InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Intended Mate ❯ Running Start ( Chapter 14 )

And here we are yet again ^_^ I can only thank you guys for your kind words and constant reviews. They make my day and put a smile on this inu's face.

The constant Sessh bashing surprises me to this day, but I suppose I put out this reaction writing him this way. I hope not to upset any Sesshomaru fans!

I realize I totally made up the other wolf's name that follows Koga. (is that a life profession? Wolf that Follows Koga….) I knew Ginta, but threw out Hiko. Someone was kind enough to tell me his proper name (Hakkaku) but I guess I'll keep Hiko for continuity's sake. He got his name changed! Yeah that's it…(laugh)

 

Honored place for reviewers:

Inugrrl, you're one of my favorites! Thanks for your loooohooong reviews. I love them!

Andrea Moon Dog, big howl to the moon! Hope you like the last few chapters ^_^ Read whenever you get a chance!

Sapphire Blade, Thanks for the kind words again. Please don't be upset at future chapters, but I hope you keep reading.

Chirsten (aka Cherished Agony) Thanks again for your emails and reviews!! Love talking to you ^_~ Hope to please!

 

FF: Lady Kcassandra, Inu Osuwari, silver sakura blossom, Kawaii Bell, Silver Magick131, Hitomi Daremo, phxazkyote3507 thanks again for your words…..you've all been frequent so I must honor you here.

AFF: romantiq, thanks for keeping up!

Syko, I hope to continue to please ^_~

Kokoro and evileye, I noticed the topic of rape came up in your reviews. As I do not want to ruin the outcome of my story, I only hope you continue to read and see what happens. However it goes, you have my word I have the ending completely in mind. In fact, I want to write it now, so my plot has to happen first obviously.

 

Sorry for taking up so much time! If I forgot someone, you are still honored. I hope you enjoy! And please, review. If you have the time, I love to see them! And if you include emails, I like discussing things with you guys.

 

Thanks again! (Bows)

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha in any way, shape or form, but does claim to be Inu.

 

 

“Intended Mate” chapter fourteen

Running Start

 

“Come on, faster, Dog shit!” Koga barked, jogging lightly. Inuyasha panted and struggled to keep up. The makeshift crutches of tree limb and Miroku were discarded two days ago and while Kaede warned the two princes to take it easy, they pushed their bodies almost beyond their limit each day to work up their strength.

 

At first the two merely walked side by side and hissed and taunted each other. Miroku, Sango and Kaede sat across the clearing, watching the two progress. Shippou hovered close by with Kagome's white box with a red cross, waiting to administer faulty first aide if they needed it.

Koga merely laughed and said they felt fine.

 

Inuyasha knew the wolf was bluffing. His chest felt like it was going to explode with each sharp inhale of air, and his legs felt rubbery from their light jogging. Sweat beaded down Koga's face as well, and down his chest, so the wolf had to be exaggerating. But the two never stopped their exercises.

 

“Hey…I say we use our steel tomorrow,” Koga laughed. Inuyasha growled, hand resting on Tetsusaiga's hilt.

 

“Hell, let's do it now!” he cursed. Miroku stood up.

 

“Don't push yourself, Inuyasha,” he began. “Your arms may still be…”

 

“I don't care!” Inuyasha snapped, pulling Tetsusaiga loose. It transformed into his father's fang, and the hanyou sat down hard on the earth from the weight of it. Koga shook his head, as Tetsusaiga shrank down to a rusty katana.

 

“Come on, Dog shit, you're not gonna have the strength to rescue Kagome this way,” he chided lightly. Hiko and Ginta giggled across the way at his words.

 

Inuyasha stabbed the katana into the ground, leaning on it to stand back up on his tired legs. “Shut up! All of you! Don't you get it?? I have to get her back, soon, today, right now!” his eyes lolled wildly, his teeth gnashing.

 

“Inuyasha!….”

 

“Inuyasha,” Koga rested a hand on the hanyou's shoulder and looked at him. “I know how you feel, and hell yes I'm going with you to help get her back.” He sighed and looked away. “But you can't go half-cocked. Your brother's going to win unless we have our bodies under control. You've seen me all day. You know we're both hurting.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head, disturbed at getting logical advice from a rival. “So, you admit it that it hurts to move huh?”

