InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ Her Choice ( Chapter 16 )

A/N: All righty then, sorry I ended up taking that extra time off, but it's the holidays and we all know how moms can be. Anyways, the hunt is on for a beta reader. Just figured out what a beta was, and now I want one! Please, please, please, if you want to help out with the great beast I am creating (or just help to beat it into some form of organization and credibility) email me at dark_jewel79@hotmail.com Being dyslexic does make the proofreading more difficult at times. *blows raspberry at the recalcitrant computer* And this chapter is a big one, don't know how that happened. Didn't plan on this being so big. Anyways, I own nothing, except the new boots I got for Christmas. Thanks Mom!

 

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“Kagome-chan, wake up!”

 

Patter of feet.

 

“Kagome-chan, up! Kagome-chan?”

 

More pattering of feet.

 

“Kagome-chan, are you hiding?”

 

`This does not bode well for my morning.' Sesshomaru slowly opened his eyes, perfectly aware of what was coming and yet powerless to do anything about it. The feet were pattering about in the next room as Rin searched for her Kagome-chan. Sighing, the youkai lord dragged himself to his feet, finding a robe before the interruptions began. Things would be getting very loud in the near future.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama!” The piercing shriek echoed through the palace, making anyone with ears as sensitive as a youkai's flinch in pain. Kagome lurched up in bed, staring about her wildly as she tried to figure out where she was.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, Kagome-chan is gone! She's gone! She's been kidnapped! Rin must find her, help Rin!” The little ball of energy ignored all of her previous lessons about staying out of Sesshomaru's room in her panic, launching through the door and running for help.

 

“Rin. Stop.”

 

Rin slipped to a stop, staring at her lord. “Sesshomaru-sama, where is Kagome-chan?” Following Sesshomaru's glance the little girl found the object of her hunt. “Kagome-chan!”

 

Kagome, for her part, was still trying to figure out what was going on. `Where am I? This is not my room. Okay, don't panic. I'm in a bed. A really big bed. And I'm naked. I'm naked?! Okay, moving on, Sesshomaru is here, staring at me, and Rin is shrieking and running around looking for me. I wasn't dreaming last night, was I? And breathe, girl, breathe.'

 

Oblivious to her beloved friend's panic, Rin was already jumping up on the bed. “Kagome-chan, why are you in here? Rin was worried.”

 

Blushing and stammering was all Kagome could manage at that moment, pulling the covers up to her throat. “I . . I am coming, Rin, and we can get ready for breakfast. Umm, go find Kumo and tell her that I'm on my way.”

 

“Hai, Kagome-chan!”

 

Slipping on the smooth floor Rin hurtled back out of the room, leaving the new couple in awkward silence. Sesshomaru was gazing at her with that blank stare, almost as though he did not notice the naked woman in his bed. Kagome, for her part, was trying to figure out how to get to the kimono she had been wearing the night before that was on the opposite side of the room. The blankets were very heavy, it would be hard to keep them wrapped around herself and make it across the room with any dignity at all. The choice was going with the blanket or trying to make a dart across the room and grab it, hoping that he would not get too much of an eyeful. Images of people streaking at graduation ceremonies popped into her mind.

 

`Maybe he'll be a gentleman and just look away.' “Sesshomaru-sama, could you please look the other way?”

 

`Back to titles, are we?' Without a word he turned away, allowing Kagome to slip across the room with some shred of her dignity intact. Having her clothes back gave her strength to face what was going on.

 

`Okay, evidently last night did happen. I did just sleep with the Lord of the Western Lands. That means that the whole mate conversation happened too. A little harder to cope with, so that will wait until after breakfast. Right now I am going to smile, say something nice, and run back to my room and hide like a little girl.' “Um, I'm going to go change for breakfast. See you there?”

 

Sesshomaru glanced back over his shoulder, looking down at the nervous woman. “Hai.”

 

Kagome flashed him a quick smile, than got the heck out of there. Slipping into her own room and sliding the door got her away from those eyes and let her brain move from frozen panic back to bouncing about panic. Kumo and Rin were already there, waiting for her. Rin was, of course, curious about why Kagome was not in her room.

 

“Did Kagome-chan have a nightmare? Did you run to Sesshomaru-sama?”

