InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hanyous may not be all the same ❯ Departure and arrival ( Chapter 5 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Yay, a new chappie for you!! I'm sorry if it took too long, but college's being a bitch right now and I don't really have much time left for writing. Anyways, as always I'd like to thank all my wonderful reviewers. You guys rock!!!
I don't own anything, besides Chio and Konosuke!!!
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Chapter 5: Departure and arrival
Inuyasha watched as Kagome got lost in the horizon as a tidal wave of raw emotions rushed through him. He didn't like it one bit that his brother had Kagome with him, even if it was a temporary solution, but he understood that they didn't have the power to hold her back if she lost it again.
“But she could have gone through the fucking well and then be back with us, not with that fucking son of a bitch” he mumbled to himself, trying to hold back the temper tantrum that was threatening to show up anytime.
Miroku, who was standing next to him, placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to get him to calm down. Still staring to the spot where he had lost sight of the miko, he spoke.
“Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't know that Kagome comes from the future, Inuyasha” he said “so it's only normal for him to want her under his watch while she's a threat to his lands. Actually, he acted in a much more merciful way than he used to by not killing her right away”
“Keh! The why not tell him so that he'd leave her the hell alone?”
“Because, my friend, I don't really think that Kagome-sama would appreciate us giving him such information” the houshi replied in his usual calm tone.
“Keh!” was Inuyasha's predictable reaction to his reasoning as he walked away.
“Inuyasha-sama!!” came Myoga's high pitched voice as he jumped to the hanyou's shoulder, being caught when he was millimetres from his neck's skin.
“What the fuck do you want now?” came Inuyasha's irritated voice, not in the mood for putting up with the flea's antics right then.
“Forgive me, Inuyasha-sama, but I am curious of your brother's behaviour. I would have never thought that he would be following the steps of the Great Dog Inutaisho” he responded, wriggling uncomfortably as the hanyou lifted him, pinned between two fingers to his eye level and glared at him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he asked the flea. Miroku and the taijiya had joined them, interested by the conversation, as Totosai had retreated to his cave to begin the work Sesshoumaru had charged him with.
Myoga looked at each of them, then back at Inuyasha, before hanging his head in defeat.
“I have obviously failed in my task to teach you about inu youkai culture if you don't know the answer to that question, Inuyasha-sama” he stated miserably.
“Myoga-jiji, what are you talking about?” Sango asked, slightly concerned by the path this conversation was taking. Something that she had learned during her training as a taijiya, about inuyoukai…
The flea looked at her and took a deep breath before answering.
“What do you know about inuyoukai mating rituals?” he asked her.
`Something about inuyoukai having to do something before they mate… not being the only ones either…' she mused as she tried her best to remember her childhood lessons.
“I can't remember, Myoga-jiji” she responded truthfully.
“I see. When an inuyoukai wants to mate with a female, first he has to prove that he's worthy of claiming her, specially when the female in question is a powerful one” he started.
Suddenly, Sango took a sharp intake of air, clasping her hand over her mouth as a thick veil of concern was placed over her eyes.
Inuyasha and Miroku, who didn't really know what mating had to do with the whole thing, but knew Sango too well to think that she'd get that worried without a reason, exchanged a glance before staring back at the flea. Inuyasha shook him impatiently to get him to go on with his explanation.
“As I was saying,” Myoga said after he got over Inuyasha shaking him “the male has to prove himself worthy of the female. Once that is accomplished, he will have mating rights on said female, meaning that he's free to mate her whenever he wants” he made a pause and looked at Inuyasha in the eye “Inuyasha-sama, to prove himself worth of the female, the male youkai has to defeat her in a single combat, obviously managing to do so without killing her” he finished.
“So, what?” the hanyou asked, still confused by the flea's lessons on inuyoukai tradition.
“So now, Sesshoumaru has the right to claim Kagome as his mate whenever he wants, and neither her nor any of us have a say in that” Sango stated, then paused to let realization sink in the hanyou. However, Myoga shook his head again.
“Even if Kagome-sama had a say in it, she wouldn't object, taijiya” he stated, still shaking his head miserably
“What do you mean that she wouldn't object?!” Inuyasha yelled “Of course she would object mating with my asshole of a brother!!”
“You don't understand, Inuyasha-sama. Inuyoukai traditions, as well as most youkai traditions, are based on instincts. Kagome-sama's youkai side will surrender to Sesshoumaru-sama, and gladly surrender too. Apart from the fact that he defeated her in single combat, he's probably the most powerful youkai in Japan, so her inner youkai will be more than happy to have him as her mate” the flea explained.
