InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Harem ❯ Chapter 9

DISCLIAMER: Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and not to me. The AU world this story is set in, the plot and any additional characters do belong to me though, and so please don't try to take them without my permission. I make no profit of this story, and am doing it only for my own enjoyment (and hopefully yours too).

 

Warning: LEMON at end of chapter

 

CHAPTER 9

 

For all that Inuyasha was a wonderful master to serve, there were still some uncomfortable things about being a concubine in his harem. Having to endure the presence of Dalal and Muna, not to mention the vast numbers of bitter and bitchy maids for example. Being locked inside the harem walls unless Inuyasha escorted her out or sent someone he trusted to do so was another. But all of that paled in comparison to the discomfort she was feeling right now.

 

How could Inuyasha be so cruel as to bring her to the Royal Ball?

 

It was King Inutaisho's birthday, and as custom the kingdom was holding a ball and banquet to celebrate, and had invited a wide range of high-ranking nobles, military men, spiritual leaders, and many more whom Kagome couldn't even venture a guess at their occupation. The place was decked out in the most beautiful decorations Kagome could have ever imagined. Everyone was dressed so finely. The food all looked and smelled magnificent. Several dozen musicians stood or sat at strategic locations around the great hall to insure that their music could be heard throughout. And Kagome wanted nothing more to leave as quickly as possible and hide in the deepest, darkest hole she could find.

 

Inuyasha had been required to attend his father birthday party, which wasn't too surprising. He had also been required to bring a date, which also wasn't surprising. What did surprise Kagome was that he asked her to come. And `asked' seemed to Kagome to be exaggerating things, as she had felt that she wasn't really in a position to refuge. Sango had assured Kagome that she need only tell Inuyasha that she was uncomfortable with the idea, and Inuyasha would say no more about. However Kagome didn't yet feel secure enough to refuse Inuyasha anything of this magnitude, especially since the majority of the other concubines - aka Dalal and Muna - were basically forming at the mouth to get the opportunity he had just handed her on a silver platter. So here she currently was, and wishing she was anywhere else.

 

Kagome knew most women would have never understood her reasons for not wanting to go to such a prestigious event, let alone give up the chance to spend the night on the arm of the handsome younger prince. But then again, she wasn't most women. She was country bred and raised, from a small and for the most part rather poor community. Until coming to the palace the biggest crowd she ever encountered was at the village market. And the most prestigious event she'd attended was when her childhood friend Eri had married the local silversmith's only son and they had that wedding reception were the village was talking for weeks about the silver plates the wedding party had eaten off, specially made by the groom's father for just that occasion and costing him about a month's income. This was an entirely different ball game Kagome had found herself in tonight, and she felt like the embodiment of the poor and clumsy country cousin from the old saying. She had no idea how she was supposed to act and was terrified she would end up doing something that would embarrass not just herself but Inuyasha as well. She really didn't want to embarrass Inuyasha.

 

So far though, the night hadn't been too bad Kagome had to admit. Sure, she'd been extremely nervous about being here and meeting all these highly ranked nobles and government officials. But Inuyasha had been by her side all night, reassuring her that everything was alright and that she was doing fine. He'd even made her laugh once or twice with funny stories about various people he'd pointed out across the room. He'd also made a point early on in the evening to tell her that she looked beautiful, and she had to admit that she almost felt that way in the long, silky forest green gown that had been specially made for her to wear tonight. Kagome still didn't quite get why the dressmaker insisted on making all of her clothes in this colour no days. When asked the dressmaker had just muttered something about how all the concubines needed a signature colour and that the green looked lovely on her. A confused Kagome had asked Sango about it, but Sango had just laughed and said it was another of those `unofficial traditions' that turned up around the palace every now and then, plus she thought the maids preferred it that way to help with the sorting of the laundry. At least Inuyasha seemed to like the green on her, although when Inuyasha opinion of what she looked like had come to mean so much to her, Kagome couldn't rightly say.

 

Anyway, while Kagome had been uncomfortable pretty much all evening, it had been made okay until just a few minutes ago by Inuyasha reassuring presence by her side. However, Inuyasha had been called away a few minutes ago by some government official who's name Kagome couldn't remember, who had asked for a few minutes with the prince in private. While it had been obvious to Kagome that Inuyasha hadn't wanted to leave her alone, it had been even more obvious that this was one official that Inuyasha dared not say no to, so with a kiss on her cheek Inuyasha had left Kagome standing here with the promise that he would be back as soon as he could. So here she was, scanning the room in the hope that Inuyasha would be back soon, while trying to stay as invisible to the other guests as possible. It wasn't exactly the high light of the evening so far.

