InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome! Where are you?! ❯ jealousy part 3 ( Chapter 24 )

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

Chapter 24: Jealousy, part 3

Author's note: Sesshomaru is speaking, unless otherwise noted. Also . . . this is different from
most fanfics about the Sess/Inu family history. But . . . this is, I think, pretty realistic for feudal Japan.

Also, this is from Sesshomaru's POV. So . . . Inu-yasha's mother will not get a fair hearing, ok.
He does not think highly of her.

Kagome's thoughts/statements are an attempt to balance it out, but .

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Kagome and Sesshomaru are sitting on a grassy knoll, overlooking a beautifully forested valley.
The morning sun is burning off the fog in the valley, giving it a ghostly appearance. A soft
breeze blows the smells of springtime to them .

"The demon lord married his principal wife. The marriage was arraigned and performed while
they were children. The wife did not arrive at her husband's castle until years afterward."

"Why?"

"She had to grow up and be trained to be the principal wife of a demon lord. When she arrived, it
quickly became obvious that they did not like each other, but honor and family ties meant that
she would remain his wife and she would bear his heir."

"No divorce?"

"It would have meant a war, so, they remained married. They mated, just enough times to have
that heir, and after that . . . they never mated with each other ever again."

Kagome places her hand beside Sesshomaru. Not touching him, but close. "That must have made
living together difficult."

"It did." Sesshomaru pauses . . .

Then he continues.

"The demon lord, as law and custom allow, began to use demonic concubines to ease his lusts.
The principal wife became jealous. She did not want any demonic female to become close to her
husband. Such a woman, she felt, would challenge her position as head of the household. Several
concubines died due to unusual circumstances."

"Like last night?" Kagome asks.

"Not as obvious as that, but, yes. The demon lord began to use human sex slaves to ease his
lusts. His principal wife allowed that. There was no way, she felt, that a human could challenge
her position as head of the household. However . . . she made a mistake."

Sesshomaru pauses, as he stares off into the distance, but he continues.

"A human sex slave, given to him as a bribe to stop the demon lords rampages, managed to
entrap the demon lord in a spell. This caused the demon lord's loyalty to shift from his family to
her. That caused him to raise the sex slave's position to that of his wife. This, of course, caused
extreme jealousy in the principal wife."

"Did the first wife . . . try to kill her?"

"Yes. Only the fact that the demon lord rarely, if ever, left the side of his human wife, allowed
her to survive."

"Umm. How did the rest of the family, especially that heir you mentioned, react?" Kagome asks,
looking at Sesshomaru out of the corner of her eyes.

"Some followed the demon lord's orders and treated his new wife as head of the household.
Others followed the demon lord's principal wife, which split the household. The heir . . . tried to
bridge the differences between his mother and his father."

Sesshomaru swallows. His hand falls from his lap and moves close to Kagome's hand, but still
not touching it.

"Unfortunately that cost the heir the respect of his mother and his father, as both felt he was
betraying them." he says in a very low voice. "And the rest of the family, since they followed
one or the other, felt the same."

Kagome moves her hand so her fingertips touch Sesshomaru's hand. She thinks, 'gods . . .
everybody in the household must have turned against him . . '

"The human female gave birth to a male child."

Sesshomaru licks his lips, and continues, "The demon lord . . . he disinherited the first son and
named the new child to be the sole heir."

Kagome grabs Sesshomaru's hand and holds it. "What happened next?" she whispers.

"The family, lead by his principal wife, revolted against the demon lord. After a horrible battle . .
. a compromise was made. The two sons would be equal heirs to the demon lord's lands and to
seal the compromise. Two . . . tokens were made for the sons."

"If they did not trust the first son, why was he included?" she whispers.

"Because both thought they could control him . . and his mother did not want one of the other
cousins to be chosen. Better her son, whom she felt she could control, rather than a cousin she
knew nothing about." A pause.

"For a few years there was officially peace within the family. But . . . the rival jealousies of the
two mothers . . . caused there to be a lot of deaths from 'accidents' and other unknown reasons
between the family members as war between the two women continued. This has caused the
family to become very weak."

"Lord Sesshomaru . . . how did the two sons get along?" Kagome hesitantly asks.

