InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Intended Mate ❯ Day before the Banquet ( Chapter 15 )

Hello once again! This next one came out so fast because of your reviews. Thanks again! I find my brain turning to mush, and so I'll get on with the honored place

 

Honored place for reviewers

Inugrrl, again, one of my favorite people ^_~ You're very expressive in your views and likes and dislikes! I get a kick out of you, really I do.

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FF.net: Inu Osuwari, Lady Kcassandra, Tosuko Higurashi, Hitomi Daremo, Kawaii Bell, Silver Magick 131 and a few others, you're all remembered and honored. Thank you for your recent words.

 

I'll make this author's note short this time. This inu is a tired one. (yawn) Enjoy!

 

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

 

“Intended Mate” chapter fifteen

Day before the Banquet

 

Kagome woke with a groan, smelling flowers. She carefully peeled one eyelid open and found bouquets of lilies wrapped and set around the low bed. At first Kagome's brain registered `pretty' then `stalker.' Her theory of the barrier admitting Sesshomaru seemed to be confirmed as she regarded some of the flower formations she had begrudgingly admired during their dinner the previous night.

 

`How he did all this without waking me up is…creepy!' Kagome thought. She gasped and looked inside her sleeping robe. `If he could do THIS there's no telling what he could do!' Her body felt rested and untouched, and small traces of her miko's sight told her she was still Inuyasha's mate. With a sigh, Kagome rested on her back.

 

“You are awake. How did you rest, Kagome?” a deep baritone came from the doorway and Kagome yelped, springing to sit up. Her yukata wound half open to Sesshomaru's low gaze and she flushed in surprise, pulling the lapels together.

 

“This is getting creepy you know, Sesshomaru!” She scowled, tying the belt to the robe tightly. Sesshomaru ignored her comment and strode in, sitting on the edge of the bed.

 

“How does your belly feel this morning?” he continued. Kagome ran her fingers through her morning tangle of hair, sighing in frustration.

 

“Alittle bad…. But I'm fine,” she turned her chin up, opting for the appearance of strength. Sesshomaru smiled and traced a claw under her jaw.

 

“It pleases this Sesshomaru to know you are well,” he purred. His claw dipped lower, tracing her collar bone. Kagme stared at him warily, chest rising and falling.

 

“Sesshomaru…” she gasped when he leaned close and sniffed her neck again.

“Stop that…..” she murmured. Sesshomaru leaned back, smiling slightly.

 

“We have a long day of preparation ahead of us, Kagome Woman.” He said, looking pleased. Kagome sighed to herself.

 

“What kind of…preparations?” she asked lowly.

 

Sesshomaru traced her arms with his one hand, intoxicated with her closeness. Kagome sat rigidly, arms tensed.

 

“Fittings for your kimono, greeting some of our guests, and most importantly….”

 

Kagome's mouth went dry. The mating. The marking. He's going to not only try to do it, he's going to talk about it?

 

“You must pay homage to the Western inu shrine,” Sesshomaru finished. The surprised look on Kagome's face amused him. Whatever did she think he was going to say?

 

Kagome shook her head, gaining her composure once more. “Oh!… I mean…I didn't know…” she stammered, caught extremely offguard.

 

Sesshomaru snuffed lightly. “Of course you didn't know. Inuyasha never set foot in his ancestral home, so of course he had no idea about it when his mother didn't know.”

 

Kagome glared at the Lord then, crossing her arms across her breasts.

 

“Well of course he wouldn't know then!” she snapped. Her mind flashed images of a childish Inuyasha holding his Lady mother's hand, both looking for a new palace to stay in due to being outcast again. And Sesshomaru knew he was out there and didn't have him stay in this oversized palace!

 

Sesshomaru laughed lightly and kissed her forehead begrudgingly. “Calm yourself, Woman. You'll give yourself a nosebleed.” Humans were rather frail after all.

 

“I wont' give myself a..!.” Kagome started when Sesshomaru stared at her, then laid his lips against hers.

 

Kagome pushed on his shoulders, then his face. Sesshomaru held the kiss until she relaxed in exhaustion, leaning on his shoulders in frustration. Sesshomaru sighed into her mouth and moved down to nibble her neck. Kagome fidgeted again, and her fingertips flashed a spark of light. Sesshomaru covered her hands with his hand and enclosed her miko's energy within his large palm. Kagome's eyes widened as she whimpered against his white hair. He could cancel out her purification??

