InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ever the Lotus ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )
[ 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: 01.01.2013 | Pages: 5 | Words: 10.4K | Visits: 691 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Classic / Mystery / Psychological / Romance / Drama | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 01.01.2013 | Pages: 5 | Words: 10.4K | Visits: 691 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 7
The females were silent for the first time since he'd brought them from his mother's palace, and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but be very glad as he dropped down to land gently on his mother's steps once more.
This time she was there to greet them, rather than awaiting him on her portico. Running a discerning eye over them, she arched a brow when she realized who was missing. “Ah. It seems he shows better taste than I had thought he would, choosing Hiroko – the only one of them that has any intelligence.” She sighed, sweeping a hand towards the females in dismissal. “You have just made my life much more boring, Sesshoumaru – now there is no one left for me to actually talk to.”
“That is your problem, Satori, not mine. There are always other inu that you could choose to have as attendants – it is only your own hubris that you will not allow any save silver inu around you,” he replied, his whole attitude showing nothing but his own boredom in speaking to her. “My duty is done, your attendants are returned. I will take my leave of you.”
Without another word, he turned and leapt from her steps, eager to get away before she spoke again – every time she opened her mouth, some keen, hurtful thing came out of it, no matter who she was speaking to, and he had no patience for it on this day. On any day, really. But definitely not today, when his brother had chosen a female, was getting acquainted with her, and would soon be mated to her and living in his own residence. On top of that, his own female was residing in his palace as she was meant to do, and he would soon – very soon – have her living in his rooms, and completely his.
Life was good, and he did not want to spoil it with his mother's sour disposition.
Moving rapidly back to his home, Sesshoumaru let his thoughts wander over the last three years of his life, and how he'd become so drawn into the mystery that was Kagome. He had not noticed his own changed interest in her from a carefully explored idea, to an even more carefully explored female until it was far too late.
He couldn't say he cared.
Hn. Soon, I will be exploring her even more carefully, he thought as he penetrated the barrier surrounding the real center of the Western Lands and headed for the palace floating serenely above it. The naughty thought had him hardening, and he sighed, immediately dowsing himself in carefully chosen desire-numbing mental pictures to get rid of the problem before he landed and had to actually walk.
His mating day could not come soon enough for him.
With that thought in mind, he beckoned for his most trusted servant to follow him to his study.
When they arrived and he had seated himself, he asked, “My half-brother. Is he still with the female?”
“Hai, my Lord. They still wander the gardens. Is there some instruction in regards to them?” he asked in return, bowing.
“Yes. They are to be left alone except to be notified at dinner.” The male nodded in acceptance. “And my female? Is she still in the library?”
“Yes, my Lord. She did not even come out for lunch, though she was notified. I took her a tray, instead, and she was most grateful.”
Sesshoumaru inclined his head. “Very good. She is to be my mate and Lady of this place. Her needs are to be tended with alacrity on every servant's part. Is that clear? Nothing is sacred when it comes to her desires, though you should not fret,” he said, amused at the worried look the male was attempting to hide. “She is not a very demanding woman, as unlike my mother as it is possible to be. You should know the palace would not have accepted her presence were she anything like Satori.”
His man nodded, his relief evident, and bowed again. “Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. I was not thinking, allowing such doubts. If she had been like the former lady, the palace would indeed not have tolerated her presence.”
Sesshoumaru waved the servant away after acknowledging his words and stood to head for the library. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the anger his mother always suffered over the fact that the palace had refused her, not allowing her entrance – mate to his father or not. As he'd told Kagome before, the magic surrounding this place was somewhat sentient in nature, and it had not liked his mother at all. Because of that, Lady or not, his father had been reduced to building another palace for Satori and installing her there.
She'd never gotten over that fact and was still bitter about it.
He wondered idly who the palace would have chosen for his father, but then shrugged. It was a moot point. He was simply content that it had accepted his own chosen, not that he had doubted that it would.
Next time he had need to see his mother and she decided to get snarky, he could bring that whole situation up. It would upset her enough to keep her claws out of him while she complained at the unfairness of it all. He could only hope, however, that he would have no need to see her for a long, long while.
Opening the doors to the library with a silence only he was really capable of, though the doors themselves, though massive, were oddly quiet as well, he entered the room, but caught no sight of Kagome. He could feel her, though, and moved deeper into the room, moving between bookcases and tables with a deftness Kagome would envy, as she herself had almost stumbled a few times.
He was interested to find her curled up in a pile of pillows with two scrolls on the table beside her, and one held open in her hands as she read through it; he frowned as something occurred to him...
“Kagome?” When she looked up at him with a surprised expression, he gestured at the scrolls. “I thought you had said that you could only read the script of my time minimally. How were you so deeply into that scroll if that was so?”
She shook her head and looked back at the scroll in question with an odd look on her face. “It's strange, really. I know enough of your script in this time to slowly read some things, though there's a lot I don't know, and sometimes, from the rest of the sentence, I can figure out a difficult passage. But as I was puzzling through one of your scrolls, I felt this faint buzzing in my ears and got dizzy for a moment – and then, I could read it as if it were my own script.” He looked slightly surprised, and she pointed at the two scrolls on the table. “These guys here aren't even in our language – one is in ancient Chinese, which I can't speak at all, and the other is in what looks to be a very old form of English, which I do speak, though in its modern form. And yet, I read them like I'd grown up with them as my own language.”
Sesshoumaru blinked, then looked closer at the scrolls on the table. He recognized them both – his father had insisted on him learning several different languages, and he spoke both examples on the table fluently.
“You speak English. I remember.”
“Yes. I speak English because as I mentioned once before, in my time it's the most spoken language there is. And the old English in this scroll is still understandable somewhat, though difficult to read through for its complexity. And I do speak a little modern Chinese, but certainly not this archaic version in that scroll.” She eyed him suspiciously, then. “Can you read these scrolls, Sesshoumaru?”
With a nod, he sat near her and studied her face, though his mind seemed taken with something else. “Yes.”
She scowled at him. “Why didn't you tell me you understood English?” she demanded, flushing as she thought back to the day she'd been singing in English and he'd questioned her on her knowledge of a foreign language, never once giving away that he also spoke it, though in an older form.
Brow cocking arrogantly, he pinned her to the floor with his understanding of just why she was so embarrassed. “Do not worry, Kagome. I did not understand what you were singing too well – it was too fast and the language has changed enough that it was not easy to follow. However, I did gather enough of what it was about from the way you blushed when I appeared,” he finished complacently, seeming very satisfied with himself.
A growling sound echoed in the library, and he met her gaze, his amused at her temper.
“Damn you, Sesshoumaru! One of these days,” she said in a promising tone, “I'm going to knock you off that pedestal and stand back and laugh as you make a crater in the floor!”
“As I believe I told you before, do not hold your breath.” He shook his head and held up a finger as he took the scroll she'd been holding from her, gently rolling it back up. “Do be careful, Kagome – these are irreplaceable. As for your sudden understanding of other languages, it is possible it is a benefit of the library. After all, the magic that created this place also went into this part of it – perhaps that was a part of the magic, and no one has noticed until now.”
That subject arrested her temper and she looked thoughtful. “Didn't you mention that some of the scrolls here in the library spoke of the magic used to create the palace?”
“Hai.”
“Then maybe I should look it up. If the library is capable of this, who knows what else the rest of the palace is capable of.”
He shrugged. “If it would please you to research it, then by all means, do so. However, I didn't actually come in here for discussion – I came to call you to dinner. It is time to put the scrolls away,” he replied.
She pouted. “Couldn't I just have a tray like at lunch?” she asked, her voice almost whiny, and amused, he cocked a brow at her.
“No. You will attend the meal. In preparation for that, you should go to your rooms and refresh yourself.”
Her pout deepened and he looked at her, almost wanting to laugh. She looked like a spoiled child. “Was I perhaps mistaken when I named you woman, Kagome? Perhaps you are instead still a child? Be tranquil. The library has been here for thousands of years, it will still be here tomorrow, and even the day after, I assure you.”
With a huge, petulant sigh, she stood up and moved slowly out of the library, feet dragging, and Sesshoumaru felt more like laughing in that moment than he ever had in his entire life. Life with her will never be boring, and I will certainly end up losing my reputation for coldness – at least around her. I am quite able to retain my ice around everyone else, of course.
He paid no attention to why that was.
Kagome made her way towards her rooms, mind still in the library and lingering on some of the things she had read. Old tales long forgotten in her time, legends and stories of glamour and power that had her mind in other worlds. Of course, this palace was enough of what would be considered nothing more than a legend in her world that she had to smile... she could just imagine the tale that could be told with the creation of this place. Perhaps tomorrow she should begin reading the scrolls about her soon to be new home.
That thought about homes led her to other thoughts about why, exactly, she'd be living there as she readied herself for dinner that had her blushing deeply as she remembered the times he'd touched her. She couldn't help the flush of arousal that wrapped her body in a heated, spicy scent at that thought – but she wasn't prepared to have Sesshoumaru come through the doors to her room with crimson-rimmed eyes and a feral growl thrumming through his chest as he very obviously scented the air. Before she could even blink, he had her in his arms and was devouring her mouth like a starving man – and she really, really didn't want him to stop.
“If you do not refrain from thinking of things that make you smell so delightful, you will find yourself being mated on the table in front of Inuyasha, his female, and any servants who happen to enter the room, Kagome,” he warned in between heated kisses that stole her breath and her logical thought processes with equal facility. “There is only so much provocation I can withstand.”
“W-well, if you weren't walking into my room for no reason, you wouldn't have smelled anything!” she defended, red-faced.
“I was here to escort you to dinner, Kagome – and allow me to disillusion you on your misconception about your scent. I would be able to smell your desire even were I in my own rooms. Scents carry much further than I think you realize – especially ones such as arousal and desire.” He openly scented the air then, his crimson-tinged eyes closing in obvious enjoyment. “Your body is releasing pheromones that are enticing to any male, my sweet – and that is a very dangerous thing, because were another to be drawn into your scent so far that they forgot my claim on you, they would very quickly find themselves dead.”
Those types of thoughts quickly had Kagome's desire dying a rapid death, and as Sesshoumaru regained control of himself, he allowed her to step from his arms. Striding to her door, he slid it open for her and watched with hooded eyes as she followed after him and stepped out into the corridor, fully aware of what had caused her heated scent to fade.