 

“Hey, it hurts you too,” Koga joked, pushing Inuyasha's shoulder in a friendly shove. Inuyasha leered and sheathed Tetsusaiga.

 

“But we have to keep trying to get back to normal!”

 

“I just have to get her back now….she's in trouble,” Inuyasha growled lowly.

 

“Don't worry, Dog Shit. We'll bring Kagome back safely. If your brother has touched her, we'll cut his manhood off and feed it to the mountain goats,” Koga vowed. Inuyasha barked a laugh and the two started to jog through the tall grasses again.

 

Kaede, Miroku and Sango looked at each other curiously.

 

“What was that about?” Sango wondered. Kaede shook her head.

 

“Maybe those two have finally come out and said they're both concerned for Kagome,” Miroku suggested.

 

“At least they're acting like friends,” Kaede smiled. Koga hollered at Inuyasha well across the fields. Inuyasha snarled in response and Koga was pleased to see their bantering pushing him to try. He owed it to Kagome to bring her mate up to full strength. Then they all would storm that jackass's palace together and get her back.

 

Koga wheezed and pressed a hand against his chest as he jogged along. He missed Kagome as well and it slowly killed him too that she was in danger of pushed to something she didn't want. He had to help Inuyasha and stop Sesshomaru. Even if they would bring Kagome back to someone other than himself.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome grit her teeth and walked down the hallways back to her room. The servants were in a hustle preparing for the big event she was dreading. If Sesshomaru thought a banquet was going to loosen her resolve not to sleep with him, then he was dead wrong.

 

`I have to find a way to keep him away from me… until I can escape,' Kagome thought. Her maids trailed behind her, giggling and talking amongst themselves making the miko feel lonely. She had absolutely no one to talk to and she was sure the maids knew it and were rubbing it in.

 

The guards looked at her strangely. The servants ignored her. Her maids capitalized on her loneliness. Jaken cursed at her under his breathe and Sesshomaru still tried to capture her alone.

 

Point for Sesshomaru, you can make me feel unwanted. But if you think that's going to make me fall all over you, you have another thing coming!

 

Kagome sighed and disappeared into her room, the maids leaving her alone. Loud cursing came around the corner and Jaken escorted Rin along to her lessons.

 

“I told you, you should listen to your maid! I'm not your servant, Rin, I'm Sesshomaru-sama's!” Jaken groused. Rin bounced happily in front of him, not at all weighed down in her child's kimono.

 

“But I prefer you, Jaken-sama! You brush my hair the best,” she confessed, laughing. Jaken blushed and grumbled about snotty kids, but led her along.

 

Rin stopped by Kagome's room and cocked her head curiously. “Jaken-sama!”

 

“Uhm…what is it, Rin?” he muttered, still put off by her compliment.

 

“Who is crying?” she asked innocently. Jaken looked at the room she was pointing to and shook his head.

 

“That room is under the use of the future Lady of the Western Lands,” Jaken announced pompously. Rin frowned, trying to remember around that huge title.

 

“Oh! You mean, Kagome-sama?” Rin asked, delighted.

 

“Why of course! Whom else would his lordship attach himself to?” Jaken sniffed. Rin shrugged and padded closer to the sliding doors.

 

“I'm going to greet her here! No one else has,” Rin noticed, reaching for the door's handle. She was greeted with a shock and howled in surprise, darting back behind the goblin retainer.

 

“Jaken-sama! The door burned me!” she held up her hand for inspection.

 

“Hmff! You should know better, Rin!” Jaken chided, but he held her small hand protectively. “Let's go have someone put some salve on that before your lesson….and don't tell Sesshomaru-sama you went near that door!”

 

“Yes, Jaken-sama!” Rin cast a mournful look over her shoulder at Kagome-sama's room. She needed company as well, so maybe she could see her later.

 

“Hurry up, Rin!”

 

“Coming….”

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru leaned back slowly and let his servants massage his tall pale form. He had just released Myoga-flea to go back out to search his territory. First he had granted the old vassal a personal audience to inquire further on his family's mating rites.

