InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Be Careful What You Wish For ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: Okay, this is a big fat plot bunny, but sometimes you just can't resist. I hate being predictable, but sometimes it just can't be avoided. And her character was just screaming for this. Don't worry, I'll veer off and wander around like usual, but right now I just had to. Oh, Dyquem, now I'm having trouble seeing Cho as anything other then a drunken Australian. I picked it because it means butterfly. And I can't tell where the title came from without giving it all away, but I almost threw this chapter out when I saw your review. I HATE being predicted! Oh well. I'll survive, and I think everyone saw this one coming. And the usual hugs and snuggles for all of my reviewers, I love the big warm fuzzies. Still own nada.

 

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A figure went flying through the air, taking out the three soldiers behind him.

 

“I am still looking for a real challenge!” Glaring about him, the male watched as his opponents tried to regroup and charge while shaking with fear. “Come at me!”

 

With a feeling of futility the group mobbed forward again, trying to overwhelm the taiyoukai. He disappeared under the assault, seemingly outnumbered, before the soldiers were sent flying through the air again, leaving the male alone in the square. “You are all pathetic.”

 

“Seiji-sama.”

 

Glaring, the male walked over to the shaking servant. “Hai?”

 

“Your mother has requested your presence, my lord.”

 

`I was becoming bored with this anyways.' “Hai.” The servant was left wavering in the square as Seiji marched off to find the lady that had summoned him.

 

“You wanted to see me, mother.”

 

The Lady of the East looked up to find her oldest son standing in the doorway. “Hai, Seiji. Please, sit and talk with me.”

 

“And what do you want from me?”

 

The dragon raised an eyebrow at her son. He was her pride and joy, but that had not led to a warm and loving relationship. Of all of her offspring with Isamu, this one resembled her the most. While the rest took after their snow leopard father, this one was all dragon.

 

“I wish to discuss a potential mate with you.”

 

“Why the rush? I have not yet reached two hundred years. Are you so eager to be called grandmother?” Seiji dropped onto a cushion, pushing his blue-black hair behind his shoulders.

 

“For political reasons, my son. The treaty with the West is ending.”

 

“And? The only time the West has ever attacked the East was when your former mate decided to start a war. Let the treaty lapse. We are not so weak that we need that protection.”

 

“You are being blind. We have strife from inside, and the ningens are becoming quite troublesome. I do not have the energy or resources to watch our borders and deal with the internal threats. If you think Sesshomaru would just ignore an opportunity to destroy us if it was convenient, you have obviously not met him.”

 

Seiji shrugged. “You have your reasons. And which female have you picked out for your loving son?”

 

“Sesshomaru's eldest, Mizuki.”

 

“The hanyou?”

 

Akira started to tap her fan on her desk. “Hai.”

 

“Absolutely not.” Seiji was on his feet, pacing. “There is no way I would take the result of Sesshomaru's folly as a mate.”

 

“If your father commands you . . . “

 

Seiji burst out laughing. “Father? There is no need to pretend with me, mother. I know who rules the East.”

 

“Very well.” Akira was suddenly standing directly in front of her son, her fan held tightly. “Then you will obey me, Seiji. Many say that you are the most powerful taiyoukai of your generation, that you are second only to Sesshomaru, but I can still bring you down.”

 

“No need for threats, mother. I have always been an obedient son.”

 

“As long as it is more convenient, you mean.”

 

“And you always manage to make it more convenient to obey you.”

 

Akira returned to her seat. “I will send a message inquiring after Mizuki. I doubt that they would refuse to consider your offer, but if I know Kagome she will not be pleased.”

 

“And why not?” Seiji had resumed his pacing, keeping his ice blue eyes glued to Akira. “Their daughter is a hanyou, how could they find me unacceptable?”

 

A soft smile drifted across Akira's features. “Because Kagome believes in love.”

 

“Then Sesshomaru not only took a ningen, he took an idiot.”

 

There was a soft hiss. Seiji was rather surprised to see his mother's eyes darkening, and the hiss was coming from her. “Peace, mother. My comment was inappropriate and I apologize.” `I had forgotten how touchy she is about Sesshomaru's bitch.'

 

“Out. I will let you know when I have received a response.”