“Does that thought bother you?” he asked as they moved through the halls at a steady pace. “That I would kill anyone who sought to take you from me?”
She shivered. “Of course it does! I mean, when we were in my world, and all those women kept staring at you, you think I didn't know what they were imagining? I hated it,” she flushed uncomfortably, but was determined to be honest, “I was jealous as hell. But you didn't see me trying to kill anyone, did you?”
“Ah, but you are not youkai, Kagome. The primal nature of the youkai, the single-mindedness towards what we choose as ours, those we choose to protect, does not exist in your calmer nature. Still,” he said, a knowing gleam entering hot golden eyes, “would you just stand aside and allow another female to touch me? To throw herself at me?”
A scowl crossed Kagome's face at the thought, her fists clenching. Would I? she wondered. The answer came quickly into her mind. “No... and maybe I'd even get into a fight over it, if the woman refused to back off. But I still wouldn't kill someone! That's such a... final sort of thing!”
“Exactly,” he purred as they reached the dining room and he again slid the large doors open, beckoning her into a part of the yamashiro she had not yet seen as the sounds of conversation flowed over them both and Kagome was abruptly made aware that Inuyasha and his intended were already in the room. “Which is the point. For if the encroaching male is dead, they can never encroach again.” He cast her an amused glance as she stepped past him. “Think you that your beloved Inuyasha is any different? Now that he has chosen a female, any who attempt to interfere would be immediately attacked.”
Thinking back to the days of the quest and Kouga, Kagome had to accept his words – she was well aware that Inuyasha would have killed the wolf if he could have, which is why she'd always sat him. She didn't want someone dying for such a silly, petty reason. And especially as Inuyasha had never even been interested in her that way. But he had chosen to protect her, even though it was not as a mate, and that had been enough to trigger that killing instinct.
How much stronger would it be when protecting such a deep bond as one would have with a mate? Especially when emotions were involved? She sighed, somehow a little melancholy at such thoughts. She held no illusions – Sesshoumaru might want her, physically and because of what power she could breed into his children, but she wasn't about to fool herself into thinking that his cold little heart had been won over and warmed by her. She'd resigned herself to accepting him without any love on his part, but that didn't mean that it didn't bruise her own heart a little, the thought of not having love like she'd always wanted – love like her parents had shared. She knew he would always take care of and protect her, and that he wanted her, but it wasn't quite the same. “Well, then I guess it's a good thing that it isn't any worse than it is, or you'd be even crazier,” she said, the flash of misery that had gone through her eyes not being missed by the inu Lord. “Um... where should I sit?”
She eyed the long table with cushions set out along its length with little interest, suddenly, not sure she was feeling all that hungry anymore but not wanting to let on to Sesshoumaru that anything was wrong... she did not want him questioning her on her sudden withdrawal.
Little did she realize it was too late; with nary a warning of any kind, he had her pinned to the wall of the room, completely ignoring Inuyasha's presence as well as anyone elses. He cared not at all who witnessed his interactions with Kagome, because their opinions mattered not a whit to him in any way.
“Why do we not discuss your sudden upset, instead, Kagome,” he said, pinning her eyes with his just as firmly as he'd pinned her to the wall. “And do not leave anything out, or we will stand here all night.”
She had little hope that he would not do exactly as he'd said, but was completely unwilling to say anything at all about her little moment of angst. She doubted he'd understand her feelings anyway, since he didn't appear to have too many of his own. Ugh. Why couldn't I have chosen someone who wasn't an icicle on the inside? But in truth, she knew why. Because she wanted him, and because... she swallowed a bit bitterly as she admitted to herself her feelings, she loved him. She was simply following her heart, and knowing what he was like, she'd still chosen to accept him. She would just have to deal with the lack of reciprocal feelings like a big girl and suck it up. After all, she'd no reason to complain, since this was what she'd chosen.
“It's something private and no one elses concern, Sesshoumaru,” she finally said, forcing her gaze away from him. “Please, let's just sit down and eat. I'm hungry.”
“Hn,” he breathed, considering her. After a moment, he decided to give her this; she was genuinely uncomfortable, and he did not want her to feel that way. So instead he let her go with a caress of her cheek that had her looking back up at him with wide eyes, and gestured to the cushion that sat at his left side. “That is your seat from now on as my Lady, Kagome,” he said, watching with thoughtful eyes as she took the indicated seat and waited for him to sit beside her.
Once he was seated the servants began setting the meal out before them, and Sesshoumaru glanced down the table at his brother, who met his eyes with a critical, weighing look that he cocked a brow at. After a moment's thought, he said, “After the meal, I wish to speak with you, Inuyasha.”
Tapping his chopsticks against his bowl of rice, the hanyou eyed him narrowly, then nodded, obviously having a few things to say to him, as well. That bothered the daiyoukai not at all; he cared not for what the whelp thought of his interactions with his female.
The meal was taken mostly in silence, as it appeared that both couples had a lot on their minds, and when the meal was over, the two females excused themselves to go to their rooms for a time, while Inuyasha and his brother maintained their seats until both women were gone.
Sesshoumaru ignored the servants now clearing the remains of the meal from the table and beckoned his brother with one clawed finger. Nothing was said for a time, until they were both seated in the castle's study with bowls of sake in their hands.
“Speak.”
Inuyasha eyed his brother with a moment of amusement, then took a sip of his potent demon liquor. Then he asked, his voice neutral, “Why is Kagome unhappy?”
Sesshoumaru glanced at his brother as he swirled his sake easily in its bowl. He waited for a time, forcing his brother to hold in his impatience, then returned, “It is not your concern. However, she will not remain so. As soon as it is known what is bothering her, it will be addressed and the issue fixed.”
Inuyasha tossed his empty sake bowl onto his brother's desk and sighed with irritation. “Kami, Sesshoumaru, that's probably what the problem is right there! You're too fuckin' cold for someone with Kagome's warm and loving heart. She doesn't want someone who just wants to fuck her and use her for breeding her power into your brats!” The hanyou sat back and closed his eyes, wiping a hand down his face in frustration. “This whole thing with you two is just a really bad idea. You need to leave her alone, Lord of frostbite. You just can't give her what she needs!”
Sesshoumaru said nothing during his brother's rant, simply watched him calmly knowing what the boy was getting at. When he stopped talking and slumped in his seat, hand over his face, the daiyoukai spoke once more. “As I already said, Inuyasha, whatever the problem is with Kagome will be addressed – but you are not invited. Whatever her concern, even if it is what you are intimating it is, is between her and I.”
Dropping his hand, Inuyasha stared steadily at his brother for a moment, then sighed again. “Fine. But you'd better take care of it. I won't let her be unhappy. If anyone on this earth deserves joy and someone to be devoted to her, it's her. Now, was there anything you wanted to say to me, 'cause if not, I'm leaving.”
Steepling his fingers, the inuyoukai arched a brow at his brother. “The female – is she the one you have definitely chosen?”
“Duh, Sesshoumaru, or I wouldn't have dismissed the others. What of it?” he snapped, reddening a bit at the change of subject.
“Has she agreed to the mating or have you yet asked her?”
“Not yet,” the hanyou grumbled grudgingly. “We've only just met, you know.”
Sesshoumaru was tempted to take Bakusaiga and slap his brother over the head with the blade. “She is inuyoukai, Inuyasha. She has already made up her mind whether she will accept you or not. It is called instinct. You are the one dithering at this point. So ask her, then find me immediately and let me know.”
“What's the rush?” he asked suspiciously, eyeing his brother. “Ain't like my home is finished being built so it's not like I can take her there and mate her already, anyway, ne?”
Closing his eyes and actually praying for patience with his thickheaded brother, Sesshoumaru breathed in and out for a moment, then opened his eyes and said, “There is a property I have on the southern borders of the Western lands. It's a small estate that is primarily used as a getaway, or somewhere to stay when I am on the southern routes on patrol. If you both have decided to accept each other, you may take her there.”
Embarrassed, Inuyasha nonetheless eyed his brother with suspicion writ large on his face. “Keh. The question still remains, ba-” he gritted his teeth as he remembered his promise to Kagome, “-Sesshoumaru... what's the rush?”
Fingers beginning to glow with the itch to smack his idiot brother with his whip, Sesshoumaru also forcibly pulled himself back, knowing that fighting with him would only set Kagome off and delay certain things he was no longer willing to delay. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “Once you and your infernal female are gone, Inuyasha, I can commence my own mating. And take heed – my patience is gone. I am not willing to wait any longer, so you had best get your future settled before night falls, because I want you two gone this evening.”
Inuyasha blinked as he took in his usually stoic and icy brother, who at the moment was neither, and then he began to laugh. Shaking his head, he stood and turned to leave the room, throwing over his shoulder, “Never thought I'd see the day the Ice Prince would lose his cool – and over a female at that. My Kagome, no less. You just can't wait to get laid!” Still laughing, the hanyou slid the door closed and went off down the hallway, leaving his brother, who was seriously considering disemboweling his sibling, to regain his control – and temper. Never had he been more goaded by the hanyou – never.
How vulgar can he be? Get laid? Is that what he calls intimacy between mates? I find I am pitying his chosen more and more. And he worries over what Kagome is getting. I would never cheapen the desire I feel for her by describing it in such disgusting and low terms.
He shook his head with disgust and poured himself another bowl of sake. That was going to be the hardest thing about being mated to Kagome – the closer dealings he would have to have with his uncouth brother. He could distantly respect the whelp for his strength, and for his loyalty to his pack. But... he would never be able to spend a great deal of time around the boy without wanting to kill him for his disgusting mouth.
Still, as aggravating as the idea was, it wasn't enough to deter his desire for Kagome by so much as an inch, so he set it aside with a light growl and turned his attention to the details of his own mating, instead. Which would take place tomorrow, without fail. It was time to take his obsession and make her his mate, his lover.
Standing from his desk, he turned to stare out the window, watching the dying of the light as late afternoon faded into early evening, running his hand in a slow caress through his pelt, and pondering on what it would feel like to have her do it. He smirked devilishly. Yes, he imagined that it would feel very satisfying, indeed.
Finally, he felt his brother's energy returning, and with a flash of golden eyes, waited for him to knock. “Come,” he said shortly, wishing to get the whole thing over with quickly.
Inuyasha stepped into the room and for once didn't beat about the bush. “She agreed.”
“Good. Then ready yourselves, and I will escort you to the estate I mentioned,” he said, calm once more and in control.
