InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ High Magic: Return of the Rogue ❯ Chapter 2

An Elvin princess and a Demon lord…joined in marriage? It was unheard of!

 

Kagome slowly stood on shaky legs, her hands braced on the table in front of her. She was about to tell her step-mother where she could stick this supposed peace treaty and how far when she suddenly swayed on her feet, a swirling blackness overtaking her.

Kagome felt herself succumbing to gravity as she seemed to float to the ground in slow motion.

 

This certainly wouldn't look good for the Elvin clan.

 

 

High Magic: Return of the Rogue

 

 

Chapter Two

 

 

“I could kill her.”

 

Kagome heard the murmured voice as if through a long tunnel. She moaned, struggling to open her eyes.

 

Cinnamon orbs opened slowly to focus on the face hovering above her. Rin's face wore an expression of relief upon seeing that her sister was okay. Kagome would have laughed if her head weren't spinning like a pinwheel.

 

“Water,” Kagome croaked, cupping her hands on either side of her head to try to stop the spinning. Rin reached over to the nightstand and handed Kagome a cup of the refreshing liquid while she smoothed a hand over her sister's forehead.

 

“You alright, Kag?” Light, toffee-colored eyes glittered with concern. Despite the emotion simmering on the surface, Kagome could see the anger there, too.

 

“She has no right!” Rin stated with a shake of her head. “There has never been marriage between the Elves and the Demons! It might be common among the different tribes within the clans, but never outside of our clan.”

 

Kagome pulled herself up to a sitting position, resting her back against the pillows propped up behind her. Someone, probably one of her step-mother's guards, had brought her back up to her room. Queen Danai had her moments, she supposed.

 

“What happened after I went out?” Kagome asked, knowing Danai wouldn't have made a scene in front of not only the entire royal court but also the Demon clan nobles as well.

 

Rin sighed. “Danai made some lame excuse about you being a little spell-sick and had you brought up to your room. Then she told everyone to enjoy the festivities because it was a night for celebration.” The last part was sort of spat out, as if the words left a bad taste in her mouth.

 

Kagome rolled her eyes. Only the weak and the young would ever allow themselves to become spell-sick. Not to brag, but Kagome was one of the best spell casters the clan had to offer and was well past the age where control over her spells was a problem. Just one more chance for Danai to humiliate her.

 

“I can't believe she's actually arranged for me to marry a member of the Demon clan,” Kagome murmured, closing her eyes. Although she'd never admit it out loud to Rin, at that very moment she wanted nothing more than to have both her parents there with her, comforting her.

 

She hated saying anything about their parents in front of Rin, knowing it only caused her unnecessary pain. Their mother, Lady Kisa, a fairy noble, had died in the human world in a car accident. Although beings of the Mystic Realm were immortal, they were considerably weaker when outside of the realm. They drew their power from the Mystic Realm itself and when outside of the Mystic Realm, that source of power disappeared. Their mother had lost too much blood and wasn't able to fully heal herself. Rin had only been a baby at the time.

 

King Hiro Higurashi had been known throughout the Mystic Realm. There was no one that didn't hold respect for the great king. Even those among the Demon clan had treated him nobly. It came as a great shock when the King was assassinated just four years after his wife's death. It was still one of the great mysteries that people pondered over. Kagome didn't talk about them because while she had memories of them both that would stay with her forever, Rin had nothing but other people's memories. She had none of her own and that made it hurt all the more.

 

Rin touched Kagome's hand, getting her attention. Kagome looked into her sister's worried gaze, reaching out to cup her cheek gently.

 

“Everything will work out,” Kagome tried to reassure her. The trouble was she didn't even know if she believed that.

 

“Of course it will,” said a cold voice. Rin and Kagome looked to the doorway. Queen Danai stood staring at the two of them as if they were nothing more than bothersome bugs that needed to be squashed.

 

Kagome braced herself, knowing she'd be on the receiving end of the Queen's wrath. She was prepared for almost anything; yelling, shouting, fake tears. Whatever the Queen had to throw at her, she'd take it all in stride.

 

“Rin, why don't you go and return to the guests.”

 

Rin shot Kagome a look, silently asking if she needed backup. Kagome gave her a small smile before shaking her head. Rin rose slowly, casting one last glance Kagome's way before throwing a not-so-friendly look toward the Queen. Once they were alone, Danai walked slowly toward the bed, her hands clasped behind her back. After a few moments of tense silence, she spoke.

 

“I know you must be…surprised by my decision.” She either chose to ignore or never noticed the slight rise of Kagome's brow. She continued on without pause. “But even you must see the wisdom in it.”

 

Kagome kept her expression completely blank, folding her hands in her lap. “Forgive me, Queen, but I think I need a little more explanation behind your…infinite logic.”

 

Danai gave Kagome a withering glare. The girl could be downright infuriating at times. She took a deep breath, trying not to let anger take over. When it came to Kagome, however, sometimes that task was difficult.

 

“I understand, dear. No one expects you to be more than just another pretty face.” A gleam of satisfaction flashed through hard lavender eyes as Kagome visibly stiffened at the snide remark.

 

“Anyways, if it's an explanation you need, then an explanation is what you'll get. As you should already know, Lord Tuso's death has caused an even greater rift between the two clans; something I fear will not bode well for the Elvin clan.”