 

“Sort of, jo-chan. Once your ready for breakfast you can escort our guests, okay? You'll be ready before me, and I would really appreciate it.” Rin's reply was muffled as Kagome changed into the clothes that Kumo had laid out, but it must have been affirmative because the little girl was gone. `Oh, poor Sango and Mirokou, they will never know what hit them. I am so evil.'

 

The little glances coming from Kumo were already more than she could stand. “Out with it, Kumo.”

 

Kumo gasped and looked at the floor. “I am sorry, Kagome-sama, I meant no disrespect.”

 

`I could do with a little less groveling. It makes getting answers so much harder.' Kagome rubbed the bridge of nose, getting the feeling that it was going to be a long day. “I can see that you want to ask, so ask. I'm not going to attack you or anything.”

 

“There is nothing to ask.” Seeing Kagome's confused glance, Kumo stuttered. “I can sense the answers on my own, it was just . . . unexpected.”

 

`Sense? Oh, she means smell. I'm going to be getting this all day.' The rest of the morning routine passed in a blur as Kagome tried to keep that claustrophobic feeling away. `All day, and for a couple of days after that any youkai I meet is going to be giving me those funny looks. You did what with our Lord of the Western Lands you undeserving wench? looks. I really don't want to face that, it was tense enough here already, now I get to deal with this? What was I thinking?! Oh yeah, that's right, I wasn't thinking. Not enough blood to the brain to be thinking. It seems all romantic, everyone can tell that you are a mated couple and completely committed to each other, but what if everyone who can tell hates you for it? No one should have to deal with a headache of this proportion before breakfast.'

 

“Kagome-sama? You should go down to your meal.”

 

Flashing a thankful smile to Kumo, Kagome slowly made her way through the palace. She saw very few youkai, but she did see at least two of them give her a double take, and not of the friendly kind. Sliding into the dining hall felt like a victory, finally surrounded by her friends who would not be giving her those evil looks.

 

`No, these are different evil looks. What'd I do now?'

 

Mirokou and Sango were staring at her with strange, almost unhappy expressions. Rin was trying to stuff her breakfast into her mouth while using those manners that Kagome-chan insisted on. And Sesshmaru? Staring off into space, sipping his tea.

 

“Good morning, Mirokou and Sango? How was your night?” Kagome plastered on her best `nothings wrong' smile and moved next to Rin.

 

“Peaceful, and your's?” Mirokou was staring at her, just flat out staring. Sango had her mouth hanging open, making Kagome want to sink into the floor.

 

“Fine, peaceful, nice.” `And now the blushing will start. What are they staring at? There is no way they can smell whatever the youkai are smelling.'

 

“Kagome-chan, how did you get cut? Did you get that in practice?” Rin was pointing at a small cut that could just barely be seen from the neck of her haori.

 

“Hmm? What cut?” A quick investigation showed that there was not one, but two little cuts, and some bruising around them. Two, on the side of her neck. `Oh, Kami, I forgot about that hickie!' Kagome pulled the neck up higher, trying to hide the cut. “I'm not sure, jo-chan. It might have been from practice.”

 

A quick glance confirmed that Sesshomaru was ignoring all of the occupants at the table, indulging in his favorite past time of staring at nothing. Kagome spared a glare for him before facing her friends. `At least I know what they were staring at now.'

 

“Practice, you say?” Mirokou had managed to make those three words just about as lewd and suggestive as possible. Truly a talent that he had mastered over the years. Sango rolled her eyes, trying not to smack the monk with young Rin watching. After last night she was sure that Rin could not have her manners damaged any further, but Sango would try to contain herself. The monk would pay latter.

 

“We can discuss it later.” Kagome could pull up a pretty good impression of Sesshomaru's cold, imperious voice when needed, and it had the desired effect. Her two friends let the conversation drop and focused on their breakfast. Sesshomaru spared a glance to Kagome, interested in the change of her voice, but returned to staring at nothing.

 

Rin, of course, was done before any of the adults. “Sesshomaru-sama, may Rin be excused?” A slight nod sent her hurtling off to her instructor, excited to begin learning those new weapons he had shown her.