Watching Inuyasha's face contort in anger, Miroku cut in.
“Anyway, seeing how Sesshoumaru-sama hates those of human blood, he surely won't want to be mated to Kagome, since she is only a hanyou” he stated.
“I'm afraid you're wrong, houshi. Kagome-sama is probably the most powerful female alive, thus making her the perfect atch for Seshoumaru-sama, as far as his youkai side is concerned. He'll have a hard time holding himself back, even with his wide known self control” Myoga argued.
“Then why would he take Kagome with him?” Sango asked “It doesn't make any sense to me”
“Well, either he's extremely confident of his self control, or he actually wishes to have her near him, just in case he decides to take what is now rightfully his” the flea answered.
Inuyasha's roar of rage could be hear miles around.
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Kagome's eyes widened in awe as she watched the Palace of the West, Sesshoumaru's house and the place were she and Shippou would be living for the following days. It was plainly breathtaking. Built as a fortress, the palace was carved on the pale stone that formerly should have been part of an enormous cliff, now transformed into a five level city, completely surrounded by the sea except for a narrow path that led to the entrance of the lowest level. Each of them was surrounded by an equally pale stone wall with the gate on the opposite side from the previous one. It was by far the most impenetrable place Kagome had seen in all her life. `And now I know why he smells like the sea breeze' she thought. It was virtually impossible to attack it either by earth or sea, leaving air as the only way to do so, and considering that there were no planes on this era, it only left bird youkai as the main threat to the castle. She shuddered at that thought, but said nothing.
“Okaa-san, look at those towers” Shippou said “they're so big!!” his green eyes widened as he took in the awesome sight of the fortress.
Suddenly, Sesshoumaru came to an abrupt stop, making Kagome have to maneuvre at the last moment not to collide with his back.
“Hey, what's wrong?” she said as she dodged Sesshoumaru's still form.
Turning his head to glare at her, Sesshoumaru answered.
“You will act appropriately while staying in the Palace of the West” he said “As this Sesshoumaru has to keep close watch of you, you will be staying in the royal wing as his honoured guests, so proper behaviour will be expected of you” he made a pause “As well, you will be required to attend any formal even that may be held during your stay”
Kagome nodded, not very sure of what proper behaviour meant or what kind of event might be held, but she figured that explanations could wait for the time being.
“Regarding your status as a hanyou, this Sesshoumaru highly suggests that you block your human blood while you stay in the palace, as well as the fact of you being a miko” he said “As my half brother might have told you, half breeds are not kindly treated, and a miko would be seen as a threat by most demons, and this Sesshoumaru does not wish for disturbance within his household” he explained.
“All right, I can do that” Kagome agreed, though she didn't like hiding her human side.
He just nodded and looked away for her, heading to the inner courtyard that was now filled with youkai that waited to greet their lord back. Obviously they had been spotted. Just as Kagome followed him down, she heard his velvety voice carried back to her by the wind.
“And this Sesshoumaru asks from you that you keep the marks of your body a secret” he added emotionlessly.
Kagome nearly stopped batting her wings in shock when she heard what he had said. `“This Sesshoumaru asks?” Since when does the great Sesshoumaru have to ask someone for something? He always just orders you to do it under death pain.' She thought. `I must have heard wrong' she concluded, though she knew perfectly well that she hadn't. She went back to what was happening around her just in time to avoid crushing into the stone floor of the inner courtyard before looking around to the people surrounding them. Shippou did his best to hide behind his okaa-san, not very trustful of the youkai surrounding them.
Sesshoumaru, on the other side, was glad to be back home. His golden gaze surveyed the youkai around him until it stopped on a pair of lavender eyes.
“Konosuke” he said, his face revealing none of the pleasure he felt at being home.
The red headed youkai stepped forward, a wide smile gracing his handsome features as he bowed deeply at his lord. His eyes flickered momentarily at the golden winged female beside the taiyoukai, before going back to Sesshoumaru.
“It's a pleasure to have you back home, Sesshoumaru-sama” he said “I hope your journey has been a productive one”
“Indeed. This” he motioned for Kagome to step closer “is Kagome-sama. She, as well as her adopted pup, will be staying in the palace for the following days as this Sesshoumaru's guests” a chorus of surprised murmurs arose at Sesshoumaru's announcement, but was quickly silenced by one of his death glares.
