InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Past, Her Present, Their Future ❯ Buried ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: Nope. Nothing’s changed. I do, though, own my laptop. Sweeeet. Oh, hey, does anyone know how I can get clean versions of the opening and endings? A site, or something? I want at least one, but a few would be better. I love the opening and credit footage, so kawaii! But I want it lacking the damn text!! Lemme know if you know where any are…

Big thank you to Brandi for her suggestion, I shall be using a tweaked version of her idea. ^___^ I may also use some of the other wonderful ideas I was given later, but for this initial outing, I was pleased with the things I could do with hers. ^^ Thank you dear!

I wrote 10 chapters @ 3000 words a pop since my last post…so now its just a matter of getting near internet to post them. XD


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His Past, Her Present, Their Future
Chapter 21 - Buried

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Sesshoumaru pulled away from the demoness as he caught the salty tang of tears, and another familiar scent along with it. When he turned, all he saw was a fumbling streak of blue and black as Kagome dashed out the castle gates. With her, the smell of tears faded, and it was obviously her whom had shed them. But why?

The bitch beside him was bold and tried to re-ensnare him, but he shook her off. She was some daughter of a high ranking Southern baron who’s father had been trying to get him to mate for a decade now, but though she was attractive she was like every other posh youkai woman - a bauble. She had no thoughts of her own, no fire, no intellect.

He would not enter a life bond with a pretty brainless twit, especially not one of the ones that became aroused just in his presence. Though he knew he was attractive, he knew the real reason for their stimulation: power. The prospect of being the one-day Lady of the Western Lands was an enticing one, and he had women shoved on him by every male of high birth in Nippon. The idea of becoming even by mating related to the family of the Inu no Taisho was appealing to all breeds.

None of the trifling women had ever caught his attention longer than for a quick rut, and even that had only been since he reached of age for mating a few decades prior. He was thoroughly disgusted by all of them, and often found himself believing he would just end up finding a concubine to produce him an heir if the need ever arose, rather than stooping into the petty politics of taking one of the ridiculous bitches. That seemed a much more appetizing concept.

Now though, he was stuck. His beast was pulling him, snarling to go after the ningen woman who had run out unprotected. If she didn’t stop before passing off of the lake path, she would be in a very dangerous forest. His more calculating mind was disgusted that his youkai gave a damn what happened to her, though if he were to be honest with himself he was just as worried. What had made her cry?

Finally, Sesshoumaru broke down into a sprint after her, leaving perplexed guards and a raging demoness staring after him. He darted down the path around the lake’s shores, dodging merchants and peasants come for daily life in the castle’s town. No one saw but a blur of silver white as he ran, using the full capabilities of his youkai speed.

He had stalled too long while arguing with himself, and now she was nowhere in sight as he reached the beginnings of the forest. He stopped to sniff, instantly smelling the girl’s fresh, stormy scent and took off after it. He didn’t have to go far before he caught the reek of an oni mixed with her, and fresh ningen blood.

As he broke into the clearing he took in the scene before him quickly. A disfigured purple ogre towered over her broken form, which only held a couple superficial wounds. But it was her face that worried him most. She laid there, staring up at the face of her attacker, just waiting. It was acceptance of whatever was to be done.

Sesshoumaru yelled and struck out with his Dokkatsu, his claws severing the beast’s head from its body. It had been weak even for a lower demon, surely a miko of her power could have purified him easily? She didn’t even look to her savior, instead she continued staring up through the trees despondently, fresh tears running down her lightly tanned cheeks.

He knelt before her, and without thinking tucked a stray lock of hair behind her rounded ear, watching her stare away from him. He had been about to lift her when she started speaking, “What in the hell do you want?”

Sesshoumaru flinched at the venom in her tone, “You are injured, I will take you back to the palace now.”

“You should have just left me out here, your woman will not be pleased that you ran off to help a mortal.”

Now, Sesshoumaru was not the brightest when it came to the inner workings of a woman, but he knew the tone of resentment anywhere. He pulled back his clawed hand, which he had just noticed was still against her cheek, and frowned deeply. Why was she envious? He voiced this question, though it probably wasn’t the best thing he could have done.

“Envious?” she laughed humorlessly, “Because I am an idiot. You aren’t him.”

“I am not who? You make little sense.”

That was probably the wrong thing to say, for she seemed to get a tad hysterical, “You aren’t YOU, baka! You won’t be for several hundred years.”

“What does this have to do with why you ran crying from the protection of the castle?”

Kagome finally looked at him, her eyes dancing with fury, “Do you know the last thing you said to me before I came here? ‘You will see me soon, koiishi.’ Baka! You knew where I was going, you knew the crap I would have to go through, and you didn’t warn me! If I ever get back to the Warring States Era, I am not going to know whether to kiss you or kill you! I think I am going to borrow Sango’s Hiraikotsu and bash your head in! Bastard!”

Sesshoumaru sat stunned at the revelations. Not only had she just told him that his future self had referred to her as his beloved, but she was speaking of wanting to kiss him, whether angry or not. He was now intrigued by what part in his life this little woman would play. First things first, though of course, “But, what does this have to do with you crying? What made you weep?”

