InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ She Who the Prophecy Foretold ❯ Breakfast at the Palace Moon ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Inuyasha & co. belong to the illustrious Rumiko Takahashi. I do, however, own all my original characters and this plotline.

 

Chapter 14 - Breakfast at the Palace Moon

 

 

The dining room was a sight to behold. It could have easily fit Sesshoumaru in his true form several times over. The ceiling was high and domed with hanging chandeliers that looked to be made of the finest crystal and holding hundreds of candles. The room was rectangular with the entrance where she stood at one end. Directly in front of her on the opposite wall was a huge window that overlooked a beautiful forest. It seemed that they were at the very least on the second, if not third, level of the palace. Between her and the window was the longest table she had ever seen. It was a traditional low table made of a shining dark red wood. Pillows lined the sides and Sesshoumaru could be seen sitting at the head of the table, his back to the window with sunlight illuminating his form from behind. She noticed the heavy red velvet curtains off to the sides of the window which she figured would come in handy at certain times of the day to cut down on glare. On both sides of the long table the walls were lined with wall hangings depicting dog demons engaged in battle with many different types of demons. Kagome took her time looking over each tapestry, not noticing that she held the attention of all those sitting at the long table.

 

She jumped suddenly when she heard Sesshoumaru clear his throat. She had been so enthralled by the environment that she had failed to see him rise and approach her. She looked at him with surprise and noticed his small smirk and the amusement that danced in his eyes. He held his arm out to her and without thinking she looped her arm through his and allowed him to guide her to her seat. She was seated in the only empty position towards the head of the table, directly to Sesshoumaru's right. She lowered herself to her pillow and looked around; taking in everyone's seating positions. Rin was to her right, followed by Hisoka, Hitoshi, and Akihiro. Yoshikazu sat directly across from her to Sesshoumaru's left, followed by Shinji, Yuudai, and Isamu.

 

After she was seated, Sesshoumaru returned to his seat and nodded to the servants that Kagome noticed were entering from a small doorway on the side wall that seemed to appear out of no where. When the door was closed, the wall appeared seamless. The servants quickly placed plates, bowls, cups, and chopsticks in front of everyone along with large platters covered in many different types of food, some Kagome recognized and some she didn't. They also placed pitchers of water and juice on the table. Some of the servants stepped back and bowed before leaving while others began to transfer the food from the platters to the individual plates, asking quietly what each would like, and some poured the drinks. When they finished, they backed up and bowed low before leaving as well. Everyone waited patiently for Sesshoumaru to take the first bite, signaling to the others that they could also begin to eat.

 

All the while Kagome seemed to be in a daze, enthralled by the beauty of the room and the wonderful smells of all the food. She suddenly realized she was starving! As soon as Sesshoumaru took the first bite she picked up her chopsticks and appeared to attack her food, trying to use her manners as much as possible but seeming to fail as her hunger took precedence.

 

He watched her quietly, amusement once again in his eyes. Apparently she was hungry! He decided to wait until she was finished before he started to speak. Everyone ate in silence, following the example set by their lord and father.

 

Finally Kagome had eaten her fill and she leaned back slightly from the table with a contented sigh.

 

“I take it that you were hungry?” Sesshoumaru asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

 

Kagome glanced at his face and then turned away quickly, a deep blush spreading like wildfire across her cheeks. She suddenly realized just how fast she had been eating and in front of him of all people! She stared at her lap, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

 

“You shouldn't be embarrassed!” Shinji said from across the table. “We all know just how you feel! You should have seen us eat when we first woke up!”

 

“He is right, Lady Kagome! I was there! They were definitely hungry and they ate almost as fast as you did!” Rin was so happy to see Kagome awake; she failed to notice the blush on he cheeks darken at her innocent words.

 

Slowly Kagome raised her eyes and caught Shin's. He smiled brightly at her, fangs gleaming in the morning sunlight. She smiled back shyly. “Thanks, Shinji, right?”

 

“Yes, Lady Kagome.”

 

“Good. And thanks to you too, Rin.” She shot Rin a grin as well before looking over the pups. “I have a feeling it will take me a while to get your names right. There are just so many of you and you all look alike! The only one I should never mistake would be you, Yoshikazu.”

 

“Please Lady Kagome, call me Yoshi if you would like. It is good to see you eat. We were all very worried about your health since you had slept so long. Demons do not need to eat as often as humans and we feared you would waste away.”

