless advantage, sweeping in and taking over her mouth like the conquering warrior he was and branding his claim into her body and soul in lines of passion ignited flame that burned into her mind like white hot fire.
Kagome was instantly swept under, unable to fight this male that she desired with everything inside her, and Sesshoumaru sensed it, her surrender igniting his passion like fire dropped into dry tinder – exploding from him in waves that nearly took the palace up with them, and only him clamping his adamant-hard control over himself at the last minute kept him from taking her right where she stood. Over and over he tasted her, dragging his lips along hers and nipping them when they needed to breathe, and then deepening the kiss once more when he could stand being away from her taste no longer.
Finally, tearing himself away from her before the whole complex caught on fire from his lust for the tiny woman, he stared at her, eyes crimson and unrelenting. “That is what I want from you, Kagome – and I will have it. Nothing less than your complete surrender, and all your passion, will do.”
Panting, in shock, she stared at him for several long, silent moments, and then asked bewilderedly, “Why did you do this to me, Sesshoumaru? Springing such a surprise on me out of the blue like this?”
“Surprise can be a most effective weapon if used correctly. In this case, it has made sure that you were too shocked to fight me. I am a tactician, woman, never forget that – I plan every campaign as though it were a battle that absolutely must be won – which is why I never lose,” he said bluntly, no amount of arrogance in his voice at all, merely plain fact. He stepped back from his position crowding her against the wall, and allowed her to move away, watching as she immediately put a bit of distance between them and then turned to eye him uncertainly.
He watched her watch him for a few seconds, and then beckoned her to follow him, leading her back out of the audience hall and down another pillar-lined corridor towards a somewhat more separate wing. Nothing was said the entire time, Kagome following mutely behind him with her eyes looking everywhere and seeing nothing and her mind in turmoil.
Wow! That was... that was just... wow. And he wants permanent? I don't know why he thinks I'd fight him on it – I'm not stupid, after all. Sheesh... if he wants me, he can have me!
Some might think Kagome would force him to wait until he could claim love for her; she wasn't so stupid. Even if he felt such an emotion, she was positive he would never speak those words... no... his caring would all be in his actions. It would show in how he treated her, how he spoke to her, how he touched her. Which... she had to admit – even at this time, already showed his earnest desire to be with her.
It was odd, because until the moment down below the castle when he'd nuzzled into her, she'd had no inkling that he found her in any way attractive in such a manner, but looking back at it, now that she knew, she could see in his actions that he was. However, she was definitely surprised that he wanted more than a lighthearted affair with her. Not that she thought he would deliberately dishonor her, but they were both consenting adults...
But now she also understood Inuyasha's anxiety. She would bet ten to one he also had no idea that his brother's intentions were honorable, since even she hadn't. Honestly, thinking about it, she was surprised that he hadn't gone further off the deep end than he already had over the matter. Casting a quick glance at the handsome male pacing just slightly ahead of her, she idly flicked a lock of ebony over her shoulder, wondering where he was taking her as she suddenly became aware of their surroundings once again.
From the doors lining the hall, she assumed they were in the family wing of the palace, an assumption that was borne out by the inu-guarded doors they came to at the end of one section of the wing away from every other room. And then she got very nervous... because if she wasn't mistaken, these were his rooms, and she was about to be inside them.
Just what was he thinking...?
“You may relax your posture, Kagome,” he intoned as he slid the doors open, “I am merely showing you what will be our rooms when we have mated. Though I look forward quite eagerly to that moment, today is not that day.”
Relaxing instantly, she did bristle a little at his automatic assumption that she would just cave in and let him mate her... though she would. He was just not supposed to know that so easily – he was supposed to ask, and then wait for her to answer, not just know she was going to accept.
“So these are your rooms?” she emphasized slightly, trying to distance herself a little from him and his infernal arrogance.
He looked at her from the corner of one eye, his lips tilting in open amusement once more at her expense. “Semantics, Kagome. Call them what you will, it does not change the fact that we will be living in them together very shortly. So step inside, woman, and look your fill.”
Almost growling at him in rather exaggerated annoyance – she wasn't really all that annoyed, after all – she stepped inside as he had bid... and promptly lost the ability to breathe, freezing in consternation as her mind supplied very detailed and highly erotic imaginings of what he would look like laid out across the huge futon that was the center of the room.