 

Kagome continued to scan the room for a few more minutes, before she became away of a group of three young noble woman, all about her own age and all rather unattractive she had to admit, talking in not-so-hushed voices nearby. It wasn't long before Kagome realised with a sinking feeling that she was the topic of their conversation, as their voices started to rise to a level that was impossible for her or anyone else in this part of the room to ignore.

 

“Look at her, the Littlest Prince's new favourite whore.” One, the shortest of the group wearing an over the top bright pink gown said scornfully. “Thinks she's so great because she happens to be the prince's favourite of the week.”

 

“Too true deary.” Another, this one wearing a white gown that looked about three or four sizes too small around the middle. “I heard this one's even a commoner too, can you believe that? A common whore thinking she was good enough to mingle with her betters like this?”

 

“Disgraceful.” The third, this one so tall she dwarfed her too friends, her henna died hair clashing horribly with her red robes. “At least that other concubine the prince used to take to these kinds of things, what was her name again, Bongo or something? Doesn't matter, at least she was nobly born, granted by a concubine herself, but she did have noble blood within her. But this one, she's gutter trash, what on earth was the prince thinking?”

 

“Who knows what Prince Inuyasha is thinking on any given day?” Pinkie said with a snort. “I mean really, he spends all his time with those damn concubines of his and doesn't even seem the least bit concerned about finding a wife of noble birth as is his duty. You would think his father would step in by now and demand it.”

 

“Yes, of both princes.” Red robes said. “Especially the elder prince, twenty-eight this year and still unmarried and with no heir. It's a disgrace, and should be considered a matter of national concern by now. After all, we should have been looking to the future well before now. The King is forty-eight today, by the gods! He's practically ancient! He could drop dead at any moment and all we have to succeed him are two unmarried princes with no heirs of their own. If they're going to neglect their duties to marry, they could at least make use of those harems of those to produce another heir or two for the throne.”

 

The fat one in white snickered at that. “Maybe they can't, and that's why they stick with their concubines, ever think of that?” she asked. “Maybe they can't get it up enough to please a real woman, so they stick with their whores who know better than to say anything if they want to keep their cushy pampered existence. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.”

 

The other two laughed with her. “Me either.” Red robes said, still snickering. “It would be a pity I guess, two such handsome men being unable to preform. Still, if given the chance to marry either one, any noble woman would be crazy to pass the opportunity up. The benefits that come with such a position would outweigh any such concerns, and besides once a heir was produced I doubt either one would care if their noble wife sought comfort in a lover of her own choosing, as long as they got to keep their precious harems.”

 

“Lets face it; our royal family went to the dogs years ago.” Pinkie said scornfully. “The second prince is the son of a concubine himself, one the king laughingly made into his second wife. Why I don't know, wasn't like he couldn't still pork the bitch while she was his whore.”

 

The other two stared at Pinkie in horror after she'd finished speaking, along with many of the other nobles and officials who had been standing nearby and heard what she had said. She'd gone too far with that comment on the King and Lady Izayoi, and from the look on her face Pinkie knew it too.

 

“I had no idea you felt that way Lady Afra.” A dry voice said from the crowd suddenly, causing all three girls faces to go suddenly white as most of those nearby seemed to suddenly remember that they had important things to do elsewhere and scattered. “You must repeat that to my father later, I'm sure he'd love to hear your opinion of him and my stepmother.”

 

The speaker who walked out of the quickly disappearing crowd marched up to the three girls with a graceful stride that made him look almost like he was gliding his way across the room. A good six inches taller than Inuyasha, the man had the same long silver hair as her prince, though this new man's was even longer, and much straighter and finer. He also had the same golden eyes as Inuyasha or their father, but his skin was much paler and his features finer, most likely inherited from his mother. For Kagome had no doubt who this man was even though she'd never seen him before. The long silver hair was as all in Inu knew to be a visual symbol from the Gods that this was a member of the Royal Family, and there was only one member of the Royal Family of Inu whom Kagome had not met. This was, without a doubt, the elder prince and Heir Apparent to the throne, Prince Sesshomaru.

 

Following on the prince's footsteps was a young woman who looked about Kagome's age, maybe a year or two younger. A couple of inches shorter than Kagome and with wavy black hair and a sweet face, from the slightly skimpy yet well made and expensive looking yellow and chocolate brown gown the woman was wearing Kagome suspected that she might be the elder prince's concubine. The woman in question looked over at Kagome and gave her cheerful smile before following after the prince her face once again looking solemn.

