InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ A New Order in the West ( Chapter 73 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 08.11.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 556 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 08.11.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 556 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 73: A New Order in the West
Morning came sooner than Kagome would have liked, leaving her a little shorter tempered than was usual for her, but everyone simply gave her her space, knowing that the last days and weeks had been particularly stressful for the young woman.
Even Sesshoumaru was calm with her, not allowing her snippiness to upset him, just letting the children chivy her back into a good mood, and before long, she was back to being her usual perky self, happy and content that those she cared for were safe.
That wasn't to say that all had survived the battle – there had been several people that she had been forced to revive – Kikyou, and her betrothed, among them.
They had been caught in a position that had quickly gone wrong, and neither his power nor hers had been enough to save them from being inundated and swarmed over as that portion of Ungai's army had simply rolled over them as though they were not even there.
She had come across them as she had been moving through the battlefield healing and restoring those who were worthy of such, and the miko and her love were both happy to be revived – Kagome couldn't help but sympathize with Kikyou - she had been far too exposed to death's cold touch in her relatively short life.
But she would not have to suffer such again for some time to come, and Kagome was content with that – the miko would have her happiness – kami knew she'd earned it.
The group of hanyou that had come to join the army had fared the best – they hadn't fallen to sword or bow, monk or samurai, Nyoko's enchantment to keep them safe from the monks having worked well, and their own skill in survival, having grown up pretty much the enemy of two races, taking care of the rest. It occurred to her to mention to Sesshoumaru that they made excellent soldiers, due to just those facts – a thing that he refused to answer, seeing as how anything he could say to that would only cause his little mate to get angry again.
There was no need to point out that things would be different for them from now on, as it went without saying, and he deliberately changed the subject. After all night long spent thinking about what they would do now that the misadventures were over, he wanted some input from her – it would not do to make such decisions alone.
There were literally endless possibilities for them, though some would have to wait for a time, as they did have responsibilities to Rin and the kit at this point, exploring the universe as Kagome had mentioned desiring to do would have to wait.
And now, with his father's return, came changes he'd already been thinking on. It would not, he had decided, behoove him to continue to hold title to the Western Lands alone, when he could no longer claim duty only to them. Nor could he have the freedom needed as a higher kami, one who was not bound to a small area or shrine, to live up to his new title of the god of chaos if he remained as the Western Lord. He would give up the lesser title to his father, in order to make way for the greater title he now found himself bound to. While he would always have a stronger bond to the Western Lands, now, his purview held within it all of creation, and the same fell for Kagome.
After breakfast had been eaten, he pulled his mate away; leading her to the well clearing, and sitting her down, he explained all his carefully thought out ideas on the discrepancies between his lesser title, and his greater title, and found that Kagome agreed – though with regret.
He was surprised by that, and asked why she felt such an emotion towards the idea of him giving up the Western Lands to his father.
“It's not so much that I care about the title, Sesshoumaru,” she sighed, looking down at her fidgeting hands. “It's just... I hadn't thought of that when I stuck you with the responsibility of chaos. I hadn't meant to cost you your rightful title and lands,” she said, that regret shining brightly in her eyes as she lifted them to him. Then her brow furrowed. “But... wouldn't you still be the heir? At some point, long into the future or not, you would still be left to take the title once more, ne?”
He shook his head, silver strands drifting over his shoulder in the light breeze. “No. I would also step aside as heir, giving that place to Inuyasha.” His mouth turned down a bit at the edges at that thought. “Though father will have much to do to make the whelp worthy of the title, and the lands. Still, I cannot hold to one relatively small piece of land, when in the larger scheme of things, the duties to each would be difficult to maintain properly. In this way, I can fulfill my duties to the West in the best way left to me – by passing it back to my father to continue as Lord until such time as he once more passes on, while I take over the responsibilities to creation that I am now bound to.”
Once more looking down at her suddenly stilled hands, Kagome didn't know how to feel in that moment, knowing what his heritage and title had always meant to him. It spoke to who he was that he was willing to do what he saw as best for the Western Lands, even when that was giving them up. It made it hard for her to not feel greatly guilty at what she had stuck him with – and without really even asking.