 

Seiji bowed himself out, his fingers itching to destroy something. Anything. `A hanyou. She would saddle me with Sesshomaru's half breed daughter. Disgusting thought, and what kind of offspring would I have? How could any with the taint of ningen blood hope to hold these lands? Mother can scarcely do it, and she has some of the most powerful taiyoukai ever known as her ancestors.'

 

“Seiji, come and give me a real opponent.”

 

Isamu was standing over one of the fallen soldiers from Seiji's previous workout.

 

`Perfect.' Seiji immediately changed directions to join his father.

 

“By the expression on your face I would guess that you have talked to your mother.”

 

“Hai.” Seiji pulled his sword and brought it down in a tight arc, aiming for his father's head.

 

“I told her you would react this way.” Isamu blocked and dropped back. “I sure as hell would have.”

 

“Can you talk some sense into her?”

 

“You think I didn't try?” The leopard ducked away from his frustrated son. Hopefully Seiji would not land him with the healer again. “Your mother is completely set on the idea of forming an alliance with the West. Ryuutaisho's brother is nibbling at us from the inside, and the ningens are getting much too efficient with those muskets for my liking. We very well may need Sesshomaru's support, rather then watching him from over the border.”

 

“Then marry off one of my sisters. The hanyou son should be honored to have one of them.” Seiji sent his father sliding across the ground. “Why taint my heirs with those bloodlines?”

 

“Because Sesshomaru is more likely to come to our assistance if his daughter is in danger.” Carefully picking himself up, Isamu grimaced at the blood on his arm. “Would you mind not cutting me to ribbons, son?”

 

“Well, I cannot do this to mother . . . “

 

“Fine, but be a good son and drop your old man off at the healers afterwards.”

 

“You have met this Mizuki, correct?”

 

“Hai, many years ago when she was just a pup. She actually came with her family to see you when you were born.”

 

“So she is older then me.” Seiji set the tip of his sword on the ground and rested his arm on it. “Am I being punished?”

 

“No more so then any other son that is stuck with an unappealing mate.”

 

“Unappealing? She is ugly, too? Kami save me.”

 

“No, I don't think she's ugly. She was rather pretty as a pup. I remember that she favored her father, but had blue eyes. My sister Cho believes that she has grown to be rather lovely.”

 

“Aunt Cho?”

 

“Hai. She is close friends with Mizuki, and has kept me up to date on the goings on at Sesshomaru's home. For example, Mizuki was just made a Commander. I will warn you, the entire family is insane and rather violent. Do not underestimate her because she is a hanyou, and for pity's sake don't try to predict her.”

 

“Well, at least that is something. I would rather not have a repulsive or boring female. This one may be enjoyable to sire some offspring on.”

 

Isamu made a face at his son's obvious comment. “Sure, if you like them cold and deadly. I personally would have no interest in bedding an icicle.”

 

“But I like them cold and deadly.” There was a hint of fang in Seiji's smile. “If I can learn to ignore the hanyou stench I may actually enjoy this.”

 

“Until she gets mad at you and sticks a knife between your ribs right in the middle of trying to produce those heirs. She would do it with a smile on her face, and you would be left hanging for all of eternity.”

 

“Now I do want to meet her. If she is half as interesting as you are making her out to be it would be a short but interesting relationship. None would blame me for killing a female who tried such a thing, not even her father.”

 

There was an appraising look to Isamu's eyes. “I have never thought that this was a good idea. Some elements just do not belong together, and this combination has the potential to be a powder keg with a very short fuse.”

 

“Then perhaps you should talk to mother.” Seiji slipped his blade into his sheath. “It will be a short alliance if I kill the half-bitch in bed.”

 

Isamu watched his son stalk off. `Akira, my love, you may not have calculated this one all the way to the end. He will kill her, or she will kill him. Either way, you will lose your precious alliance.' He set off in the opposite direction, heading to Akira's study.

 

“I just saw Seiji.” Slipping into the room, Isamu offered a small smile to his mate.

 

“I can tell.” Akira's eyes trailed over the blood on his arm. “He will do as he is told.”

 

“Of course, and then kill her in the night.”

 

“He would not dare.”

 

“Oh, yes he would. Do you remember Mizuki at all?”

 

“She was very quiet and polite.” Akira was already refocusing on her work. “You are being swayed by your son.”