 

“I suppose I should go with her. The Captain will not take kindly to my missing another practice. Considering the beating I usually take, I don't think I want him to be too mad at me. If you guys want you can come along, maybe? It may be boring to you, but I think I'm getting pretty good, and I would love to work with you, Sango.”

 

A real smile finally appeared on her friend's face. “Sure, Kagome. I'll go change then meet you in the reception hall.”

 

The statue at the head of the table had still not moved. “Sesshomaru-sama, may I be excused?”

 

For one moment there eyes met and she could feel that he was annoyed and agitated, but then it was gone. He nodded, expression blank. Kagome hesitated, wanting to know where those feelings had come from and why, but Sesshomaru was already up and leaving the room. Mirouku was next to her, waiting for her to join him on the walk to the reception hall. Fighting off the urge to chase the lord down and demand to know what was going on, she turned and led the monk away.

 

*~*~*~*

 

“My, my lord? Please forgive me, my lord, but your most humble servant would dare to ask one question.” Jaken was a tiny ball on the floor, shaking as he groveled. The silence stretched out, the tension building as the tiny imp expected to be struck down or trampled at any moment. Finally, there was a reply.

 

“What.”

 

“My lord, please, the servants are all talking, some of the lords have come to me and demanded to know the truth. My lord, is - is it true?”

 

`Why do I have such stupid vassals?' “Is what true?”

 

“The, the miko, my lord. Is it true that you have . . .” Jaken's whisper died away, knowing that he was going to die. His lord was staring at him, fingers twitching ever so slightly. Eyes screwed tight, Jaken waited for the final strike of Tokijin.

 

Silence dragged out. Jaken snuck a peek at his lord and found him sitting again, staring into space as though in deep thought.

 

`What should I tell the vassals? They will not like the idea of my taking a ningen, they will think that this is my father all over again. Is there something cursed with my bloodline? I will not worry about that now. Now I need to tell them something. They can smell me on her, but I cannot tell them that it is a bond, she may still decide to leave. She was very, unsure this morning. I should call this a preliminary. The word does not mean much, but it will sound official enough to make them stop asking questions. They might as well get used to it, if I have anything to say about it she will not be leaving. And any that say she is too weak to be Lady of the Western Lands? Well, I suppose I could just let her deal with them. She is hard enough for me to deal with, I do not like to think what she would do to a youkai that really made her mad.'

A pleasant image of Kagome purifying some of the more annoying members of his court came to mind, improving Sesshomaru's mood.

 

“Tell them that this is a preliminary relationship. They would not be wise to anger her, though. Her ability to purify anything she touches makes her hard to handle when she is angered.”

 

“Preliminary, my lord?”

 

One eyebrow lifted, and that was more than enough for Jaken. “Yes, my lord, right away, my lord. My apologies, my lord.” Scuttling out backwards, the imp made a break for freedom, feeling rather like he had just been spared from execution.

 

“Jaken.”

 

Frozen in the doorway, Jaken glanced at freedom, then groveled before his lord.

 

“There is an assignment for you. Take this to a craftsman and have it adjusted to fit a human of the miko's proportions.” Sesshomaru was holding out a wood box, which Jaken carefully accepted.

 

Opening the box Jaken found a fabulous pendant in the shape of crescent moon. A blue stone flashed in the center, glowing as though it had it's own fire. The pendant was set on a long, heavy chain, inappropriate for a slight figure such as the miko but perfect for the pendant's original owner. “My lord? This is . . .”

 

“You will tell no one. This is an important assignment, trusted to you alone.”

 

The imp looked up at his lord, pride shining in his eyes. “My lord, I will not fail you!”

 

Sesshomaru watched as Jaken scurried from the room, carrying the pendant as though it was the greatest treasure in Japan. `Manipulating that one is too easy to even be interesting. However, he is the best choice, since he will know where to have the necklace adjusted and will be certain that the craftsmanship is perfect. Unfortunate that he recognized the pendant, but he will keep his silence. Jaken has no interest in dying.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

“Go, Rin, go!” Kagome cheered Rin on as she faced off with Sango. A glare from the Captain made her duck her head sheepishly, but she was still cheering for Rin in her mind. It was so surprising that the quiet, gentle girl had taken to fighting with such natural grace. Perhaps all of those years living in the woods and watching great battles had done some good after all.