Her downward spiraling thoughts were interrupted by Sesshoumaru.
He reached out with one finger and gently tilted her face up, meeting her gaze solemnly. “I will not pretend that this is easy for me, mate – to give up everything I have trained my entire life to hold. But... it did not escape my notice that Amaterasu-sama had always intended for both you and I to take up the mantles that we now carry, so I believe that my time as the Western Lord, and the training for it, were deliberate. It helped to shape me for my ultimate destiny, which is beside you as the other half of the yin and yang of balance and chaos.”
Holding her gaze for a moment, he pulled her face to his and tenderly kissed her, letting himself meld with her in a way that neither humans nor youkai truly could – it was an intimacy reserved only for the gods, and he used it shamelessly in his kiss, determined to bring her out of her melancholy over his decision.
Anyone on the outside looking in would have been unable to actually see two forms, Sesshoumaru and Kagome, instead, they would have seen two souls melding as one, aura's weaving endlessly together, and they would have been struck by the beauty of it. But the gods make love in ways that are completely different than anything any mortal being could understand – even though the coupling is basically the same on a physical plane, there's another side to it that no mortal will ever know... or be allowed to see.
Finally, Sesshoumaru pulled back and let his mate breathe, holding her hazy gaze with his own. “I do not regret my fate, Kagome. Were you to offer it to me a thousand times, a thousand and one times, I would say yes, and take this life with you over any other. Do not regret for me.”
Kagome searched his gaze for long moments, looking into every corner of his soul, and found that his words were true, and with a sweet blush sweeping over her cheeks, she nodded, and let the subject drop.
It was time to move to a different topic.
“So... if you give up the title... what are we going to be doing? I mean, we still have Shippo and Rin to raise – we're not exactly free agents, ne? Those two need a stable home life, Sesshoumaru. They deserve it after the lives they've lived so far,” she said slowly, her thoughts spinning with confusion.
“This is something that I have considered. I believe that we will continue with our original plans of living within the Western Lands – in the den where we mated,” he replied.
Blushing, Kagome looked away, a little cough covering her embarrassment. “But... won't your father live there now with Izayoi-sama?”
“Do you honestly see the hime living in a den?” he asked, a slight coolness in his voice. “She is not used to such hardship. No... I have already undertaken to provide father and his mate with a fitting abode – if an Inu Lord of father's caliber is to live in a human dwelling, it will be a fitting one, make no mistake.”
Eyes narrowing on her mate, Kagome said, “That's what you were talking to Touran about! You told her that she could repay the debt she owed you for the return of her family's lives by providing a suitable home for your father somewhere within the Western Lands!”
He inclined his head in agreement. “I did. After Naraku, there are many abandoned human palaces from which to choose, and Touran will pick out a fitting one, and then inform me.”
Kagome tilted her head, still eyeing him suspiciously. “I don't know... seems an awfully easy way for you to let her off the hook with regards to her debt to you.”
He looked back at her haughtily. “It removes me from the unwanted necessity of seeing her again. This discharges the debt, and frees me from the onus of her... company... any further,” he said, his voice cooling another few degrees.
Not impressed, she merely waved off his excuses. “Uh-huh. Anyway... so we go live in the den like we originally planned, and raise the kids. Then what?”
“Once Rin and the kitsune are of age to live on their own, we do what we choose, mate. Perhaps that exploring you were speaking of?”
She thought about that for a few minutes, a pleased smile crossing her face, and nodded. “Okay,” was all she said.
Now that the decision had been made, Sesshoumaru found himself wishing to get things finished, and without further ado, escorted his mate back to the battlefield, after notifying Jaken that he was once more in charge of the children, to the little gami's dismay. The daiyoukai paid no attention, however, turning and disappearing between one breath and the next, along with Kagome, leaving Jaken standing with two overly rambunctious children, and a laughing Kaede.
When they arrived back at the battle site, both were pleased; a great deal had been accomplished since yesterday, the area pretty much cleaned of the fallen, and the mass grave looked ready to be covered over.