 

All straightforward business really, and Myoga hadn't revealed anything new that he hadn't already known. But it was good to double check on information. Sesshomaru kept it a habit to know what he needed. There was room for only one fool in this family and he had been killed in combat.

 

Sesshomaru smirked as his servants rubbed his large back and sides, working imaginary kinks out of his broad muscles. The banquet was days away from happening and dignitaries were arriving each day. Important lords and ladies in his lands, and beyond were coming to accept a new high Lady in their midst. Sesshomaru hadn't minced words in his summonings. They all knew he was marking a human female, the discards of his half brothers life. But they would not object to it. At least not openly in his home.

 

He couldn't wait to seduce Kagome Woman fully. He knew her tongue was sharp and her eyes still flashed hatred, but her body spoke on a more intimate level. Even if Kagome herself didn't want him, her body called out to him. She inspired passion to pound through his blood hotly despite what she said and she should be flattered. Many ladies had schemed and tried to win his favor over the years, but only one did he want to mark. And she hated him.

 

That merely added to the flavor, Sesshomaru smiled with his eyes closed. When he finally did take her and she begged him to, he would have won over her resolve. It was the power over her that craved him to exchange heated words and provoke her.

She didn't have to truly love him, but she could pretend it. He would have preferred she understand he was the only future for her now, but if they had to fight every step of the way to bed, so be it. Sesshomaru was not in the habit of forcing women to share his bed, but she would want him before the banquet. And if a little fight went into their passions, all the better. It aroused him now to think of it.

 

Tonight would be the first steps to loosening Kagome Woman's stubborn hatred. Sesshomaru smiled as he laid out his plans in his head.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes as a servant pressed a rolled scroll into her hands. “What is this?” she asked wearily.

 

“A summons, Kagome-sama,” the servant said. Kagome sighed. If they were trying to make her feel stupid, they were succeeding.

 

“To what?” she inquired, untying the ribbon and opening the parchment. Elegant kanji met her eyes and she read them carefully. Kagome sighed.

 

“His lordship requires your presence at dinner tonight,” the servant added helpfully. Kagome nodded.

 

“Of course…I guess I have to, don't I?” she sighed. Her heart hurt a lot today thinking of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had to go and ask her on a date. She had a very bad feeling about this.

 

The servant bowed and darted out of her room, Kagome feeling the barrier sliding back into place after his departure. She sighed again and folded her bathing yukata tightly around her body. Her stomach had ached all morning, reminding Kagome that her pup was first priority. First priority along with getting out of this place. Kagome didn't want to be Lady of the Western Lands. She wanted to see her friends, and to raise her pup with her family in the future.

 

Kagome closed her eyes glumly. “I did make that wish for everyone else…no wonder life is kicking me down.” Her stomach roiled and Kagome placed her hands over it. How was she going to fight off Sesshomaru when she was feeling so badly?

 

She supposed she would have to put up with that when the time came. Kagome pressed her palms together and concentrated. It was weak, but her miko powers had not gone away. Maybe she could use that to her advantage….

 

The maids knocked and the barrier went down. Kagome sighed as they came in, tittering at her fortune for being courted by Sesshomaru-sama. She may as well get this night over with.

 

* * * *

 

Rin ran happily around the courtyard gardens, giggling as Jaken chased her.

 

“Let's play! Hurry, Jaken-sama,” she called. The goblin cursed her and followed.

 

“Rin! Stop that, you'll ruin the lord's surprise!” he commanded. Rin stopped to lean down and smell a patch of flower formations, smiling.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama did this?” she asked in wonder. He was so kind! “Yeah! It's so pretty! I wonder why he would do this…”

 

Rin wandered through and around the gathered flowers making Jaken sputter and squawk.

 

“Come out of there! Sesshomaru-sama will be furious!” he pleaded.

 

Rin giggled and carefully waded through until her lord's familiar voice met her ears.

 

“Rin.” He said simply and the human girl wriggled around a bouquet of lilies, laughing.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama!” she stood in front of him, beaming. Her lord looked at her with his customary dispassionate expression.

 

“Do not spoil Kagome's surprise,” he softly chided. “I want her to enjoy it as you have.”