 

“If he gets her mad she will try to kill him, and he will return the favor. Do you think Sesshomaru made her a Commander just because she needed something to do?”

 

“They will be fine. They both know their duty.” Akira made a show of pulling out a pen and ink.

 

“I am only looking out for your best interests.”

 

“I realize that. Is there anything else?”

 

`One day she will take me seriously.' Biting down on his frustration, Isamu moved back to the door. “No. I will see you later, Akira.”

 

“Hai.”

 

`Now it is my turn to feel like destroying something. At least I have that in common with my son. Akira has the same effect on both of us.' Isamu tried to keep from stomping down the hall. He had improved his control over his temper, but sometimes it would still get away from him. `The Captain would have my hide for that kind of behavior.'

 

Thinking of his old instructor brought Isamu's mind to a point of hope. `I can think of only one creature that can stop this. Kagome. As soon as she hears `arranged mating' she will dig in her heels and refuse, no matter who the offer comes from. She will insist on a courtship, and when they try to kill each other she will call the whole thing off.'

 

“Papa? Do you have time to play with us now?” Matching voices called to him from a room. Inside were two little girls, absolutely identical.

 

“Of course, ladies. My time is yours.” Isamu followed his two youngest to a table where they were using mahjongg tiles to build a house.

 

“See? We're learning to play mahjongg!”

 

“I see.” Isamu began to build an addition. `Let Akira and Seiji play their games. At least I can understand the girls and my other son.' “Perhaps later I can show you another way to play mahjongg.”

 

“Okay, Papa.” “Arigato, Papa.”

 

----

 

“Ki-chan! Mama's looking for you!”

 

`I must remember to kill my little brother.' Mizuki gave the Captains she had been meeting with a glare before leaving.

 

“Shetai, learn some restraint.” Mizuki fell into step with him as they walked through the palace.

 

“Nah, you have enough for the both of us.”

 

“What does Mama need?”

 

“No idea. She got a message and trapped father in his study. Now they want you.”

 

“Hn.”

 

Mizuki found the door open, so she slipped in with a bow. “Father, mother.”

 

“Sit down, Mizuki-chan.” Kagome patted the cushion next to her. “Scram, Katsuro-kun. I'll let you know later.”

 

“Aw, come on, Mama. She'll just tell me as soon as I ask.”

 

“Out.” Kagome ignored the whining as she waved her son out.

 

Sesshomaru had a message in front of him, and he was already watching Mizuki.

 

“Hey Sesshomaru, did Katsuro actually leave?”

 

The youkai lord shook his head.

 

“Hn.” Kagome tip toed over to the wall and set her hand on it.

 

“Ow!” Katsuro's yell could be clearly heard in the study.

 

“Then quit eaves dropping, pup!”

 

“Okay, Mama.”

 

“Did he really leave this time?”

 

Unsuccessful in hiding his smirk, Sesshomaru nodded.

 

“One day he'll grow out of that.” Kagome returned to her seat.

 

“Wishful thinking, miko.”

 

Kagome made a face before turning to her daughter. “I got a message about you today.”

 

Mizuki had a sudden flashback to facing her parents over a note from Mayu. `Have I done anything that I need to worry about? Who would send a message? Am I in trouble? Is this about Goro?'

 

“Akira's eldest has made an offer for you.”

 

The relief almost made Mizuki not pay attention to what was said. `Wait a minute, offer?'

 

“The last time you saw Seiji he was just a couple of weeks old.”

 

“Seiji? Isamu's son?”

 

“She reacted better than I predicted.” Sesshomaru looked rather amused at his daughter's reaction.

 

Looking over to her father, Mizuki dropped into her usual means of communication with Sesshomaru. “A good match.”

 

“He is likely not willing.”

 

“And?”

 

“True.”

 

“But Isamu's son.”

 

“He may take after the dragon.”

 

“True.”

 

“Stop that!” Kagome looked back and forth between her mate and daughter. “You two know that drives me nuts!”

 

“Gomen, Mama. It is quite an offer. Lady of the East.” Mizuki's mind was spinning. `Lady in my own right, but who will help Katsuro?'

 

“This is not a job offer, you're looking at a mate! You know, that Seiji guy that you don't seem too interested in?” Kagome glared at the two inu.