Sesshomaru glances at her, licks his lips and says, "The first son did get along with the second.
He assumed that by the time the demon lord died, the second son, would recognize the first son
as his superior, in all things, and there would be peace within the family. The first son ruling and
he would be supported by the second son."

He sighs, "Of course, both wives and his father never believed him when he told them that. They
were all sure he was following his own scheme."

Kagome bites her lips as she thinks, 'No. Don't say it, girl. He's talking . . . And he is talking
about his family, don't cause him to stop. Even if his ego is probably causing him to remember
only those things that make him look good.'

"Perhaps the demon lord would have solved the problem between his two wives. But . . . before
he could do so, he died in combat. Without him . . . the principal wife took over."

"She ordered the human wife to leave and take her child with her." Kagome interrupts, thinking
she knows the answer.

"No. She ordered her son to kill both the human wife and the child."

Kagome takes a deep breath . . .

"But, she wanted them tortured to death, instead of a clean kill . . . when the child escaped she
blamed her son. An argument between her and her son occurred. The son, still young by demon
standards, allowed his emotions to get the better of him. The family . . . chose to side with the
principal wife, not her son." Sesshomaru says in a dead voice.

He stops speaking and just stares out into the distance.

Kagome squeezes Sesshomaru's hand and she whispers, "What next?"

"Oh. The son was given the title of his father, but, his mother was given all the powers. The
family did not trust him, even though he was the only one in the family trying to keep it together.
And his mother used that power to kill or drive away any that she felt did not support her during
her struggle with the human female."

Sesshomaru shakes himself, and says, "Perhaps once or twice a year, the son has to affix his seal
on a couple of papers, but that is all his mother allows him to do."

His eyes narrow, "Now, the family is lead by someone that was brought into the family, not even
a true blood relative to the family's ancestors."

Sesshomaru glances down at Tenseiga's hilt. "Should the son gather together the two tokens that
were made, then . . . then he can return home and with those tokens, then, he can claim the power
that is rightfully his." he whispers.

Kagome squeezes his hand. 'I want to promise him something . . . but what can I promise?' she thinks.

He shakes himself. He turns to Kagome and says, "See, the jealousy of the first wife began the
destruction of the family. If that jealousy was not there, then the demon lord would have found
just one or two concubines and he would have been happy. But, because of jealousy, he had to
keep finding new concubines. And then . . . the human female. Her jealousy and her war to make
sure that her son would be the heir . . . that completed the downfall of the demon lord's family.
Now, he is dead, his land is only a fraction of what it was, his castle is occupied by members of
other families, his sons and heirs are cast out."

Sesshomaru takes a deep breath, "This Sesshomaru must know about jealousy. This Sesshomaru
will not allow it to destroy his life, like it did in that story."

Sesshomaru pauses, "I was taught about jealousy and the women." **authors' note: Sesshomaru
is paraphrasing Japanese teaching about jealousy**

"I was taught never to let women even dream of jealousy. If her jealousy is extreme, it will
render her countenance frightful, her accents repulsive and can only result in totally alienating
her from her husband."

He licks his lips. "Should her husband act badly, she must compose her countenance and soften
her voice to remonstrate him. And if he doesn't listen, she should wait a season and remonstrate
him again, until his heart softens. She should never set herself up against her husband."

"The five worst maladies that afflict the female mind are: un-submissiveness, discontent,
slander, jealousy and silliness. Without any doubt these five maladies infest seven or eight out of
ten women, and it is from these that arises the inferiority of women to men. A woman shall cure
them by self-inspection and self-reproach."

His eyes bore into Kagome's as he demands, "Now, human female, tell this Sesshomaru about
human jealousy."

Kagome holds up her hands in a stopping motion. "Ok, ok. Give me a minute to think."

He nods.

'If I had been Inu-yasha's mother . . I would have been alone in the middle of a group of demons
that, probably would kill me, sooner or later. Only by getting Inu-yasha's father to love me
would have been the only way to survive. And once he loved me. The hatred and jealousy of the
fist wife . . . would have meant the only way to survive would be to replace her. And once Inu-
yasha was born, that meant he had to replace Sesshomaru, otherwise . . . as soon as Inu-yasha's
father dies. Inu-yasha and his mother die.' Kagome thinks.