Kagome shook her head minutely and pinched her eyes shut hard, the tears streaming from the corners. Without his sensitive hearing, he never would have heard her whispered words, “Because, damnit, I told you I’m stupid. Just because I know you aren’t him doesn’t make it hurt any less to see the man I was falling in love with devouring the face of some demoness. I can’t make myself come to terms with the fact that you are not him, and you will not be him for a long time. You are not the man I was falling for, and I have no right to be upset with what you do. I am sorry to disturb you. Just leave me in peace, please.”

Sesshoumaru had absolutely no idea what to say. He sat bewildered by everything she had told him, his mouth slightly agape, staring at the closed eyes of the mortal before him. Someday, in the future, he was going to be in love with a mortal. He knew this, because he would not call a random woman koiishi; that was his parent’s term for one another, and to be his cherished would be a very difficult task. He would be in love with a mortal, time-traveling, argumentative miko, and she would be falling for him. It was a lot to take in.

His obvious train of thought led him to a huge, blinding ‘Now what?!’, but his mind just would not function on par with his rationality. So, the Western Prince did the only thing he could think of and scooped her against his unarmored chest and began the trek back to the House of the Moon. She struggled against him for a few moments out of pride, but exhaustion coupled with the injuries the oni had inflicted on her won out and she leaned her drying face against the crook of his neck, “This would be more comfortable with your Mokomoko-sama, I wonder when you’re gonna get it?”

Sesshoumaru rose his eyebrows, “Traditionally, a pelt is given on the second centennial celebration of the Prince’s birth.”

The miko was beginning to drift off, but mustered the energy to blow out a hot breath, tickling his throat, “Baka, you could have just said ‘On my 200th birthday’ but noooo, you enjoy being difficult. That will never change.”

“Go to sleep, Kagome.”

Said girl sighed and snuggled more comfortably against him before stiffening, “You just said my name.”

“So I did.”

Little known to the other, each smiled softly, and Kagome finally fell asleep.

--

Kaori sat curled into her mate’s lap on the castle wall, looking east as they waited for the sun to rise. Since youkai needed little sleep, they always woke before sunrise and watched it together. Even after over four hundred years as mates they still did; there was something magickal about the rising sun and the banishing of night.

Mattaki propped his chin on his lady’s head and sighed, “Those two fought again yesterday, though I think that they may be making improvements.”

Kaori quirked an eyebrow in question, “What this time, koi?”

“I was correct that in the future they are more than platonic…the child came upon he and Baron Damemaru’s daughter, I believe, because Sesshoumaru smelt like the twit. I only heard part of the conversation, but apparently before coming here she was rather falling in love with our son, and he was already in love with her. It’s a pity she was torn away.”

Kaori sighed, “The poor thing. No wonder she’s taken Sessy’s attitude so badly. She would be so good for him…”

“Aa, but she is still a ningen. He would be very upset to lose her so quickly.”

“I think that does not stop him from loving her, my lord.”

“I agree. But I think young Sesshoumaru is having a change of heart. He’s already been interested in her unwillingly, I’ve seen him brooding, but I think perhaps from now on he will indulge himself and allow himself to treat her at least civilly.”

“It would be a good match, she is intelligent and kind. Our son needs something more than the woman of the courts can give him.”

“Hai, I agree my mate.”

“I just hope he realizes what he has soon, the poor girl needs not suffer.”

“I think he will, she is a jewel in disguise. She has fire and wit, but retains a pure and loving soul. She is very much like Midoriko.”

“Mm, I miss Midi-chan. I understand her sacrifice, but it took a light from us all.”

The sun broke the horizon quickly and banished every vestige of night’s shadow. The West may be the Kingdom of the Moon, but the beauty of the morn was not lost on its rulers. As the spectacle ended, Mattaki rose up, his mate cradled in his arms, and sauntered back to the castle. Breakfast would soon be served.

--

After lunch, Kagome found herself in the cheerful company of the Lady of the West, who was humming sweetly under her breath. Kagome smiled as she watched her thumb through various kimonos, pulling one out every so often and holding it to her front. Kagome would then nod or shake her head, and there were two steadily growing piles of silk on the floor of Kaori’s closet. Closet was a term Kagome would not have used, considering it was bigger than her bedroom back home.

After an hour of joking and comparisons, Kaori had had enough, “That’s it, I have nothing to wear!”

Kagome sweat dropped, looking at the several six-foot piles of kimonos, “What is this for, again?”

Her friend huffed and dropped to her side, her head in her hands, “I hate these banquets, but we are forced into them. The lady and daughters of the South are obnoxious, the Lady of the North is a gossiping hag and her daughters might as well be common whores for the way they attach themselves to my Sessy. I don’t mind the Eastern Lady, but her mate is a braggart. I hate being anywhere near this group of Taiyoukai, but every decade we have these stupid functions. Tradition, ne?” Kaori raised a hand and waved it around dismally.

Kagome sighed and rubbed Kaori’s back, “Why not get a new outfit, then? It would make you feel better, I bet! Maybe something in a purple, it would bring out your eyes.”