 

The prince glanced in Kagome's direction for a moment and to Kagome's surprise gave her a slight nod, before turning to and coming to a halt a few feet from the noble girls who had been gossiping about her and the Royal Family. While Pinkie bowed low and shuttered out apologies - or at least Kagome thought they were meant to be apologies, it was kind of hard to make out what the woman was saying through her babbling - the other two tried to slink away before they froze under the cold glare Prince Sesshomaru sent in their direction.

 

“Those were some very interesting things you said about my father and stepmother, Lady Afra.” Sesshomaru said after a few minutes of listening to Pinkie's insane babbling. His voice was smooth like silk, yet had a definite dangerous edge to it, enough to shut Pinkie - or Lady Afra Kagome guessed - up and make her and the other two noble bitches grow so pale Kagome half expected them to faint at any moment. “You made some rather intriguing comments about my brother and I as well, as did you Lady Dema and Lady Malak. Would you care to perhaps repeat them?”

 

They very nearly did faint at that. Their faces went beyond white, fear making them appear almost grey, as all three started visibly trembling at the Prince's words. None of them dared answer.

 

“No? you seemed to have quite a lot to say earlier.” Sesshomaru said, his voice definitely dangerous now. “Well then, if none of you have anything else to say, I suggest you all go and enjoy the rest of the party elsewhere. But be warned, should I ever hear any of you slander my family or our choice of companions ever again, I can promise that you will all rue the day you had been born. Do I make myself clear? Good, now get out of my sight, all of you.”

 

All three were all too happy to comply with the prince's order, almost tripping over their own feet in their efforts to get away as fast as possible. Kagome couldn't blame them, if it wasn't for Inuyasha's order to stay here, she would likely have been running out of the area herself. Even though the prince's anger was not directed at her, he had a presence about him which charged the very air around him and insured that his orders would be meet and heard. Kagome shuddered slightly as she silently thanked the Gods that the king had seen fit to give her to Inuyasha and not this other prince. Inuyasha had never been this scary.

 

Suddenly Sesshomaru turned to look directly at Kagome, and she barely stifled the urge to let out a yelp of fear. Oh great, now the very scary older prince was staring at her when all she'd prayed for was for him to go away so that she could get back to waiting for her prince in relative peace. What could Sesshomaru want with her, she didn't do anything to annoy him, did she? Oh gods, she hoped not, just hearing his threats directed at those girls had scared the bejeebers out of her her, she didn't want to experience his anger directed directly at her, she didn't think her heart could take it.

 

To her surprise though, Sesshomaru didn't look angry with her. In fact, if she would have almost sworn his eyes soften slightly when he realised he'd scared her, although his expression was so blank it was kind of hard to tell.

 

“You are Kagome of Ado, correct?” Sesshomaru asked calmly, his voice now as blank as his expression. This wasn't all that much of a comfort Kagome noticed, as it left her with no real clue as to what he was thinking or feeling, which to Kagome right then actually seemed scarier than his anger had been. “My brother's new favourite concubine?”

 

“I am.” Kagome said, trying and failing not to blush. She still wasn't used to being referred to as Inuyasha's `favourite concubine' so calmly like that by strangers. It was one thing in the harem, there it was a advantage she'd learnt was better to use as it meant the maids had to listen to her more, besides something which pissed off Dalal and Muna (something which Kagome was starting to enjoy more and more). Outside of the harem though, where the strange new rules that existed within disappeared and the normal rules of society made a comeback, Kagome couldn't help but feel somewhat awkward about the whole thing. Might seem kind of silly to some, but there you have it.

 

Sesshomaru ignored the blush. “My brother has asked me to look after you for a while.” He said calmly, looking as if what he was saying meant nothing to him either way. “It seems whatever it is that Lord Akeem wants is going to take up more time than my brother had originally thought or hoped and he did not want you to have to suffer through the whole time alone. After that encounter with those fools, I believe he may have the right idea.”

 

“Alright.” Kagome said quietly after a moment. She hadn't expected this, and to be honest didn't really like it, but what could she do? It wasn't Inuyasha's fault that the lord who had wanted to talk to him was taking his time away from her, and at least Inuyasha cared enough about her to ensure she wasn't left on her own for an untold amount of time. She was actually somewhat touched by that, even if the person he chose to look after her was kind of - okay very - scary. And besides, it wasn't like she could ignore what Sesshomaru had said, he was a prince too even if he was not the one she was bound to. She had to follow his orders, providing they didn't clash with her responsibilities as Inuyasha's concubine, saving her body only for him. Since Sesshomaru didn't seem inclined to bend her over a table in some far corner or anything, she guessed she was in the clear on that.

 

Kagome wasn't given a chance to think any further on this when the young woman who had been trailing behind Sesshomaru until now bounded up to Kagome with all the exuberance of a hyperactive five year old and stuck out her hand for Kagome to shake.

