InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Ah yes, the long-awaited Chapter 9. Do you have any fingernails left or have you bit them all off? Sorry it's taken this long. Life got in the way. Please, forgive me!

 

Disclaimer: Blah blah, don't own Inuyasha or any of Rumiko Takahashi characters.

 

 

Chapter 9

 

The car ride lasted about 30 minutes but to both occupants it seemed like forever. Sesshomaru drove them out of the city, through the suburban communities and into a lush, forested area. The leafy branches of the trees draped the forest floor in a thick, dark shadow with a patchwork of sunlight filtering over the road ahead of them. The sun glittered through the car windows as they drove, bits of their skin illuminated in the near-afternoon sunlight. Kagome sat in the passenger seat, her right elbow propped on the arm rest while her fingertips drummed against her bottom lip. She stole a glace at Sesshomaru. He appeared to be relaxed and as unemotional as ever with his eyes straight ahead. She did, however, miss how his hands were strained around the steering wheel. She was very excited to be given the privilege of seeing something she knew the Western Lord to be very protective over. Rin, in the past, had once asked if Kagome and Shippo could come to the castle “to play”. Sesshomaru had haughtily declined the request, staring down his nose at the Miko and kit. Kagome smirked to herself. I wonder what Feudal Era Sesshomaru would say if he met Modern Era Sesshomaru, bringing a `miko' into his precious castle home, she thought.

 

Sesshomaru did his best to concentrate on keeping his car on the road. He attempted to keep his grip on the steering wheel one step away from tearing it to bits. I must tell her to stop touching her lips, he thought to himself, or we're not going to survive this car ride. He suppressed the wild desire within to glance over again to watch her fingertips drum against her bottom lip. He groaned within the confines of his own mind.

 

The trees thinned slightly and Kagome caught sight of a tall, white wall surrounding a beautiful complex. An elaborate black fence acted as a barrier between the inner wall and the outside road. As the car approached, a miniscule shimmer sparkled across the gate before it began to crank open to allow them entrance. Kagome felt a shiver of magic pass over the car as they neared and passed through the gate. She turned around in her seat to look out the window, mesmerized as the gate shimmered again and returned to its previously locked position. A ghost of a smirk lit Sesshomaru's face for a split second. The car drove through yet another wall, this one made of stones, before rounding a curve and coming to a stop in front of a beautiful complex. Kagome's eyes surveyed the building, admiring the architecture and smooth curves of the windows. Her attention snapped back to the inside of the car when she heard the *click* of Sesshomaru releasing his seat belt.

 

“We're here,” he said, turning the car off and climbing out. Kagome hurriedly unbuckled her own seatbelt and nearly bolted from the car, eager to see more of the structure. The entrance to the building was a massive and dark oak door that looked as if it was as heavy as five city buses. Sesshomaru reached and grabbed the thick, metal handle and opened the door with ease, ushering her inside.

 

The area they entered first was a medium-sized room with a domed roof, beautiful paintings covering the ceiling as if Michelangelo had painted it himself. `Maybe he did' she thought to herself in awe, `this place is rather old'. The room reminded her of the lobby of a large, expensive hotel. Paintings dotted the walls in elaborate frames, hung strategically over pale marble walls.

 

“This room is used as a foyer for guests. In the past, this room has been the presentation room where demons would present their new mate so to speak,” Sesshomaru explained with his hands jammed into his pockets. “At this time it is not in use.” He watched Kagome pace slowly around the room, fingertips dancing inches from the frames and paintings. He knew she was curious by nature and quirked a smile as her eyes grew larger and she leaned close to inspect different vases and paintings. “Throughout the years Inuyasha has occupied the East wing while I have occupied the West. Inuyasha's great grandson Setsuzoku Misaki resides in the East wing with his wife.” He noted that she was barely listening to him.

 

He approached her quietly as she admired a painting that appeared surprisingly similar to Claude Monet's `The Water-Lily Pond'. He leaned forward, placing his hand delicately on the small of her back. “If you please, the next room is even more interesting.”

 

She stiffened, a loud gasp escaped from her lips and her heart began to race. Her hand flew up to press against her chest, gasping again then laughing. “Jeez, you scared me, Sesshomaru.”

 

“My apologies,” he said, fighting his desire to laugh but allowing a small apologetic smile to show.