Dark blue silk the exact color of the crescent on his forehead was spread across it, white pillows with the red hexagonal sakura pattern of his crest liberally scattered across them. The furnishings were all dark wood, every aspect of the room chosen to emphasize the pale perfection of the palace's master. Each wall was covered in a detailed mural showing the creation of the castle, and Kagome was instantly drawn to the walls as she followed the storyline it told in great detail.
It had taken great magics and quite a bit of time, the first three Lords of the West coming to power and leaving it before the whole thing was finished, though it appeared as though each Lord added something to the palace as a testament to their reign. She wondered idly what Sesshoumaru would be adding.
“It remains to be seen,” he said when he caught her looking at him after finishing the mural. It was not hard to deduce what her question was. “There are several things I might do – time will help winnow my choices down.”
She nodded. “Hey... you know, with this place not really being part of the landscape, how do you get water here for baths and the like?” she asked as the thought came to her.
“Coming from you, that question is really no surprise,” the daiyoukai came back with, watching her for a moment before turning to lead her towards a small door on on wall, sliding it open and gesturing for her to step through. He allowed her to look around, then said, “As with everything else, it is all done with magic. This heated spring, and the accompanying cooler pool of water next to it are parts of the spells that took the longest to create and also take the most energy to maintain. But they are worth it,” he said. “These are private, there is another set in this wing for everyone else, and one in the guest wing of the palace, as well.”
Well, should have expected that answer. No, it doesn't make any logical sense, but that's why it's called 'magic', she sighed to herself. I guess that was what magic was meant to do – create what logic couldn't. But boy... if I could just show this place to my old physics teacher... I'd love to hear his explanation for all of this. He'd probably go into apoplexy.
“Well, that answers that, I guess,” she said, shrugging wryly. “You've just got all the answers, don't you?” she asked, rhetorically.
She really should have expected his response.
“Of course, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you will understand that you need go nowhere else for said answers,” he said, blandly.
She rolled her eyes and turned back to look once more at the bathing facilities, impressed despite herself, then went back through the door into the bedchamber, where she studiously avoided looking at the bed with all its sinful connotations. She glanced back at him.
“Anything else in this palace of wonders you'd like to show me?” she asked.
He regarded her silently for a moment, and then simply turned and began to lead her out of the room, well aware of her refusal to peruse the bedding, and amused by it. And then something random occurred to him as they walked, and he asked, “Tell me, Kagome... I am learning who you are, and have realized that is a separate issue to what you are.” He paused, looking at her askance, only to find her looking back at him calmly, nodding encouragingly. “I find my question has changed a little though... what do you think you are?”
And now we get down to it, she thought. A much better question, Sesshoumaru – and it didn't even take you that long to figure it out. “I am an embodiment of the will of the kami, Sesshoumaru. I am change, incarnate. Just as you are an embodiment of your youki, it's the same,” she answered immediately and easily, her tone complacent. “When all is said and done, I am simply another creation of the gods, like anything else. It's just that I'm the only one, rather than just a small part of a race. Like the earth. There are other planets, but there's only one earth.”
Just that easily, I have my answer. It is all in how you phrase the question, I suppose. Of course, it is much the same answer as what the kami gave me, and even father. But she stated it much more clearly. It is her defining purpose that also defines what she is. Change... I was correct to label her thus.
“You give the answer so easily this time to my query. It is somewhat frustrating, I will admit,” he said, face still. “You are basically, is what you are telling me, the kami of change.”
A laugh burst from her at that, her eyes wide and filled with glee. “Oh, no, Sesshoumaru, that's taking things wayyy too far. I'm not a goddess, although,” her amusement changed to a musing thoughtfulness, “I suppose some might see me as such a thing – a minor member of the kami. But I'm not, really, since they created me. One cannot be equal to, or greater than, what created them, after all. And the gods didn't create me to be one of them. I wouldn't want to be, anyway. Ugh. What a horrid thought,” she chuckled.
Leading her through a set of doors out to a beautiful garden set at right angles to the family wing of the palace, he waited for her reaction to what she was seeing, for the moment, ignoring her words.
He wasn't disappointed.
She stopped, stunned, turning in a circle to catch sight of everything – and then she looked up.
Oh, wow... now this is how I always imagined the Hanging Gardens of Babylon should have looked had they had access to magic. It's beautiful...
These gardens were not strictly consigned to the ground, instead, floating islands carried every type of flower and tree she could imagine, vining plants interwoven with bushes and slender, wind-carved tree limbs, hanging over the sides of the islands and making trailing hedges that mingled with those plants and trees that were on the grounds of the palace. The breeze, passing through so many levels of flowering trees and shrubs, deciduous trees, and fruit trees, as well, heavily-laden with the scents of nature, answered the question of why the interior of the palace smelled so beautiful.