It also looked as though a great deal of those involved had already disappeared, heading home now that the battle was over, and they could return to their own peaceful pursuits. Sesshoumaru was pleased – the sooner done, the sooner everyone could get settled, leaving he and his mate to themselves.
They needed the time, there was no denying that, since they had a great deal to now accustom themselves to.
He entered the command tent with Kagome trailing behind to see only the main core of the group still there. Looking at his father and meeting familiar golden eyes, he inclined his head to his sire.
“Father, I have need to speak with you – privately. There are... things, we should discuss.”
Everyone watched them as Kagome took a seat next to Sango, curious as to what the daiyoukai needed to discuss with his father so privately.
“Oi, we-” Inuyasha caught the sidelong glare from his brother, and abruptly changed his words, “-woman, what's with the bastard? What's he being all secretive about?” he asked as the two males stepped from the tent.
Kagome turned an icy glare of her own on the hanyou, making his ears snap back against his head.
“Inuyasha, don't make me zap you again. You really need to learn to watch your potty mouth, I swear. You don't have to curse for every other word!” She turned her nose up at him. “And it's none of your business what Sesshoumaru needs to say to your dad – that's between them unless they decide to tell you, got it?”
Everyone lounging on the pillows laughed at the exchange, shaking their heads at the red-clad hanyou now scowling petulantly at them all.
“Inuyasha, you think by now you would know Kagome-sama well enough to know what not to say to her – and how not to say it,” Miroku chuckled.
“Keh!”
Kagome turned her head pointedly away from the sulking half-demon, asking Sango, “So... what are you and Miroku's plans now, Sango? Now that everything is finally calming down.”
The taijiya blushed at the suddenly lecherous look from her betrothed, and stuttered out, “W-well, I imagine the same as everyone else in this tent besides you and Sesshoumaru-sama, since you two already did the deed,” she teased. “There's about to be a whole slew of weddings, I think, don't you?”
A pleased smile lighting the blush across her cheeks even more, Kagome glanced over to catch Kikyou's eye, and asked, “And what about you and Kisho, Kikyou?”
A shy blush lit the other woman's cheeks, too, and Kisho smiled and answered for her, taking her hand into his own. “She has agreed to be my mate, and once we are all done here, we will go to my home in the north – if anything is left of it. If not,” he sighed, “we will rebuild.”
With everyone's attention on those two, no one noticed Inuyasha's nostalgic expression as he watched Kikyou and Kagome talking – except Nyoko, and she sighed a little, before standing and pulling a startled Inuyasha up with her. She smiled at everyone pleasantly but absently.
“If you all would excuse us, a certain inu and I need to have a talk,” was all she said as she led a suddenly nervous hanyou from the tent.
Both brows in her bangs, Kagome said, “Wow. I wonder what that was all about?”
~oOo~
Once they were well away from the tent, Nyoko looked at Inuyasha, for the first time in her life feeling a bit... uncertain. What had that expression on his face inside the tent meant?
Not one to beat around the bush, she decided to simply ask him instead of jumping to conclusions.
“Do you regret letting them both go?” she asked bluntly, startling the now wide-eyed hanyou so badly he stumbled.
“W-what?” he actually squeaked, unwilling to take in what she was truly asking.
“You heard me. Do you regret being stuck with me instead of Kikyou or Kagome-sama?” she asked, her voice becoming tight.
“No! Why would you think something like that, anyway, stupid?” he almost shouted, his astonishment turning to belligerence at the question.
“I saw the look on your face back there, Inuyasha, even if no one else did, and it sure looked like regret to me,” she snapped back.
With a growl, Inuyasha grabbed her by her arms and shook her, just a little, before letting go and turning his back to her, visibly trying to regain control of his temper. After a few moments, his shoulders relaxed a little, and he sighed, then turned back to look at her.
“Look... both of them are parts of my past, and I loved them both at different points. I won't deny that. And part of me always will love them... but we weren't meant to be together in that way, and I'm okay with that.” He looked away from her for a moment, then sighed again and looked back at her. “And besides... Kagome's a kami now – and I'm in no way her match. Sesshoumaru is, and I'm glad she's happy. Much as I detest admitting it-” his expression soured, “-the bastard loves her, and will take good care of her.”