 

The room they entered held deep and warm coloured furniture constructed of dark oak and maple with intricate carvings. There was a long, low table set to one side with thin, silken pillows surrounding it. The opposite side of the room had several tall windows that looked out on an opulent garden. He watched Kagome's eyes sweep over the ornate room, stopping to gawk out the windows toward the garden. He felt pride welling up inside of him at her curiosity and wide-eyed gaze as she looked at his home. Granted, he no longer lived there on a day-to-day basis but it was his home nonetheless. He noted the light pink quarter-sleeved shirt and white Capri pants she was wearing.

 

“Would you do the honor of accompanying me to lunch here at the castle?”

 

Kagome's head twisted to look to her left, eyes still wide as she regarded the taiyouki. She was surprised to see a gentle look of inquiry on his face. Lunch with Sesshomaru? At the castle of the Western Lord? Kagome didn't know how to respond to his request but after seeing the look on his face became excited about his offer. I better take the chance when it's offered! “I'd love to. Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama,” she answered, bowing politely.

 

“After our meal we can go out and I can show you the garden you've been eyeing,” he said, watching her blush at him catching her staring. “However, in order to have our meal, the rules of the castle state that all persons, demon, hanyou, or human, must be dressed in the proper attire.”

 

“Proper attire?” she asked, giving him a quizzical look. Kagome had a sudden thought of being decked out to the nines in an evening gown. She felt a surge of anxiety well up within her.

 

“Yuui, please show Kagome to a changing room so that she may prepare for the noon meal,” Sesshomaru called out in his smooth baritone voice. Kagome glanced at a door where a small woman with black hair tied up in a simple chignon stood. She was wearing a simple yellow kimono with a dark green obi. She stepped away from the doorway and motioned for Kagome to come with her. Kagome glanced from Yuui to Sesshomaru. He was looking at her with a blank look on his face but his eyes were dancing with mischief. Hmmm… he's up to something, she thought to herself. She turned and bowed to Sesshomaru then turned and followed Yuui through the doorway. She was lead through a short hallway before Yuui stopped at a shoji screen, pulling it open and walking through. She waited for Kagome to enter before sliding the door shut behind her.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru requests that all guests who attend meals in the castle dress in the attire of his ancestors,” Yuui announced, walking over and opening a large armoire. Kagome followed her in slow steps, praying that there were no elegant evening gowns hidden behind the doors. She relaxed upon seeing numerous kimonos and yukatas occupying the space. “You may choose which you would like to wear, miss.”

 

Kagome stepped up to the armoire with slight trepidation. There were so many to choose from, where does she start? She reached out, the tips of her fingers caressing across several kimonos. The cool silk brushed against the pads of her fingers, reminding her of a feather. After several moments of gently examining different patterns, Kagome decided on a beautiful blue kimono with white and silver embroidery reminiscent of Hokusai's “Great Wave” along the bottom and white & silver waves threaded on blue silk along the collar. A pale yellow obi completed her ensemble along with white tabi and geta sandals. After dressing, Yuui sat her down and quickly whisked her hair up in a delicate chignon, allowing some soft strands to float about her face, softly framing it.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru is waiting for you in the dining area, miss,” Yuui told her, standing a few feet back from where she was sitting. Kagome raised her hand to carefully touch her hair before feeling satisfied that it would not fall out. It feels so loose. Usually it feels so tight when mama does it, she thought to herself. She turned and bowed politely to Yuui before carefully walking back the way they came. Kagome felt odd wearing such traditional clothing and was glad that Sesshomaru did not insist on her wearing the hideous white make up that was often associated with formal events. The soft clacking of the geta brought back memories of the feudal era when they would be visiting lavish castles to `dispel demons' as Miroku had always said. Kagome smiled, reminiscing on the young monk's sales pitches.

 

Kagome exited the hallway, looked up and froze. Sesshomaru stood near the low table wearing the familiar white kimono with red accents that Kagome had seen him don constantly in the feudal era. Gone was the hair tie that kept his hair secured at the nape of his neck. His hair, as if of its own volition, cascaded around him and moved only slightly on an invisible breeze. He was looking out the windows, as if surveying his home before his eyes turned to look at her. The only things missing were his armor, his swords, and grubby little Jaken who was constantly at his heels.

 

Likewise to Kagome's roving eyes, Sesshomaru could not prevent himself from soaking in her form. Gone were the modern clothes. The silk of the Kimono she had chosen clung lightly to her lithe body, framing her delicate shoulders. The blue of the material made her brown eyes stand out and he was glad he banned the white make up from being used on castle grounds. Besides being distasteful it had a horrid smell. Her hair reflected the soft blue of the silk covering her shoulders and he admired how Yuui had strategically placed soft tendrils to frame her face.