 

“Hi!” She said cheerfully with a huge smile. “I'm Rin, Sesshomaru's favourite concubine. I'm so glad I get to meet you now Kagome, you're all Inuyasha's been talking about the last couple of times I met him. So what's he told you about me?” All this Rin somehow managed to say with only one breath and at super fast speed, which took a minute for Kagome to process in her mind in order to decipher the words.

 

“Um.” Kagome said, trying to work out how she should handle the hyper and super happy seeming girl. “Actually, I can't remember him mentioning you at all.” She said truthfully, hoping she wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings. Although Rin looked to be about her age or very nearly, there was an innocence about her that made her seem a lot younger. It was rather a surprising thing to find in a concubine.

 

“He hasn't mentioned me?” Rin repeated, looking down for a minute before she brightened again. “Oh well, I guess that just means I have to tell you about me myself! Oh goody, you can't expect men to get stuff like that right anyway, so it's probably better this way, don't you think?”

 

“I guess…” Kagome said carefully, but Rin was still happily talking a mile a minute.

 

“I mean, Inuyasha's nice and everything, but he often leaves details out, you know.” Rin said as she firmly took Kagome's arm and started pulling her after Sesshomaru whom was now walking away seemingly ignoring the two concubines trailing behind him. “I mean, when he told me about you, he went on and on about how good at horse riding you are, but totally forgot to tell me anything about where your from or what kind of family you had until I asked, and even then I'm not sure I got the full answer. How silly of him, ha? Anyway, I'll tell you about me for a while. I'm the youngest daughter of Lord Husni and his first wife Lady Janan. If you've never heard of them, I won't blame you, there pretty minor as nobles go, most here at court consider me little more than a commoner. Not that I have anything against commoners, mind you, and no offence meant. Really, most of my closest friends growing up were commoners, they were just so much nicer than most of the noble children I knew. Anyway, my family fell on hard times lately and decided we needed more influence with the court and Royal Family to get back on our feet, so my father got the bright idea to offer me as a concubine to Prince Sesshomaru. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too happy at first, especially with all those nasty rumours going around about Prince Sesshomaru back then. Silly rumours, I don't know why anyone thought that could be true cause they're really not, trust me on this.” Rin said with a laugh and smug smirk, leaving Kagome to wonder what the rumours had said to give Rin that kind of look. She was never given the chance though as Rin instantly started talking again, not looking the least bit winded.

 

“Well, it appears I was worried for nothing, cause Prince Sesshomaru was the nicest person I had ever meet, so now I'm so glad Daddy offered me as his concubine and I tell him that every time I see him. I know that surprises him, but I like Prince Sesshomaru so much better than those noble boys who used to try and court me. He actes tough and mean, but once you get to know him he's really just a big teddy bear inside and I love him.” Kagome gasped slightly, both at Rin calling Prince Sesshomaru a `teddy bear', and at her so casually saying she loves him, but as was expected by now Rin wasn't done yet. “I know, that shocks everyone all the more, but it's true and I know he likes me too. After all, I was made his favourite concubines within a week of entering his harem. His other concubines he barely looks at nowadays, but me he can't get enough of, and I just love the attention. And let me tell you, everything those silly girls were saying about him not being able to preform, they couldn't be more wrong. Prince Sesshomaru's practically a GOD in bed!” Rin's voice raised probably more than she'd wanted it to on that last sentence, causing all those around them to freeze in shock upon hearing the statement, before quickly going about whatever they'd been doing while pretending they hadn't heard that. Kagome almost snickered when she noticed the blush on Sesshomaru's face, giving away that he'd heard that despite his obvious attempts to pretend otherwise. However, Rin's next question completely destroyed any amusement Kagome might have been feeling.

 

“What's Prince Inuyasha's performance like?” Rin asked through a giggle, instantly making Kagome blanch, blush and shutter, feeling like every set of eyes and ears in the room were on her.

 

Rin's face instantly fell. “Oh God, don't tell me those girls were right? Oh, God, I'm so sorry, I just assumed with his looks and fighting skills and stamina that he'd have a lot to offer in the bedroom too. I'm sorry if…”

 

“It's… it's not that.” Kagome shuttered, her face ever darkening.

 

“Oh, really, are you saying he's okay in bed then?” Rin asked. “You can tell me the truth, I won't laugh.”

 

Kagome could tell that Rin wasn't going to give up until she got her answer, but that didn't stop her from turning as red a tomato. “He's, he's good okay.”

 

“How good.” Rin pressed, looking eager once more. “Like a little good, or really good, or God-on-Earth good.”