Kaori looked into the human girl’s eyes with a hopeful gaze, “You’re right! That would make me feel better…oh, my dear, you need something to wear, too!!!”

Kagome gulped, “Ano…that is not necessary…”

“Heavens, of course it is! You are an honored guest! We shall both have new kimonos made, and we shall be the beauties of the ball!” Kaori’s eyes had taken on a far-off tone and Kagome could almost see the hearts and stars surrounding her.

“Ehh, I thought it was just a banquet?”

“Aa, it is, but there is dancing!”

Kagome groaned silently, “Sounds like…fun!”

Suddenly, her friend got quiet and contemplative, but Kagome missed the mischievous smirk in her lavender eyes, “Ne, Kagome-chan?”

“Yes, Kaori-chan?”

“Would you be willing to do this old dog a favor?”

Kagome scoffed, “Don’t talk like that. And of course I would, I owe so much to you and your mate, you have both been so kind to me! What do you need?”

“About two-days journey from here is a youkai village, and my favorite seamstress resides there…with the preparations for the banquet, I cannot go to her myself…and I trust your judgment above a maids. Would you go to her and order our new outfits made?”

Kagome gulped hard, “Ano…are you sure, Kaori-chan? I would hate to chose badly and disappoint you…”

“You could never!”

‘How did I get myself into this? Oh, right, I blame Midoriko yet again.’ “Hai, it would be an honor, my lady. When do you wish for me to leave?”

“Morning, so that they will have time to complete the projects in time for next week. For now, though, it is dinnertime.” Kaori waved at the silken piles, ushering nearby servants to clean their frantic lady’s mess.

The two walked lightly through the halls and into the dining hall, already awaited by the men, “I am sorry, my dears, but Kagome and I got a little tied up.”

“Or buried,” Kagome said with a small grin.

The men looked questioning, but Kaori just laughed and took her seat beside Mattaki, grinning at him conspiratorially, “Koiishi, Kagome-chan has offered to go to Futaridori to petition me a new kimono for the banquet! I, of course, demanded she gets one made for herself as well, that is all right, is it not?”

Mattaki grinned and gave her a chaste kiss, “Of course it is, I spare no expense for my family, and the young Kagome is quickly worming her way into mine. I may never get a daughter, but it is good to know what it would be like to have one,” Kagome blushed heavily but smiled happily up at the Taiyoukai, “But, I am afraid I do not like the idea of her going to Futaridori alone, my love. There are many youkai there who would attack her simply for being a priestess.”

Kaori blanched and scratched the back of her head apologetically, “Ano…I think I forgot she was human…”

Everyone stifled a groan. Mattaki stroked her hand lovingly, “No worries, she will just send with her an escort, to make sure it is known she is not to be harmed.”

“Mm, wonderful idea, my mate. Who will you send? Gyaku perhaps? He is very loyal.”

“No, considering the price of the items she will be returning with, and her worth by herself, I have only one person I would trust with her.”

“Who, koi?”

Kagome looked up and saw the cunning twinkle in Mattaki’s eyes as he smiled sweetly, fangs glinting in the magicked light, “Who else, my mate? Sesshoumaru, you shall leave with the Lady Kagome on the morrow.”


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Extended Ranting Bored A/N: I hope this was okay! ^__^ I debated long and hard over how I was going to do the beginning of the chapter, and it still isn’t how I wanted…hnn…

Another huge thank you to my reviewers, without you guys I don’t know what I would do! *snuggles* I enjoy writing this for myself, of course, but it makes me to warm and fuzzy inside knowing others enjoy it as well. You are all wonderful! No, I don’t do mailing lists, sorry, but I don’t get enough time online to make one…but my story is on FF and MM as well, so if you add me on there, then you can get alerts. I am partial to A Single Spark though, because I don’t have to sort fics, their ALL Sesshou/Kags! ^__^

Response to the reviewer who thought the story was now boring because our favorite characters aren’t together yet -- Hun, there are thousands of fics out there which make them get together within the first 5 pages, so go there if you want PWP or just quick and dirty romance. I think it adds to the relationship for them to…oh I don’t know…actually get to know one another and have some conflict before entering an eternal bond? Seems important, ne? XD Anyone else think so?

I was also asked why I don’t do individual reviewer responses, or email people who review….for one thing, I have over 100 on SS now (YIPEE!), 20 on MM and 10 on FF….and when I get somewhere with an internet connection, its usually only long enough to check/reply to my email, post a chapter, and grab something new to read before I have to leave. Gomen ne that I am not more attentive!

But, if you email me ( PsychoTinkrbell at hotmail ) I WILL write back. Those of you who have written me so far can vouch. Hitting reply and writing is easier than responding from the page. XD Not to mention, I think its annoying when there’s an entire page of responses in a chapter to people who’s questions or comments I am too lazy to read. XD I am rather obnoxiously loving and annoying though, to warn you now before you write. XD Longwinded too, but if you’ve read my Author’s Notes in this story, you know that already. ^____^

LOVE YOU ALL! *blows kisses and glomps all*