 

Rin giggled and smiled prettily. “This is for Kagome-sama? It's so lovely!”

 

Jaken ran up to Sesshomaru's side and bowed down. “I tried to stop her, Sesshomaru-sama! But she insisted,” he sputtered. Sesshomaru regarded him sharply then looked away as usual.

 

“Good night, Rin. Jaken, take her to her room,” Sesshomaru commanded. Jaken bowed with his staff and darted to the human child.

 

“Come along, Rin! You need rest,” he pleaded. And sighed in relief when the girl followed him easily.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome sat waiting on the edge of her bed, pinched in a long formal kimono. The sleeves draped to the floor and the train covered her slippers. Kagome didn't know how she was going to walk in it, or move at all. She supposed that was what her maids were for, but the two giggling demons had left her alone after helping her into it.

 

Another point for Sesshomaru.

 

Kagome's palms tingled and she looked up as the barrier went down, admitting one Lord of the Western Lands. Sesshomaru was resplendent as usual in a sweeping bone-colored kimono. His obi was purple traced in yellow this time and hung past his thighs stiffly. His shoulders were wide and straight and you could not tell he was missing an arm unless you looked carefully at his sleeve's movements. Kagome had to admit, anyone else would have been flattered, even thrilled. But she had already been mated and she wanted nothing to do with her late husband's brother. Even if he offered her everything on a silver platter, she would continue to refuse him.

 

Her nipples hardened at his heated gaze though. And she hated her body for betraying her.

 

“Kagome,” Sesshomaru greeted.

 

May as well play the role for now. “Sesshomaru.”

 

Sesshomaru…smiled? And offered her his arm. Kagome stared at him and shrugged, allowing him to lead her out of her room. The barriers were not reset as she was no longer in the room and Kagome sighed. Had to give those shugenjas a break sometime, didn't he?

 

Kagome was led through the hallways until she was greeted with the crisp cool evening breeze outside in the courtyard. The stars winked into sight, one by one as the sun set.

 

“What am I looking for?” Kagome said, trying to act bored. Sesshomaru gestured widely with his good arm. Kagome stifled a gasp and raised an eyebrow.

 

Formations upon formations of flowers greeted her. They were arranged expertly with an eye for detail and they were scents and types she enjoyed. How Sesshomaru found THAT out unnerved her alittle, but Kagome had to admit, it was a nice gesture.

 

She looked up at the unmoving Lord, half expecting him to try and touch her to exact some form of thank you. He merely looked back at her, golden eyes unblinking. Kagome sighed.

 

“Thank you. They're beautiful,” she admitted.

 

`That wasn't so hard was it?' Sesshomaru thought. The corners of his lips moved in a smirk. “This Sesshomaru is glad you are pleased,” was his return.

 

Kagome sighed, slightly irritated. “They're my favorites…don't tell me how you knew,” she added.

 

“It is a mate's duty to fulfill his intended's needs,” Sesshomaru added smoothly. Kagome looked away, eyes tearing. How dare he say something Inuyasha had said already? He was nothing like him, even if they shared the same bloodline. She rubbed her hands over her middle, trying not to break down in front of a suitor who wanted her in bed before the week was out. She could not show him weakness as he did not show her weakness in return.

 

But damn him for invoking words spoken by her beloved…. Kagome took deep breaths to try and calm her mood. Sesshomaru smelled the salt of beginning tears and resumed his stoic façade lest she turn away from him. He had to admit, he preferred her firey than teary. She saddened him when she cried.

 

“Hmm,” Kagome barely made out, pressing her long sleeve to her lips, eyes teared over. Sesshomaru gave a hum in response and touched her back softly. When her eyes met his, they were wary and tired.

 

She hasn't turned from this touch. Perhaps there is hope she wants this, Sesshomaru thought. He guided Kagome to a low table set in the middle of the flowerbeds, helping her to kneel carefully. She was with pup, he should remember. He would not see her damaged.

 

Sesshomaru's genteel behavior had Kagome on edge internally despite her teary exterior. He could only be planning something. She was already on edge, noting his servant's behavior regarding the banquet. It was the day after tomorrow and she dreaded what this night, the next night and the night of the banquet itself could hold.