 

“No worries! I'm fine!” Kagome shot them all a bright smile. “I feel perfectly normal now. I guess all I needed was a good rest and time to recover. Oh, and no Lady stuff, `kay guys? You can all just call me Kagome, really. Trust me; I am no where near deserving of being called Lady by the heirs of the Western Lands!”

 

“But you are, Kagome,” Sesshoumaru interrupted. “If it was not for you there would be no heirs at all and thus you deserve the utmost respect.”

 

“But I only did what was right! You don't need to treat me differently. I'm the same Kagome I always was or did you forget, oh Great Lord, that I am but a ningen miko who travels with your half-demon half-brother?” Kagome knew she was pushing her luck but Sesshoumaru had just been acting too strangely.

 

The boys all looked up, slightly shocked at the disrespect in her voice, and the servants that had entered and begun clearing the table gasped loudly and froze in fear of what would happen to the girl. Kagome simply turned to him and smiled. Even louder gasps were heard and one servant girl actually fainted when Sesshoumaru responded with his own smile, not the smile warning of impending death, but an actual warm smile directed at a human miko!

 

“Okay now, Sesshoumaru, what's up with you? I have never seen you smile like that.”

 

“There is nothing `up' with this Sesshoumaru, at least not at the moment.” His eyes held a mischievous gleam and Kagome blushed again at his insinuation. “Although I would be happy to let you know should the situation change.” At that, Kagome's blush darkened considerably. The children were all confused but the servants were shocked at the playful tone in their Lord's voice. Never before had he been known to flirt and for him to flirt with a human? Unthinkable! “Until then though, I expect that you have questions about the marks given by my sons.” He sent a quick glare at the frozen servants who were still staring in shock. They immediately started moving again, one picking up the unfortunate girl who had fainted.

 

Once Kagome was able to get her blush under control and get over her shock she nodded slowly. “I would very much like it if you could explain them for me.”

 

“My sons have bonded themselves to you by mixing their blood with yours. Yoshikazu, would you like to explain how you did it?”

 

“Yes father. La…I mean, Kagome, as we had said before each line was given by one of us. First I cut a line in your arm, the top one as I went first, and then I cut the pad of my thumb and ran it along the cut, mixing our blood. As my thumb passed, the cut sealed and was replaced by the mark. Each of us repeated this.”

 

“Okay, but what exactly does it mean?” Kagome asked, looking from the boys to Sesshoumaru and back, her embarrassment forgotten in her curiosity.

 

“The mark connects you to them. From now on if you are in danger they will know. Other demons will sense the mark and know that you are protected. It also marks you as a part of our pack, not that you were not already.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“I mean that no matter how I dislike it, Inuyasha is a part of my pack and you and your other companions are a part of his pack, thus making you all a part of my pack as well. Now though, it is official. You are now a permanent part of our pack.”

 

“Will Inuyasha be able to sense it then?” Suddenly Kagome looked nervous and the pups were all afraid that they had done something wrong.

 

“I am not sure if, as a half-demon, he will be able to sense it or not. If he does, he may not know what it means. I can teach you how to make the marks invisible so you will not have to explain them if they were seen and not sensed.”

 

“Ka…Kagome? Did…did we make you upset? I'm sorry! We should have asked you first!” Hisoka looked and sounded close to tears. Kagome immediately looked at him and then held her arms open for him. He nearly dove over Rin into Kagome's waiting arms and she held him tightly.

 

“No, Hisoka, sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong. I am honored by your gift. It's just that, well, I travel with Inuyasha and he and your father don't get along well and I'm not sure how I am going to explain my absence. Add to that the fact that I have been here with one he considers an enemy and even worse, the whole Kikyo thing, and I know he is going to be furious with me. I don't know if he will be able to forgive me. He will think I betrayed him. But you boys did nothing wrong. I will figure something out.” Hisoka melted in her hold as she ran her fingers through his hair. Realizing what she was doing she looked up suddenly to Sesshoumaru, expecting to see anger at her holding his son, but the look on his face was soft and contemplative. She glanced at the others and saw a slightly jealous look on their faces before they managed to hide it.

 

“Kagome, I will help you decide what to tell the hanyou. Do not worry. I do not think that he would know what he was sensing if he could in fact sense it. Humans should not be able to sense it at all, although the monk may but he keeps your secrets well. You need only worry about the kit and the fire cat.

