InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Past, Her Present, Their Future ❯ Tribulations ( Chapter 25 )

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

Disclaimer: Still don't own. I wish I owned internet, so that I did not have to be so FRIKKIN bored all the time, and could post more chapters more quickly...forgive me, loves!

HUGE MONDO THANK YOU to my reviewers! As always, I adore you to a disturbing degree. XD I feel so loved, and you guys give me inspiration to write more and more! This part of the story (in the past) was supposed to end at 30, but I've already written to 33 and am still not qwuite wrapped up! All because I keep adding more for you guys! *huggles* Thank you again and again, my friends.



----------

His Past, Her Present, Their Future
Chapter 25 - Tribulations

----------


When the House of the Moon was visible once again in the morning hours, both Sesshoumaru and Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. Kagome had awoken in the middle of the night and had been unable to sleep anymore, so to speed the return trip Sesshoumaru had offered his back for her use. Though it had cut their travel time in less than half, this was a far too enticing action for both parties. They quelled the ecchi feelings and stayed in a semi-tense silence the way back, only chatting when there was something to say.

Kagome tightened her grip around Sesshoumaru’s neck affectionately and sighed into his hair, “Relaxation! Finally! Its strange to know I feel at home and comfortable here…if you would have asked me two weeks ago I would have just cried.”

Sesshoumaru grunted, “Its good you enjoy it here, but I don’t think you’ll get much relaxation. The day after tomorrow is the banquet.”

“Mou!” Kagome wailed, burying her face into Sesshoumaru’s shoulder, “And its only one night, though, right?”

“Hai, but the Lords are probably already here.”

“Shimatta!” Kagome swore, “Then I get to feel like prey for another few days, great.”

Sesshoumaru slowed slightly, frowning, “None will harm you in my home.”

“Doesn’t mean they won’t try to intimidate the heck out of me. I don’t even know what I’m running into!”

Sesshoumaru spotted a waterfall to the east of their position and veered off their path to go there. It was his own retreat when he wanted to get away from the castle, and he had a barrier set around it to keep others from it. Somehow it didn’t feel wrong to bring his companion there, though. She looked around curiously when they landed, and glanced to him.

“This is my haven. You are right, you should know about what you will be in for, so I shall tell you. Do you know anything of youkai politics?”

Kagome settled on a boulder by the waterfall’s pond and placed a finger to her lips, “All I know is what you would complain about…the Washi of the North, Ookami of the East, and Neko of the South.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, “Well, houses change hands all the time, so most of that is wrong. The Northern Lands, the Celestial House and rulers of the starscape, are currently a family of silver dragons. Lord Gojou hates all ningen and most youkai. He and Chichi-ue do not get along well. His mate is a gossip and will treat you however she sees fit if she thinks you have information she would be interested in. They have a son, Ryukotsusei, and three daughters whose names I give less than a damn about. The son is like his father though not likely to attend these events, and the girls are after nothing other than power, so they throw themselves at me.”

Kagome hissed at the name Ryukotsusei, she knew exactly who that was. Sesshoumaru noticed but asked nothing, and she wondered how hard on history it would be for her to purify the bastard. At least he probably wouldn’t be there, because she would be seriously hard pressed not to. Shaking out of a lovely fantasy involving crispy fried dragon bits, she stayed silent and listened to the rest of Sesshoumaru’s explanations.

“The Southern Lands, the House of Terra and rulers of the earth beneath us, and their lord is a tiger. Gyakusetsu is a loud-mouth, but kind. I heard he and his former mate had taken in several youkai and ningen orphans over the years, but she passed on less than a century ago. He recently took a new lady, a panther who already had two daughters, and all three of them are alike. They are loud, opinionated, and seem to have no filter on what comes out of their mouths. You should probably avoid them.”

Kagome nodded in assent and sighed. It wasn’t looking good for the next few days, and she only hoped to escape any violent encounters. Sesshoumaru’s reassurances, as sweet as they were, just didn’t quell her fear. She listened attentively to her sensei.

“Finally, the Eastern Lands, Solar House and rulers of the hours of daylight, are ookami. Lord Wasemaru is a boastful thing, but he is harmless. His mate is pupped right now with his first offspring, so no whelps to worry about. My Haha-ue and Chichi-ue will most likely spend all their time with them, since they are the most tolerable of the group.”

