InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Battle of Heart and Land ❯ We're Not Mates! ( Chapter 3 )

A/N: EEE! Thank you SO much to my FIRSTS:

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Reviewer: Reprise13

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-MissKatt

The Battle of Heart and Land

By: MissKatt

Chapter Three: We're Not Mates!

She heard it take another intake of a deep breath. Then he threw his arms back, chest protruding forward, head snapped back and a blood chilling screech escape its throat.

Wind.

Black wind.

Sharp, powerful, black wind.

Screaming.

Flying.

Pain.

And then it was over. The sickly feeling that she was flying had ended. The miko realized she still had her eyes squeezed closed and slowly opened them. The room was disarrayed. The silk tapestries were blow off the walls, several lay on the ground ripped to shreds. The mats that they had been sitting on had blown to the other side of the room. Several of the stone-carved statues lay in ruins on the floor. What had happened?

The wind. Kagome recalled how the black wind was so overpowering. She didn't think wind could actually sustain a color, considering with was just air, but somehow the force behind the wind strikes had a black tint to it. She was vaguely reminded of Kagura's attacks, only these were stronger.

But then there was a scream, wasn't there? She glanced around and everyone seemed to be fine. She realized Inuyasha and the Lady looked further away than they had been. She had one of those dawning moments that she was further away from them; now several feet back from where she had been previously standing. She also realized she had been the one who screamed.

The force of the air had knocked her off of her feet and sent her reeling backwards. She hadn't really been `flying' as she recalled, but she had been flung back by the force. She looked down at her wrist and didn't see anything wrong with it, though she thought she felt a pain when the flying feeling stopped. She looked at it closer and saw a faint outline of fingers across it. She furrowed her eye brows; how did that happen? She then became aware of the looming presence ever so close to her. She glanced up and saw the dark lord's face peering down at her. She quickly stumbled away from him, fearing the worst.

“Ah, Sesshoumaru! I'm sorry!” She said and gave him a small bow. Did the wind knock her into him?

“Hm, you would be no use to us broken,” He replied coolly, ignoring the lack of `sama' from his name.

Broken? She looked down at her wrist again. Were these his finger prints? Had he grabbed her from the air? She felt embarrassed and looked down, her soft hair falling over her shoulder to create a curtain around her face. If she couldn't even stand her ground from some wind, how was she supposed to fight against nekoyoukai? Surely the Lady was reconsidering her now. Maybe only Inuyasha would be the one to stay and she would be sent on her way. How would she feel about that if it were to happen?

Speaking of Inuyasha. Why hadn't he been the one pulling her from the air? Why didn't he pull her tightly to his chest, shielding her from the danger like he usually did? He hadn't even noticed her or seemed to acknowledge her scream. Were things really changing that much? The hope that she had had in her heart from earlier quickly disappeared without a trace. He wasn't the same as he used to be.

Or had she been the one who changed?

Kagome heard muffled grunting and looked up to see the two guards struggling to subdue the startling creature. They quickly put the blindfold back onto the creature and dragged it out of the room by its chains. She walked back to the front of the room and stood next to Inuyasha.

Inukimi sighed and looked at the two.

“Do you see our concern?” She asked and sat back down on her throne, ignoring that it was missing its cushion. “As you saw, it looked incompetent. Mangled, but incompetent. But then see how this sudden burst of power came from nowhere. We do not know what else the others could possess and we will not know until the battles begin.”

“I understand, Inukimi-sama, but how are we to help?” Kagome asked, brushing her hair behind her ear. She was more asking for herself instead of Inuyasha, testing the waters to see if she still required Kagome's skill. The Lady offered her a small smile.

“We need Inuyasha's Tessaiga; his father's great fang. And of course your miko powers, Kagome. I have heard great things about them. How you purified the Shikon no Tama and a few demons; that is impressive. But,” The great inuyoukai continued to hold Kagome's eyes with her own. “I would like to see them for myself. That way I know you are going to be an asset to us, not someone we are going to have to pluck from the air.”

`So she did see that,' she thought, her blood rushing to her face.

“However, I did believe I requested the other members of your posse. Where are they?” Inukimi asked, raising an elegant brow in question.

“They have a family; three children and can't just leave them to fight a war.” Kagome said, hoping the Lady would see reason since she once had a baby of her own. She watched as the Lady seemed to consider this, hoping she had more of a heart than Sesshoumaru.