 

Her life as a widow flashed before her eyes as Sesshomaru's mouth moved lower, parting her yukata open once more. From his appreciative growl, she knew her body pleased him, but she didn't care. She pushed on Sesshomaru's ears, trying to push him away normally and he easily overpowered her. Kagome stared at the ceiling, wishing he would just vanish and she would now be waking up from her sleep….All a dream…yes…

 

Sesshomaru's hot mouth circling one of her nipples brought Kagome back to reality and she jumped, startled. The Lord snuffed and kissed a path to her other breast, making the miko jump in his grasp. Kagome closed her eyes, swallowing on a sob.

 

Sesshomaru stimulated her other nipple softly, his one good hand slipping inside the robe to press along her back, holding her in place. When Kagome began to shake, as she quieted down, he lifted his face lazily.

 

“This Sesshomaru is more than qualified to please you as his mate, Kagome Woman,” Sesshomaru vowed. “Your body doesn't lie.”

 

Kagome stared down at her erect nipples and broke away to pull her robe back together.

 

“And you are more than qualified to please this Sesshomaru….” Sesshomaru added, pulling her against his rock-hard muscles. A very ardent part of his appreciation pressed into Kagome's side and she looked to the side, embarrassed.

 

“You have this to look forward to before the banquet tomorrow…. “he murmured. Kagome gasped and pushed against his shoulders, not meeting his eyes.

 

“I told you my answer already,” she whispered, shocked.

 

“And you have an appointment to be fitted for raiment suiting the Lady of the Western Lands,” Sesshomaru concluded. He kissed her hotly, feeling her squirm in his hand. He knew she still struggled against him, but it was weaker and it felt so good to him. He would have her by tomorrow night.

 

“I will escort you to the Inu Shrine later, my Lady,” Sesshomaru whispered, standing proudly. Kagome looked hurriedly away, noticing another part of his anatomy that stood proudly. How could she notice THAT! He was really pushing it!

 

“…Whatever you say,” she tried to say sarcastically, but fear numbed her tongue. Sesshomaru swept out of her room.

 

Kagome clapped her hands together, her body feeling flushed and provoked. A very tiny tingle of purification snapped between her slender fingers, but nothing else. All that had happened at his touch! The touch of a youkai lord! She should have been able to repel him…at the very least, zap him!

 

“Inuyasha, help!” her mind panicked. If he could cancel her purification, he would have her his way very soon. She hugged her belly, watching the sliding doors warily. When the maids came to retrieve her, she let them lead her away to be fitted for a kimono deciding her future status.

 

Her neck burned and Kagome hung her head in shame.

 

* * * *

 

“Come on! Faster! Harder!” Koga screamed, deflecting Tetsusaiga with his katana easily. Inuyasha leaped into the air, crashing down hard in the dirt and met his comrade in swordplay. Dings and scrapes of metal filled the air as the two sparred, cursing and laughing.

 

Inuyasha felt his strength slowly returning the past day and today. His legs supported quick running dashes and leaps, his arms were strong enough to wield Tetsusaiga. Only his stamina was down, but with frequent breaks that Koga howled at him about, that was coming back. He would be ready for a trek to his brother's home soon enough.

 

Across the fields, Sango and Miroku sparred companionably, both feeling up to speed and strength. Kaede and Shippou supervised from their seat in the grass. The foxcub had a knack for sorting so he was helping the old miko separate plants for herb potions. All knew the fighting core group would be on their way once more. Everyone had an uneasy feeling that Inuyasha loudly groused upon.

 

The hanyou felt short and angered lately and Koga didn't capitalize on it as he might once do. He merely let the inu halfling vent his frustrations while building his strength. Koga had his full strength back a full day earlier, so he had to help Inuyasha climb the rungs to his level.

 

“Come on, do it better! You really suck!” Koga teased, leaping away as Inuyasha chased her.

 

“Say that back here, Mangy wolf!” Inuyasha yelled. The two clashed steel and leaped apart, coming down hard, running across the fields at full speed. They whipped around Sango and Miroku, causing Miroku to get a good strike with his staff past Sango's weapon and moment of surprise.

 

“Ow! Oh, Miroku,” she said. Miroku hugged her close.