“And what about Kikyou,” Nyoko asked, her eyes intent.
“Kikyou... there was just too much between us, and most of it wasn't good. We wouldn't have lasted, even if we'd tried to get together, and I can see that now. I don't regret you, and I won't, either. So get that thought out of your head, okay?”
Nyoko considered him for a small amount of time, and then smiled a little, accepting his embrace as he pulled her to him and proceeded to thoroughly disprove her fears.
~oOo~
Sesshoumaru moved around towards the back of the tent, wishing to put a little space between he and his father and those still in the tent for the coming discussion. It was a serious matter when a Lord abdicated his throne, no matter the reason for it, and he wanted no interruptions.
After reaching an oddly scarred area of ground, he turned and faced his sire, meeting his father's solemn expression firmly.
There was a contemplative silence for a moment, and then Sugimi broke it.
“Have you made your peace with my hime, Sesshoumaru?” he asked, jumping right in.
Brow cocked, Sesshoumaru considered his father for a slice of time that was infinitely small, yet seemed so large, and then inclined his head in the affirmative. “What was in the past will remain in the past, father. Now is the time for rapprochement, between she and I no less than between demon, half-demon, and human.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he admitted, a relieved expression settling on his face. “I would not like the distance that previous enmity would have engendered between us, my son.”
Sesshoumaru was well aware of what his father was saying; had he forced the issue, Sugimi would have chosen his mate. At one time, that would have only angered him – indeed, that is exactly what had caused him to hate Izayoi with such passion in the past. Now... now however, that he had his own mate, he could understand his father's stance just fine – had the situation been reversed, he would have chosen the same, though it would have hurt.
“That is no longer a concern, father. But nor is it the reason I have called you here. There is another issue that I have resolved within myself, and it is time to bring it to your notice.” He shifted a bit uncomfortably, now on the brink of giving up his birthright, everything he'd held for so long with so much passion, but with a sigh, he spoke, sealing his fate as the god of chaos he now was.
“I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the West, do hereby abdicate my throne in favor of returning the title to my sire, and previous Lord over said Lands. I also-” he continued, to his father's shock, “-abdicate my position as heir.”
It didn't take his father long to catch on to why his proud son was following that particular course, though, and his eyes softened on him. “You fear being unable to handle such divergent responsibilities as the Western Lands, and your newfound ones to the greater good,” he said, sympathy evident in his eyes. He knew how hard this decision would have been for his son. “You have gained in wisdom greatly, Sesshoumaru, and I am proud that the promise of greatness that lay in you from the moment of your birth has been amply proven.”
Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, a sense of pride at his father's understanding, and his professed pride in him, only adding to his feeling that the way he had chosen was correct.
“Where will you live?” Sugimi asked, curious.
“In the den in the Western Lands.” He shrugged, the gesture oddly elegant. “All the kami have a place here within the lands that is sacred to them, and that place is so to both I and Kagome. And for now, at least, we have responsibilities to the children we have taken under our protection – neither she nor I would abandon Rin or the kit. They will need a stable home, and we can give them that in the den.”
Sugimi was relieved, he had to admit; despite the fact that his son was now a member of the pantheon of the kami, along with his mate, he had not wanted him to disappear into the heavenly realms. Now that he was once more alive, he wished to have a relationship with both of his sons, and with Sesshoumaru actually still living in the West, he could.
Not to mention, any god would protect his home, and if he made one for himself within the Western Territories, he would be sure to assist his father in making sure they were always safe.
With a last sigh, he nodded, accepting his son's abdication. “I, Sugimi, accept the title of Lord of the West from its predecessor, Sesshoumaru, taking on all duties of said title.” He looked away for a moment thoughtfully, then finished with, “I also accept the title of heir back and will name a new heir at a time of my choosing.” It was an unspoken given that Inuyasha would end up as heir – after he'd been whipped into shape.
And with those few words, Sesshoumaru of the West was no more, instead becoming fully and with finality Sesshoumaru...
Lord of Chaos, and Mate to the Lady of Balance.