Kagome sighed deeply and put her head in her hands, “I don’t know if I can do this. Can’t I just stay in my room?”

Sesshoumaru smiled enough to flash a fang, “Iie, I am afraid not. If you could, I would do the same, but you are a guest of this house and must be present. Perhaps…” he trailed off and looked to the sparkling falls musingly.

“Perhaps what?”

Sesshoumaru sighed and kept his gaze away from her, “Perhaps I should be your escort for the nights they are here. It would save us both a headache, since I could keep you away from the annoying bitches and you could keep them away from me.”

Kagome pinked slightly. Escort sounded an awful lot like ‘date’ to her. Not that it was the same thing, but it is certainly what it brought to mind for her. Her blush darkened but she nodded to the back of his head, “I think that would make it more enjoyable for both of us, ne?”

She would have been shocked to see an ever so faint blush grace the daiyoukai’s cheeks as well. He grunted and shook his head, crouching down, “Shall we? My mother will be glad to see her new kimono.”

Kagome smiled and clambered onto his back and he leapt gracefully to the treetops.

--

Kaori watched the pair approaching from her balcony and bounced with glee, “Mattaki! Mattaki, come here!”

Her mate strolled lazily to her side, “What has you so excited?”

She grinned fangedly and her mischievous eyes glittered, “Them! I was so right about our little errand we sent them on!”

Mattaki caught sight of his son and their guest, her riding on his back as they approached the castle, “It could be nothing, you know. Perhaps young Sesshoumaru got impatient?”

Kaori shook her head dramatically, “Iie! They are coming from his sanctuary! If he brought her there for any reason, he’s falling for her! Already! Oh!!!” she bounced happily again, giggling girlishly, “How sweet!”

Mattaki sighed and laughed at her antics, “I hope you are right, koiishi, they deserve one another. Now, come, we have other…guests…to attend to,” he said with disdain.

His lady sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist, “Aww, just a little longer?”

He grinned lopsidedly and scooped Kaori into his arms, “Whatever you say, mate.”

--

When they had landed at the castle gates, Kagome dismounted sadly. She swore InuYasha’s back had never been that comfortable. Readjusting her backpack, she followed Sesshoumaru inside; they were going straight to Kaori. Unfortunately, certain members of the Northern House had other plans.

All three were nearly identical, their dark grey-silver hair seeming dull in comparison with Sesshoumaru’s bright shade. Their eyes were all a vivid turquoise and their bodies broad but still shapely. The only differences were their markings, which were all different colors, somehow. Each had a single stripe running from temple to jaw line: one deep red, one a forest green, and one a pink. And all of them were darting for her companion.

“Oh Sesshoumaru! It has been so long!” the first said, smiled plastically up at the now outwardly frigid Prince.

“Ahh, Prince Sesshoumaru, have you missed me?” the second called, batting her eyes.

The third, her stripes were pink, hung back, having spotted Kagome. She snarled dangerously, “Taking human whores now, Sesshoumaru?”

The others noticed her and glared haughtily. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, “We have no time for the likes of you. My friend and I have important business that leaves me no time to offend you currently. Come, Kagome.”

All three identical jaws dropped open and Kagome smiled brightly at them before jogging after the daiyoukai, leaving all three frozen in place. Once out of range, Kagome giggled maniacally, “That was fabulous, Sesshou.”

He turned and smirked back at her, “Hai, it was. I think I may remember the looks on their faces the rest of my life.”

“That’s a long time.”

“It was that priceless.”

Kagome giggled again and patted his shoulder as they walked to the Western wing of the castle, where his parents would be. He sniffed out his father and found both his parents to be in the study and led her there. He wrinkled his nose; they’d been at it again recently. He sighed and knocked.

“Father, Kagome and I have returned.”

Inside the room Kaori smacked her mate’s arm happily and hissed in his ear, “See? He called her by her name!”

Mattaki glared playfully, “We’ll speak of this later,” he dropped the concealment barrier on the room and called the two from the hall. Kagome smiled vibrantly at them both and held out a package to Kaori, “Here you are. Both your and my outer kimono…Yamesho said you had enough layers to match with anything so she only needed send these.”