The breeze seemed designed to push the smells of this particular garden into the palace proper, providing it with such a delicious ventilation that Kagome was startled – nothing her own era had come up with came anywhere near touching this place, and she wondered at his seeming surprise at what he called the 'luxuries' of her own world... they were truly not comparable to the wonders that his home contained.
“Oh, how can you bear to leave this place?” she asked, wonder thick in her voice and on her face as she struggled to look at everything, not wanting to miss a thing. She could see, on the other side of the garden, entrance into another part of the castle, and it was this that Sesshoumaru began to lead her towards, walking slowly so that she could enjoy the trip more. “It's so beautiful here... why would you want to be anywhere else?”
“It is beautiful... but I was not ready to take up residence until now. Remember what I told you earlier – my line does not begin to actually live here until mated. Until then, we wander. It is in our natures,” he finished, in answer to her questioning look.
She nodded absently, coming to a halt at the next door with a certain regret as she looked back at the gardens for one more moment before stepping inside to follow the master of the castle. “Does Inuyasha know about this place?” she asked idly, her gaze flicking around to take in the wide hall they had stepped into.
“He knows there is an ancestral home, but he has never seen it,” the daiyoukai answered, leading her towards a towering set of doors at one end of the hall that had her wondering what could possibly be behind it.
His study, maybe? she wondered, eyeing the doors showing a carving of the palace itself, all inlaid with gold and mother of pearl, and accented with semi-precious stones. Just these doors alone would be worth hundreds of thousands in her era... it was quite possible that Sesshoumaru was wealthier than anyone in either era, and that his fortune would not be significantly reduced were it to be tallied by her own time's standards. Just the palace alone... even were it standing on the ground like any other, would be worth millions.
And she was pretty sure all his wealth was not locked up in the building itself – he always had plenty of money for whatever he wanted or needed, and Rin was always well taken care of.
To be truthful, the thought was rather intimidating. She'd never been exposed to this much wealth, and wasn't sure how she felt about it now that she was.
He stopped before the doors and turned to look at her. “You showed me the equivalent to this room in your world, Kagome, and now I will show you mine. It is not as large, but... the quantity is not as important as the quality, I believe,” he said, sliding the doors open to allow her to see into the room.
She stared in wonder, again, at what lay before her.
It was a library.
Beautiful wood cases stood around the room, holding many elaborate and carefully bound scrolls, some capped in gold and precious gems. The polished bamboo cases they lay in were elegant and simple, meant as showcases for the rare works they housed, and Kagome could feel her pulse pounding at the thought of getting her hands on the scrolls in his collection – she just bet there were works there that were no longer available in her time, much like the collection that had been lost when the Library of Alexandria had been lost to antiquity. Oh, what she would have given to have wandered its legendary halls!
Sesshoumaru was almost amused at the look of exaltation that swept over the young woman's face, and knew that he had been forgotten for several moments as she stared in alt at the scrolls held within the large room. While nowhere near the size of her era's library, his own was nothing to sneeze at, containing thousands of writings that were probably not available in her time.
He knew that sooner or later, he would lose her in this room, and she would have to be pried out.
Amused, he said, “There is not another collection like it in the world,” his voice rightly proud. “Much of the collection on the southern wall of the room is magical texts – many of which were used in the creation of this place. There are even several studies on reiki, and the usage of it. There are medical texts here, and the eastern wall is nothing but collections of scrolls from other lands – works of legend and lore, and studies of philosophy, as well.”
Kagome turned around and walked out of the room, to the daiyoukai's surprise, and when he joined her, she said, “I think you'd better get me out of here, Sesshoumaru, or I'm going to go back into that room, and you'll never find me again. Besides... it's getting a bit late, and I'm really hungry. Just be prepared... at some point, I am going to plunder your library,” she warned him, her expression serious.
He actually chuckled, unable to hold back the sound of amusement at her demeanor. A very curious woman, he thought approvingly. “I will keep that in mind,” he said, dryly, as he led her back the way they had come, heading once more for the gardens. “I am glad you approve of my home, as it will soon also be yours,” he added, slanting a glance her way to catch her reaction to his announcement. He caught the glint in her eye as she glanced back.
“Hm,” was all she said, neither denying or confirming – which was a confirmation in and of itself. If she had truly not wanted him, she would have said so.