Inuyasha simply nodded and left the room, Sesshoumaru following as he went to track down Kagome. She would want to know that Inuyasha had decided and that the female had accepted, and that they were leaving to commence the mating. She would also wish to say goodbye.
It didn't take long to track her to her room, and knocking on the doorframe, he waited for her to beckon him inside. He frowned at the rather subdued, “Come in,” that reached his ears, but set it aside, knowing that he would be able to deal with any problems as soon as he had taken his brother and his female to their accommodations.
He stepped inside, eyes meeting her somber expression as she turned to look at him from where she sat looking out into the gardens. After a moment, he said, “Inuyasha has asked the girl to mate him, and she has agreed. I am taking them to a small estate I have on the southern borders for privacy in a few minutes, but I thought you would wish to say goodbye.”
Kagome blinked, surprised. So fast?! “Uhm, isn't that awfully fast?” she asked.
“We are inuyoukai, Kagome. Even though Inuyasha is only half, he still has the same instincts that we do. When we meet a compatible being, we do not waste time as humans do with long courtships, as we have instinct and scent to help us decide quickly.” He tilted his head as he looked her over. “Very few would wait even as long as I have since I decided that I wanted you. Of course, the circumstances between you and I are a little different, and it took me some time to realize that I wanted you as a male desires a female. Had we both been inu, that would not have happened. It took me so long to understand because I was so concentrated on finding the answers to the question that is you – and because, whatever you may be, you are not youkai.”
“Oh. But what about... you know, us?” she squeaked at the look in his eyes.
“I find that I have no more patience, Kagome,” he said openly, and she knew immediately what he meant, blushing deeply. She swallowed heavily.
Already? I know he said soon, but I didn't know he meant like... now! But as she thought about it, his impatience and his words calmed her worries, and she sighed, choosing not to deny him. She'd always known that Sesshoumaru was not like others, and that he would probably never say he loved her, even if he did. She would just have to guess, and hope. But his words just now did help – knowing that he had changed his opinion and found her to be worthy of his desire, whether she was youkai or not. It was a very large concession coming from him, and she knew it. And that he was so impatient to have her, since Sesshoumaru was the poster boy for patience and the actual meaning of the word, said quite a bit to those who knew him.
So she didn't say anything more, just nodded and stood up, letting him escort her to the courtyard of the yamashiro, where Inuyasha and his chosen female were already waiting. The female, Hiroko, watched her carefully as she stood beside Inuyasha.
Kagome smiled brightly at her best friend as he stood next to the pretty female, blushing and not quite able to meet her eyes. She giggled a little at his obvious discomfort, and he looked up at her at that.
“Congratulations, both of you,” she said, grinning as Inuyasha simply blushed harder and Hiroko bowed with a murmured, “Thank you.” Still smiling, though the grin had softened, she sighed as she realized just how much everything was about to change. Despite her encouraging words the other day, their paths were about to be sundered, at least partially, and nothing would ever be the same again.
It had all happened so fast, and she could see just how awkward Inuyasha felt, no doubt realizing the same things as she was. “Inuyasha,” she began, before stepping up to him and wrapping her arms around him, not caring if the other two standing with them liked it or not. “As long as you're happy, then I am happy,” she whispered, knowing he would hear her. “And I will always love you, never forget that. And hey... we're gonna be family officially now, you know?” As he hugged her back, she could feel his response as he squeezed her hard for one moment, and then nodded.
After a long moment, she stepped back, sniffing and trying to hold her tears back. “Take care of each other, and don't forget that you have people that care about you, so if you ever need anything... well, you know where to come.”
“Keh,” Inuyasha said, his own eyes a bit shiny, though everyone was smart enough to say nothing about that. “The same goes for you, Kagome. If this iceberg here ever hurts you, you just come to me, and I'll take care of it, okay?” he said gruffly, completely ignoring his older brother's growl.
She nodded, and with that, Sesshoumaru informed her that he would be back within the hour and that they had a few things to talk about before finding their beds. When she acknowledged his words, he promptly lifted into the air, his brother and his female following on her cloud. Once they reached the outside lands, he would enfold them all into his light orb and take them to their destination.
Kagome's last sight of Inuyasha was of his bright red clothing fading into darkness, and his golden eyes as they looked right back at her until they were out of sight.
A few bittersweet tears suddenly her only company, Kagome headed back into the shiro, wanting nothing more than to go wander in the gardens.
The future, which had always seemed so far away, was suddenly right in front of her, and she was abruptly perched on the edge of forever.
It was a lot to take in.
~oOo~
It did not take long at all to arrive at his estate on the southern border in his orb form, and landing gently inside the hei, he moved forward without a word through the baileys while flaring his aura to call his head servant to him so instructions could be given on his guests and his duties to them. Both Inuyasha and Hiroko were silent, looking around with interest at this much more traditional, land-bound estate that Sesshoumaru owned.
It was, obviously, nowhere near the size of the ancestral yamashiro, but was still impressive for all that, being quite large in comparison to other estates of similar structure. Anyone seeing it would know of the overwhelming wealth of the owner, but it wasn't overly ostentatious, as some human estates of equal size might have been, it was simply in the quality of the construction and the accoutrements that the impression of wealth was given.
Honestly, looking it over with a critical eye, it wasn't that different to how his own home would soon be – Inuyasha had managed to find a youkai work crew to build his home, and knew that it would surpass any human dwelling around. And he was wealthy enough to make it a very beautiful, comfortable home – his soon-to-be mate would not want for anything.
It felt good to know that he could actually provide his mate and future family with such comfort. Especially as she was soon to be technically the new Lady of Setsuna. In respect to his mother, he was going to bring the clan back from obscurity to shining wealth and power that would not fade with time.
He couldn't think of anything else he could give to the woman who had given him life but to revive her family name as he could not her and bring it back to the importance it had once held. And if any thought to challenge him, they would die.
Orders given, and servant standing by waiting for Inuyasha's wishes to be known, Sesshoumaru nodded curtly to his brother, and then, shocking his half-brother almost to death, he let his face soften just a bit, allowing his sincerity to shine through, and said, “Congratulations, little brother, on your mating. You have chosen well, and will bring honor to our family name.” With that, he bowed just slightly to his brother and his female, and then took to the air without further ado, not waiting for a reply he knew might take Inuyasha a few to get out in his surprise.
And now that you are taken care of, Inuyasha, it is time for me to see to my own future. One I have waited for far longer than even I had realized.
~oOo~
Kagome stared at the night sky shimmering above her with pensive eyes, knowing that her whole life was about to change. But she was ready for that change, and looking deep within herself, she knew that it was a necessary change – a right change.
Still, it was a big deal – not to mention, she had no idea what the mating practices of inuyoukai were like. It could be anything from normal copulation – she blushed – to some elaborate ceremony and she was feeling a bit uncertain of herself in respect to that part of things.
Arms clasped around her knees, she sat back and enjoyed the breeze filtering over her, leaving her skin cool and her senses filled with the scents from the garden and the world around her. It was a simple pleasure that no one in her time would ever get, and she smiled a little as she whispered her thanks to the kami that her life was so different.
She also sent up a prayer for Inuyasha and his mate-to-be – that they would be happy and have many children in their long lives. She never wanted her best friend in all the world to be unhappy again – he'd suffered enough of that in his life, as far as she was concerned.
Her thoughts turned, then, to her mother, and she chuckled a little as she thought of her last visit with her and her mother's rather prophetic words about her 'marital' status – or the nomenclature she would soon be sporting. Mate. It never failed to amaze her, how her mother always knew things – half the time, even before she did, as with this situation. I suppose it is easier for people on the outside looking in to see things that those who are too close to the situation miss. Still... I wonder if my children will ever look at me with that flabbergasted expression on their faces as I do the all-knowing mother routine.
Thoughts of children soon had her blushing as her mind came full-circle and placed her right back at the beginning – thoughts of what was about to happen to her. And once again, her mind started running in circles, causing her to sigh and give up.
Standing, she began wandering through the trees, wishing she could reach the floating islands to walk around them, too.
It took a moment after that thought flashed through her mind for her to actually focus all her attention on it, and then she wished she could kick herself – she was change personified, wasn't she? So what more basic way to use her nature than to change herself?
With that thought, she focused on her body, and quickly picturing a certain animal in her mind, she shimmered, her form shrinking as she coalesced into a mid-sized falcon, the light settling as it disappeared inside her skin.
With a shake she looked herself over, pleased with how she appeared, especially as this was her first time trying such a thing. Taking a moment to preen her feathers, she shook off the desire to find a good tree and sleep, since this type of raptor was a diurnal creature, and with a leap, launched herself into the air, a fierce cry of joy breaking free of her throat at the way it felt to soar with the wind under her wings.
I can't believe I've missed this all this time! This would have been a handy thing back on the hunt for Naraku! Ugh. I wonder what else I'm not thinking of that could be fun or even helpful?
Riding the night breezes flowing around the floating islands for a few minutes, she finally picked out one of the larger ones, and landed on the branch of a large tree, then took the short hop down to the ground, flaring her wings around her to slow herself as she came in to land. After folding her wings back down, she allowed herself to phase back into her normal form, and sighed, flushed with pleasure.
That had been totally thrilling! She decided that she would have to try that again come morning, when she could go for a good, long flight just for the joy of it.
Blood still flowing excitedly through her, she smiled as she wandered the island, enjoying the slow brush of the greenery around her against her skin as the breeze rustled through. Never in her life had she ever felt so good, and she almost wished that she could stay out here all night. She didn't feel like going inside to bed at all.
Finding a particularly beautiful spot where two trees had grown together and a type of creeping ivy had grown all over them, vining and creating a small bower, she sat down against the back of one of the trees and just curled up, calm and happy and content as she'd never been, before drifting off to sleep, forgetting that a daiyoukai was soon going to be looking for her.
Sesshoumaru landed at his gates and looked up at the magnificent dwelling he called home with pride, his eyes wandering the profile of the great yamashiro he'd inherited as the Lord of the West, and was pleased – just as pleased as he was with the female he would take to mate very soon. She would do this place justice... there was no denying that, for as it was a one of a kind, so was she.
Moving swiftly through the halls, he tried to track Kagome, but frowned – he was having a very difficult time doing so. He could feel her as he headed for the gardens... but once there, it was like only small, occasional bursts of her aura came through. It was not enough to track her.