 

“Thank you for respecting my wishes of a change of attire. I apologize that it is not the indecently short uniform you used to wear while gallivanting across the feudal countryside,” he drawled, baiting her for a reaction.

 

Kagome blushed with anger. “Oh, I assure you Lord Sesshomaru, this kimono suits my needs just fine. Were you anticipating me coming out here in a little skirt so that you can have your voyeuristic needs met?” Her hands made motions of hiking up a skirt as she spoke, one eyebrow raised in a challenge. Sesshomaru's thoughts soured. She thinks of me as a pervert? I will have to rectify this.

 

Sesshomaru's gaze leveled on Kagome for a moment before he looked away and spoke in a serious tone, “No. I find a well dressed woman more attractive than one clad in something that reveals such intimate amounts of skin. Women constantly complain that men use them as objects but dress as if they are a piece of meat to be sold.”

 

Kagome's head tilted forward so that her bangs shielded her eyes, her blush turning into one of embarrassment. “My apologies, Sesshomaru-sama; I did not mean to be disrespectful to your concerns for my modesty. It is a beautiful kimono.”

 

“Indeed it is,” he said, “and you wear it well, Kagome. It was my father's wishes that anyone visiting the castle for a meal be dressed in formal attire. I have decided to carry on his tradition. Now,” he said, extending a clawed hand, “shall we eat?”

 

Kagome blinked at his hand before silently extending her own. She marveled at his elegant yet gentle touch as he led her to a soft pillow. She looked down at the table before them and was surprised to see that their meal had been laid out for them. `When did the servants bring in the food?' she thought to herself. And why were there five pillows? Just then the soft tapping of geta sandals could be heard coming from the Eastern corridor. Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome with a blank look, then turned to see his great nephew Setsuzoku Misaki enter the dining hall followed by his wife, Chimitsu, and their toddler son Toppatsuteki. Toppatsuteki waddled alongside his mother, grasping onto two of her fingers. Kagome noted that Chimitsu appeared fully human but Setsuzoku appeared nearly full demon with one set of magenta stripes adorning his cheeks. Toppatsuteki's hair was light blue that faded to black toward the nape of his neck and his eyes were a very dazzling golden brown. He wore what appeared to be a small blue jumper and white tennis shoes. Kagome turned to Sesshomaru with a half-smile and said teasingly, “What was that about everyone needed to be dressed in formal attire?”

 

Sesshomaru waited to answer Kagome's question as he was distracted by Toppatsuteki barreling toward him with out-stretched arms. Sesshomaru leaned down and easily scooped the toddler up in his arms. He turned with Toppatsuteki in his arms, facing Kagome.

 

“Suteki, why don't you answer the pretty lady's question” he said, a clawed finger gently poking the child's tummy. The child laughed with glee, wildly flailing his arms to get Sesshomaru to stop poking him.

 

“Uncle Sesshomaru says children don't gotta wear that stuff,” Suteki said after his laughter had calmed down. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome's face, her expression displaying surprise and shock.

 

Kagome couldn't make her vocal chords work. There was Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, HOLDING a small child and allowing the little guy to squirm in his arms and call him `uncle'. She didn't fight the smile that spread across her face and the soft laugh that spilled from her lips.

 

“Oh, I see. Thank you for telling me, Suteki-kun,” Kagome said still smiling.

 

“Uncle, who's the pretty lady?” Suteki continued to bat away Sesshomaru's taunting pokes and tickles while looking at Kagome with wide eyes.

 

“Hnn. A proper introduction is indeed necessary,” Sesshomaru stated, allowing Suteki to slide down his leg and waddle over to his mother. “Setsuzoku Misaki, Chimitsu Misaki, and Toppatsuteki Misaki. This is the priestess who helped kill Naraku, Kagome Higurashi.” Kagome watched in horror as Setsuzoku and Chimitsu bowed deeply to her while Suteki merely picked his nose.

 

“Oh, please don't bow. Really!” Kagome sputtered, bowing politely herself. Suteki giggled at Kagome as she waved her hands in front of her, blushing.

 

Sesshomaru watched the interaction and Kagome's attempt to be humble and downplay the importance of her help in defeating Naraku. She will never understand how powerful she is, will she? Chimitsu hid a smile behind her hand and Setsuzoku grinned openly at the young girl as she prattled on.

