InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Negotiations ( Chapter 6 )

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

“Her name is Kagome Higurashi,” General Furuki said.

“Is she a relation to your martyred General?” asked Lord Byakko.

“His eldest daughter.”

General Inutaisho nodded. “He was a brave, honorable man.”

“Yes. We are quite certain he would approve of his daughter's involvement with this peace treaty.” Furuki paused. “In the interest of full disclosure, there are a couple of matters about which I need to inform you. First, the girl has been training at the Miko Sisterhood.”

“What?” Lord Seiryu, of the House of the South, asked incredulously. “You expect us to take a miko into one of our households?”

“It takes, typically, many years for a woman to become fully trained. Kagome Higurashi is only twenty; I'm sure she'll pose no threat.”

“Perhaps we should be the judge of that,” replied Seiryu. “What is the other matter?”

“We have three Council members who strongly disapproved of the outcome of our vote. We are anticipating trouble from them, but I don't want it to harm the chance at peace. We have received intelligence of a possible assassination attempt before you reach Youkai lands, though I assure you, Lord Morino will have a heavily-armed escort accompany you as you pass through his lands. We are keeping our eyes on Generals Kurono and Akagawa. We will do everything possible to keep them at heel.”

The Youkai looked at each other. They had decided not to mention the information they had obtained regarding kayaku to their allied Council members, agreeing that it benefitted their position if all Ningen believed them ignorant for the time being.

“We will let you handle your renegade generals, so long as they stay out of Youkai lands,” said General Inutaisho.

At that moment a guard entered. “General, Lady Tokuhoshi and General Miyamoto's traveling party has entered the stronghold.”

“Very good. Send them directly here, and summon a scribe as well. We wish to begin as soon as possible,” Furuki said with relief.

A few minutes later, the three people for whom the others had been waiting entered the room, looking weary. They had traveled hard for nearly two straight days, stopping only to change horses.

“I don't believe this many Council members and all four Houses have been around one table in centuries. Introductions are in order. Scribe, are you ready?” General Furuki glanced around the room. “General and Lady Suzaku of the House of the East. Lord and Lady Seiryu of the House of the South. Lord Byakku and his daughter, Lady Nekoko, of the House of the North. General and Lady Inutaisho and their son, Lord Sesshoumaru, of the House of the West.” They all bowed in turn. “Present for the Council: I, General Furuki, Generals Kitabashi and Miyamoto, Lords Morino and Fukuguchi, Lady Tokuhoshi. And this is Lady Kagome Higurashi.”

They all looked at Kagome. She was staring at the Taiyoukai. She had seen lesser Youkai many times. They were usually quite ugly, with bulging eyes, fangs, and often frightening, snarling expressions. She had little trouble killing them. But she had never before seen the likes of the Demon Lords. The separate Houses looked slightly unique, different marks on their foreheads, different coloring. But they all were impressive. She could tell, though they were seated, they were all tall and well built. Their facial features were perfect, skin flawless. They were, in a word, beautiful. Kagome knew she looked tired, hair lank and her red and white clothing wrinkled and dirty. She suddenly felt like a candle flame next to the sun.

Sesshoumaru studied Kagome. She had dark eyes and black hair that swept past her shoulders. Her mouth was hanging open, and she had a rather stunned expression on her face. Wonderful, he thought cynically, she's simple. Weak, meek, and stupid. Just as he expected. He would mate and mark her quickly on return to the stronghold, so he could leave to go on patrol as soon as possible.

“Let us all sit.” General Furuki waited for the newcomers.

Kagome sat, and her state of exhaustion quickly became apparent. She had hardly slept in two days, yesterday suffering a pounding headache. She tried to stay interested, but the endless talk of borders, shared access to rivers, control of bridges, permission to hunt on Youkai land, hunting quotas, prisoner return, hanyou, and penalties made her eyes glaze over. She pinched herself hard to keep from falling asleep and looked up. Sesshoumaru was watching her. Their eyes met. Her heart started to pound, and she quickly looked away.

“We are nearly finished, but I would like to make note of something,” Lady Seiobo said. “We will participate in any Ningen wedding ceremony, but until she is marked, they will not be considered...wed. I believe it is similar to how Ningen regard consummation of marriage. We will certainly keep the armistice, but until she is marked, the treaty will not be considered completely valid. It is the Inuyoukai way.”

“If it is your custom, we will respect it,” said Furuki.

Kagome realized they were talking about her, planning her life, and the ire that was simmering under the surface for the past two days flared. She and General Miyamoto had been either bickering constantly or stubbornly ignoring each other during the journey. Lady Tokuhsohi tried to explain to her that Miyamoto was a general, accustomed to being obeyed without question, that he was really a good, reasonable man. Kagome wondered how reasonable he would be in her situation.

“Actually, now that you mention the ceremony, it brings me back to our concerns with assassination. We feel that if the Generals were to try something, during the ceremony would be a likely opportunity. Perhaps, Lord Sesshoumaru, since the ceremony is not a Youkai tradition, would like to use a stand-in, a proxy during the vows,” suggested Furuki.

“Oh? Do I get fucked by proxy as well?” said Kagome, far more loudly than she intended.