Tilting his head into the breeze, he analyzed the scents, and blinked, startled – her scent actually seemed to be coming from above him. He wondered how that was possible. Taking to the air himself, he finally tracked her down to a small bower on one of the floating islands. He looked around at it as he landed softly, pleased. It was a beautiful spot, one he would have to remember for himself.
His attention turned then to the small female that was occupying the prime spot, and he watched her for a few moments as she slept peacefully, her face soft and content with a small smile still tilting her lips upward.
After a moment, he sat down near her and used his youki to wake her, gently tapping it against her aura until she woke, groggily looking for the source of the interruption to her sleep. When her eyes landed on him, she blinked sleepily, and then sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear the sleep from them.
“Oh! Sesshoumaru. Did you already take care of Inuyasha? That was quick,” she muttered as she sat up and shook herself fully awake. When he didn't answer her, she asked, “So... what was it that you wished to talk about?”
After a moment more of just watching her, no expression on his face, he draped an arm over his knee, tilting his head up to stare at the sky. Just as she began to be entranced by his ethereal beauty into forgetting her question, he spoke. “What upset you earlier?”
For a moment, she'd forgotten about her earlier angst; blushing lightly, she shook her head. “It was just a moment of silliness, Sesshoumaru, just forget about it.”
“Your blush gives you away, Kagome. I know what was in your mind.” He slanted a glance at her, his eyes opaque and giving nothing away. “Do you have any questions about the mating?” he asked coolly.
Blinking in confused startlement at the rapid change of subject, she took a moment to answer. “Well, yeah, of course I do. I mean, it's not like I know what all's going to happen.”
“Hn.” After a momentary silence, he spoke. “Normally, the couple takes their true forms and the male chases the female. Once caught, the female submits, and then they may mate, in whichever form they prefer, though most seem to prefer doing so in their humanoid forms – humans are much more... shall we say... versatile in their ways of mating? It is the only thing that I will agree that humans are more... blessed in.”
Kagome froze at that. Sesshoumaru... admitting that there was something that humans did better? And Sex?! The world had just ended, she was sure of it. Still, after shoving that shock away, she took in his other words. “So... you're saying that because I'm not inuyoukai, we won't be able to have the normal mating that your kind usually does?”
He inclined his head. “Aa.”
She thought back over what she'd done earlier, and then a slow smirk stole over her face, causing Sesshoumaru to look at her with a faintly questioning expression in golden eyes. She didn't answer, simply closing her own eyes and repeating her earlier actions, but instead, she took on the form of an inu, silver fur, perky ears like Inuyasha, a pelt like his own, and plush tail included, and as the light died down, she barked at the daiyoukai, a very pointed doggy grin baring long fangs as she did.
For the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru found himself taken aback, totally stunned by another. Her bark was easily understood by him – she was teasing him, daring him to question her on what she'd just done.
“Explain!” he barked back, eyes narrowed and rimmed with crimson sclera. If she was taunting him...
A series of barks and yips told the story – and then she transformed back, laughing at the look on his face. “Come on, Sesshoumaru – I'm the personification of change, aren't I? What more basic change is there than changing your form?”
He was silent for some time, simply staring at her blankly, and she sighed. No sense of humor at all. “Oh, for kami's sake, what's the big deal?” she asked, beginning to be uncertain of her actions.
In Sesshoumaru's eyes, there was only one thing to say to the impudent but beautiful little female he had planned on mating tomorrow – but was now going to mate tonight.
“Run, Kagome. Run,” he hissed as he began to be taken over by his own change of form.
Eyes widening, Kagome stared at him with a stunned expression for all of one second – and then she began to change, as well, knowing he would not take it easy on her.
Let the games begin! she thought triumphantly to herself.
There was no way she was going to make things easy on the arrogant dog, either, so she'd made a few 'modifications' to her own canine form. Like... she'd made herself resemble him fairly well on the outside, but most of that was just her light covering of fur. In reality, she'd made her frame almost more like that of a Greyhound... built for speed, every muscle and line pared down to perfection to be the fastest dog on earth.
He was going to have to try very hard to catch her, and that was all there was to it. She would worry about what would happen afterward later, although in this canine form, the normal human nervousness over ones first sexual experience wasn't there. At any rate, she'd think about it later. With one last look over her shoulder at the now canine Sesshoumaru, she winked and then barked her challenge to him, before taking off and running for all she was worth – straight for the edges of the garden, and the fall to the earth from the floating palace, Sesshoumaru hot on her tail.
As she leapt from the edge of the yamashiro to the earth rather far below, she had to allow that there was such a freedom in forms other than a humanoid one that she was finding it almost preferable to be in other forms. The incredible feeling of flying through the air, powered by powerful pinions was as heady as anything she could ever imagine. And in the canine form, there was a sense of joy, of the breeze in ones fur as you ran like the wind. She could feel every muscle bunch and release in perfect harmony to propel her at speeds a human's form would never know.
And yet, in a way, she felt suddenly sorry for Sesshoumaru as she tore across the ground, said inuyoukai behind her. For he would only ever know the feeling of having two forms, and would never have the chance to truly fly like she could. It wasn't the same, his cloud or even his light orb, to actual flight.
Looking quickly back over her shoulders, she caught sight of Sesshoumaru trailing a bit far behind her, and could tell that he was angry – and intrigued. She could almost hear him puzzling over her speed, and snickered inwardly at that thought. She raised her muzzle and howled, a challenging howl she knew he would never be able to ignore, and sure enough, there was a return howl, a call telling her that he would capture her, and that she would submit.
There was no question that she would, but it would not happen too soon. No... they would be running for quite a while.
A wicked grin flashing fangs that were far sharper than normal, Kagome picked up her speed, drawing away from the eager inu behind her as she headed towards the barrier around the area, and gathering herself, punched through it like a battering ram, bursting into the outside lands and dashing away before he could even get through himself.
Slowing to a trot, Sesshoumaru approached the barrier and then slipped through it, scenting the air for any kind of threat to his mating chase or intended. He growled, eyes flickering dangerously as he caught the scent of another inu male; it seemed that he had heard one of Kagome's occasional taunting howls, and was being drawn to her.
There would be battle this night.
Making use of something that Kagome hadn't remembered he could in this form, he folded himself into his light orb and flashed after her scent and sound, knowing that the other inu male would not be far behind.
When he landed, he was actually ahead of Kagome, and returning to his humanoid form, he stared impassively at the other male in the meadow. Black inu, he thought with little true interest. “Leave. You are interrupting a mating chase. I will not warn you again.”
The other male said nothing, just stared in the direction that Kagome was coming from, but before Sesshoumaru could attack and eliminate his opponent, she arrived in the meadow, coming to a skidding halt when she took in the standoff. She moved closer to Sesshoumaru cautiously as the other male stared at her and yipped at him questioningly. When he didn't answer immediately, she returned to her normal form in a beautiful swirl of light.
“Sesshoumaru... what's going on?” she repeated, looking from him to the other male warily.
It wasn't Sesshoumaru that answered.
“I challenge for the female,” the black inu growled, meeting Sesshoumaru's glare with one of his own.
“Have you no breeding, you poor excuse for an inu? It is not done to interrupt a mating chase – the time for challenges is before, you bakayarou,” Sesshoumaru answered, coldly dangerous as his instincts began clamoring for the male's death. “Leave.”
The black inu, however, did not reply, simply attacking immediately, and Kagome, having come from her inu form just moments before still had enough of those instincts flowing through her blood that she knew not to interfere. Instead, shivering in reaction, she stood aside and watched, knowing no other would defeat Sesshoumaru and that the other male had bought death on this night. She let out a mournful whimper at the thought that the silver god now fighting the other male heard and interpreted.
Imagine her shock when, within minutes, Sesshoumaru was victorious – but did not kill the rival male. Instead, he held Bakusaiga at his throat and demanded he surrender. When the black inu, with a sour expression, lifted his chin, Sesshoumaru forced him to give his word to leave instantly and not attack again, then snapped his sword away from the inu's throat and sheathed it. “Go.”
He watched as the inu gave one last wistful glance in Kagome's direction, then turned and left, disappearing into the night. Once he was satisfied that the dog was, indeed, gone, he turned to Kagome, who was now approaching him with a somewhat curious smile.
“You didn't kill him,” she said, gratitude in her eyes as he'd known there would be.
“No. However, with as impulsive as he is, he will die by someone's claws before long. One can only hope he learns before he faces such a thing.”
“I'm glad you didn't, but I don't understand why you didn't. I knew, you see – I could feel in the canine instincts that the normal outcome of such a challenge was death. So... why didn't you follow through on what I know your instincts were clamoring for?”
He eyed her meaningfully. “Because I knew it would disturb you once things were back to normal. I did not wish for our mating night to be so tainted in your eyes, especially considering that originally, I had not planned to mate you for a week or so yet.”
“What?” she blinked.
“I had planned to give you a little more time,” he replied. “However, certain... circumstances have conspired against me, and I simply can no longer wait.”
“Oh.” She thought over his words for a moment, and then smiled. “So... I suppose I should get busy running again, ne?” she asked, and as he inclined his head in agreement, she giggled and once more switched forms, running off into the distance as he gave her a bit of a headstart.
Finally, though, his blood running heatedly through his veins, he flashed into his true form again and howled in eager enjoyment as he took off after her. Within moments, the meadow lay once more dark and quiet behind him.
Little did she know that she had just intrigued the hell out of him with her words about canine instincts. Did that mean that she was actually an inu at this moment in time as she wore the form that looked so much like his own, and yet, was not? She was change, personified, yes... but did that mean that when she took on a particular form, she became that thing? Inside, where it counted?
Was the change absolute, just as his was?
He would definitely have to ask her, but that line of question she'd left him with escorted in another – would she wish to commence the mating in this form, or in their human forms?
Now, that thought intrigued him, and he howled again, hearing her faint answer, and used his youki to increase his speed; she would not escape him, no matter what trick she used.
As he increased his speed, his blood answered his call and rushed through his body, preparing him for what was to take place. And with Kagome's new trick, he didn't wonder how she'd handle the mating any longer.
She was even more than he'd known, his mother had been right.
One last thought chased itself through his mind, over and over...
What else was the little woman hiding under her innocent-seeming exterior?
~oOo~
A/N: And here's the next chapter of Ever the Lotus. Been a long time, eh? It was supposed to be the final chapter, but I just couldn't fit what I wanted to in it, so there will be one more – the mating chapter, basically, though I'm not sure I'm going to put in an actual lemon. We'll see...