 

“I suggest we eat before our food becomes cold,” Sesshomaru spoke, interrupting Kagome's babbling. Everyone nodded silently and took their seats. Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table while Setsuzoku, Chimitsu, and Suteki sat at his left in descending order and Kagome sat to his right. Kagome noted the loving glances that Setsuzoku and Chimitsu exchanged throughout the meal and smiled inwardly that her wish had been fruitful throughout the generations of Inuyasha's family. The food was delicious and when she was finished, Kagome leaned back slightly, her hand settling gently over her abdomen. Suteki fidgeted in his seat, anxious for his uncle to signal the end of the meal. Sesshomaru appeared to purposefully take his time finishing his meal and sipping his tea. He knew the toddler was anxious to leave the table and interrogate Kagome with a myriad of questions. Glancing at Kagome, his eyes followed her gaze toward Suteki. The look on her face was one of compassion and understanding. Her eyes slid over to his and she gave him a look that said `you're being immature'. He figured he had let the young one squirm enough. Setting his cup down, he leaned back slightly.

 

“We shall resume our visiting in the gardens,” he said over Suteki's gleeful cheering. Kagome stood and stepped away from the table as the servants swarmed on the table, clearing the dishes. Dumbfounded, she wasn't sure what to do with herself. She had just had dinner with Sesshomaru and his great nephew's family in the castle of the Western Lands… and she lived to tell the tale. Her hands smoothed the silk material over her thighs and on her arms. She admired the embroidery on the sleeves in an effort to occupy herself with some sort of task as she didn't know what else to do. She was thrust out of her reverie when a strong hand pressed against the small of her back.

 

“It may just be my opinion, but the gardens are much more interesting than your kimono,” his voice rolled over her ear. She looked up and her eyes locked with his. He was again smirking at her.

 

“Yes, I'm sure it is, Lord Sesshomaru. If you would be so kind as to point your guest in the right direction I would love to admire the garden you speak of,” she said, standing up straighter to pull her back away from his hand. She was successful, feeling the warmth and pressure of his hand evaporate from her back.

 

“Hnn. This way, miko,” he said, slipping his hands into his sleeves, turning and walking toward two elaborately painted shoji screens. Kagome stared at his retreating back and his cocky swagger, shrugged her shoulders, and followed him out the door. When she crossed the threshold, her breath caught in her throat.

 

She had never seen such a beautiful garden. She followed Sesshomaru further until they were standing at the edge of a stone bridge. There was a Koi pond in the middle of the garden, surrounded by flowering cherry trees and covered by an arched stone bridge, lily pads in pink, white, and yellow sprinkled across the surface. Various ancient looking trees decorated the lawn while a fifteen-foot stone wall enclosed the garden, hugging it to the castle property. Outside of the garden wall, the servant quarters humbly dotted the outer courtyard along with small peasant shops that served the Lord and the servants.

 

Various servants milled about the garden, tending to the flowers and trees. Some were setting up large, white silk tents along the edges of the area. Kagome turned to Sesshomaru and saw him surveying the garden, watching his servants. He gave no indication that he was going to explain.

 

“What's going on?” *tugtug* Kagome looked down to see Suteki grasping her kimono.

 

“Kagome, it's going to be a big party! It's to celebrate the eternal equibox,” he said, grinning up at her. Kagome's brows scrunched together.

 

“Eternal equibox?” she asked, turning in Sesshomaru's direction. He remained standing like a stoic statue, hair floating gently around him. He looked just like he did in the feudal era when he would walk ahead of the group on their travels.

 

“Vernal equinox, Suteki. The spring equinox, actually. Surely you know of it,” he said, glancing sideways at her, “unless you have not been persistent in your studies.”

 

Kagome huffed and crossed her arms, her eyes small slits as she glared at Sesshomaru. “I'll have you know that I am one of the top five students in my grade and will be graduating with honors, Sesshomaru-sama. I am well aware of what the vernal equinox is. What I don't understand is why it's important.”

 

Sesshomaru sighed and visibly relaxed. He leaned against a white marble statue depicting a large dog standing proudly with billowy, curling locks of fur. He clicked his claws together, flicking imaginary dirt from them while lazily explaining. “The vernal equinox is important, Kagome, because it's the marking of spring - the time for gathering after the harsh winter. During this particular celebration, demons gather and perform rituals of claiming mates and naming offspring. We haven't had a naming ceremony since Suteki's two years ago, and those of age have already completed their claiming rituals. This year it seems as if it will be a dull celebration.”