 

“I'm sorry, my sweet!” he said. “Did I hurt you?”

 

Sango tapped the flat side of her katana against his exposed back slyly. “I think the match is mine,” she grinned. Miroku kissed her in response.

 

Inuyasha skidded to a halt, his bare feet digging tracks in the soil. He looked up at the sky and sniffed deeply, eyes narrowed in thought.

 

Koga ran back over, sheathing his katana. “What's wrong, dog shit? Can't keep up?”

 

“Shut up, Mangy wolf…hey, are you up to full strength yet?” Inuyasha muttered. His blood throbbed and he bit his lip, trying to get a cool head.

 

“I've been ready, you know. What is it? Are you ready finally?” Koga assumed an arrogant stance.

 

Inuyasha nodded. “Come on. We have to get going or it'll be too late,” he said sorrowfully. Koga's hand clamped heavily on his shoulder.

 

“I said we'll get her back. Kagome will be staring at that ugly face of yours in no time,” Koga laughed. Inuyasha managed a weak smile in return.

 

“What's wrong, Inuyasha? Koga-san?” Shippou asked, walking up with Kaede.

 

Miroku and Sango walked up, arms around each other and also curious.

 

“We're moving out as soon as possibly,” Inuyasha said, eyes hard in determination. “We're going to reclaim what is mine.”

 

As the group laid plans and moved to pack up supplies, Hiko and Ginta came running up, out of breath as usual.

 

“Wait, what are you guys doing! Koga? Kogaaaa!” they called, following their prince around the yard.

 

“Get it together, wolves!” Koga snarled. “We move out to reclaim Kagome for DogShit!”

 

Hiko grinned. “All right! Kagome-nee-san is gonna be all right!”

 

“Where we're concerned she is!” Ginta chimed in. Kaede shook her head and smiled, helping wrap food for the group.

 

She wished them well in bringing Kagome back.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome trudged through her daily duties wearily, her mind numbed and her heart frozen. She was fitted accordingly in a far more elaborate kimono that she probably wouldn't be able to walk in. She was simpered and stared at by what she could only assume were visiting Lords and ladies. She knew she was human, and pregnant, but some of the stares she received were downright hostile.

 

She was allowed to bathe with her maids and she walked so many steps today. She knew because her gaze was on the floorboards before her feet half of the time, dazed and heartsick with what was to come.

 

Rin peeked at Kagome around the corner of a room, her small face worried. “She doesn't look like a very happy Lady,” Rin confessed. Jaken shook his head warningly.

 

“She is merely overwhelmed to be at his lordship's side,” Jaken hissed imploringly. Rin shook her head, stubborn.

 

“Why is Kagome-sama so sad! She doesn't want to be Sesshomaru-sama's wife,” Rin insisted. Jaken stomped his foot on the floor.

 

“Don't ever utter that again, Rin! Sesshomaru-sama will punish you for certain!” the goblin hissed.

 

Rin sighed and watched the tall elegant woman carry herself slowly down the hallways, robes trailing. “I wish I could cheer her up…would Sesshomaru-sama mind?”

 

“I think you had better not ask him!”

 

* * * *

 

Kagome could only count herself lucky that Sesshomaru had not tried to be far more intimate than this morning. They had so many tasks to complete, or tasks he set before her to sit or stand before and be witness to. She numbly stood at his side and met his guests carefully and without word. She knew his shugenjas had cast a spell over her to keep Inuyasha's scent from these high lords and ladies so she could only be so grateful.

 

She was already apparently scorned by the vast majority of the ladies, who no doubt at one time in their long lives had cast their eye on Sesshomaru.

 

`They're welcome to him!' Kagome thought, as she was led once again down yet another hallway. She had been on so many mazes today, she should have had half the palace mapped out. But she was so worried and numb, she couldn't have concentrated if she tried.

 

Sesshomaru led her deep into the heart of the mountain palace later that night, in a seemingly good mood. If her lord ever projected that kind of attitude.

 

Kagome followed numbly, feeling vestiges of power at the core of the palace the closer they got. Of course, the inu shrine would be a powerful location. The royal Inu of the islands would have had a foot holding in the Western Lands for countless time. Plain wooden sliding doors greeted them. They were not bound with the customary paper seals as shrines she knew, but they radiated power all the same.