Amber
The females were silent for the first time since he'd brought them from his mother's palace, and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but be very glad as he dropped down to land gently on his mother's steps once more.
This time she was there to greet them, rather than awaiting him on her portico. Running a discerning eye over them, she arched a brow when she realized who was missing. “Ah. It seems he shows better taste than I had thought he would, choosing Hiroko – the only one of them that has any intelligence.” She sighed, sweeping a hand towards the females in dismissal. “You have just made my life much more boring, Sesshoumaru – now there is no one left for me to actually talk to.”
“That is your problem, Satori, not mine. There are always other inu that you could choose to have as attendants – it is only your own hubris that you will not allow any save silver inu around you,” he replied, his whole attitude showing nothing but his own boredom in speaking to her. “My duty is done, your attendants are returned. I will take my leave of you.”
Without another word, he turned and leapt from her steps, eager to get away before she spoke again – every time she opened her mouth, some keen, hurtful thing came out of it, no matter who she was speaking to, and he had no patience for it on this day. On any day, really. But definitely not today, when his brother had chosen a female, was getting acquainted with her, and would soon be mated to her and living in his own residence. On top of that, his own female was residing in his palace as she was meant to do, and he would soon – very soon – have her living in his rooms, and completely his.
Life was good, and he did not want to spoil it with his mother's sour disposition.
Moving rapidly back to his home, Sesshoumaru let his thoughts wander over the last three years of his life, and how he'd become so drawn into the mystery that was Kagome. He had not noticed his own changed interest in her from a carefully explored idea, to an even more carefully explored female until it was far too late.
He couldn't say he cared.
Hn. Soon, I will be exploring her even more carefully, he thought as he penetrated the barrier surrounding the real center of the Western Lands and headed for the palace floating serenely above it. The naughty thought had him hardening, and he sighed, immediately dowsing himself in carefully chosen desire-numbing mental pictures to get rid of the problem before he landed and had to actually walk.
His mating day could not come soon enough for him.
With that thought in mind, he beckoned for his most trusted servant to follow him to his study.
When they arrived and he had seated himself, he asked, “My half-brother. Is he still with the female?”
“Hai, my Lord. They still wander the gardens. Is there some instruction in regards to them?” he asked in return, bowing.
“Yes. They are to be left alone except to be notified at dinner.” The male nodded in acceptance. “And my female? Is she still in the library?”
“Yes, my Lord. She did not even come out for lunch, though she was notified. I took her a tray, instead, and she was most grateful.”
Sesshoumaru inclined his head. “Very good. She is to be my mate and Lady of this place. Her needs are to be tended with alacrity on every servant's part. Is that clear? Nothing is sacred when it comes to her desires, though you should not fret,” he said, amused at the worried look the male was attempting to hide. “She is not a very demanding woman, as unlike my mother as it is possible to be. You should know the palace would not have accepted her presence were she anything like Satori.”
His man nodded, his relief evident, and bowed again. “Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. I was not thinking, allowing such doubts. If she had been like the former lady, the palace would indeed not have tolerated her presence.”
Sesshoumaru waved the servant away after acknowledging his words and stood to head for the library. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the anger his mother always suffered over the fact that the palace had refused her, not allowing her entrance – mate to his father or not. As he'd told Kagome before, the magic surrounding this place was somewhat sentient in nature, and it had not liked his mother at all. Because of that, Lady or not, his father had been reduced to building another palace for Satori and installing her there.
She'd never gotten over that fact and was still bitter about it.
He wondered idly who the palace would have chosen for his father, but then shrugged. It was a moot point. He was simply content that it had accepted his own chosen, not that he had doubted that it would.
Next time he had need to see his mother and she decided to get snarky, he could bring that whole situation up. It would upset her enough to keep her claws out of him while she complained at the unfairness of it all. He could only hope, however, that he would have no need to see her for a long, long while.
Opening the doors to the library with a silence only he was really capable of, though the doors themselves, though massive, were oddly quiet as well, he entered the room, but caught no sight of Kagome. He could feel her, though, and moved deeper into the room, moving between bookcases and tables with a deftness Kagome would envy, as she herself had almost stumbled a few times.
He was interested to find her curled up in a pile of pillows with two scrolls on the table beside her, and one held open in her hands as she read through it; he frowned as something occurred to him...
“Kagome?” When she looked up at him with a surprised expression, he gestured at the scrolls. “I thought you had said that you could only read the script of my time minimally. How were you so deeply into that scroll if that was so?”
She shook her head and looked back at the scroll in question with an odd look on her face. “It's strange, really. I know enough of your script in this time to slowly read some things, though there's a lot I don't know, and sometimes, from the rest of the sentence, I can figure out a difficult passage. But as I was puzzling through one of your scrolls, I felt this faint buzzing in my ears and got dizzy for a moment – and then, I could read it as if it were my own script.” He looked slightly surprised, and she pointed at the two scrolls on the table. “These guys here aren't even in our language – one is in ancient Chinese, which I can't speak at all, and the other is in what looks to be a very old form of English, which I do speak, though in its modern form. And yet, I read them like I'd grown up with them as my own language.”
Sesshoumaru blinked, then looked closer at the scrolls on the table. He recognized them both – his father had insisted on him learning several different languages, and he spoke both examples on the table fluently.
“You speak English. I remember.”
“Yes. I speak English because as I mentioned once before, in my time it's the most spoken language there is. And the old English in this scroll is still understandable somewhat, though difficult to read through for its complexity. And I do speak a little modern Chinese, but certainly not this archaic version in that scroll.” She eyed him suspiciously, then. “Can you read these scrolls, Sesshoumaru?”
With a nod, he sat near her and studied her face, though his mind seemed taken with something else. “Yes.”
She scowled at him. “Why didn't you tell me you understood English?” she demanded, flushing as she thought back to the day she'd been singing in English and he'd questioned her on her knowledge of a foreign language, never once giving away that he also spoke it, though in an older form.
Brow cocking arrogantly, he pinned her to the floor with his understanding of just why she was so embarrassed. “Do not worry, Kagome. I did not understand what you were singing too well – it was too fast and the language has changed enough that it was not easy to follow. However, I did gather enough of what it was about from the way you blushed when I appeared,” he finished complacently, seeming very satisfied with himself.
A growling sound echoed in the library, and he met her gaze, his amused at her temper.
“Damn you, Sesshoumaru! One of these days,” she said in a promising tone, “I'm going to knock you off that pedestal and stand back and laugh as you make a crater in the floor!”
“As I believe I told you before, do not hold your breath.” He shook his head and held up a finger as he took the scroll she'd been holding from her, gently rolling it back up. “Do be careful, Kagome – these are irreplaceable. As for your sudden understanding of other languages, it is possible it is a benefit of the library. After all, the magic that created this place also went into this part of it – perhaps that was a part of the magic, and no one has noticed until now.”
That subject arrested her temper and she looked thoughtful. “Didn't you mention that some of the scrolls here in the library spoke of the magic used to create the palace?”
“Hai.”
“Then maybe I should look it up. If the library is capable of this, who knows what else the rest of the palace is capable of.”
He shrugged. “If it would please you to research it, then by all means, do so. However, I didn't actually come in here for discussion – I came to call you to dinner. It is time to put the scrolls away,” he replied.
She pouted. “Couldn't I just have a tray like at lunch?” she asked, her voice almost whiny, and amused, he cocked a brow at her.
“No. You will attend the meal. In preparation for that, you should go to your rooms and refresh yourself.”
Her pout deepened and he looked at her, almost wanting to laugh. She looked like a spoiled child. “Was I perhaps mistaken when I named you woman, Kagome? Perhaps you are instead still a child? Be tranquil. The library has been here for thousands of years, it will still be here tomorrow, and even the day after, I assure you.”
With a huge, petulant sigh, she stood up and moved slowly out of the library, feet dragging, and Sesshoumaru felt more like laughing in that moment than he ever had in his entire life. Life with her will never be boring, and I will certainly end up losing my reputation for coldness – at least around her. I am quite able to retain my ice around everyone else, of course.
He paid no attention to why that was.
Kagome made her way towards her rooms, mind still in the library and lingering on some of the things she had read. Old tales long forgotten in her time, legends and stories of glamour and power that had her mind in other worlds. Of course, this palace was enough of what would be considered nothing more than a legend in her world that she had to smile... she could just imagine the tale that could be told with the creation of this place. Perhaps tomorrow she should begin reading the scrolls about her soon to be new home.
That thought about homes led her to other thoughts about why, exactly, she'd be living there as she readied herself for dinner that had her blushing deeply as she remembered the times he'd touched her. She couldn't help the flush of arousal that wrapped her body in a heated, spicy scent at that thought – but she wasn't prepared to have Sesshoumaru come through the doors to her room with crimson-rimmed eyes and a feral growl thrumming through his chest as he very obviously scented the air. Before she could even blink, he had her in his arms and was devouring her mouth like a starving man – and she really, really didn't want him to stop.
“If you do not refrain from thinking of things that make you smell so delightful, you will find yourself being mated on the table in front of Inuyasha, his female, and any servants who happen to enter the room, Kagome,” he warned in between heated kisses that stole her breath and her logical thought processes with equal facility. “There is only so much provocation I can withstand.”
“W-well, if you weren't walking into my room for no reason, you wouldn't have smelled anything!” she defended, red-faced.
“I was here to escort you to dinner, Kagome – and allow me to disillusion you on your misconception about your scent. I would be able to smell your desire even were I in my own rooms. Scents carry much further than I think you realize – especially ones such as arousal and desire.” He openly scented the air then, his crimson-tinged eyes closing in obvious enjoyment. “Your body is releasing pheromones that are enticing to any male, my sweet – and that is a very dangerous thing, because were another to be drawn into your scent so far that they forgot my claim on you, they would very quickly find themselves dead.”
Those types of thoughts quickly had Kagome's desire dying a rapid death, and as Sesshoumaru regained control of himself, he allowed her to step from his arms. Striding to her door, he slid it open for her and watched with hooded eyes as she followed after him and stepped out into the corridor, fully aware of what had caused her heated scent to fade.
“Does that thought bother you?” he asked as they moved through the halls at a steady pace. “That I would kill anyone who sought to take you from me?”
