InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ Urgent Matter ( Chapter 23 )

A/N: Sorry about the pause, but I have betas! Very exciting, Vulcana and Harpersong looked over this chapter for me and I thank them very, very much! I also got a whole mess of reviews, I feel so loved! I'll try to get my next chapter out a little bit more promptly, but I have a round of finals coming up so no guarantees. Enjoy this little piece of fluff while I set up the next chapter, which is refusing to submit. *pins computer to the floor* Ah, well. I still don't own any of them.

 

*~*~*~*

 

“Sesshomaru-sama?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“How did I get here?”

 

Kagome had her hand to her head, trying to remember last night. “I remember Merkamou coming in, and Jaken was there. I don't remember much past that.”

 

“You were singing.” Sesshomaru rolled over to look at her. “Merkamou was teaching you drinking songs, and your singing could be heard halfway to the reception hall.”

 

“No! Really? Did I do anything else?”

 

“I had to carry you to your bed, and you threatened to `purify my ass into next year'.”

 

“Umm, I didn't burn you, did I?”

 

A soft chuckle rumbled through Sesshomaru's chest as he brushed some hair away from her face. “No, miko, you were much too far gone for that. You dozed off before you could complete your threat.”

 

An answering giggle came from Kagome, but it was cut off as she pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead. “Oh, no laughing. My head feels like it is going to explode.”

 

“Perhaps you overindulged last night. Do you think that is a possibility?”

 

Kagome gave him a glare. “I cannot deal with sarcasm when there is a large youkai trying to escape from inside of my skull.”

 

To her surprise Sesshomaru ran his fingers down her cheek with a hint of sympathy. “You will feel better after you have had some tea and breakfast.”

 

“Oh, no, don't say the `b' word. Can't I just stay in bed and be sick?”

 

The bed shifted as Sesshomaru sat up and stretched. “You would leave Merkamou's entourage under my supervision?”

 

“With the condition I'm in they will be safer with you than with me. If anyone raises their voice and they are going to be a pile of ash. Can you do me a favor?”

 

“What?”

 

“Put me out of my misery.” Kagome had her hands over her eyes, trying to ignore the large youkai rampaging about on her brain.

 

“Come now, Kagome, or I will have Rin help you to rise.” Sesshomaru slid out of bed before Kagome's wild swing could catch him. Despite his teasing, he did feel sympathy for her. He could feel that her body was in open revolt against her, but lying in bed would not help her to feel better. Kagome protested when he lifted her to her feet, but she stayed up. “You will feel better after you have moved about and have had some tea. Lying in bed will not help your body to recover.”

 

Kagome staggered to her own room, surprising Kumo. “My lady, you are up early!”

 

“Shh, quiet voices.” The miko sat on the edge of her bed. “I don't suppose I could get some strong tea before I go down to breakfast. Hopefully something that will help with a headache.”

 

`Ah, so she was the female voice singing last night.' Kumo bowed and went off to the kitchens, catching Rin as she was about to leap into Kagome's room. “Quietly, my lady, Kagome-sama is not feeling well.”

 

Rin nodded vigorously, then quietly slipped into the room. “Are you sick, Kagome-chan?”

 

“Sort of, Jo-chan. I have a headache. Kumo is going to bring some tea for me that will help so I can go to breakfast.” Kagome forced a little smile so the girl would not be worried.

 

“Rin will be quiet. Rin does not know if Merkamou-sama's friends will be quiet, though. They are very loud.”

 

“Hai.” The thought of facing those youkai made Kagome's stomach flip over. “But we must be good hosts and join them for breakfast.”

 

Kumo brought back a small pot of tea and a cup for her lady, and then started to pull out her clothing for the day. Since they had company she could not get away with eating in her usual clothes, instead she would wear a nice kimono and change after she ate. Since Merkamou was convinced of her fighting skills, she would focus once again on being a lady.

 

Once she was dressed and groomed Kagome met Sesshomaru in the hall outside of his room. `Thank goodness we aren't late, I couldn't run if I wanted to. I am never touching that evil stuff again!'

 

Their guests began to wander in well after they had started. Merkamou was the first, followed slowly by the rest of his servants. The youkai lord looked much better then he had the night before, with only a slight limp to show that his leg had been broken. He looked positively chipper, making Kagome want to throw a plate at him.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, Kagome-sama, fledgling.” Merkamou dropped into his place by Sesshomaru and took a deep drink of his tea. “Ah, a lovely morning.”