 

Sesshomaru stood tall before her, golden eyes shining in the near darkness of the hallway.

 

“It is customary for each Lady to pay her respects to the family she is joining,” he suggested. His gleaming eyes took her in from head to toe.

 

“It is customary before she has been marked by her intended…” he snuffed, indignant at Inuyasha's masked stink. “But make due with what you will.”

 

Kagome blessedly stepped away from him and let him slide open the doors reverently. She disappeared inside to darkness.

 

After Sesshomaru slid the doors shut, Kagome stood silently, inhaling musky incense and fur. Her eyes slowly grew accustomed to the few candles lighting the chamber. The room was bare save for the obvious shrine located at the far wall. Bowls of powerful sake and sticks of strong incense were laid in a chaotic design on the altar, no apparent regard for deity or thought except for the one. A massive inu statue hulked over the shrine's contents, eyes carved of stone.

 

Kagome shivered, regarding those knowing eyes as she slowly walked closer. She did not know what to do until she sank in a bow on her knees at the altar, palms pressed together for prayer.

 

“Inu forefathers…. I don't know what you want to hear but… I don't want to be Sesshomaru's mate,” she confessed her heart's desire, feeling something listening, almost snuffing in response.

 

“I'm already one with a man of your house and I don't know if…you can smell it, but I carry a baby of your house too….” Kagome added feeling foolish. One look upward into the stone seeing eyes of the Inu statue told her someone was listening after all. And receiving her well.

 

“And…Inuyasha, he never knew about a place like this in his family…” she sniffed, rubbing suddenly wet eyes. “But you have to know, he did his best! And he died because of me…” she cried long moments in the silent chamber.

 

High above, her miko senses heard faint humming and keening. Inu spirits trying to communicate? She did not know, as it was beyond religion or purity. It was wild, it was ancient and it was listening to her.

 

Kagome dried her eyes with her sleeves and bowed low to the statue as it sat almost pleased. “Thank you…..for receiving me, I guess. I don't know what you think of Inuyasha….”

 

Another amused snuff high above her.

 

“But I think he would have tried to make you all proud. Well…good night,….” Kagome said politely, raising up to gather her kimono's hem and go back out to the hallway.

 

Sesshomaru was waiting for her, of course. “They received you well, I take it?” he asked simply. Kagome nodded, gladdened for different reasons.

 

“They did. I pray you will excuse me…my lord. I'm tired and wish to rest,” Kagome said carefully. Sesshomaru allowed her this and nodded.

 

“You'll find this Sesshomaru can wait. I will seek your time alone before the banquet tomorrow,” he murmured. Kagome nodded, thrilled he was actually putting it off. Maybe she could think of something in that time! He wasn't such a bastard maybe…

 

She was so glad at his decision putting off possibly marking, that she stood there and let him kiss her goodnight. She did not kiss back, but she didn't fight him as usual. Sesshomaru was thrilled secretly. She was almost ready for him! He just had to give her abit of reflection before the banquet. His mind whirled, plotting out when to take her the next day as Kagome thought far different plans of escape.

 

“Good night, my lady,” Sesshomaru purred, kissing her neck again. Kagome went stiff, until he let her go, not trying to break the mood of illusion she was casting.

 

“Good night, Sesshomaru,” she said quietly. Once she was behind her room's doors and tucked away in her sleeping yukata, the miko lay wrapped in a fetal position around her unborn pup.

 

Far across the Western Lands, Inuyasha and his friends traveled quickly towards their intended target. The hanyou pushed them hard, a cold feeling of dread in his belly strengthening his harsh pace. Shippou opted to ride on his shoulder as he couldn't keep up with the fast trek the group were forced on.

 

Koga watched Inuyasha's shoulders tense in unspoken anger and conviction. At last they were on the move. At last they would rescue Kagome. No matter what happened to her, she would be safe with them.

 

That was enough to satisfy the ookami prince as he strode up at Inuyasha's side. Kagome's safety was all that mattered. They would get her back finally.

 

End for now

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I realized though in the middle, I knew what I wanted with this chapter, and didn't have to push myself to try and make it a certain amount of pages. I said what was needed for this time and I hope you enjoy!

Like it, love it, have a question? Please review. I always look forward to them!

 

Sincerely yours, penpanin 9/30/05