 

It was official, Kagome's face was never going to have its normal colouring again. “God-on-Earth.” Kagome muttered, her voice only just above hearing level. Rin had no problem hearing it though.

 

“Ha! I knew it!” Rin said happily, her voice just below a yell much to Kagome's mortification. “Both princes are Gods in the sack, just like it should be. Hot damn, am I glad to know that all of Prince Inuyasha's good looks are not in vain. I mean, I'd never want to be with anyone but Prince Sesshomaru, but it's still nice to know that. Restores one's faith in the Gods and all that.”

 

“Did you know Prince Sesshomaru and Prince Inuyasha didn't use to get along at all?” Rin suddenly asked, relieving Kagome beyond words with the change of topic.

 

“No, I didn't.” Kagome said, happy to talk about basically anything that didn't involve Inuyasha's skills in bed.

 

“Well, they didn't.” Rin continued. “Not at all, not even a little bit. Used to fight like wild dogs or something. I mean this was before I came to the palace, but Prince Sesshomaru told me all about it. Seems that Sesshomaru was under the impression that Inuyasha was a threat to his chances of becoming King one day, that their father would want to install Inuyasha into that position instead. Three guesses who gave him that idea.” Rin said with a snort as if the answer should be obvious, and continuing on before Kagome could tell her that she had no idea to whom Rin was referring. “Because of that, Prince Sesshomaru would be nasty to Prince Inuyasha to try to keep him in what he thought at the time was `his place', aka below him. Prince Inuyasha in turn was mean back, and all but hated Prince Sesshomaru because of how he refused to give him any respect. Prince Inuyasha said, if his brother wasn't going to give him any respect why should he give any to his brother? This went on for years until Prince Inuyasha was about fourteen, when he told King Inutaisho that he had absolutely no interest whatsoever to becoming King himself, and thought that if he did he'd likely do a lousy job of it and mess the whole Kingdom up. Prince Inuyasha said that instead he wanted to become head of the army, and do his part for the Kingdom by running its defences. By that stage Prince Inuyasha had already been partly trained as a warrior, just like all Princes are supposed to be, and he'd shown a great deal of promise, so the King knew that this wasn't just something he'd come up with on a whim. And the King thought this would be a great idea for the continued future of Inu, one brother as the next King, and the other as head of all of the Kingdom's defences. He insisted that Prince Inuyasha still take some lessons here and there about how to be king just in case anything ever happened to Prince Sesshomaru, but he also organised for Inuyasha to learn directly from his top Military Advisor General Asad, so that Prince Inuyasha can become the great general he wants to be one day. It was then that Prince Sesshomaru realised how wrong he was about his brother and sought to make amends with him. It took a while but eventually Prince Inuyasha realised Prince Sesshomaru was sincere and they've been friends ever since. Which is good because now that they're friends they're much nicer to each other and they're both much happier. Now they like to do stuff together every now and then, like two months ago when they…”

 

Rin started going on about everything she knew the brothers had done together in the last two years, but Kagome drowned her out, her mind focused on what Rin had just told her. So that was what all those lessons Inuyasha took with General Asad were about. He was training to take over the army of Inu one day. Kagome had wondered what all those lessons were about, but she hadn't been able to bring herself to ask, and no one else had offered to tell her. Not that Kagome was upset about that or anything, she'd been in the harem long enough to know that there were a number of things that happened around the palace that you just got so used everyone knowing about that when someone new turned up often times you just plain forgot that they didn't know about it too. Kagome really had to learn to just ask, if she did she was sure Inuyasha or Sango, or even Miroku or Shiori would be happy to tell her these things. She really should work on that.

 

“There you are.” A voice Kagome knew all to well broke through her thoughts, and she turned with a smile to welcome back Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha looked much more tired than he'd been when she'd last seen him half and hour ago, but he smiled when he saw Kagome, and walked over to throw his arm around her waist and pull her close. Kagome blushed slightly at such a show of physical affection taking place in public, but no one else seemed to care.

 

“Sorry I took so long, it took me forever before I was able to ditch Akeem. I swear that old windbag needs to know when to give it a rest, I don't know why Father keeps him around.” Inuyasha said with a snort.

 

“He might be a bore, but he knows better than anyone else in the whole kingdom how to best predict the yearly rainfall in advance.” Sesshomaru said sternly. “While I understand that it might not interest you as much as something as exciting as military strategies, little brother, that is an important factor in deciding how our country is run.”