 

“Nuh-uh, uncle Sesshomaru. It's always fun! There's lots of food and dancing and games and you get to wear new clothes,” Suteki said while crouched on the ground, ripping up fists full of grass and throwing it into the water. Kagome watched the grass flit onto the surface and spread while the Koi eagerly attempted to gobble up the green morsels.

 

“That does sound like fun, Suteki. I'm sure you'll have a great time,” she said. Suteki turned and grinned up at her from his crouched position. He had a gap in his top teeth next to a sharp, white fang that made his smile look lopsided but pleasant. Kagome couldn't help but return his smile. So this is Inuyasha's great, great grandson? He has his youthful energy and knack for tearing things up. He reminds me of a very young Shippo.

 

“Kagome-san, you should come!” Suteki shouted, dropping the clump of grass he had just ripped from the earth as he jumped up. Kagome was startled by his sudden outburst and was struck with the inability to speak for a moment. Suteki stared up at her with pleading golden brown eyes. She looked at Sesshomaru for any indication of how she should answer but he merely smirked at her.

 

“Well, I…but… but I'm not a demon, Suteki,” she finally stuttered, “I don't think it would be appropriate.”

 

The young half-demon's shoulders slumped and his lower lip jutted out in a pout. He turned to Sesshomaru and began to whine. “Uncle, it's not fair. How come Kagome-san can't come to the party?”

 

“No one said she couldn't come, Suteki. Her silly human mind assumed that she could not come,” he drawled, watching Kagome bristle. Oh, how he enjoyed watching her flair.

 

Suteki immediately brightened, running up to Sesshomaru and clutching his knees. “You mean it, uncle? Kagome can come to the party?”

 

Sesshomaru smiled down at Suteki. Kagome inwardly gasped, forgetting his previous insult to her heritage. She had never seen Sesshomaru truly smile before. In the past, she had seen him smirk cruelly but never smile. It radiated from him, reaching his eyes which glowed as if a gentle fire had been lit behind them.

 

“Of course she can come to the party. That is, if she wants to spend an evening mingling with dangerous demons,” he said, a taunting lit filling his voice as he looked over to catch her staring at him.

 

Kagome straightened her back and tilted her chin up in a dignified manner. “I think I can handle it, Sesshomaru-sama. When is this celebration?”

 

“The day after tomorrow starting promptly at 3:00pm. I suggest arriving at least 20 minutes early,” he said with satisfaction of her stubborn nature. Kagome nodded sharply, logging the details in her mind.

 

“How will I know how to get here? You drove, remember?” Her fingertips were again worrying her bottom lip and Sesshomaru had to clench his teeth and look away so he didn't remove her fingers and replace them with his lips. Taking a cleansing breath, he considered her question and details.

 

“I will send a car for you. You will be picked up at 2:00pm so that you won't be late. You can choose to wear whatever kimono you like from the armoire you looked through previously. Like most celebrations, the dress is formal so jeans and a tank top won't cut it.”

 

Kagome blushed at Sesshomaru's generous offer of transportation and attire. “Are you sure that's okay? I know I have a few kimonos at home I could -“

 

“If it was not okay, Kagome, I would not have offered. In fact, I insist upon it,” Sesshomaru said, a mischievous tone coloring his voice. He took a few steps toward her and made to walk past her. He dipped his head so that he could whisper in her ear, “you look especially stunning in this one.”

 

Kagome stood immobile as the heat from his breath dissipated after caressing her ear. She felt the silk of his kimono brush against her as he passed and walked back into the castle. A trail of goose pimples rose on her skin starting at the back of her neck and surging down her back. She stood a bit longer in the garden, admiring the beautiful foliage but, most of all, wrapping her mind around this new Sesshomaru.

 

He glanced back and noted her slight shiver after he passed her. Smirking to himself, he walked through the halls of the castle until he arrived in his office. Sitting down at his desk, he picked up his phone and pressed `Speed Dial 2'. After two rings, the phone was picked up.

 

“Inuyasha. We have a special guest attending the celebration.”

 

 

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Yuui - “capable or able”

Setsuzoku - “connection or link”

Chimitsu - “fine, delicate”

Toppatsuteki - “sudden, unexpected”

 

 

I'm so sorry this took so long. I got laid off and had to find a new job and then we had this scheduled vacation to Orlando, FL. Whew. It's been tough to find time to sit down lately and pound the last 3 pages of this sucker out. But here it is!!! I have a bare-bones outline of chapters 10 and 11 made. I can't make any promises about when they'll be out but I'll try my hardest!

 

Also, thanks A TON for all the reviews! They've been very motivating! =)