Converting /tmp/php3jw2YF to /dev/stdout
Morning came sooner than Kagome would have liked, leaving her a little shorter tempered than was usual for her, but everyone simply gave her her space, knowing that the last days and weeks had been particularly stressful for the young woman.
Even Sesshoumaru was calm with her, not allowing her snippiness to upset him, just letting the children chivy her back into a good mood, and before long, she was back to being her usual perky self, happy and content that those she cared for were safe.
That wasn't to say that all had survived the battle – there had been several people that she had been forced to revive – Kikyou, and her betrothed, among them.
They had been caught in a position that had quickly gone wrong, and neither his power nor hers had been enough to save them from being inundated and swarmed over as that portion of Ungai's army had simply rolled over them as though they were not even there.
She had come across them as she had been moving through the battlefield healing and restoring those who were worthy of such, and the miko and her love were both happy to be revived – Kagome couldn't help but sympathize with Kikyou - she had been far too exposed to death's cold touch in her relatively short life.
But she would not have to suffer such again for some time to come, and Kagome was content with that – the miko would have her happiness – kami knew she'd earned it.
The group of hanyou that had come to join the army had fared the best – they hadn't fallen to sword or bow, monk or samurai, Nyoko's enchantment to keep them safe from the monks having worked well, and their own skill in survival, having grown up pretty much the enemy of two races, taking care of the rest. It occurred to her to mention to Sesshoumaru that they made excellent soldiers, due to just those facts – a thing that he refused to answer, seeing as how anything he could say to that would only cause his little mate to get angry again.
There was no need to point out that things would be different for them from now on, as it went without saying, and he deliberately changed the subject. After all night long spent thinking about what they would do now that the misadventures were over, he wanted some input from her – it would not do to make such decisions alone.
There were literally endless possibilities for them, though some would have to wait for a time, as they did have responsibilities to Rin and the kit at this point, exploring the universe as Kagome had mentioned desiring to do would have to wait.
And now, with his father's return, came changes he'd already been thinking on. It would not, he had decided, behoove him to continue to hold title to the Western Lands alone, when he could no longer claim duty only to them. Nor could he have the freedom needed as a higher kami, one who was not bound to a small area or shrine, to live up to his new title of the god of chaos if he remained as the Western Lord. He would give up the lesser title to his father, in order to make way for the greater title he now found himself bound to. While he would always have a stronger bond to the Western Lands, now, his purview held within it all of creation, and the same fell for Kagome.
After breakfast had been eaten, he pulled his mate away; leading her to the well clearing, and sitting her down, he explained all his carefully thought out ideas on the discrepancies between his lesser title, and his greater title, and found that Kagome agreed – though with regret.
He was surprised by that, and asked why she felt such an emotion towards the idea of him giving up the Western Lands to his father.
“It's not so much that I care about the title, Sesshoumaru,” she sighed, looking down at her fidgeting hands. “It's just... I hadn't thought of that when I stuck you with the responsibility of chaos. I hadn't meant to cost you your rightful title and lands,” she said, that regret shining brightly in her eyes as she lifted them to him. Then her brow furrowed. “But... wouldn't you still be the heir? At some point, long into the future or not, you would still be left to take the title once more, ne?”
He shook his head, silver strands drifting over his shoulder in the light breeze. “No. I would also step aside as heir, giving that place to Inuyasha.” His mouth turned down a bit at the edges at that thought. “Though father will have much to do to make the whelp worthy of the title, and the lands. Still, I cannot hold to one relatively small piece of land, when in the larger scheme of things, the duties to each would be difficult to maintain properly. In this way, I can fulfill my duties to the West in the best way left to me – by passing it back to my father to continue as Lord until such time as he once more passes on, while I take over the responsibilities to creation that I am now bound to.”
Once more looking down at her suddenly stilled hands, Kagome didn't know how to feel in that moment, knowing what his heritage and title had always meant to him. It spoke to who he was that he was willing to do what he saw as best for the Western Lands, even when that was giving them up. It made it hard for her to not feel greatly guilty at what she had stuck him with – and without really even asking.