 

Kagome made a face at him before returning to her own breakfast, trying to convince her body to accept the idea of food. Her stomach was having none of it, and it was still debating over the tea. Plain rice did not cause too much protest, so Kagome focused on the safest food available.

 

Unfortunately, Merkamou's presence did little to settle his servants. They were still looking askance at Kagome. Of course, the miko was not terribly aware of their looks, focusing on making it through the meal as their conversations got louder around her. Sesshomaru, however, was very aware of the discussions around him, and he did not like some of the whispers he was hearing.

 

“I can hardly eat with the ningen stench in here.” One of the young nobles was whispering to his neighbor, unaware that Sesshomaru was perfectly able to hear him. “Sesshomaru is too soft for this position if he will take that filthy creature as a mate.”

 

It took Kagome a moment to realize that Sesshomaru had moved, and that he had one of the nobles by the throat. Merkamou looked a little surprised, and rather amused.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, what did the fool say? Your ears are much better then mine.” Merkamou had a small smile on as he watched Sesshomaru dig his claws into the lesser youkai's neck.

 

“You dare to speak so of this Sesshomaru's mate?” Claws tightened around the youkai's throat, threatening to remove his head completely. Blood was running down to his shirt as the youkai hung onto Sesshomaru's wrist, fighting for air.

 

The miko had finally caught up with the activity. `Baka. He should know better than to whisper in front of an inu-youkai.' She crossed her arms and watched with a blank expression. “Are you going to kill him now, my lord, or do you wish to send him to the dungeons first?” In her mind, the miko was screaming, hoping the enraged youkai would be swayed. `Not in front of Rin! Not in front of Rin!'

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, I will kill him. I have made my decision. He has gone against it and slandered your mate. He is my responsibility, and I will take care of it.” Merkamou moved to glare at the noble, his hand on the hilt of his blade.

 

Sesshomaru dropped the youkai to the floor. “He is not worthy of your time, Merkamou-sama. I will have a guard take care of him. Take this filth out of my sight.”

 

As though Sesshomaru's words had created them, a pair of guards came in to drag the unfortunate noble out. The rest of the retinue were silent, gaping at Merkamou and Sesshomaru. No one dared to look at the miko. Sesshomaru returned to his seat, glaring at the guests. Merkamou looked content with the meal, savoring his tea. “Sesshomaru-sama, I must ask your housekeeper where this tea is purchased, it is wonderful.”

 

Kagome met Sesshomaru's gaze, then gave him a small smile. She turned to Rin, trying to distract the rather pale girl. “Jo-chan, you should have some more breakfast. I'm sure that the Captain will work you hard today.”

 

Rin nodded, helping herself to some more food as the nobles slowly came back to life. Merkamou made small talk, perfectly happy with Sesshomaru's monosyllabic answers.

 

“Merkamou-sama, do you think that you would have time to escort Rin to her weapon's practice today? I would appreciate it very much, I have a few projects that require my attention.” Kagome ignored Sesshomaru's confusion and smiled at Merkamou.

 

“Kagome-sama, it would be an honor. Well, fledgling? Are you ready? I would enjoy helping you embarrass some more youkais if you are interested.”

 

Manners flew out the window, again. “Hai, Merkamou-sama!” Rin darted around the table, waiting for her new partner at the door with an impatient expression.

 

“It would seem that my meal is over. Sesshomaru-sama, I will meet with you after watching over your fledgling.” Merkamou made a small bow, before following the running girl out the door.

 

`What projects does she have?' Sesshomaru was watching Kagome, trying to figure out what she was up to.

 

“My lord, may I be excused?” Kagome's face was completely blank, giving away nothing.

 

“Hai.”

 

In her own rooms Kagome caught up with Kumo. “Okay, Kumo, we have one hour to deal with whatever disasters have come up for the celebration tonight. Then I have a meeting with Sesshomaru for a big chunk of the day and I won't be able to answer any more questions until this afternoon. Oh, yeah, and we are down one guest.”

 

“We are `down' one guest? Where has this person gone?” Kumo was fairly certain of the answer, but it was best to not make assumptions.

 

“Oh, he's probably about six feet under right now. The fool decided to say something nasty about me in front of Sesshomaru. At least he decided not to kill him right in front of Rin. For a second I thought he was going to, but he sent the idiot out with the guards to finish it.” Kagome rubbed her head. “We have to get everything set for tonight, so we need to work on that and not gossip. Lets go to the kitchens, we can catch up with the cook and get another pot of that tea for my head.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

Sesshomaru had been listening to the advisors bicker for three days and his patience was nearly gone. His hand was on Tokijin, making the advisors even more anxious and combative. When the doors slammed open he considered just slaughtering whoever had come in, then rethought it when he picked up the scent of the intruder.