 

“Hell, Sesshomaru.” Inuyasha said with a sigh. “I'm not belittling his knowledge of the weather, I know that's important to organising our farming. I might not understand most of what goes on in the decision-making process in that, but I know that's important. What I don't know, is why he insists on spending half the night going on to me about why I should organise for his section of the noble wing to get an extra five maids to help fluff his pillows every morning, and a quartet of musicians to sing him to sleep every night to help him have better dreams.”

 

The corner of Sesshomaru's mouth twitched up in what might be the beginnings of a smile at that. “Perhaps he is a little eccentric.” Sesshomaru allowed.

 

Inuyasha just snorted. “By the way, thanks for looking after Kagome for me.”

 

“You are lucky to have that one, Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru said, his eyes and voice almost approving at that. “From what little I have seen of her, she is a woman worthy of respect, unlike most that flock to us both in the hope of securing their own power.”

 

Inuyasha smiled, from his brother that was high praise indeed. “You don't need to tell me what a great find Kagome is, I already know.” He said, looking down at the prettily blushing Kagome with a smile, before turning his eyes towards Rin. “As for you, Lady Rin, would you by any chance know why ever since I got away from Lord Akeem every woman who's so much as glanced in my direction has either blushed bright red and turned away or started giggling insanely?”

 

Inuyasha was surprised to see his brother actually blush at that. “Rin may have said some things about how much she enjoys her position as my concubine, and coerced your concubine to say something simular.”

 

Inuyasha groaned, he didn't need a translation to tell just what part of a concubine's duties Rin would have been asking about. Kagome's heavy blush, along with Rin's sudden giggle confirmed that.

 

“Rin, you're a great girl and everything, but you have really got to learn some tact.” Inuyasha said with a sigh.

 

Rin blinked in obvious confusion. “Why? It's not like I lie to people or anything.”

 

Inuyasha sighed again, and with a final goodbye to Rin and his brother started leading Kagome away.

 

“You did give me a good review right?” Inuyasha asked in a low whisper once they were away from the pair, laughing when Kagome started blushing and shuttering again. It took a moment, but she slowly relaxed once she realised Inuyasha was joking and even managed a weak chuckle of her own.

 

“So, what do you think of Sesshomaru and Rin?” Inuyasha asked once Kagome had calmed down.

 

Kagome was quiet for a moment as she considered the best way to answer that. “Well, your brother is very polite and very serious, while Lady Rin is very nice and rather, um, open?”

 

Inuyasha sighed at that. “Sesshomaru's always been the quiet type, he can scare people pretty easily. He is very serious, and can be rather ruthless when it comes to getting what he wants. He's honourable though, and extremely loyal to those he deems worthy. It just takes a long time for him to open up to you that much. He takes his responsibilities very seriously too, he'll make a good King one day. As for Rin, well, it takes a lot to embarrass her and has a hard time understanding that other people get embarrassed by some of the things she says. She often speaks without thinking about how it will affect others. She is nice though, and completely smitten with Sesshomaru. Why, I don't know, but she is and he with her. She's the only concubine who's ever been able to get under his mental and emotional armour like that. Hell, before she arrived there were some people around the court who thought he preferred men!” Inuyasha said, snickering at the thought. “That's how little attention he paid to women, including his own concubines. He still had no small number of noble bitches volunteering to be in his harem though, probably figured even if he did prefer men he would have to at least produce an heir with one of his concubines at some point, and that the mother of said heir would be treated to a life of luxury forever after. Anyway, those rumours disappeared pretty quickly after Rin arrived. She was his favourite concubine within days. I don't think he's slept alone since then, not that I peculiarly want to think too much about my brother's sleeping habits.”

 

“So that's the rumour she was referring to!” Kagome suddenly blurted out.

 

“Ha? What rumour?” Inuyasha asked, not sure where Kagome's mind had wandered off to.

 

Kagome blushed again, she seemed to be doing a hell of a lot of that tonight, she thought dourly. Naked in bed with the prince and she felt completely comfortable, put her in a Royal Ball and she spends half the night red in the face. Something was clearly wrong with this picture she noted, but then again this was hardly the way she would have expected this night to go.

 

“It's, it's just that Lady Rin mentioned that when she first became Prince Sesshomaru's concubine she was unhappy about it, partly because of some rumour that had been going around about the prince at the time, and that she was now sure that the rumour isn't true.”

 

“Are you saying,” Inuyasha, a smirk slowly growing on his face until it reached ear to ear. “That Rin thought that Sesshomaru was homosexual when she first came here? Oh, this is just too good, I wonder if Sesshomaru knows.” Inuyasha started laughing loudly, in a slightly evil way, causing some of the guests to slowly back away from him. Eventually Inuyasha got a hold of himself and turned to Kagome again.