The woman nodded vigorously and quickly untied the silk bundle. She unfolded the royal amethyst kimono and squealed, “Oh its gorgeous! Oh and the golden stitch work is beautiful! You have fabulous taste, Kagome-chan!”

Said girl blushed and grinned, “I am glad you like it.”

Next, Kaori unfolded Kagome’s choice in kimono and smiled softly, “You will look stunning in this, my dear. The shade of blue will accent your eyes perfectly. I assume you left it to Yamesho?”

Kagome nodded, “I chose yours personally, but was not particular abut my own.”

“She did wonderfully as always. See why she is my choice in seamstress?”

The women smiled and allowed the men back into the conversation. Kagome and Sesshoumaru told about the events of their trip, and missed the knowing looks Kaori kept sending to Mattaki. Once they were appeased with the events of the prior days they dismissed the two to get some much needed rest before dinner. With a final look between them, they did just that, and Kagome quickly fell into a doze.

--

“M‘lady?”

“Nngh h,” Kagome grunted into her blanket, pulling it more firmly over her head, “Five more minutes.”

She heard a sigh and the blanket was ripped off her. She cried her protest and proceeded to try and cover her face with her arms before she had the matronly horse youkai tapping her foot, “Kagome, you must get up, it is almost dinnertime and you must attend.”

“Dun wanna,” came the muffled reply.

“You must!”

“The banquet is not until day after tomorrow, I will skip tonight.”

Another sigh, “I am afraid that is not acceptable. Will you really leave the young prince alone with those vicious hime?”

This got her charge up, and Mizuki smiled knowingly. The air between the two had changed in their absence, and only glimpsing them together after their arrival had made it clear. She smiled and helped her young mistress from bed, dressing her quickly. Once she was dressed and groomed properly, she escorted her to the dining hall, “Remember, m’lady, it would be best to ignore most of the royal families. And do not let that temper of yours get out of control at the table, it is formal there. Away from there, you can get away with more.”

Kagome smiled, “Thank you, Mizuki-chan. And stop with the m’lady stuff, I told you.”

“I know, Kagome. Now go! The seating has been rearranged to fit all the guests, and you will be next to the young prince.”

Kagome gulped and nodded, taking a deep breath as she was announced.

The long table was packed with all the members of the royal families, and Kagome kept her eyes on the floor in hopes of being unnoticed. Fat chance of that one. Being the only ningen in a room full of Taiyoukai was like having a giant target painted on her forehead. She sunk, thankfully gracefully, to her knees beside Sesshoumaru and flashed a grin to her three friends before looking back down at her hands.

“This is my honored guest, the Miko Kagome. She is staying with my family for a few moons. I expect her to be treated with deference to her position as being in my graces, for this Mattaki is far more wrathful when it comes to those in my favor,” the implied threat was not lost on the youkai at the table.

“You make us dine with a filthy ningen and then tell us we must treat it with respect? I thought after your brother took a human mate that you had escaped his folly, but I see you are just as soft as your brethren,” the man speaking was haughty and spiteful, and though Kagome did not look up, she could only assume it to be Gojou of the north.

Mattaki growled in warning, “Enough, Northern Lord. My threat does not stem only to the women and pups.”

“You presume to tell me what I can do, Western Lord?”

“In my home, yes,” he said in a low, calm tone. Behind that tone, though, she could almost feel the icicles.

Kagome shivered almost imperceptibly; it was strange to see Mattaki so cold and aloof. She was reminded of an older Sesshoumaru, and finally saw where he had gotten his inspiration. A clawed hand touched hers lightly and she smiled at Sesshoumaru’s reassuring gesture. She just had to bear the gauntlet through this meal and the next days‘, then she would be free. She gave a gentle squeeze to his fingers before he took them back.

Conversation was subdued after the initial outbursts, though Kagome could hear the sneers from the Northern family about her presence. She ignored it for the most part, trying not to let it show when the words cut into her. She finally stole a gaze up at the table and her jaw would have gone through the table if she hadn’t caught herself. Beside Lady Kaori was a pregnant woman; the two had been in conversation and giggling the entire meal. But it was the man beside her that Kagome almost choked over. If this hadn’t been five hundred years in the past, and if not for a few minor points, he could have been Kouga.