 

Rin, for her part, seemed a little apprehensive. Facing off with her Sesshomaru-sama had been fun, facing the Captain was something she did almost everyday. This was a youkai exterminator! Sango stood waiting with a practice blade, letting the youngster make the first move. The youngster glanced to her instructor, nerves showing in her young eyes. A curt nod helped her to focus. The Captain wanted her to spar, so she would, and she would make him proud!

 

A far cry from her chaotic beginnings, Rin carefully circled Sango, forcing Sango to move at least a little. A small strike made Sango parry, letting Rin see what she would be facing. All of her training had made her aware that she was small, putting her at a disadvantage. She had to get within her opponent's range before she could attack. The emphasis had been on quick, tricky maneuvers. She had to close fast, strike, and get out. And acting like a scared little girl certainly did seem to help. Rin carefully wavered, looking indecisive. `It worked on Captain that one time, maybe it will work on Sango.'

 

Sango relaxed a bit, the little girl in front of her looked nervous. “Come on, jo-chan, I'm not . . . hey!” Rin had lunged in while Sango's guard was down, slipping in and scoring a hit on her leg before whipping away. “Oh, Rin, now you're in for it.”

 

Giggles were erupting from the sidelines. “Nice one, Rin, get her again!” Kagome was enjoying herself, having already been beaten senseless by Sango and Mirokou. It was nice to see someone finally get a hit in on Sango.

 

The youkai exterminator threw a glare over her shoulder. “You're next, miko!”

 

“Eep.” `Oh, that might not have been my best choice.'

 

Circling again, Sango was now aware of what she was dealing with. A little, quick, sneaky girl that knew more than she was letting on. `I like her. Two can play this game.' She left a small opening. Not big enough to let the girl in on the trick, but enough she couldn't ignore. For a moment she thought that the girl was not going to take it, but then Rin was moving. The girl was quick, and she was going to be very good, but it was a trap. As Rin closed Sango moved forward, closing before Rin was ready. She slipped under Rin's sword, taking away Rin's advantage and letting the little girl run right into her opponent's blade. Startled eyes flicked up to Sango's, uncertain how she had run herself unto Sango's blade. “Speed is not going to win, jo-chan. You need to be willing to change your plan if your enemy moves.”

 

Admiration was in Rin's eyes. “Can you show Rin how to do that better?”

 

`For that matter, can you show me how to do that?' Kagome was restlessly spinning her staff on the sidelines, watching as Sango taught Rin some new tricks. `That little girl is going to be kicking my butt in the near future.' Her senses picked up a presence near the doorway. `Sesshomaru.'

 

Out of the corner of her eye she could see the lord looking in on the activity, then brushing out again. She could still pick up agitation on him, now coupled with some worry. This time she was not going to let him get away, she wanted to know what was upsetting him so much. “Mirouku, I'll be right back.”

 

She followed her senses, tracking the lord through the palace. The occasional dark glare was shot her way, making her skin crawl. She found Sesshomaru in an office, behind a pile of paperwork and glaring at a groveling figure. His eyes flicked up to hers, raising an eyebrow, then returned to the cowering servant before him. “Out.”

 

Kagome was not sure if he was talking to her or the servant, but since the servant when scuttling out she felt fairly safe staying. She slid the door shut behind the servant, not in the mood to have anymore youkai glaring at her. “Sesshomaru-sama. . .”

 

The cold glare was certainly making it hard to concentrate. Kagome wet her lips to try again. “Um, Sesshomaru-sama, what is wrong?”

 

“Why are you calling me that?”

 

`Man, I just cannot read him! Trying to be respectful so he will calm down, and he looks like he's about to come over that desk and shred me.' “I was trying to be respectful.”

 

“You are not supposed to be using my title when speaking to me, remember?”

 

“You seemed agitated. I did not want to upset you further.”

 

That earned her a sigh. Fingers went to the youkai's temples, trying to rub the sources of irritation out of existence. “You are not the direct source of my agitation.”

 

“Well, that's a relief. I don't suppose I can help?”

 

“I do not believe so. The nature of our relationship has caused some difficulties.”

 

“No kidding, I've been getting some pretty nasty looks.”