When they reached the outside once more, he tucked her into his side and lifted them into the air, bound once more for terra firma, and the outside world.
It was time to go back to reality – at least for a little while.
But it would not be long before they would both be back here in the heart of his lands...
To stay.
~oOo~
Kagome was ravenous by the time they made it back to the village, and didn't say a whole lot to Sesshoumaru after he settled back to the ground, making straight for Kaede's hut where she could smell dinner waiting. He watched her go with amusement, quite well aware of the golden eyes of his brother plastered with ill humor to his back.
“She is unharmed, Inuyasha, there is no need for your anger,” he said calmly, turning to make his way back into the trees as Kagome disappeared inside the hut. The hanyou watched him with ill-concealed distrust, still trying to come to terms with the relationship that seemed to be coming to fruition right underneath his nose.
Keh... for now she is. But for how much longer? he thought darkly, still worried. He seems serious, but...
“Feh,” he mumbled as he heard Kagome's voice call out to him, beckoning him inside the hut with purpose. “This whole thing stinks,” he decided, even as he stepped inside and answered her query.
“Have you eaten, Inuyasha?” she asked, piling her own food on her plate, the roast pig and rice smelling quite delicious.
“Yeah, wench, since you came back so late, we've already all eaten. Kaede had to go – one of the village women is in labor,” he replied as he plopped down opposite her, answering her next question before she could ask it.
“Oh,” she said as she took a bite, closing her eyes and enjoying the yummy flavor of the meat – Kaede made the best roast pork Kagome had ever had, and she was always right there whenever Inuyasha managed to catch a pig, practically salivating at the thought of the meal to come. She opened her eyes again after a moment, her thoughts going to all the things she needed to say to her friend, and how to say them.
Somehow, she just knew that Sesshoumaru expected her to bring up the situation with his inheritance and a possible mating to her friend, knowing that the hanyou would be easier to reason with if the information came from her, rather than him. And she intended to do just that... if she could figure out how to bring it up. She sighed quietly as she finished her meal, Inuyasha just enjoying the comforting sense of her presence and not saying anything to detract her from her thoughts.
Finally... “Inuyasha... have you ever wondered why the forest here is named after you?” she asked, setting her plate aside with the chopsticks set neatly atop it, ready for when she took all the dishes to be washed.
He looked at her blankly, not certain he had heard her correctly. “What?”
“You heard me. You do realize that it's not just called Inuyasha's Forest by the villagers here, don't you?”
He blinked big golden eyes at her. “So... what? I don't get what you're asking about,” he replied, truly not comprehending what she was getting at.
I guess Sesshoumaru was right... he doesn't realize there's more to his protection of the place than the fact that it's where we all live. “You don't know, then,” she murmured, eyeing his increasingly curious expression. “Sesshoumaru said you didn't, but I wanted to be sure.”
“What's that bastard got to do with your question?” he asked, confused.
She sighed, narrowing her eyes warningly at her best friend. “Inuyasha... he's not a bastard. I'll admit, he has been in the past... but everyone can change. And he's doing that – what's more, you know he is, too, you just don't want to admit it. First things first – stop antagonizing him and calling him names, you might be surprised at what you find out when you do.”
She held up a finger warningly as he started to shoot off at the mouth, just knowing what he was going to say. “I'm not saying be all buddy buddy with him. Just... stop with the names, and at least, instead of being downright hostile, be neutral. Then if he continues hostilities, then it's not your fault, and I won't be mad at you, okay? For me?” she asked, and it was his turn to sigh, the sound disgruntled.
“Fine,” he finally grumped, not looking at her. “I'll play nice – for now. Until he proves he's the bastard I keep sayin' he is, and then I'll go right back to callin' it as I see it.”
Nodding, Kagome let that subject go, knowing that was as close to an agreement as she was going to get. “Okay. So... anyway, back to what we were talking about. Sesshoumaru took me to see some things, and also told me a few things about you that I didn't know... and apparently, you don't, either. You know when Myoga calls you Inuyasha-sama, he's not just kissing your rear. That really is your proper title,” she stated, not missing the surprise in his eyes.
“Keh!” he spouted, startled. “It's just because he thinks it's the polite thing to do because of who my father was, that's all. I ain't the Lord, Sesshoumaru is.”
“You're right... and wrong. You aren't the Western Lord – but you are the Lord of this forest, which is quite large, by the way. And it isn't just because of who your father was, but because of your mother, too. She was a hime, after all, and you are the only Setsuna heir, according to your brother. The southern reaches of the forest came to you from your mother's family.”