Her downward spiraling thoughts were interrupted by Sesshoumaru.
He reached out with one finger and gently tilted her face up, meeting her gaze solemnly. “I will not pretend that this is easy for me, mate – to give up everything I have trained my entire life to hold. But... it did not escape my notice that Amaterasu-sama had always intended for both you and I to take up the mantles that we now carry, so I believe that my time as the Western Lord, and the training for it, were deliberate. It helped to shape me for my ultimate destiny, which is beside you as the other half of the yin and yang of balance and chaos.”
Holding her gaze for a moment, he pulled her face to his and tenderly kissed her, letting himself meld with her in a way that neither humans nor youkai truly could – it was an intimacy reserved only for the gods, and he used it shamelessly in his kiss, determined to bring her out of her melancholy over his decision.
Anyone on the outside looking in would have been unable to actually see two forms, Sesshoumaru and Kagome, instead, they would have seen two souls melding as one, aura's weaving endlessly together, and they would have been struck by the beauty of it. But the gods make love in ways that are completely different than anything any mortal being could understand – even though the coupling is basically the same on a physical plane, there's another side to it that no mortal will ever know... or be allowed to see.
Finally, Sesshoumaru pulled back and let his mate breathe, holding her hazy gaze with his own. “I do not regret my fate, Kagome. Were you to offer it to me a thousand times, a thousand and one times, I would say yes, and take this life with you over any other. Do not regret for me.”
Kagome searched his gaze for long moments, looking into every corner of his soul, and found that his words were true, and with a sweet blush sweeping over her cheeks, she nodded, and let the subject drop.
It was time to move to a different topic.
“So... if you give up the title... what are we going to be doing? I mean, we still have Shippo and Rin to raise – we're not exactly free agents, ne? Those two need a stable home life, Sesshoumaru. They deserve it after the lives they've lived so far,” she said slowly, her thoughts spinning with confusion.
“This is something that I have considered. I believe that we will continue with our original plans of living within the Western Lands – in the den where we mated,” he replied.
Blushing, Kagome looked away, a little cough covering her embarrassment. “But... won't your father live there now with Izayoi-sama?”
“Do you honestly see the hime living in a den?” he asked, a slight coolness in his voice. “She is not used to such hardship. No... I have already undertaken to provide father and his mate with a fitting abode – if an Inu Lord of father's caliber is to live in a human dwelling, it will be a fitting one, make no mistake.”
Eyes narrowing on her mate, Kagome said, “That's what you were talking to Touran about! You told her that she could repay the debt she owed you for the return of her family's lives by providing a suitable home for your father somewhere within the Western Lands!”
He inclined his head in agreement. “I did. After Naraku, there are many abandoned human palaces from which to choose, and Touran will pick out a fitting one, and then inform me.”
Kagome tilted her head, still eyeing him suspiciously. “I don't know... seems an awfully easy way for you to let her off the hook with regards to her debt to you.”
He looked back at her haughtily. “It removes me from the unwanted necessity of seeing her again. This discharges the debt, and frees me from the onus of her... company... any further,” he said, his voice cooling another few degrees.
Not impressed, she merely waved off his excuses. “Uh-huh. Anyway... so we go live in the den like we originally planned, and raise the kids. Then what?”
“Once Rin and the kitsune are of age to live on their own, we do what we choose, mate. Perhaps that exploring you were speaking of?”
She thought about that for a few minutes, a pleased smile crossing her face, and nodded. “Okay,” was all she said.
Now that the decision had been made, Sesshoumaru found himself wishing to get things finished, and without further ado, escorted his mate back to the battlefield, after notifying Jaken that he was once more in charge of the children, to the little gami's dismay. The daiyoukai paid no attention, however, turning and disappearing between one breath and the next, along with Kagome, leaving Jaken standing with two overly rambunctious children, and a laughing Kaede.
When they arrived back at the battle site, both were pleased; a great deal had been accomplished since yesterday, the area pretty much cleaned of the fallen, and the mass grave looked ready to be covered over.