 

“My lord, there is a matter that requires your immediate attention.” Kagome glared at the advisors, daring them to argue with her.

 

One of the advisors whimpered, looking up at the lord. “But, but my lord, these laws . . .”

 

“Will wait.” Sesshomaru swept out of the room, following Kagome out of the palace and through the gardens. Once they were moving into the forest, Kagome started to giggle.

 

“What are you doing, miko? What is this urgent matter?”

 

“Saving your sanity. Come on, one of the guards told me about this spot.” Kagome grabbed onto his sleeve and dragged him through the woods. After a walk of fifteen minutes they came across a small clearing with a waterfall. The woods were peaceful, with the waterfall adding a pleasant, soothing sound. “Oh, Yukio was not lying. This is lovely.”

 

“This is the urgent matter?” Sesshomaru was caught somewhere between annoyance and relief.

 

“You needed to get out of that room. Those advisors just love having you trapped in there, and you are ready to kill them all. They can't make any final decisions without you, so you are going to take a break. Sit down.” Kagome had her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

 

Sesshomaru glared back at her, then moved to sit with his back to a boulder. Kagome dropped down next to him, leaning on his shoulder. The youkai put an arm around her, pulling her closer. “And what are we going to do out here?”

 

“Nothing. We are going to relax and stay away long enough that both of our heads stop pounding. And don't even pretend you don't have a headache. When you have a headache, I have one.” The chest under Kagome rose and fell with a sigh.

 

“It has been a stressful visit.”

 

“No kidding. It looks like it is going to work out, though. Merkamou has decided to accept me. After this morning the rest of his little group should fall into line. You may have gotten them to do the impossible, accept a ningen as your mate.”

 

“They had no choice.” Sesshomaru pressed his face into her hair. “You are my mate.”

 

Kagome shivered a little at his voice, which was laced with intensity. “It is easier with the lords' support, though. Why waste energy on a war? Sure, it was annoying letting Merkamou be a jerk, but it paid off in the end. Instead of an enemy, there is one more person who will protect me.”

 

A low growl rumbled through the clearing. “My patience is gone. The next to lay a hand on you or speak badly of you will not live long enough to consider his mistake.”

 

“Merkamou will not make that mistake again, since he has accepted me. If any of his nobles do, though, they are too stupid to live. After this morning, they would have to be brain dead to try anything. No one would expect you to let them live either, least of all me. I would really rather not have people trying to kill me anymore.” Kagome slid down so she was lying with her head in his lap, watching the clouds. “It's almost over. Then we can settle back down and find other things to start a war over.”

 

A gentle finger moved Kagome's hair back behind her ear. “Hai. Then we can find time to get on each other's nerves again, instead of having strangers driving us to distraction.”

 

A sweet smile appeared on Kagome's face, the sun shining off of her hair. “I can hardly wait.”

 

Sesshomaru bent low and brushed a kiss over Kagome's lips, then tipped his head back against the boulder and forced himself to relax. Kagome had enough of a headache without adding one from his stress. He trailed his fingers through her hair, enjoying the sound of her. `This was a good idea, koishii. You are right, it is almost over, and we may make it through this week with only the one death.'

 

“That one looks like a horse.” Kagome was pointing up at the clouds. “Do you see it?”

 

“I see clouds.” He barely even glanced up, focusing on Kagome.

 

“Oh, no you don't. Come on, it's a game! That one way over there looks like a tree in the wind, see? Now you find one.”

 

“What is the point of this?”

 

Kagome gave him a glare. “You are going to relax and have fun, even if I have to beat it into you. Now, before I get violent, find a shape in the clouds already!”

 

There was a brief battle of wills, each glaring at their partner. The first to look away was Sesshomaru, looking up at the clouds. “A tiger.”

 

“Where?” Kagome sat up so she could look down his arm as he pointed to a large cloud.

 

“It is a sitting tiger.”

 

“Hey, that was a good one! My turn. Umm, over there, I see Jaken! See, his silly hat, and his mouth is open of course.”

 

“The large cloud just over the trees, it resembles a dragon.”

 

“Where?” Now the miko had her face alongside his, trying to see the dragon. “I don't see it.”

 

Sesshomaru put his arm around her waist, taking a deep breath to savor her unique scent. “There, you can see the tail.”