Inuyasha blinked, stunned, at what Kagome was telling him. While he'd known his mother had been a hime, he didn't know anything about her family or what had happened to them after her death and his own leavetaking of them. After all, by the time his mother had died of old age, he had been over fifty in human years... though still a small child by youkai standards, and none of the family that had known and cared for his mother had still been alive by that time.
“You're telling me that my mother's family has all died out, and I'm the only one left?” he asked, needing clarification.
“Yup. That's what your brother said. He said that you'd been taking care of this place because it was where you lived, and it was just instinct. But the truth is, this place is actually yours. It's your land, and you are the Lord of it.” She winked at him. “I'd say you're doing a pretty good job as the Lord, Inuyasha – you've kept the forest safe and this village even safer all this time without even thinking about it.”
He stared at her, not sure what to make of what she was saying. “Yeah, well,” he said after a moment, “not but what it's an empty title – it ain't like I got any money to be the Lord of anything. 'Bout the only thing I can do is keep the forest clear of dangers.”
“We didn't really go into details, but I think you're less broke than you think, Inuyasha,” she muttered, thinking back to the palace in the sky. It might not be his, but she could just bet that the Inu no Taisho hadn't left his second son penniless – and now that Sesshoumaru had decided to stop being a bastard, (she could admit that he had been one, at one point), she was pretty sure that the daiyoukai would be willing to release Inuyasha's inheritance from their father into his hands.
“Anyway... it brings something else up, you know that, right?” she asked gently. “You are the Lord here, and that comes with certain responsibilities. You're going to need an heir, Inuyasha,” she said, and the hanyou stared at her like she'd gone crazy.
“W-what?” he sputtered, shocked and embarrassed. “Have you forgotten, wench? I'm just a filthy half-breed – ain't no female gonna want to mate me!”
“Well, your brother says you're wrong. We talked about it,” Kagome admitted, blushing a little. “He said that it's not so much the half-blood status of hanyou that makes youkai angry – its the half power they have, since they don't respect anything weaker than themselves. But you've proven yourself – he said that you've gained the respect of the inuyoukai that are left. Apparently, of the few females of the silver inu that are left, any one of them would be amenable to mating you should you choose them, and your brother wants to arrange for you to meet them, to see if you might like one of them.” Kagome sighed. “He doesn't want the silver inu blood to die out, and he says that there are only a few of your kind left. I can see his point,” she said, hoping the hanyou wouldn't argue just because it was his brother suggesting the whole thing.
Inuyasha just looked shell-shocked, blinking at her blankly as she told him that his world was basically very different from how he had thought it was. He could have a mate? And pups? With a youkai female? He'd always been certain that would never happen... but apparently, the search for Naraku and his subsequent defeat had wrought a wonder – it had given him a reputation, and proved that he was strong, and not to be taken lightly.
“S-so... he wants me to meet these females and choose one of them to be my mate?” he asked uncertainly, still having a hard time believing it.
“Yeah... I think he hopes that you'll take to one of them,” she replied. “I think it would be great if you did, you know. At least, you could agree to meet them, to decide, right? It wouldn't hurt anything,” she finished, looking hopefully at him, and he nodded weakly in agreement.
“I... I guess not,” he said softly.
“I just want you to be happy, Inuyasha,” Kagome said then, smiling at him. “And I know you've always wanted a family... now you'll have that chance.”
“Keh,” he said after a moment, and then his expression hardened, and he narrowed his eyes on her. “And what about you and the...” he trailed off for a moment at her expression, changing his words last minute, “... Sesshoumaru? What's goin' on there?”
Kagome blushed, her eyes falling from his in embarrassment now that it was her turn in the spotlight. She stared at the floor hard, her fingers knotting in her hakama as she said, “He wants to mate me,” so softly that the hanyou barely heard her.
He did, though, and he almost fell over at her words.
“Mate?” he asked, twitching.
She nodded.
A heavy silence fell as Inuyasha took in her words and pondered their significance.
~oOo~
A/N: Surprise! Yes, I finally updated one of my stories... I'm hoping to work on the others in the next days and start posting again, though there are no guarantees that my posting schedule will be back to normal right away. And to whoever nominated this story for Best Portrayal Sesshoumaru, a sincere thanks goes to you – that's one of my most coveted awards, since Sesshoumaru is such a challenge to write convincingly.
Amber
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