 

“I know that, Mama, but you have to think of this from every angle.”

 

“I'm not thinking about this from any angle until I meet him.” Pure defiance radiated off of the miko.

 

“You will meet him during negotiations.” Sesshomaru knew what kind of a battle he was starting, but he moved on bravely.

 

“No! We will meet him and inspect him before there is any of that!”

 

“Isamu may not agree to that.”

 

“But Akira will.” Kagome broke into a smile. “If nothing else, she still owes me for that whole war thing.”

 

“So you want Isamu's heir to come here for inspection before you will consider his offer?” Mizuki looked aghast. “That is insulting to that family.”

 

“And a courtship.”

 

“Courtship? I may be half ningen, but I am not looking to get married. This seems like a waste of time.”

 

“That's my final offer, or I won't listen to anything else about it.”

“You do realize that Mizuki and I could go ahead without you.” Sesshomaru tried not to smile as his mate sputtered.

 

“You wouldn't! I know where you sleep, youkai, and I can do a lot to you without killing you!” Kagome's aura snapped, making Mizuki shift away. “Oops. Gomen, Mizuki-chan.”

 

“I do not require sleep, miko.”

 

“You will eventually, and this Kagome is very patient. I can find ways to wear you out . . . “

 

“Mama, onegai.” The fluffy white ears were already flat against Mizuki's head.

 

“I do wish to sleep tonight. Ask Akira to send Seiji.” Sesshomaru shared a brief, exasperated glance with his daughter while Kagome clapped.

 

“He's probably very handsome, and Isamu could be quite the charmer when he wanted to be.”

 

“When he was not calling me disgusting because of my parents, you mean.”

 

“Well, Seiji may not be like that. He did offer for you.”

 

“No, Akira offered for me.” Mizuki rose and bowed. “I must return to my duties.”

 

Sesshomaru gave his daughter a look, and she knew that he wanted to talk to her later.

 

“But, but Mizuki-chan . . . “ Kagome sighed when her daughter left. “It could work out. If Seiji really didn't want her he could have refused.”

 

“Possibly.”

 

“You're not helping. You know I don't like this kind of thing.”

 

“A remnant of your time in the future. It is the way that these things are normally done.”

 

“But that does not mean that I have to like it. And I won't have Mizuki stuck with someone she hates for the rest of her life.” Kagome rifled through Sesshomaru's papers, making him frown and move them away before she could rearrange them.

 

“If she is willing you should not stop her.”

 

“She doesn't know any better! I can and will stop her.”

 

“Actually, you cannot.”

 

Kagome snapped her eyes up to Sesshomaru's. “I thought you were joking.”

 

“Neither of us could stop her if she was truly determined. And you are being irrational. If it is an acceptable match and both are willing, there is no reason to stop them.”

 

“And you would go ahead without me.” Betrayal washed over Kagome, closely followed by anger. “You would let her go off to the East with someone who may hate her because it is a great political move.”

 

“Only if she was willing.” Sesshomaru could feel the roiling emotions in his mate, and it made no sense to him. `What is wrong? She is willing, he has made an offer. Irrational, and I will not allow these nameless fears to stop an excellent match.'

 

“You'd do it.” The miko was on her feet, her aura sending pins and needles across Sesshomaru's skin. “You would go behind my back and let your only daughter go to a land where they will hate her. I can't believe that you would do that. I thought you trusted me, and I'm saying that it would be a mistake to send her to Seiji without a courtship!”

 

“I have agreed to his visit and the courtship.”

 

“But if Mizuki says she wants to go you will give her to Seiji. What if she's lying, or feels like she has to? What if Seiji is a complete bastard?” The miko started to stalk around Sesshomaru's desk, making him rise and back away from her. “And you would send my little girl to him just so you could have your alliance, and you would do it even though I told you to stop?”

 

He could not lie to her. “I would not give her, but I would let her go.”

 

“And you would ignore me to do it. You bastard. You unfeeling, ruthless bastard!” A pen was hurled at the taiyoukai, glowing with energy.

 

Ducking away, Sesshomaru tried to think of a way to stop this already insane situation. “Desist, miko. The male is coming for your inspection.”