Konosuke turned to look at Kagome and flashed a warm welcoming smile before bowing deeply.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Kagome-sama” he said in a voice sweeter than he had used to greet the taiyoukai.
Kagome blushed under the intensity of his lavender eyes and did her best to hide it as she bowed at him in return.
“The pleasure is mine, Konosuke-san” she said, a slight tint of red lingering on her cheeks when she looked up, not missing his strongly built body under the metal armour.
“Please, call me Konosuke” he answered, his smile widening. Then he turned to Sesshoumaru “I shall see to it myself that she is accommodated in the east wing”
Sesshoumaru, needed all of his self control not to release the growl he had been holding back since Konosuke had introduced himself to Kagome. His instincts were giving him a hard time, but he'd be damned if he let them get the better of him. Instead of ripping his head off, he merely glared at him before speaking in a carefully controlled voice.
“Kagome-sama shall be staying in the western wing” he said. After a brief pause in which the surrounding crowd let out a surprised gasp he went on “Have Chio guide her and her pup to their rooms. Then come to my study with a detailed inform of any important issues that may have taken place during my absence” he ordered.
Konosuke managed to hide the surprise on his face when he heard that Kagome was to stay in the royal wing, and instead bowed deeply in front of the taiyoukai.
“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama” he said before turning around and heading inside the stone building that presumably was Sesshoumaru's residence.
When the crowd parted to make room for the red headed youkai to pass, a little girl with her brown hair partly pulled up in a sideways ponytail came running until she was attached to Sesshoumaru's leg. The green imp that followed her wasn't fast enough and got stuck between the youkais.
“Sesshoumaru-sama!!” she squealed in delight “Rin is so happy that you are back with Rin!! Rin has missed you a lot!!” she grinned from ear to ear when a clawed hand rested on her head in acknowledgement and then she spotted Kagome and Shippou. “Kagome-sama! Shippou-chan!” she let go of Sesshoumaru's leg to run into Kagome's open arms.
“How have you been, Rin-chan?” Kagome asked, hugging the girl to her chest. She had grown a lot since the last time she saw her. `Of course, she must be around twelve now' she thought.
The kitsune jumped from his spot on Kagome's shoulder to greet his friend, who he hadn't seen for a few years now.
“Wow, Rin-chan you have grown a lot!” he told her. He, being a youkai, hadn't changed that much in the last years. Rin was now a few inches taller than him.
She giggled happily as she hugged him as well. Then she seemed to notice the change in Kagome's appearance. She pointed at her golden wings and pointed ears and was going to comment on them when Sesshoumaru cut in.
“Rin” he called “You will have enough time to talk to Kagome-sama and the kitsune later. You may walk them to their quarters with Chio if you wish” he turned to Kagome then “You shall be called for dinner, and should you require anything Chio shall get it for you” he said.
Kagome bowed. “Domo arigatou, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
He nodded in acknowledgement before walking inside the building as the youkai that had been around them returned to their tasks, still gossiping about the youkai female their lord had brought with him.
“Please, follow me, Kagome-sama” said a shy looking youkai female that had been standing aside until then, as she bowed deeply in front of her. Her long blue hair was braided and hung down her back, as her beautiful emerald eyes hid beneath long pale lashes. Her skin had a pale bluish tint to it, enhanced by the simple light green kimono she was wearing.
Kagome smiled warmly at her as the two children chattered away amongst themselves, completely oblivious to their surroundings.
“Are you Chio?” she asked in her sweet voice. The youkai female nodded timidly. “Nice to meet you, Chio-chan” she said, bowing before her. “Please, call me plain Kagome, I don't like formalities.”
The water youkai looked at her, surprise openly showing on her features. Her emerald eyes widened even more when she saw Kagome bow at her and ask her to avoid formalities.
“I'm afraid I can't do that, Kagome-sama, I should refer to you with the proper respect” she answered, bowing again.
Kagome sighed, but let it go. After all, Sesshoumaru had said that they'd be staying in the royal wing, so they must suppose that they're some kind of royalty. She didn't like it, but didn't have much of a choice.
“All right then” she resigned “but please, at least quit bowing at me while we are in private, it makes me uncomfortable”
Chio was going to bow again but caught herself in time. “Hai, Kagome-sama” she said, a small smile gracing her beautiful features “If you would follow me, please” she added before heading to the building.
“Shippou-chan, Rin-chan” Kagome called before following Chio into the Western Palace.
Okay, so that's it for now. How did you like it?? PLEASE REVIEW!!!!