Eyebrows raised and mouths gaped. Lady Tokuhoshi dropped her head into her hands. She had witnessed the arguing of her traveling companions with unease. She could tell Kagome's frustration with the unfairness of the situation and Miyamoto's attitude were barely contained, and she feared something like this would happen.

General Miyamoto's face turned red with anger, and he looked like he wanted to slap the woman next to him. “Young lady, need I remind you, you are surrounded by those who outrank you. Apologize.”

“Why? Did you forget to tell those present that I have, I believe you called it, `chronic disrespect?' What other information have you neglected?” Kagome felt reckless. She glanced at the Youkai area of table. “Have you been told I'm not a virgin?”

The Youkai all looked toward General Furuki, who was still speechless due to Kagome's proxy remark. General Kitabashi quickly spoke up. “Lady Kagome has neither been married nor engaged to marry. No one claims her.”

“Then it is of no matter,” said Sesshoumaru, who thought that perhaps this girl was more interesting than originally surmised.

“And do you know I'm a miko? I presume you are familiar with the wardrobe.”

“We were led to believe you were primarily untrained.” Lord Seiryu frowned. He had suspicions that the Ningen would try something underhanded.

“I'm fully trained. I should be four days away from taking my vows,” she said forcefully.

The Youkai again looked toward Furuki, this time with irritation. Now it was Miyamoto who spoke. “Yes, we are prepared for your objection.” He pulled something from the interior of his uniform. It was a string of round and crescent-shaped black beads.

Kagome slammed her hands on the table and sprang to her feet, both hands brilliant with energy and her eyes glowing light blue. “No one said a thing about subjugation beads,” she said with fury.

Many of the Youkai visibly blanched or flinched, having seen firsthand the damage miko could do in battle. Miyamoto stood. “Sit down and cease this display immediately,” he snarled. Kagome didn't move.

“What are subjugation beads?” demanded Lord Seiryu.

“They prevent a miko from using her powers; her energy is trapped. They are used, for example, when a miko commits a crime and is being jailed. If a miko has used her abilities for dark purposes, her punishment is to wear them forever. Lady Kaede at the Miko Shrine made them before we left.” Miyamoto's voice had a hint of self-satisfaction.

Kaede. Kagome felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders and sank back down.

“They can only be removed by the one who puts them around her neck. I guess that means they belong to you.” Miyamoto slid the beads across the table to Sesshoumaru, who reached out and caught them with ease.

Kagome looked at the subjugation beads held in the elegant, clawed hand. “How am I to defend myself?” she asked numbly.

“Lady Kagome,” Lady Seiobo said gently, “I assure you, no harm will come to you while you are with us.”

General Furuki looked relieved. It was almost over. “I propose we meet in one hour at the shrine near here for the wedding ceremony. Lord Sesshoumaru do you wish to use a proxy?”

“It is unnecessary.”

“I will ask the priest to keep it short. Lady Tokuhoshi, will you please take Kagome to the closest inn so she can bathe and change clothes.”

“We wish to return to Youkai lands as soon as the ceremony is over and the peace treaty signed,” Lord Seiryu said. “I think, because cessation of hostilities is so new, we will all rest easier when Youkai and Ningen are apart again.” He glanced at Kagome. “Rumors of murder attempts confirm our desire to leave. No slight intended.”

“None taken,” said Kitabashi. “In fact, I think we all quite agree.”

That fast, thought Kagome. “Wait a minute. I have some demands of my own.” She appeared recovered from her earlier shock.

Miyamoto glowered, getting ready to berate the troublesome girl, when Lady Seiobo, who seemed amused, raised her hand. “By all means, present them.”

Kagome met Seiobo's gaze. “I want a private space where I may construct an altar. It must be outdoors in a clear enough area that the moon will shine fully on it.”

“That can be arranged. I think I know of a suitable spot in one of our gardens.”

“I want to continue my physical training. I need access to practice weapons, training grounds, and a sparring partner.”

Surprise registered on the Youkai faces. General Inutaisho had no intentions of agreeing to such a thing, but Sesshoumaru spoke first. “After a trial, if it can be shown you will not injure yourself, I may agree to it.”

Kagome shot him a poisonous glare.

“Anything else, my dear?” Seiobo desperately wanted to diffuse the tension.

Kagome sat up straight and took a deep breath. “I wish to keep my surname.”

The shocked silence was profound. Such a request could be considered highly insulting in both Ningen and Youkai societies. Kagome played her trump card. “Surely when weighed against War's End, the request of one girl, on whose cooperation this peace depends entirely, is insignificant.”

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth, convinced his initial perception of her as an imbecile was more preferable than this insolent miko. “Accepted. But all children will be Inutaisho.”

Kagome's return expression clearly said what children? making everyone else in the room wonder exactly how cooperative she planned to be.

General Kitabashi quickly stood and loudly announced, “I think we've said more than enough. Let us reconvene in an hour at the shrine.”

The room cleared. As the Youkai walked down the hall, Lady Nekoko remarked, “She's rather small and plain.”

Lady Seiobo smiled. “I believe by human standards, she is quite pretty. I like her. She has spirit.”

General Inutaisho snorted. “I hope you know what you've wrought.”