 

Sesshomaru would try to take her to be his mate, betraying her husband's memory. If only there was some way to keep him away! She couldn't fight him…. there was no access to a bow and quiver of arrows shy the gods throwing one her way. And the baby had her feeling so ill, she wasn't sure she could summon a purifying touch to zap a chipmunk. And Sesshomaru was smiling at her again…

 

Kagome couldn't get over the slow shiver of shock that swept through her when she witnessed these outbreaks in his expressions. She nervously lifted a tea cup and sipped from it, the scalding liquid numbing her tongue. But damned if she was going to give him the satisfaction of crying or swooning!

 

Sesshomaru smelled her nervousness and smiled deeper, feeling the emotion spike in the human across from him. She was trying so hard to mask herself to him, but she was not an expert in it like he was. He allowed these small smiles to unnerve the miko.

 

While they ate, Sesshomaru pondered the reports his teams of shugenjas gave him. They said her miko powers amplified while she slept, but faltered right upon waking, or getting ready for bed. This information was handy and Sesshomaru knew he would give the magic-user's a suitable reward after he marked his Lady.

 

After the meal was over, Sesshomaru grudgingly got Kagome to have a somewhat civil conversation. Kagome mellowed out little by little as Sesshomaru didn't make any move to touch her. He didn't laugh or show much mirth besides the occasional smirk. Kagome could almost pretend they were sharing a moment until her friends retrieved her for another lead on Naraku. Inuyasha would come crashing over clumsily and he would rescue her like a snot-mouthed knight in fire rat's robes.

 

Kagome sighed as Sesshomaru finally stood and offered her his hand to stand by his side. As they neared her room, her steps slowed and cold sweat beaded against her forehead. Would he try to take her now? Damn these robes, they were weighing her down! Kagome's hand was slick with sweat against Sesshomaru's sleeve. So far he had been the perfect gentleman despite that one obvious stare upon retrieving her.

 

But she would let him have it if he tried anything now.

 

Sesshomaru stood over Kagome, unmoving, watching her try not to sweat in front of him. She stared up at him, not trying to give him the upper hand. They both felt the barrier spark and ready for her return so it could go back up to full amp. Kagome could almost swear she could hear whispers of the hidden shugenjas before they were silenced for their night's work.

 

And her eyes bugged out in surprise when Sesshomaru leaned down and kissed her neck possessively.

 

“…Uhmfff!” she barely got out in a squeak. Sesshomaru departed from her warmth and smiled predatorily.

 

“Good night, Kagome Woman. I trust you will sleep well and receive me on the morrow,” he purred. Kagome stared at him as he inclined his head slightly in a bow and swept down the hallway.

 

She darted through her doors and shut them, hearing the energy flicker and the barrier go back up. And gave a small whimper, scrubbing at her neck with one sleeve. Her mate's mark seared under Sesshomaru's touch and she sniffed, trying not to lose it altogether.

 

“Inuyasha please…help me!”

 

Far across the lands, Inuyasha howled in his sleep and woke in a damp sweat.

 

“What is it, Inuyasha!” Shippou demanded, perched on his chest. Inuyasha growled and rubbed his eyes.

 

“We've got to go soon, Shippou. Kagome needs me,” he growled.

 

End for now

Lords and people of high social standing are not inclined to bow for anyone. However, a mere tilt of the head indicates great respect for someone lower than themselves. Sesshie strikes me as the type to be this pompous. But hey, got to show some indication of his thoughts for the Woman.

I by no reason am sexist in any way, but I think Sesshomaru may be. That is why I call Kagome woman half the time. That and it could be his mind labeling her…sexist-like.

Shugenja IS a Japanese word loosely meaning a magic user…loosely. It's a term in the L5R game that is derived from a Japanese term so… wanted to use it.

This chapter to me is very tame compared to previous ones. But I wanted to give you guys a breather for what's to come. And try to show some of Sesshomaru's attempts to put Kagome at ease. Not that it may be working mind, but he's trying to be alittle subtle this time around.

Like it, hate it? Give me your input, please. Love reviews!

 

Sincerely yours, penpaninu 9/29/05