 

Danai paced back and forth in front of the bed, her expression almost resembling worry, if she was capable of such an emotion. Kagome sat up straighter, suddenly giving Danai her undivided attention.

 

“There are rumors among the nobles that the Demon clan believes the assassination is our doing. However, there are strong indications that the assassination might have been done from within the Demon clan itself. Whoever the true culprit, it's created quite a predicament for the rest of us.”

 

Kagome frowned. “What kind of a predicament?

 

Danai glanced at the younger woman, her expression one of impatience. Being brought up in the royal court, it was hard to believe that Kagome could be so ignorant of court politics. In truth, Kagome wasn't as naïve as the Queen believed her to be. She simply wanted to know just how much trouble they'd be in if a war were to break out.

 

“The predicament is that we cannot possibly survive another -”

 

Danai stopped, her eyes widening before settling back into bored impatience. Kagome leaned forward quickly, catching the mistake before Danai could cover it up.

 

“Another what?”

 

Danai turned her back on her step-daughter, waving a hand over the full skirt of her royal blue evening gown. Any wrinkles that may have been there instantly disappeared. Now Kagome was sure something was up. Danai rarely used her spells on such trivial things as getting wrinkles out of clothes and only did so when she was either stalling or hiding something.

 

“Since you're obviously not sick, I suggest you get yourself freshened up and return to the banquet.” Danai strode to the door. “Don't dawdle, Kagome. Lord Sesshomaru is waiting for you.”

 

Kagome sighed and leaned back against the pillows. She'd almost forgotten about the banquet and the future husband waiting for her. As she rose from the bed, she couldn't help thinking about Danai's earlier slip of the tongue. What had she been about to say? And why did she feel the need to hide it?

 

<<>>

 

Cool golden eyes surveyed the roomful of people. His eyes went to the doors as Queen Danai breezed in, a subdued smile on her face. After chatting with a few guests, she took her seat next to her youngest step-daughter. It was there that his gaze lingered.

 

He'd heard of the princesses of the Elvin clan, but had never actually seen them. There'd been no reason for him to be at the royal court of Elswynn so naturally their paths had never crossed. Now that he was seeing them in person, he was surprised by his reaction…to one in particular.

 

Princess Rin sat on the raised platform, the picture of grace as she spoke with her step-mother. Although her expression was pleasant and regal, he could tell by her body language that she was barely holding back her anger. As she leaned away from the Queen, her eyes hardened. The hardness was at odds with the softness of her appearance.

 

She wore a gown of sheer sage that sparkled under the lights. Her dark hair fell in gentle waves over her shoulders, a shocking contrast to the paleness of her bare shoulders. His gaze traveled back to her eyes, eyes that seemed to hold so much depth despite her young age. While both sisters were undeniably beautiful, there was something vulnerable about the younger one, something that stirred protective feelings…

 

Sesshomaru frowned at the turn his thoughts had taken. There was no reason for him waste time thinking about Princess Rin when it was Kagome he was tied to. Just as he thought about her, his gaze returned to the doors and she entered.

 

The eldest princess stood just inside the doorway, her gaze flicking to the Queen before scanning the crowd. Her gaze met his and she visibly stiffened before making her way slowly toward him.

 

“My lord, may I get you something to eat or drink?”

 

Sesshomaru's gaze moved from the Princess to the small toad demon standing next to him. He nodded his head. “Yes, Jaken. Bring me a drink and something for the Princess, too.”

 

Jaken frowned slightly, but remained quiet, only nodding his head in response. He knew better than to question his master and scurried off to do his bidding. Sesshomaru rose from his seat just as Kagome reached him.

 

“Princess Kagome, how nice to finally meet you,” he murmured as he bowed his head in deference. Kagome executed a small curtsy and gave him a small smile. “I've heard many…things about you, Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

One white eyebrow arched at her choice of words. Along with her exceptional beauty, he'd also heard of her stubbornly opinionated nature. “I hope it's only been good things, Princess.”

 

His only answer was a small lift of her lips and a simple shrug. Yes, she was indeed every bit what the rumors had suggested.

 

“Tell me, Lord Sesshomaru, what you expect from this union.”

 

Her question caught him off guard and few could do such a thing. He cocked his head, studying her. “That is a question that's not easily answered.”

 

Kagome shook her head slightly, obviously not satisfied with his answer. “Is this something that was arranged by my step-mother and your father or -”

 

Before she could finish the sentence, Sesshomaru's hand shot out, gripping her by the arm. Kagome was too stunned to cry out as her eyes widened. Sesshomaru leaned in close so that only she could hear him.

 

“Careful, Princess. You'd do well to remember what you've heard about me.” Just as quickly as it happened, he dropping his hand and turned abruptly. He made a small gesture and the demon nobles in attendance rose instantly, following him silently as he made his way toward the exit. He didn't bother alerting the Queen to his departure, partly because he was too angry and partly because he just didn't care to.

 

Jaken hurried to catch up to him, still holding the drinks Sesshomaru had wanted.

 

“My lord, are we leaving already?”

 

Sesshomaru didn't bother to look at him, merely nodding his head in response. He kept his expression blank, choosing to keep his emotions to himself. No matter how vital it was to keep peace with the Elvin clan, he was beginning to think he'd gotten himself into more than he bargained for.