She shivered. “Of course it does! I mean, when we were in my world, and all those women kept staring at you, you think I didn't know what they were imagining? I hated it,” she flushed uncomfortably, but was determined to be honest, “I was jealous as hell. But you didn't see me trying to kill anyone, did you?”
“Ah, but you are not youkai, Kagome. The primal nature of the youkai, the single-mindedness towards what we choose as ours, those we choose to protect, does not exist in your calmer nature. Still,” he said, a knowing gleam entering hot golden eyes, “would you just stand aside and allow another female to touch me? To throw herself at me?”
A scowl crossed Kagome's face at the thought, her fists clenching. Would I? she wondered. The answer came quickly into her mind. “No... and maybe I'd even get into a fight over it, if the woman refused to back off. But I still wouldn't kill someone! That's such a... final sort of thing!”
“Exactly,” he purred as they reached the dining room and he again slid the large doors open, beckoning her into a part of the yamashiro she had not yet seen as the sounds of conversation flowed over them both and Kagome was abruptly made aware that Inuyasha and his intended were already in the room. “Which is the point. For if the encroaching male is dead, they can never encroach again.” He cast her an amused glance as she stepped past him. “Think you that your beloved Inuyasha is any different? Now that he has chosen a female, any who attempt to interfere would be immediately attacked.”
Thinking back to the days of the quest and Kouga, Kagome had to accept his words – she was well aware that Inuyasha would have killed the wolf if he could have, which is why she'd always sat him. She didn't want someone dying for such a silly, petty reason. And especially as Inuyasha had never even been interested in her that way. But he had chosen to protect her, even though it was not as a mate, and that had been enough to trigger that killing instinct.
How much stronger would it be when protecting such a deep bond as one would have with a mate? Especially when emotions were involved? She sighed, somehow a little melancholy at such thoughts. She held no illusions – Sesshoumaru might want her, physically and because of what power she could breed into his children, but she wasn't about to fool herself into thinking that his cold little heart had been won over and warmed by her. She'd resigned herself to accepting him without any love on his part, but that didn't mean that it didn't bruise her own heart a little, the thought of not having love like she'd always wanted – love like her parents had shared. She knew he would always take care of and protect her, and that he wanted her, but it wasn't quite the same. “Well, then I guess it's a good thing that it isn't any worse than it is, or you'd be even crazier,” she said, the flash of misery that had gone through her eyes not being missed by the inu Lord. “Um... where should I sit?”
She eyed the long table with cushions set out along its length with little interest, suddenly, not sure she was feeling all that hungry anymore but not wanting to let on to Sesshoumaru that anything was wrong... she did not want him questioning her on her sudden withdrawal.
Little did she realize it was too late; with nary a warning of any kind, he had her pinned to the wall of the room, completely ignoring Inuyasha's presence as well as anyone elses. He cared not at all who witnessed his interactions with Kagome, because their opinions mattered not a whit to him in any way.
“Why do we not discuss your sudden upset, instead, Kagome,” he said, pinning her eyes with his just as firmly as he'd pinned her to the wall. “And do not leave anything out, or we will stand here all night.”
She had little hope that he would not do exactly as he'd said, but was completely unwilling to say anything at all about her little moment of angst. She doubted he'd understand her feelings anyway, since he didn't appear to have too many of his own. Ugh. Why couldn't I have chosen someone who wasn't an icicle on the inside? But in truth, she knew why. Because she wanted him, and because... she swallowed a bit bitterly as she admitted to herself her feelings, she loved him. She was simply following her heart, and knowing what he was like, she'd still chosen to accept him. She would just have to deal with the lack of reciprocal feelings like a big girl and suck it up. After all, she'd no reason to complain, since this was what she'd chosen.
“It's something private and no one elses concern, Sesshoumaru,” she finally said, forcing her gaze away from him. “Please, let's just sit down and eat. I'm hungry.”
“Hn,” he breathed, considering her. After a moment, he decided to give her this; she was genuinely uncomfortable, and he did not want her to feel that way. So instead he let her go with a caress of her cheek that had her looking back up at him with wide eyes, and gestured to the cushion that sat at his left side. “That is your seat from now on as my Lady, Kagome,” he said, watching with thoughtful eyes as she took the indicated seat and waited for him to sit beside her.
Once he was seated the servants began setting the meal out before them, and Sesshoumaru glanced down the table at his brother, who met his eyes with a critical, weighing look that he cocked a brow at. After a moment's thought, he said, “After the meal, I wish to speak with you, Inuyasha.”
Tapping his chopsticks against his bowl of rice, the hanyou eyed him narrowly, then nodded, obviously having a few things to say to him, as well. That bothered the daiyoukai not at all; he cared not for what the whelp thought of his interactions with his female.
The meal was taken mostly in silence, as it appeared that both couples had a lot on their minds, and when the meal was over, the two females excused themselves to go to their rooms for a time, while Inuyasha and his brother maintained their seats until both women were gone.
Sesshoumaru ignored the servants now clearing the remains of the meal from the table and beckoned his brother with one clawed finger. Nothing was said for a time, until they were both seated in the castle's study with bowls of sake in their hands.
“Speak.”
Inuyasha eyed his brother with a moment of amusement, then took a sip of his potent demon liquor. Then he asked, his voice neutral, “Why is Kagome unhappy?”
Sesshoumaru glanced at his brother as he swirled his sake easily in its bowl. He waited for a time, forcing his brother to hold in his impatience, then returned, “It is not your concern. However, she will not remain so. As soon as it is known what is bothering her, it will be addressed and the issue fixed.”
Inuyasha tossed his empty sake bowl onto his brother's desk and sighed with irritation. “Kami, Sesshoumaru, that's probably what the problem is right there! You're too fuckin' cold for someone with Kagome's warm and loving heart. She doesn't want someone who just wants to fuck her and use her for breeding her power into your brats!” The hanyou sat back and closed his eyes, wiping a hand down his face in frustration. “This whole thing with you two is just a really bad idea. You need to leave her alone, Lord of frostbite. You just can't give her what she needs!”
Sesshoumaru said nothing during his brother's rant, simply watched him calmly knowing what the boy was getting at. When he stopped talking and slumped in his seat, hand over his face, the daiyoukai spoke once more. “As I already said, Inuyasha, whatever the problem is with Kagome will be addressed – but you are not invited. Whatever her concern, even if it is what you are intimating it is, is between her and I.”
Dropping his hand, Inuyasha stared steadily at his brother for a moment, then sighed again. “Fine. But you'd better take care of it. I won't let her be unhappy. If anyone on this earth deserves joy and someone to be devoted to her, it's her. Now, was there anything you wanted to say to me, 'cause if not, I'm leaving.”
Steepling his fingers, the inuyoukai arched a brow at his brother. “The female – is she the one you have definitely chosen?”
“Duh, Sesshoumaru, or I wouldn't have dismissed the others. What of it?” he snapped, reddening a bit at the change of subject.
“Has she agreed to the mating or have you yet asked her?”
“Not yet,” the hanyou grumbled grudgingly. “We've only just met, you know.”
Sesshoumaru was tempted to take Bakusaiga and slap his brother over the head with the blade. “She is inuyoukai, Inuyasha. She has already made up her mind whether she will accept you or not. It is called instinct. You are the one dithering at this point. So ask her, then find me immediately and let me know.”
“What's the rush?” he asked suspiciously, eyeing his brother. “Ain't like my home is finished being built so it's not like I can take her there and mate her already, anyway, ne?”
Closing his eyes and actually praying for patience with his thickheaded brother, Sesshoumaru breathed in and out for a moment, then opened his eyes and said, “There is a property I have on the southern borders of the Western lands. It's a small estate that is primarily used as a getaway, or somewhere to stay when I am on the southern routes on patrol. If you both have decided to accept each other, you may take her there.”
Embarrassed, Inuyasha nonetheless eyed his brother with suspicion writ large on his face. “Keh. The question still remains, ba-” he gritted his teeth as he remembered his promise to Kagome, “-Sesshoumaru... what's the rush?”
Fingers beginning to glow with the itch to smack his idiot brother with his whip, Sesshoumaru also forcibly pulled himself back, knowing that fighting with him would only set Kagome off and delay certain things he was no longer willing to delay. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “Once you and your infernal female are gone, Inuyasha, I can commence my own mating. And take heed – my patience is gone. I am not willing to wait any longer, so you had best get your future settled before night falls, because I want you two gone this evening.”
Inuyasha blinked as he took in his usually stoic and icy brother, who at the moment was neither, and then he began to laugh. Shaking his head, he stood and turned to leave the room, throwing over his shoulder, “Never thought I'd see the day the Ice Prince would lose his cool – and over a female at that. My Kagome, no less. You just can't wait to get laid!” Still laughing, the hanyou slid the door closed and went off down the hallway, leaving his brother, who was seriously considering disemboweling his sibling, to regain his control – and temper. Never had he been more goaded by the hanyou – never.
How vulgar can he be? Get laid? Is that what he calls intimacy between mates? I find I am pitying his chosen more and more. And he worries over what Kagome is getting. I would never cheapen the desire I feel for her by describing it in such disgusting and low terms.
He shook his head with disgust and poured himself another bowl of sake. That was going to be the hardest thing about being mated to Kagome – the closer dealings he would have to have with his uncouth brother. He could distantly respect the whelp for his strength, and for his loyalty to his pack. But... he would never be able to spend a great deal of time around the boy without wanting to kill him for his disgusting mouth.
Still, as aggravating as the idea was, it wasn't enough to deter his desire for Kagome by so much as an inch, so he set it aside with a light growl and turned his attention to the details of his own mating, instead. Which would take place tomorrow, without fail. It was time to take his obsession and make her his mate, his lover.
Standing from his desk, he turned to stare out the window, watching the dying of the light as late afternoon faded into early evening, running his hand in a slow caress through his pelt, and pondering on what it would feel like to have her do it. He smirked devilishly. Yes, he imagined that it would feel very satisfying, indeed.
Finally, he felt his brother's energy returning, and with a flash of golden eyes, waited for him to knock. “Come,” he said shortly, wishing to get the whole thing over with quickly.
Inuyasha stepped into the room and for once didn't beat about the bush. “She agreed.”
“Good. Then ready yourselves, and I will escort you to the estate I mentioned,” he said, calm once more and in control.
Inuyasha simply nodded and left the room, Sesshoumaru following as he went to track down Kagome. She would want to know that Inuyasha had decided and that the female had accepted, and that they were leaving to commence the mating. She would also wish to say goodbye.