 

An angry glare struck her. “Who would dare?”

 

`Oh, damn, poking the angry youkai again.' “No one in particular, just some glances, I don't know who they are.”

 

The mask was firmly in place, leaving the same indifferent figure behind the desk. “It is seen as a weakness to take a ningen as a mate. There will be whispers behind closed doors. In the future there may even be growling. However, I do not think that the situation will digress too much further. You are no ordinary ningen. I will not follow my father's mistake, taking a foolish but beautiful female that can do little other than look pretty.”

 

`I think that was a compliment, in there, somewhere.' Kagome finally settled onto a cushion in front of his desk. “It will be difficult to convince anyone that I am different. I certainly do not look different.”

“But you are different. Any member of the court can tell that you are a miko, and a strong one. And any that question you, I give you full permission to purify whatever parts you find to be most displeasing. That should stop the growling.”

 

Kagome could not help giggling. “You seem far to eager for me to start burning my way through your court.”

 

“I will admit that the image of you burning holes in several of the lords and ladies has been quite pleasant.” One corner of the youkai's mouth quirked up, almost a smile.

 

The jokes seemed to be doing their job, the agitation was easing out of Sesshomaru. “I should let you get back to work, then. I will try to not burn through your court while you are working.”

 

“Kagome.”

 

The miko turned to face him, curiosity written across her open expression. It was so easy for her to be open with others. Sesshomaru wondered if she could ever hide herself away from anyone. “This morning, you were very uneasy. Why?”

 

`I should stop blushing at some point. Honestly.' “I could not remember where I was, at first. Then I could, and Rin was there, and I was, well, undressed under the blanket. And I knew that Kumo would know, and Rin wanted to know what I had been doing, and I have never woken up naked in a strange place . . .”

 

“That is a relief.”

 

Glare. “It was not a typical morning. And I'm still trying to work through all of the stuff that happened last night.”

 

“Such as.”

 

“Such as?” Kagome's glare sharpened. “Such as being told that your blood has picked me for a life long mate, and that you want me to stay here as your mate, oh, and the whole sleeping together thing.”

 

“Have you changed your mind?”

 

Silence stretched out. Sesshomaru's face revealed nothing, but Kagome could feel the tension beneath the surface. So much to lose.

 

“No, I have not.” Kagome had the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch him, but it seemed inappropriate. He was at work, after all. “I really should let you work, though. I will see you tonight.”

 

Sesshomaru watched her go out, his eyes gazing at the door after she had left.

 

“Come out. You have been found.”

 

After a moment a wizened old cricket of a demon moved into the room. “My lord, I do not know if I completely agree with taking a ningen, but the idea of her burning her way through the court is quite appealing.”

 

“You do know that it is only because you have been a trusted advisor to both my father and myself that you are not dead now.”

 

“Come now, pup, I am only looking out for Inutaisho's heir. An unacceptable mate would cause chaos. You will have your hands full as it is, since your offspring would by hanyou. However, she is certainly fiery. A strong female, and she should be able to produce strong offspring.”

 

“Then you believe that the other lords will accept her?”

 

The old youkai heaved a sigh. “It will take some convincing. She may have to follow through on that burning threat. At least in the begining, since she is going to have to prove her dominance. Her reputation will help her, the defeat of Naraku will give her some weight with the lords.”

 

“Will they try to kill her?”

 

“You know that some will try. If she is killed now, before the bond is at full strength, then there is a chance that another mate can be chosen for you. If they wait, then it will not matter whether or not they kill her. Now is when they will move against her. Any who find her unacceptable, or who believe that they can provide a better mate from their own families, will be tempted to remove her while there is still a chance.”

 

“Then she will be protected.”

 

“Pup, she will need to protect herself as well. There is no such thing as an impenetrable fortress, she will need to be able to protect herself if she is to be your mate. If you do not think she can do this, stop now while there is still a chance. Make up your mind.”

 

The advisor slipped out, leaving Sesshomaru to consider his options. Keep Kagome with him, putting her in danger, or send her away and feel as though he had lost a much bigger part of himself than an arm. He grimaced. Knowing Kagome, it was not even going to be his choice. She would make up her mind, and no creature on this planet would be able to change it.