She stared and wondered his relation to her someday friend. Perhaps an uncle, or even father? It made her more comfortable to hope that he would be like Kouga, whom though outwardly brash had always been there for her. She tore her gaze back to her food and ate quietly, hoping the meal would finish soon. She needed fresh air and she wanted it now.

After what felt like hours the group began to disperse, and Kagome excused herself to the Northern gardens. She hadn’t seen them in days, after all, and she needed their soothing atmosphere more than ever. She hardly contained a sprint as she navigated the halls, and smiled widely at one of the inuyoukai guards she had befriended.

He smiled back and nodded to her, “You look pleased to be free of them, ne Kagome-sama?”

She scowled, “I told you not to call me Lady. And yes, beyond pleased. Now I am off to the garden to hide until this debacle is over with! Find me in a few days!” He chuckled heartily and his violet eyes flashed.

“I think a certain heir would be unhappy for you to go missing for that long.“

“Jeez, does word travel or what?“ she tugged on a lock of his burgundy hair and waved as she brushed by him, intent on her goal.

The night air was like nothing else as it caressed her overheated skin, and Kagome sighed loudly, “Thank Kami-sama!” she exclaimed and did not prevent her sprint to her favorite grassy patch of earth. It was surrounded by imported roses and covered by a maple tree, its purple blooms radiant and glowing in the moonlight. She sunk onto her back with a happy sigh, mindful of the expensive and cumbersome layers of her kimono.

A noise roused her from her relaxation, and she looked up to see a very pregnant Eastern Lady standing near her position, “I see someone else had the same escape plan as me, ne?”

Kagome giggled and sat up, bowing the best she could from her position, “Hai, I needed out of there. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I am Kagome.”

“Kaori has told me much of you, I think we will get along well, Kagome-san. I am Raku.”

Kagome smiled, “Would you care to join me, Raku-sama?”

“Yes to joining you, but no to the honorific, I am not much for formalities. I am not much for kimonos either,” she said, scowling at her distended belly, “Especially not in this state. Would you mind helping me down?”

“Of course, Raku,” Kagome said with a smile and stood, taking one of the demoness’ arms and gingerly lowering her to the plush grasses.

“Ahh, much better. I think my pup is remaining within me overdue to spite me.”

Kagome laughed, “I am sure that is not the case. So its anytime now, then?”

“Hai, it is. She has been terrorizing me already, I am afraid to see what she will be like once she is born!”

“She?”

“I hope. My mate wishes for an heir, but I wish for a little girl to pick flowers with,” she smiled softly, rubbing her stomach, “I guess I must just wait to find out.”

The two laid in the grass and talked for another hour; she had been right, the two had much in common and talked like old friends. When Raku suddenly bolted to a sitting position, Kagome cried out and rushed to her side.

“What is it, Raku-chan?”

The ookami turned to her with a tumultuous smile, “Kagome-chan, I think my pup has finally decided to stop being stubborn.”

“Nani?!” Kagome yelled frantically.

“My water just broke, could you be a dear and call for the healer and Kaori?”


----------


A/N: Poor Kagome, she gets stuck in the worst positions, ne? Like she said, she is always the catalyst for all things, good and evil. Poor, poor, Kagome. XD *cackles*

Yes, it is very rare (less than 10% of women) for the water to break before the onset of contractions….but that’s how it happened to me, so I will use it. I went straight to the hospital (I had a problematic pregnancy and was told to go in immediately) and my real labor didn’t even start for about 4 more hours. What a bored day that was. XD

Again to my reviewers: I LOVE YOU! Forver! And I love that there is at least one person out there who reads and likes my boring rants. XD These A/Ns are a product of Katie's endless boredom...so I rant whatevers on my mind to you guys. ;) Poor you.

Parting Thought from Rayvn:
“Mommie, InuYasha said baka. Baka is a bad word. Don’t say baka, mom, okay? Its no a word you say.”

I didn’t even tell her what it meant, so this was totally on her own. XD She makes me laugh.