It also looked as though a great deal of those involved had already disappeared, heading home now that the battle was over, and they could return to their own peaceful pursuits. Sesshoumaru was pleased – the sooner done, the sooner everyone could get settled, leaving he and his mate to themselves.
They needed the time, there was no denying that, since they had a great deal to now accustom themselves to.
He entered the command tent with Kagome trailing behind to see only the main core of the group still there. Looking at his father and meeting familiar golden eyes, he inclined his head to his sire.
“Father, I have need to speak with you – privately. There are... things, we should discuss.”
Everyone watched them as Kagome took a seat next to Sango, curious as to what the daiyoukai needed to discuss with his father so privately.
“Oi, we-” Inuyasha caught the sidelong glare from his brother, and abruptly changed his words, “-woman, what's with the bastard? What's he being all secretive about?” he asked as the two males stepped from the tent.
Kagome turned an icy glare of her own on the hanyou, making his ears snap back against his head.
“Inuyasha, don't make me zap you again. You really need to learn to watch your potty mouth, I swear. You don't have to curse for every other word!” She turned her nose up at him. “And it's none of your business what Sesshoumaru needs to say to your dad – that's between them unless they decide to tell you, got it?”
Everyone lounging on the pillows laughed at the exchange, shaking their heads at the red-clad hanyou now scowling petulantly at them all.
“Inuyasha, you think by now you would know Kagome-sama well enough to know what not to say to her – and how not to say it,” Miroku chuckled.
“Keh!”
Kagome turned her head pointedly away from the sulking half-demon, asking Sango, “So... what are you and Miroku's plans now, Sango? Now that everything is finally calming down.”
The taijiya blushed at the suddenly lecherous look from her betrothed, and stuttered out, “W-well, I imagine the same as everyone else in this tent besides you and Sesshoumaru-sama, since you two already did the deed,” she teased. “There's about to be a whole slew of weddings, I think, don't you?”
A pleased smile lighting the blush across her cheeks even more, Kagome glanced over to catch Kikyou's eye, and asked, “And what about you and Kisho, Kikyou?”
A shy blush lit the other woman's cheeks, too, and Kisho smiled and answered for her, taking her hand into his own. “She has agreed to be my mate, and once we are all done here, we will go to my home in the north – if anything is left of it. If not,” he sighed, “we will rebuild.”
With everyone's attention on those two, no one noticed Inuyasha's nostalgic expression as he watched Kikyou and Kagome talking – except Nyoko, and she sighed a little, before standing and pulling a startled Inuyasha up with her. She smiled at everyone pleasantly but absently.
“If you all would excuse us, a certain inu and I need to have a talk,” was all she said as she led a suddenly nervous hanyou from the tent.
Both brows in her bangs, Kagome said, “Wow. I wonder what that was all about?”
~oOo~
Once they were well away from the tent, Nyoko looked at Inuyasha, for the first time in her life feeling a bit... uncertain. What had that expression on his face inside the tent meant?
Not one to beat around the bush, she decided to simply ask him instead of jumping to conclusions.
“Do you regret letting them both go?” she asked bluntly, startling the now wide-eyed hanyou so badly he stumbled.
“W-what?” he actually squeaked, unwilling to take in what she was truly asking.
“You heard me. Do you regret being stuck with me instead of Kikyou or Kagome-sama?” she asked, her voice becoming tight.
“No! Why would you think something like that, anyway, stupid?” he almost shouted, his astonishment turning to belligerence at the question.
“I saw the look on your face back there, Inuyasha, even if no one else did, and it sure looked like regret to me,” she snapped back.
With a growl, Inuyasha grabbed her by her arms and shook her, just a little, before letting go and turning his back to her, visibly trying to regain control of his temper. After a few moments, his shoulders relaxed a little, and he sighed, then turned back to look at her.
“Look... both of them are parts of my past, and I loved them both at different points. I won't deny that. And part of me always will love them... but we weren't meant to be together in that way, and I'm okay with that.” He looked away from her for a moment, then sighed again and looked back at her. “And besides... Kagome's a kami now – and I'm in no way her match. Sesshoumaru is, and I'm glad she's happy. Much as I detest admitting it-” his expression soured, “-the bastard loves her, and will take good care of her.”