 

“You would send her away without me! I'm supposed to be your partner, you ass! How did you think I was going to react? You think this is bad, just wait until you actually do it. I'll find a way to kill you without taking myself out in the process!”

 

“If she wishes to be Lady of the East I will not stop her. She deserves to be a ruler of Japan.”

 

“No, she deserves to be happy, but she would never disappoint her father like that. And you know it. She has always done anything you wanted without question. Quit acting like you are thinking about her!”

 

Control snapped as Sesshomaru towered over his mate. “Do not suggest that I would sacrifice her in such a way.”

 

“Why not? You already said you would. Just don't expect me to stand quietly by like a good little female and let you get away with it.” There was a final flare of energy, and Kagome stormed out of the room.

 

Blinking at the door that was still rattling on its rails, Sesshomaru tried to replay the argument in his mind and make sense of it. `Her reaction was completely unexpected, even with her feelings on arrangements of this sort. I will not stop Mizuki. My daughter does deserve to be a ruler of Japan, but Kagome will not be forced either. She does not make idle threats. Somehow she must come to the decision to let Mizuki go, and without injuring either of us in the process.'

 

`She is making me soft. I should just tell her that it is my household, and my daughter, and yet I could not stand the look on her face when she thought that I would act without her. Damn her.' Now pacing in frustration, the taiyoukai tried to find a solution to his dilemma. `I cannot leave her in this state, it solves nothing and does not bode well for my health.'

 

You do not like the fact that she is upset, and you caused it.

 

Growling quietly, Sesshomaru stopped pacing and looked out the window, watching his daughter working with some of the Captains. `No, I cannot stand feeling her upset and knowing that I am the cause. It is my duty to protect her, even from myself. She truly has me trained. A ningen. Any other I would eliminate for this behavior, but it is not even a viable thought with her.'

 

You are not complaining.

 

`Hn.'

 

----

 

“You are not in the correct bed.”

 

Kagome forced her swollen eyes open. She had fallen asleep crying, and now the source of her upset was standing right in front of her. “Get bent.”

 

“Nani?”

 

“Never mind. Just go away.”

 

Ignoring her protests and threats, Sesshomaru lifted her from the blankets and carried her to the room they shared. “No. You will sleep in the correct bed.”

 

“What do you care where I sleep, you unfeeling pig?”

 

“Enough, miko.” Sesshomaru set her on her feet and started to work on her clothing. “I have agreed to the courtship. What more do you wish for.”

 

“I want you to promise you will not go behind my back and agree to this without me.”

 

There was a long pause as Sesshomaru focused on the ties of his mate's clothing. He was not a creature that would break a promise, and he was very reluctant to make this one. “I promise.”

 

She dropped into his arms, burying her face in his clothing. “Arigato, Sesshomaru. I was so worried.”

 

“I still do not understand your upset, but I will not be the cause of it if avoidable.”

 

“Can we just agree to disagree on this one? If Mizuki can convince me that it's a good idea I'll probably go with it. Unless he's a real ass, then I expect you to knock him around a bit.”

 

“After you are done with him, I assume.”

 

“But of course. Ladies first and all that.”

 

“Will you trust my judgment in this matter?”

 

Kagome swallowed hard, keeping her eyes on the ground. “We grew up in two different worlds, Sesshomaru. I can't see how she would be happy with a mate that she didn't even like.”

 

“And I do not see what the issue is. This is still my world, not yours.”

 

“Only for a couple more centuries, and then I'll be the expert.” Now wearing nothing more then her long hair, Kagome made her way to the correct bed. “Yes, this is your world still, and you understand more then I do. I promise that I'll listen to you, since you promised to not do anything without me.”

 

“I wish for her happiness just as you do.”

 

`Oops. I think I hurt him with the unfeeling pig comment. Or maybe it was yelling `unfeeling, ruthless bastard' at him. Maybe both.' Casting a look back over her shoulder, Kagome smiled to her mate. “I know you do. Come to bed, jo-chan. I'm exhausted, and I think we've fought enough for one day.”

 

A warm presence slid under the blankets next to her, pulling her close. There was a soft nuzzle at the back of her neck, making her sigh. `No matter how annoying, rude, and demanding he is, I still love him. And even though he never says it, I know he loves me, too.'

 

“Goodnight, jo-chan.”

 

“Goodnight, koishii.”

 

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