'In order to live in that type of family . . Inu-yasha's mother probably had to do things she'd
regret and hate, but . . . if she didn't she would have been killed. I wonder . . . ' Kagome nods her
head. 'Next time Myouga shows up, I'm going to corner him and ask him some very pointed
questions are Inu-yasha and his mother.'

Kagome clears her throat. "Sesshomaru, I really wish I could tell you a lot about jealousy, but."
She shrugs. "All I can do, I think, is tell you what I'm jealous of and how I handle it. Is that good
enough?" she asks.

He nods.

"Well . . my girlfriends back home, there are times when I'm jealous of and envious of them.
They get to live simple lives, not the complex mess that mine is. Going out to watch a movie on
Saturday afternoon. Not having to make life or death decisions on a daily basis."

"And?"

"And, whenever I start to think bad things about them, I remember all the good times we've had
together. I'm not going to lose that friendship over something else." she says in a firm voice.

'What if there are no-good things to remember?' Sesshomaru thinks, but doesn't speak.

"There are times when I'm jealous of Sango's combat abilities. Inu-yasha is always complaining
about mine, but never about hers." She sighs. "But, I've seen her practice and I know that I could
never do that. I'm not going to let my stupid jealousy come between our friendship. It is too important."

A pause. "Miroku's quiet courage. He is dying, but to look at him. You would never know it."
she whispers. Her mouth twitches, "If he would ever learn to control that hand of his . . . Sango
would make his nights a lot nicer."

"What about my brother?"

A pause. "Kikyo? You mean."

He nods.

She grimaces. She whispers, "Am I jealous of her? At times. Inu-yasha loves her in a direct and
open way that he only rarely shows me. What I wouldn't give to have him greet me with a hug,
instead of 'hurry up human! You're wasting time!', or complaining about the size of my bag."
She stares off into the distance. She takes a deep breath and sighs. "But, I'm not going to let
those feelings interfere. At least, not for long, though there are times when I've run home
because of his actions. But" She glances at Sesshomaru. "But, he has gone through too much
pain and suffering in his life for me to want to cause him any more."

Sesshomaru does not seem to react.

Kagome whispers, "I do not like to hurt my friend's feelings."

She pauses, then she flashes him a smile, "Back home, I even go visiting with a young man,
whom I think is very boring, just to make my friends happy."

She reaches out for his hand. He allows her to grab it. "I'll do what I can to help my friends. That
I promise." she whispers.

"But what about when you have to chose between friends?" Sesshomaru asks.

A pause.

"Lord Sesshomaru, loyalty is very important to you, correct?"

"Yes."

"So, what if you knew a person that promised loyalty to one lord. But, then, changed his mind
and transferred that promise to another lord. Would you trust that person?"

"Of course, not. The person is a liar and a traitor. You do not ignore such a promise." he says in
a flat voice.

He glances at the Kagome. Kagome looks at him. "And what would you think about the second
lord, the one that accepted such a promise from such a person?"

Sesshomaru takes a deep breath. He nods. "I see."

A pause, as they look into each others eyes.

Sesshomaru thinks, 'gods . . . I want her even more now. I will find a way to control my jealousy
and I will find to acquire her.'

Kagome thinks, 'gods . . aren't you supposed to be in love with only one person at a time. So why
. . do I feel this way about both Inu-yasha and Sesshomaru?'

A small smile appears on Kagome's lips, "Now, I do have a favor I would like to ask of you,
Lord Sesshomaru."

"And that favor is?"
"May I borrow your shoulder for a few minutes?"

His eyebrows raise, "Whatever for?"

"Because I have a friend, who is far too proud to borrow my shoulder. And he is far too proud to
cry." Tears begin to form in her eyes. "May I?" she whispers.

Sesshomaru doesn't react.

Kagome leans into him, reaches out and hugs him about the waist and buries her head into his shoulder.

Sesshomaru hand twitches, 'Do I hug her back?'

His arm encircles her.

Later . . .

Sesshomaru is carrying Kagome's bag. Kagome is standing next to him.