 

“Well, I don't know about you, but personally I think this `party' is a real dud, and I'm just about ready to leave. Unless you want to stay, that is.” The look of relief on Kagome's when Inuyasha asked if she wanted to leave was all the answer he needed to hear.

 

“Alright then.” Inuyasha said, steering Kagome directly towards the biggest and densest crowd the room had to offer. “I better do my duty and say happy birthday to my father like a good son, or else he may think I didn't turn up a per orders. After that we can get out of here.”

 

Kagome stumbled and almost fell in surprise and fear. “Your, your father? The King?” She asked, her voice squeaky with fear. She hadn't laid eyes on the King since he had given her to Inuyasha, and she'd very much prefer it if it would stay that way.

 

“That's who my father is.” Inuyasha said with a laugh, before instantly changing tactics when he noticed how truly upset Kagome was. “Don't worry, he doesn't bite. I'll be right with you the whole time your around him and we'll just be in and out, I promise. You've got nothing to be afraid of.” Kagome nodded and allowed Inuyasha to lead her into the crowd but it was obvious she was still rather unhappy about it. Inuyasha promised himself to get this over with as soon as possible and get out of here. Kagome clearly hadn't enjoyed her first palace function very much, not that many people did. Hopefully she'd be better prepared to deal with it next time, because he really hoped she'd be willing to be his date in the future. He'd couldn't give you an answer as to why, but ever since he'd meet her he seemed to want to keep her at his side constantly as his tolerance for other females, which had never been all that high to begin with, dropped more and more each day he was with her.

 

The crowd that surrounded the King was even thicker up close than it looked from a distance, but fortunately everyone recognised the younger prince and moved so that he could get through. It didn't take long for Inuyasha to reach his father, who was standing next to and talking to a beautiful woman who looked to be in her late thirties.

 

“Dad, Mum.” Inuyasha said, instantly getting the pair's attention.

 

“Inuyasha, my darling, how are you.” The woman Inuyasha had called `Mum' said, coming forward to give the Prince a hug which he returned. This then was Lady Izayoi, Kagome thought. She was certainly beautiful, and from the way her face lit up upon spotting Inuyasha appeared to be very nice and loving too. No wonder King Inutaisho had fallen for her. “I was starting to think you hadn't turned up.”

 

“A number of people wanted to talk to me, Mum, that's why I haven't been able to see you two before now.” Inuyasha said, as he stepped away from his mother and turned to his father. “Happy birthday, Dad.”

 

The King chuckled slightly as he stepped forward to hug his son as well. “Something tells me that you put off coming as long as possible Inuyasha. I know you hate these things as much I do. But alas, they are part of the price we pay for being Royal. I see you brought Kagome with you, how are you my dear? Has my son been treating you right?” He asked, shocking Kagome that the King A) remembered her name, and B) cared enough to ask about how she was doing.

 

“I'm fine your Majesty, your son has been treating me very well.” Kagome said with a low bow.

 

“Well that's good to hear.” Inutaisho said. “Though I didn't expect to hear any different, though you saying so saves me the trouble of beating my son into a pulp for his actions and taking you for myself.” The slight chuckle behind the words and the twinkle in the King's eye reassured Kagome that he was joking at not serious about wanting her for himself.

 

“Keh, as if you could old man.” Inuyasha joked back. “I could take you with one arm tied behind my back.”

 

“You wish, whelp.”

 

“Oh, this is Kagome?” Lady Izayoi asked, stepping forward to look closer at Kagome with a smile on her face. “I've been wanting to meet you my dear. It's wonderful to finally meet the woman who has my son so thoroughly enthralled.”

 

“Enthralled?” Kagome repeated, surprised by the older woman's choice of words.

 

Izayoi simply smiled. “Why yes, I have never known any woman to so thoroughly capture my son's attention before. You must be very special indeed to do so.”

 

“Mother…” Inuyasha started to say, in the universal tone for `you're embarrassing me', when he was interrupted.

 

“Well like father like son, I guess.” A scornful female voice said, and instantly all three royals froze as a tall and extremely thin woman walked out of the crowd.

 

The woman in question was almost as tall as the King, with maybe an inch separating their heights, much taller than the norm for women in their land. She was probably in her late forties, but wore vast amounts of makeup to try and hide that fact. Something about the sheen of her hair also led Kagome to believe she likely died that as well. She could have been pretty, if not for the nasty smirk on her face.

 

“Aliah, what are you doing here?” King Inutaisho asked, or more demanded, of her.

 

“Why, I came to help celebrate my husband's birthday of course.” Lady Aliah said, a sarcastic smirk on her face. “I would think you didn't want me here.”