 

Now, since everyone has finished eating, Rin, pups, it is time for your morning lessons.” The boys let out low groans but moved to stand anyway. Hisoka gave Kagome one more tight hug before leaving her embrace. Kagome stood and gave Rin a hug and promised to see them all later.

 

“Miko…Kagome,” Sesshoumaru quickly corrected himself. It would not do to call her miko. He remembered clearly the times she subjugated his brother when he called her out of her given name. He did not want to incur her anger, not now when he was trying to impress her. “Would you please join me for a walk in the gardens? There are things to discuss.”

 

Kagome nodded and followed him out of the dining room and into the hall.

 

 

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Inuyasha and the other shard hunters were growing more and more afraid for the safety of Kagome as they searched the south. Searching was much easier with Inuyasha's powerful nose, allowing them to cover ground a lot faster but they still had no luck. They searched straight through the night but no sign of Kagome was found. Finally they decided to return to the village once more, hoping that perhaps Kouga or his pack may have found her and she would be awaiting their return safe with Kaede once more. But first they needed to rest, if only for a few hours.

 

 

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Kouga was heading to the West as fast as he could. He knew though that he had to be careful. Lord Sesshoumaru ruled over the Western Lands and he did not seem to like Prince Kouga, though he had no idea why the Lord felt such contempt for him. Kouga decided he would check everywhere else first before he would search close to the Palace Moon. There was no chance that Kagome would be there anyway. Sesshoumaru was well known for both his hatred of humans and his hatred for his brother so he would never allow his brother's wench anywhere near his home and stronghold. He still had to take extra care though, so he decided to rest for just a few hours before crossing the western border so if he did happen to encounter Sesshoumaru he would be in good shape and not completely exhausted.

 

 

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There was quite a bit of chatter going around the palace as news of their Lord's actions during the morning meal spread. Down in the kitchen where many servants had gathered they were discussing Sesshoumaru's strange behavior.

 

“Ever since the young Lords were cursed and Lord Sesshoumaru left to retrieve the miko he has been acting strange!”

 

“Did you hear that she travels with the Lord's brother Inuyasha?” A gasp was heard from a few who had not been present for the breakfast show. “Not only that, he allowed the girl to speak to him in a most disrespectful way. I was sure she would be beheaded right there at the table but he smiled at her! Can you believe it?”

 

“Oh, but the smile wasn't the strangest thing! Don't forget what he said! I swear he was flirting with her!”

 

“Hold your tongue girl! If the Lord heard you saying such he would surely remove it for its treachery!”

 

“But it's true! I saw it with my very eyes and heard it too!”

 

“Well, do you know what I heard? I heard that he has not slept in his own chambers since she arrived. He, as well as the young lords, has been spending the night in the same chambers as the miko!”

 

“And you know what chambers they are as well, don't you? No one had been in that room for over a hundred years besides the Lord himself! And suddenly he ordered it prepared for a human? I'm beginning to worry about him.”

 

“Maybe the Lord fancies the miko?” The gasps of shock from everyone else present were stopped in an instant as a loud voice was heard.

 

“You all, you had better get back to work and stop your vicious lies before I bring your words to the attention of my Lord Sesshoumaru! You all do not deserve the privilege to serve him, spreading gossip! If I hear it again you all will be sure to regret it.” While they usually did not pay any mind to the toad, today his words seemed to ring true, causing the servants to scatter. “Hmpf. To think that Lord Sesshoumaru would fancy a human, his brother's miko wench! Never!” Jaken muttered to himself before suddenly realizing he was supposed to be delivering the gift to the gardens, right now!

 

 

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Hiromi knew that she had things to do now. Finally the chain of events had begun and she had to be ready for her daughter's return home. There were things Kagome needed to be told, things she had to be given, and she knew that Kagome would not take it well at all. She had spoken with grandpa last night after Souta had gone to sleep and let him know it would soon be time. They had been worried. It had taken much longer than any had expected and in the mean time Naraku had gained strength. They knew the task before Kagome would be difficult and long but they also knew she would succeed just as she was destined to. They just had to be sure to time their part just right. Certain things had to happen first, but others could not have happened yet. They had to time it perfectly but thankfully they would know through the ancient scroll and Hiromi's use of her seeing stone when it was time. So far one requirement had been met but there were still two more to come.