“And what about Kikyou,” Nyoko asked, her eyes intent.
“Kikyou... there was just too much between us, and most of it wasn't good. We wouldn't have lasted, even if we'd tried to get together, and I can see that now. I don't regret you, and I won't, either. So get that thought out of your head, okay?”
Nyoko considered him for a small amount of time, and then smiled a little, accepting his embrace as he pulled her to him and proceeded to thoroughly disprove her fears.
~oOo~
Sesshoumaru moved around towards the back of the tent, wishing to put a little space between he and his father and those still in the tent for the coming discussion. It was a serious matter when a Lord abdicated his throne, no matter the reason for it, and he wanted no interruptions.
After reaching an oddly scarred area of ground, he turned and faced his sire, meeting his father's solemn expression firmly.
There was a contemplative silence for a moment, and then Sugimi broke it.
“Have you made your peace with my hime, Sesshoumaru?” he asked, jumping right in.
Brow cocked, Sesshoumaru considered his father for a slice of time that was infinitely small, yet seemed so large, and then inclined his head in the affirmative. “What was in the past will remain in the past, father. Now is the time for rapprochement, between she and I no less than between demon, half-demon, and human.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he admitted, a relieved expression settling on his face. “I would not like the distance that previous enmity would have engendered between us, my son.”
Sesshoumaru was well aware of what his father was saying; had he forced the issue, Sugimi would have chosen his mate. At one time, that would have only angered him – indeed, that is exactly what had caused him to hate Izayoi with such passion in the past. Now... now however, that he had his own mate, he could understand his father's stance just fine – had the situation been reversed, he would have chosen the same, though it would have hurt.
“That is no longer a concern, father. But nor is it the reason I have called you here. There is another issue that I have resolved within myself, and it is time to bring it to your notice.” He shifted a bit uncomfortably, now on the brink of giving up his birthright, everything he'd held for so long with so much passion, but with a sigh, he spoke, sealing his fate as the god of chaos he now was.
“I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the West, do hereby abdicate my throne in favor of returning the title to my sire, and previous Lord over said Lands. I also-” he continued, to his father's shock, “-abdicate my position as heir.”
It didn't take his father long to catch on to why his proud son was following that particular course, though, and his eyes softened on him. “You fear being unable to handle such divergent responsibilities as the Western Lands, and your newfound ones to the greater good,” he said, sympathy evident in his eyes. He knew how hard this decision would have been for his son. “You have gained in wisdom greatly, Sesshoumaru, and I am proud that the promise of greatness that lay in you from the moment of your birth has been amply proven.”
Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, a sense of pride at his father's understanding, and his professed pride in him, only adding to his feeling that the way he had chosen was correct.
“Where will you live?” Sugimi asked, curious.
“In the den in the Western Lands.” He shrugged, the gesture oddly elegant. “All the kami have a place here within the lands that is sacred to them, and that place is so to both I and Kagome. And for now, at least, we have responsibilities to the children we have taken under our protection – neither she nor I would abandon Rin or the kit. They will need a stable home, and we can give them that in the den.”
Sugimi was relieved, he had to admit; despite the fact that his son was now a member of the pantheon of the kami, along with his mate, he had not wanted him to disappear into the heavenly realms. Now that he was once more alive, he wished to have a relationship with both of his sons, and with Sesshoumaru actually still living in the West, he could.
Not to mention, any god would protect his home, and if he made one for himself within the Western Territories, he would be sure to assist his father in making sure they were always safe.
With a last sigh, he nodded, accepting his son's abdication. “I, Sugimi, accept the title of Lord of the West from its predecessor, Sesshoumaru, taking on all duties of said title.” He looked away for a moment thoughtfully, then finished with, “I also accept the title of heir back and will name a new heir at a time of my choosing.” It was an unspoken given that Inuyasha would end up as heir – after he'd been whipped into shape.
And with those few words, Sesshoumaru of the West was no more, instead becoming fully and with finality Sesshoumaru...
Lord of Chaos, and Mate to the Lady of Balance.
Converting /tmp/php3jw2YF to /dev/stdout