It didn't take long to track her to her room, and knocking on the doorframe, he waited for her to beckon him inside. He frowned at the rather subdued, “Come in,” that reached his ears, but set it aside, knowing that he would be able to deal with any problems as soon as he had taken his brother and his female to their accommodations.
He stepped inside, eyes meeting her somber expression as she turned to look at him from where she sat looking out into the gardens. After a moment, he said, “Inuyasha has asked the girl to mate him, and she has agreed. I am taking them to a small estate I have on the southern borders for privacy in a few minutes, but I thought you would wish to say goodbye.”
Kagome blinked, surprised. So fast?! “Uhm, isn't that awfully fast?” she asked.
“We are inuyoukai, Kagome. Even though Inuyasha is only half, he still has the same instincts that we do. When we meet a compatible being, we do not waste time as humans do with long courtships, as we have instinct and scent to help us decide quickly.” He tilted his head as he looked her over. “Very few would wait even as long as I have since I decided that I wanted you. Of course, the circumstances between you and I are a little different, and it took me some time to realize that I wanted you as a male desires a female. Had we both been inu, that would not have happened. It took me so long to understand because I was so concentrated on finding the answers to the question that is you – and because, whatever you may be, you are not youkai.”
“Oh. But what about... you know, us?” she squeaked at the look in his eyes.
“I find that I have no more patience, Kagome,” he said openly, and she knew immediately what he meant, blushing deeply. She swallowed heavily.
Already? I know he said soon, but I didn't know he meant like... now! But as she thought about it, his impatience and his words calmed her worries, and she sighed, choosing not to deny him. She'd always known that Sesshoumaru was not like others, and that he would probably never say he loved her, even if he did. She would just have to guess, and hope. But his words just now did help – knowing that he had changed his opinion and found her to be worthy of his desire, whether she was youkai or not. It was a very large concession coming from him, and she knew it. And that he was so impatient to have her, since Sesshoumaru was the poster boy for patience and the actual meaning of the word, said quite a bit to those who knew him.
So she didn't say anything more, just nodded and stood up, letting him escort her to the courtyard of the yamashiro, where Inuyasha and his chosen female were already waiting. The female, Hiroko, watched her carefully as she stood beside Inuyasha.
Kagome smiled brightly at her best friend as he stood next to the pretty female, blushing and not quite able to meet her eyes. She giggled a little at his obvious discomfort, and he looked up at her at that.
“Congratulations, both of you,” she said, grinning as Inuyasha simply blushed harder and Hiroko bowed with a murmured, “Thank you.” Still smiling, though the grin had softened, she sighed as she realized just how much everything was about to change. Despite her encouraging words the other day, their paths were about to be sundered, at least partially, and nothing would ever be the same again.
It had all happened so fast, and she could see just how awkward Inuyasha felt, no doubt realizing the same things as she was. “Inuyasha,” she began, before stepping up to him and wrapping her arms around him, not caring if the other two standing with them liked it or not. “As long as you're happy, then I am happy,” she whispered, knowing he would hear her. “And I will always love you, never forget that. And hey... we're gonna be family officially now, you know?” As he hugged her back, she could feel his response as he squeezed her hard for one moment, and then nodded.
After a long moment, she stepped back, sniffing and trying to hold her tears back. “Take care of each other, and don't forget that you have people that care about you, so if you ever need anything... well, you know where to come.”
“Keh,” Inuyasha said, his own eyes a bit shiny, though everyone was smart enough to say nothing about that. “The same goes for you, Kagome. If this iceberg here ever hurts you, you just come to me, and I'll take care of it, okay?” he said gruffly, completely ignoring his older brother's growl.
She nodded, and with that, Sesshoumaru informed her that he would be back within the hour and that they had a few things to talk about before finding their beds. When she acknowledged his words, he promptly lifted into the air, his brother and his female following on her cloud. Once they reached the outside lands, he would enfold them all into his light orb and take them to their destination.
Kagome's last sight of Inuyasha was of his bright red clothing fading into darkness, and his golden eyes as they looked right back at her until they were out of sight.
A few bittersweet tears suddenly her only company, Kagome headed back into the shiro, wanting nothing more than to go wander in the gardens.
The future, which had always seemed so far away, was suddenly right in front of her, and she was abruptly perched on the edge of forever.
It was a lot to take in.
~oOo~
It did not take long at all to arrive at his estate on the southern border in his orb form, and landing gently inside the hei, he moved forward without a word through the baileys while flaring his aura to call his head servant to him so instructions could be given on his guests and his duties to them. Both Inuyasha and Hiroko were silent, looking around with interest at this much more traditional, land-bound estate that Sesshoumaru owned.
It was, obviously, nowhere near the size of the ancestral yamashiro, but was still impressive for all that, being quite large in comparison to other estates of similar structure. Anyone seeing it would know of the overwhelming wealth of the owner, but it wasn't overly ostentatious, as some human estates of equal size might have been, it was simply in the quality of the construction and the accoutrements that the impression of wealth was given.
Honestly, looking it over with a critical eye, it wasn't that different to how his own home would soon be – Inuyasha had managed to find a youkai work crew to build his home, and knew that it would surpass any human dwelling around. And he was wealthy enough to make it a very beautiful, comfortable home – his soon-to-be mate would not want for anything.
It felt good to know that he could actually provide his mate and future family with such comfort. Especially as she was soon to be technically the new Lady of Setsuna. In respect to his mother, he was going to bring the clan back from obscurity to shining wealth and power that would not fade with time.
He couldn't think of anything else he could give to the woman who had given him life but to revive her family name as he could not her and bring it back to the importance it had once held. And if any thought to challenge him, they would die.
Orders given, and servant standing by waiting for Inuyasha's wishes to be known, Sesshoumaru nodded curtly to his brother, and then, shocking his half-brother almost to death, he let his face soften just a bit, allowing his sincerity to shine through, and said, “Congratulations, little brother, on your mating. You have chosen well, and will bring honor to our family name.” With that, he bowed just slightly to his brother and his female, and then took to the air without further ado, not waiting for a reply he knew might take Inuyasha a few to get out in his surprise.
And now that you are taken care of, Inuyasha, it is time for me to see to my own future. One I have waited for far longer than even I had realized.
~oOo~
Kagome stared at the night sky shimmering above her with pensive eyes, knowing that her whole life was about to change. But she was ready for that change, and looking deep within herself, she knew that it was a necessary change – a right change.
Still, it was a big deal – not to mention, she had no idea what the mating practices of inuyoukai were like. It could be anything from normal copulation – she blushed – to some elaborate ceremony and she was feeling a bit uncertain of herself in respect to that part of things.
Arms clasped around her knees, she sat back and enjoyed the breeze filtering over her, leaving her skin cool and her senses filled with the scents from the garden and the world around her. It was a simple pleasure that no one in her time would ever get, and she smiled a little as she whispered her thanks to the kami that her life was so different.
She also sent up a prayer for Inuyasha and his mate-to-be – that they would be happy and have many children in their long lives. She never wanted her best friend in all the world to be unhappy again – he'd suffered enough of that in his life, as far as she was concerned.
Her thoughts turned, then, to her mother, and she chuckled a little as she thought of her last visit with her and her mother's rather prophetic words about her 'marital' status – or the nomenclature she would soon be sporting. Mate. It never failed to amaze her, how her mother always knew things – half the time, even before she did, as with this situation. I suppose it is easier for people on the outside looking in to see things that those who are too close to the situation miss. Still... I wonder if my children will ever look at me with that flabbergasted expression on their faces as I do the all-knowing mother routine.
Thoughts of children soon had her blushing as her mind came full-circle and placed her right back at the beginning – thoughts of what was about to happen to her. And once again, her mind started running in circles, causing her to sigh and give up.
Standing, she began wandering through the trees, wishing she could reach the floating islands to walk around them, too.
It took a moment after that thought flashed through her mind for her to actually focus all her attention on it, and then she wished she could kick herself – she was change personified, wasn't she? So what more basic way to use her nature than to change herself?
With that thought, she focused on her body, and quickly picturing a certain animal in her mind, she shimmered, her form shrinking as she coalesced into a mid-sized falcon, the light settling as it disappeared inside her skin.
With a shake she looked herself over, pleased with how she appeared, especially as this was her first time trying such a thing. Taking a moment to preen her feathers, she shook off the desire to find a good tree and sleep, since this type of raptor was a diurnal creature, and with a leap, launched herself into the air, a fierce cry of joy breaking free of her throat at the way it felt to soar with the wind under her wings.
I can't believe I've missed this all this time! This would have been a handy thing back on the hunt for Naraku! Ugh. I wonder what else I'm not thinking of that could be fun or even helpful?
Riding the night breezes flowing around the floating islands for a few minutes, she finally picked out one of the larger ones, and landed on the branch of a large tree, then took the short hop down to the ground, flaring her wings around her to slow herself as she came in to land. After folding her wings back down, she allowed herself to phase back into her normal form, and sighed, flushed with pleasure.
That had been totally thrilling! She decided that she would have to try that again come morning, when she could go for a good, long flight just for the joy of it.
Blood still flowing excitedly through her, she smiled as she wandered the island, enjoying the slow brush of the greenery around her against her skin as the breeze rustled through. Never in her life had she ever felt so good, and she almost wished that she could stay out here all night. She didn't feel like going inside to bed at all.
Finding a particularly beautiful spot where two trees had grown together and a type of creeping ivy had grown all over them, vining and creating a small bower, she sat down against the back of one of the trees and just curled up, calm and happy and content as she'd never been, before drifting off to sleep, forgetting that a daiyoukai was soon going to be looking for her.
Sesshoumaru landed at his gates and looked up at the magnificent dwelling he called home with pride, his eyes wandering the profile of the great yamashiro he'd inherited as the Lord of the West, and was pleased – just as pleased as he was with the female he would take to mate very soon. She would do this place justice... there was no denying that, for as it was a one of a kind, so was she.
Moving swiftly through the halls, he tried to track Kagome, but frowned – he was having a very difficult time doing so. He could feel her as he headed for the gardens... but once there, it was like only small, occasional bursts of her aura came through. It was not enough to track her.