 

“No, that's a bird.” Kagome had her head tipped to the side. “See, that's the wing right over there.”

 

“That is a dragon.” There was a hint of a growl. `It is her inane game, and now she will tell me what the clouds look like?'

 

“Don't be ridiculous. That is a bird.”

 

“Miko.”

 

“What? I have to see the same thing as you?” Kagome was trying to give him a stern glare, but it was proving difficult. “I see a bird and you can't make me see a dragon!”

 

“Stubborn and defiant.”

 

“Hey! No name calling.” Kagome gave him a good shove, catching him off guard and tipping him over. Sesshomaru growled and grabbed her as he went, pinning her down. “Let me go, you bully!”

 

“Dragon.”

 

“Bird.”

 

Sesshomaru had her hands trapped above her head, rumbling deep in his chest. He trailed his fingers down her side, making her squeak and giggle as he found a ticklish spot. Merciless, he tickled her till tears ran down her face. “Dragon.”

 

“Stop it! You big, mean, youkai!”

 

“Hai?”

 

“Okay, okay. Dragon.” Kagome slowly straightened up as he released her, her side aching from laughing so hard. She stood and stretched, trying to work out the aches. “A very bird shaped dragon.”

 

Squealing, Kagome took off across the clearing, running from the inu-youkai that had just launched himself after her. She knew she didn't have a chance, but she had to try anyways. A heavy weight tackled her from behind, sending her back to the grass.

 

“Miko.”

 

“Youkai.”

 

His mate was gasping for air and giggling, squirming underneath him as he held her to the grass. He nipped at the back of her neck, dragging his mouth down to her shoulder. Her giggles turned to gasps at his new assault. `She is delicious, even when she is driving me to distraction with silly games. I have not felt this good for some time now. Stubborn, defiant . . . clever miko.'

 

“Mine.” The low growl whispered past Kagome's ear, making her shiver.

 

She turned her head, looking back at Sesshomaru and locking eyes with him. “Mine,” she growled back at him. Lust flashed through her eyes, feeling the rising heat in her mate.

 

“Yours.” He whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

 

“Yours,” she replied.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Memories of the pleasant afternoon made it easier to ignore the incessant bickering. Merkamou sat next to Sesshomaru, the two bored lords not even aware of what the advisors were arguing about now.

 

“Do you ever consider just slaughtering the whole lot?” Merkamou leaned over so that he could whisper to the Lord of the Western Lands.

 

“Every day.”

 

Two pairs of gold eyes glazed over with boredom as the advisors bickered.

 

“Perhaps we could play a game of Go while we wait? Or plot a war? There must be something more constructive that we could be doing. You are not much of a gossip, so that path is blocked.” Humor was glowing in Merkamou's eyes. “Or perhaps you have a suggestion on ways to pass the time.”

 

`I prefer to pass my time alone with my mate by a waterfall, but that does not seem to be an option at this time.' Options seemed to be rather thin, and Kagome had been very clear that he was not supposed to go on a murderous rage in the palace. It might upset Rin. “I will send a servant to find Go.”

 

Relief was evident on Merkamou's face. “Sesshomaru-sama, I am once again in your debt.”

 

The advisors hardly noticed as the two youkai proceeded to play their game. Sesshomaru very rarely played, he only learned the rules out of curiosity when he was a pup. At this point, however, anything was better than watching the underlings argue.

 

“How did you come across this miko that you are taking as your mate?” Merkamou had been very curious about how a powerful miko had become mixed up with this inu-youkai.

 

“She battled Naraku, she was there when he was defeated.” It was strange to discuss anything with a lord, one who was almost his equal. Not necessarily unpleasant, his rather stubborn mate was getting him used to the idea of conversation.

 

“Before that. You had to have met her before that battle, unless she just happened to be in the area and felt like bringing a filthy hanyou down.”

 

“She traveled with a hanyou, my half brother. When I first met her she attacked me to defend him.”

 

Merkamou bit back his laughter. “Ah. I have never had a female attempt to seduce me in that particular manner, but perhaps they should think about it.”

 

A cold glare marred Sesshomaru's perfect expression. “I was trying to kill her at the time.”

 

“Really? Most interesting. And yet she is here, and does not seem to want to cause you any permanent harm.”

 

“A most peculiar development, yes. However unexpected, it has become a most satisfactory situation.”

 

“Certainly, Sesshomaru-sama. She is a fetching and entertaining female that fights like a fury. A rare combination, and one worth fighting for.”

 

“Hai.”