"You are sure about this setting?" she asks.

"Yes, this is where the cube did not want us to go."

She takes a deep breath and says, "I'm ready."

"Good."

Sesshomaru holds out the cube.

They touch it . . . and vanish . .

The end of chapter 24.

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Author's note: Sesshomaru's speech on jealousy.

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By the way, I did soften it, some. It is also from the year 1762, not the 1500's. But, I really don't
think that matters too much.

Story note: Everything is going as planned. Sesshomaru's jealousy/possessiveness is highlighted
and I've given him reasons to change those feeling. Kagome's feelings for both Inu-yasha and
Sesshomaru & her confusion about it is established.
Now to throw them back into major combat . . . and create more bonds . . .

Authors' note PLEASE READ!!

During this time, I might post a short linking chapter where I go and visit what Inu-yasha,
Sango, Miroku, Rin, and Jakken have been doing. (If not, that will probably be posted on the 3rd)

In the next two weeks, I will be posting a new chapter to my story "A Shard in Kyoto"

If you haven't read that story, please do so. I have the party doing things that aren't in any other
story that I know of. And for the Sesshomaru lovers there is a chapter . . . that will surprise you.

I will also be posting a Spring Fertility Festival spin-off story. "Night visit" Kagome and the
girls of the village spend a night talking. About boys and relationships . .

There is also a Miroku short story that I will probably also do.

Oh, yes, about what follows . . . Yes, I am evil . . .

Prologue for the next story arc: The Great Battle part 1

Author's note: (this will not make much sense, until you read everything, so . . . )

During this time in the history of the world, S's, presence & actions at this point in time, as far as
I can tell, are not known. This story will fill that gap. (Yes, I know the location was destroyed in
the novel, but that was about one hundred years before. He has had time to recover and rebuild.)

*****************

Sesshomaru's first impression of the world is power. His power is very strongly flowing through
him. Unlike all the other times, he is not tired.

His second impression is darkness. They have arrived during the local night. The sky is full of
clouds, so there is very little light. Off to his right he can hear the sounds of a river, under his
feet, the ground shifts, like he is standing on sand. Smells of decay and corruption reach his nose.

"Sesshomaru? Do you feel it, the power?" Kagome asks.

"Yes. Like my power has been increased."

"We must be on a world where magic is easier to use, I think." Kagome speculates.

"Perhaps."

"Is that light?" Kagome asks as she points.
Sesshomaru looks and he says, "It is a tower."

Off in the distance they can see a large tower. It reminds Kagome of the gothic castle towers she
has seen in various movies. The tower has small flickering lights up and down it, probably
torches. At the top of the tower is a large reddish light.

It moves toward them. It shines on them.

'Why would anyone make a searchlight that looks like a flaming cat's eye?' Kagome thinks. "I
believe I can see a doorway opening and creatures coming out." Sesshomaru remarks. "Hmm . . .
they do not look human."

Kagome grabs his arm and she firmly says, "This time, Lord Sesshomaru, you are not going to
attack them until they make the first move."

"You are making a mistake woman." He raises an eyebrow, "But, you will learn by mistakes
faster, so this Sesshomaru will go along. This time"

At the tower . . .

A couple of hundred creatures, not human, but human-like, with hunched backs and distorted
faces are marching from the tower. They are armed with weapons of war, various swords, spears,
bows and other medieval weapons.

"The master wants them alive. So he can torture them about the coming of the Valar." One of the
creatures snarls at the others. "So, no killing!"

"Yes, boss." the others chorus.

The leader turns and asks another creature, "Do you have the sleepy gas?"

"Yes, boss. They'll never know what hit them."

"Good." The Orc captain grins, showing his tusks. "The dark lord Sauron wants them alive. The
dungeons of the Tol-in-Gaurhoth, on the isle of werewolves will welcome them."

It is the year 583 of the first age of middle earth . . .

the year of the War of Wrath . . .

The last year of the first age of middle earth . . .

1,600 years before Sauron makes the One Ring . . .

6,409 years before the events in the Lord of the Rings . . .
DOOM . . .

A story set in the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Thank you for reading, Jeff Shelton.