 

“I don't.” Inutaisho said bluntly and rather rudely.

 

Aliah didn't look the least bit surprised or offended by that remark, nor did she let it phase as she let her gaze move over Izayoi, Inuyasha and finally Kagome. Her expression was a mix of mockery and disgust.

 

“Well, I can't say I'm surprised by this.” Aliah said, her voice dripping with venom. “The son of the whore turning up with a whore. Figures.”

 

Before Kagome could say or do anything that would properly express her shock that Aliah would make such a statement with so many witnesses, including the King, the King himself took action by angrily putting himself between her and his first wife.

 

“Woman you go to far.” He growled. “Get out of my sight before I…”

 

“Before you what?” Aliah asked with a nasty laugh. “Divorce me? You have no ground and you know it, or else you would have done so years ago. But, lucky for you, the stench of your little guests is turning my stomach, so I believe I will go find some more civilised company.” With that Aliah turned and walked away, leaving the King standing behind watching he leave and practically growling.

 

“Come on.” Inuyasha said, gently taking her arm and leading her away. “After that, I definitely want to get out of here. Looks like this party is going to get ugly, and we should probably get out of the way before it does.”

 

Kagome nodded and let Inuyasha lead her out of the hall, although privately she wondered how things could possibly get any uglier than that. Seemed Sango was right about the King and Lady Aliah not being able to stand each other. Damn, the woman reminded Kagome of an older, more bitter version of Dalal or Muna, and she sincerely hoped that she would never see her again.

 

***

 

Kagome had wondered if his rather nasty meeting with his stepmother would put Inuyasha off sex that night, but as soon as they arrived back at the harem she had her answer to the negative on that when he pulled her towards his room, and got to work getting her out of her clothes as soon as the door was closed behind them. Kagome was not complaining, not at all. In what seemed like no time at all, there was a trail of clothes leading through Inuyasha suite and the two of them stood as naked as the day they were born, yet far less innocent, in the middle of Inuyasha's bedroom.

 

Kagome couldn't help but to cry out in pleasure as Inuyasha bowed his head to kiss and suckle at her breast like an infant. Her hands automatically raised to wind themselves in his hair in an attempt to hold him in place, though she couldn't truly find it within her to be upset when his mouth abandoned the breast, at least not after it immediately went to give the same treatment to her other breast. Kagome was absolutely loving what he was doing to her, but part of her was impatient for more. She had more than enough experience with Inuyasha by now to know that although what he was doing to her way great the best was still to come.

 

Kagome's knees started to buckle under the pleasure Inuyasha was salving on her breasts, and she clung to him all the tighter in order to prevent herself from falling. Feeling her start to collapse, and more than ready to move on himself, Inuyasha backed Kagome up to the bed and sat her down on the edge. Holding her hips gently to stop her from getting away, Inuyasha then went to his knees before the bed, and moved in on her dripping womanhood. Ever so gently he suckled at her clit, drawing it between his teeth with just enough pressure to drive her mad with pleasure and desire.

 

“Oh Gods, Inuyasha don't stop, please don't stop.” Kagome begged through a heavy gasp.

 

Inuyasha was happy to comply with her request. He continued to work on her clit and nub with his tongue, while at the same time working three of his fingers inside her, pumping her in an imitation of what he would soon be doing to her with his cock. Short cries for more and pleas not to stop escaped Kagome's lips as Inuyasha continued to work her, until with a mighty cry of the prince's name Kagome reached her climax as her inner muscles clenched around Inuyasha still pumping fingers.

 

Not giving Kagome time to recover, Inuyasha stood up and grabbing her by the hips pulled her to and onto him with one quick thrust. Cupping her gorgeous ass in both hands, he repeatedly thrust into her in time to her beautiful moans and pleas for him to move faster and harder. All too soon she reached her second climax, Inuyasha following soon after.

 

After Inuyasha had finished emptying his seed into her, he encouraged her to scoot back on the bed before moving to lie next to her. Once he was comfortable, he pulled her closer to cuddle into his side. Usually these days they went at least two, maybe three rounds before dropping off to sleep, but he knew tonight Kagome was emotionally tired still from the Royal Ball, so he decided to let her crash after only one round tonight. It wasn't like they wouldn't have the opportunity to do it again, and again and again. Inuyasha grinned to himself at the thought, pulling Kagome that much closer to him and sighing in content. Kagome, his favourite concubine. The one who, if he had any say in it, would continue to hold her place in his bed and in his heart for a long time to come. There was no way he was letting her go anytime soon, if ever. If there was anything he was sure of, it was Kagome would always remain his. He would let nothing take her away from him. Nothing.