Tilting his head into the breeze, he analyzed the scents, and blinked, startled – her scent actually seemed to be coming from above him. He wondered how that was possible. Taking to the air himself, he finally tracked her down to a small bower on one of the floating islands. He looked around at it as he landed softly, pleased. It was a beautiful spot, one he would have to remember for himself.
His attention turned then to the small female that was occupying the prime spot, and he watched her for a few moments as she slept peacefully, her face soft and content with a small smile still tilting her lips upward.
After a moment, he sat down near her and used his youki to wake her, gently tapping it against her aura until she woke, groggily looking for the source of the interruption to her sleep. When her eyes landed on him, she blinked sleepily, and then sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear the sleep from them.
“Oh! Sesshoumaru. Did you already take care of Inuyasha? That was quick,” she muttered as she sat up and shook herself fully awake. When he didn't answer her, she asked, “So... what was it that you wished to talk about?”
After a moment more of just watching her, no expression on his face, he draped an arm over his knee, tilting his head up to stare at the sky. Just as she began to be entranced by his ethereal beauty into forgetting her question, he spoke. “What upset you earlier?”
For a moment, she'd forgotten about her earlier angst; blushing lightly, she shook her head. “It was just a moment of silliness, Sesshoumaru, just forget about it.”
“Your blush gives you away, Kagome. I know what was in your mind.” He slanted a glance at her, his eyes opaque and giving nothing away. “Do you have any questions about the mating?” he asked coolly.
Blinking in confused startlement at the rapid change of subject, she took a moment to answer. “Well, yeah, of course I do. I mean, it's not like I know what all's going to happen.”
“Hn.” After a momentary silence, he spoke. “Normally, the couple takes their true forms and the male chases the female. Once caught, the female submits, and then they may mate, in whichever form they prefer, though most seem to prefer doing so in their humanoid forms – humans are much more... shall we say... versatile in their ways of mating? It is the only thing that I will agree that humans are more... blessed in.”
Kagome froze at that. Sesshoumaru... admitting that there was something that humans did better? And Sex?! The world had just ended, she was sure of it. Still, after shoving that shock away, she took in his other words. “So... you're saying that because I'm not inuyoukai, we won't be able to have the normal mating that your kind usually does?”
He inclined his head. “Aa.”
She thought back over what she'd done earlier, and then a slow smirk stole over her face, causing Sesshoumaru to look at her with a faintly questioning expression in golden eyes. She didn't answer, simply closing her own eyes and repeating her earlier actions, but instead, she took on the form of an inu, silver fur, perky ears like Inuyasha, a pelt like his own, and plush tail included, and as the light died down, she barked at the daiyoukai, a very pointed doggy grin baring long fangs as she did.
For the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru found himself taken aback, totally stunned by another. Her bark was easily understood by him – she was teasing him, daring him to question her on what she'd just done.
“Explain!” he barked back, eyes narrowed and rimmed with crimson sclera. If she was taunting him...
A series of barks and yips told the story – and then she transformed back, laughing at the look on his face. “Come on, Sesshoumaru – I'm the personification of change, aren't I? What more basic change is there than changing your form?”
He was silent for some time, simply staring at her blankly, and she sighed. No sense of humor at all. “Oh, for kami's sake, what's the big deal?” she asked, beginning to be uncertain of her actions.
In Sesshoumaru's eyes, there was only one thing to say to the impudent but beautiful little female he had planned on mating tomorrow – but was now going to mate tonight.
“Run, Kagome. Run,” he hissed as he began to be taken over by his own change of form.
Eyes widening, Kagome stared at him with a stunned expression for all of one second – and then she began to change, as well, knowing he would not take it easy on her.
Let the games begin! she thought triumphantly to herself.
There was no way she was going to make things easy on the arrogant dog, either, so she'd made a few 'modifications' to her own canine form. Like... she'd made herself resemble him fairly well on the outside, but most of that was just her light covering of fur. In reality, she'd made her frame almost more like that of a Greyhound... built for speed, every muscle and line pared down to perfection to be the fastest dog on earth.
He was going to have to try very hard to catch her, and that was all there was to it. She would worry about what would happen afterward later, although in this canine form, the normal human nervousness over ones first sexual experience wasn't there. At any rate, she'd think about it later. With one last look over her shoulder at the now canine Sesshoumaru, she winked and then barked her challenge to him, before taking off and running for all she was worth – straight for the edges of the garden, and the fall to the earth from the floating palace, Sesshoumaru hot on her tail.
As she leapt from the edge of the yamashiro to the earth rather far below, she had to allow that there was such a freedom in forms other than a humanoid one that she was finding it almost preferable to be in other forms. The incredible feeling of flying through the air, powered by powerful pinions was as heady as anything she could ever imagine. And in the canine form, there was a sense of joy, of the breeze in ones fur as you ran like the wind. She could feel every muscle bunch and release in perfect harmony to propel her at speeds a human's form would never know.
And yet, in a way, she felt suddenly sorry for Sesshoumaru as she tore across the ground, said inuyoukai behind her. For he would only ever know the feeling of having two forms, and would never have the chance to truly fly like she could. It wasn't the same, his cloud or even his light orb, to actual flight.
Looking quickly back over her shoulders, she caught sight of Sesshoumaru trailing a bit far behind her, and could tell that he was angry – and intrigued. She could almost hear him puzzling over her speed, and snickered inwardly at that thought. She raised her muzzle and howled, a challenging howl she knew he would never be able to ignore, and sure enough, there was a return howl, a call telling her that he would capture her, and that she would submit.
There was no question that she would, but it would not happen too soon. No... they would be running for quite a while.
A wicked grin flashing fangs that were far sharper than normal, Kagome picked up her speed, drawing away from the eager inu behind her as she headed towards the barrier around the area, and gathering herself, punched through it like a battering ram, bursting into the outside lands and dashing away before he could even get through himself.
Slowing to a trot, Sesshoumaru approached the barrier and then slipped through it, scenting the air for any kind of threat to his mating chase or intended. He growled, eyes flickering dangerously as he caught the scent of another inu male; it seemed that he had heard one of Kagome's occasional taunting howls, and was being drawn to her.
There would be battle this night.
Making use of something that Kagome hadn't remembered he could in this form, he folded himself into his light orb and flashed after her scent and sound, knowing that the other inu male would not be far behind.
When he landed, he was actually ahead of Kagome, and returning to his humanoid form, he stared impassively at the other male in the meadow. Black inu, he thought with little true interest. “Leave. You are interrupting a mating chase. I will not warn you again.”
The other male said nothing, just stared in the direction that Kagome was coming from, but before Sesshoumaru could attack and eliminate his opponent, she arrived in the meadow, coming to a skidding halt when she took in the standoff. She moved closer to Sesshoumaru cautiously as the other male stared at her and yipped at him questioningly. When he didn't answer immediately, she returned to her normal form in a beautiful swirl of light.
“Sesshoumaru... what's going on?” she repeated, looking from him to the other male warily.
It wasn't Sesshoumaru that answered.
“I challenge for the female,” the black inu growled, meeting Sesshoumaru's glare with one of his own.
“Have you no breeding, you poor excuse for an inu? It is not done to interrupt a mating chase – the time for challenges is before, you bakayarou,” Sesshoumaru answered, coldly dangerous as his instincts began clamoring for the male's death. “Leave.”
The black inu, however, did not reply, simply attacking immediately, and Kagome, having come from her inu form just moments before still had enough of those instincts flowing through her blood that she knew not to interfere. Instead, shivering in reaction, she stood aside and watched, knowing no other would defeat Sesshoumaru and that the other male had bought death on this night. She let out a mournful whimper at the thought that the silver god now fighting the other male heard and interpreted.
Imagine her shock when, within minutes, Sesshoumaru was victorious – but did not kill the rival male. Instead, he held Bakusaiga at his throat and demanded he surrender. When the black inu, with a sour expression, lifted his chin, Sesshoumaru forced him to give his word to leave instantly and not attack again, then snapped his sword away from the inu's throat and sheathed it. “Go.”
He watched as the inu gave one last wistful glance in Kagome's direction, then turned and left, disappearing into the night. Once he was satisfied that the dog was, indeed, gone, he turned to Kagome, who was now approaching him with a somewhat curious smile.
“You didn't kill him,” she said, gratitude in her eyes as he'd known there would be.
“No. However, with as impulsive as he is, he will die by someone's claws before long. One can only hope he learns before he faces such a thing.”
“I'm glad you didn't, but I don't understand why you didn't. I knew, you see – I could feel in the canine instincts that the normal outcome of such a challenge was death. So... why didn't you follow through on what I know your instincts were clamoring for?”
He eyed her meaningfully. “Because I knew it would disturb you once things were back to normal. I did not wish for our mating night to be so tainted in your eyes, especially considering that originally, I had not planned to mate you for a week or so yet.”
“What?” she blinked.
“I had planned to give you a little more time,” he replied. “However, certain... circumstances have conspired against me, and I simply can no longer wait.”
“Oh.” She thought over his words for a moment, and then smiled. “So... I suppose I should get busy running again, ne?” she asked, and as he inclined his head in agreement, she giggled and once more switched forms, running off into the distance as he gave her a bit of a headstart.
Finally, though, his blood running heatedly through his veins, he flashed into his true form again and howled in eager enjoyment as he took off after her. Within moments, the meadow lay once more dark and quiet behind him.
Little did she know that she had just intrigued the hell out of him with her words about canine instincts. Did that mean that she was actually an inu at this moment in time as she wore the form that looked so much like his own, and yet, was not? She was change, personified, yes... but did that mean that when she took on a particular form, she became that thing? Inside, where it counted?
Was the change absolute, just as his was?
He would definitely have to ask her, but that line of question she'd left him with escorted in another – would she wish to commence the mating in this form, or in their human forms?
Now, that thought intrigued him, and he howled again, hearing her faint answer, and used his youki to increase his speed; she would not escape him, no matter what trick she used.
As he increased his speed, his blood answered his call and rushed through his body, preparing him for what was to take place. And with Kagome's new trick, he didn't wonder how she'd handle the mating any longer.
She was even more than he'd known, his mother had been right.
One last thought chased itself through his mind, over and over...
What else was the little woman hiding under her innocent-seeming exterior?
~oOo~
A/N: And here's the next chapter of Ever the Lotus. Been a long time, eh? It was supposed to be the final chapter, but I just couldn't fit what I wanted to in it, so there will be one more – the mating chapter, basically, though I'm not sure I'm going to put in an actual lemon. We'll see...
Amber