“Very well,” She nodded and slowly rose to her feet once more. “Then tomorrow we shall begin your training.”

“With all due respect, Inukimi-sama, what kind of training?” She flinched when the Lady of the West gave her a wicked smile.

“My dear Priestess, first you shall show me your purifying powers; then, if I am impressed, we shall train you in sword and battle.” She then turned to Inuyasha. “We will also sharpen your skills, Inuyasha. We cannot have you swinging around recklessly when our lands are in peril.”

“Keh!” Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and looked to the right. “Who even said I was going to help you anyways? This sounds like your problem, not mine!”

“Inuyasha!” Kagome stared at him with wide eyes. How could he not want to help them? These were his father's lands. Surely he had some pull in his heart to help them. Right?

Inukimi's face held no surprise or anger. “Inuyasha, do you not realize that these are your lands as well?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” He asked, turning his amber eyes on his step-mother.

“If Sesshoumaru were to ever perish, you would reclaim these lands as your own. You are the next in line to rule.” She said calmly. Kagome glanced from one inuyoukai's face to the other. Inukimi seemed to be please that she had succeeded to shock Inuyasha. The miko could barely make out the slight annoyance in Sesshoumaru's eyes. She was sure he doubted he would ever perish. A part of her doubted is as well.

“Fine,” Inuyasha snapped out, arms still crossed. “We'll help.” Inukimi gave him a kind smile.

“Then it is settled. You shall be shown to your rooms,” She gave a sly smile. “Or, perhaps only one room shall suffice? I am sure you mates would not mind sharing a bed.” Kagome felt her face heat up. Is that how they seemed to others? She wished that's how they were.

“We aren't mates!” Inuyasha blurted. This time, when Kagome's face turned red, it was from embarrassment. Did he really just do that? She clenched her hands into fists at her sides and looked down at the floor. So, that was it then, wasn't it?

“Oh, my apologies, two rooms them. Luka! Yune!” She called and two of the servants hurried over from the wall, dipping into low bows. “Take them to their rooms and have the chef making them something. If they need anything else, you are responsible. Understood?” The servants bent in another low bow and looked at the two.

“This way, Inuyasha-sama,” Luka said and lead him out of the throne room and down the hallway to the left. He left without another word to the Lady or Kagome.

“This way, Miko-sama.” Yune said and began to head towards the hallway on the right. She paused when she realized the human wasn't following her.

Kagome looked at the Lady and bowed once again, her hair falling over her shoulder once again. She hoped it would hide her tear-brimmed eyes. “Thank you, Inukimi-sama, for your hospitality.” She forced herself to keep her voice even and strong.

“I should be thanking you, Priestess. Your aid is, hopefully, much appreciated.” The Lady responded and the miko had the urge to please the great inuyoukai and show her worth. She straightened and walked over to Yune, following her as she continued down the hallway.

Sesshoumaru waited until they were both out of ear shot and glanced at his mother. “If I perish?” he questioned. His mother let out a little giggle.

“Oh, my Sesshoumaru, surely you do not think your kind mother would ever imply your death? What kind of mother would I be if I did that?” She said coyly, her hand finding the large jewel that rested on her chest. “But, it was your father's wish to have Inuyasha rule after you.”

“It would best be a forgotten wish, for it will not happen.” The Lord spoke confidently, brushing his silky hair behind his pointed ear.

“It hurts me that you talk so ill of your father. He loved you, Sesshoumaru.” She said, a sad tone intertwining with her words.

“Then he would not have insulted me by making Inuyasha my predecessor.” Surely anyone with half a brain would realize the kingdom would fall within a fortnight if Inuyasha were to rein.

“Sesshoumaru,” His mother spoke sternly, suddenly very serious. “Do not forget that you can only have my throne when you have taken a mate.” Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

“I have not forgotten.” The words came out clipped. He failed to see the importance of having a mate just to take his rightful place. Most inuyoukai females were impetuous and annoying. They were constantly flailing themselves at him and insisting he chose them over the others because they were the `best'. None of them came even close to his level.

“And, also keep in mind that I am the one who gets to choose your mate.” She said slyly. “I just have yet to find one to my liking.” She added, smiling. He inwardly sighed. At times like this, he resented his father. Why he would allow her to choose his mate was beyond his understanding. Perhaps because his father and mother had a bond was chosen by their parents. Is that why his father decided to take another bond mate? Because he was forced into his first bond? Hm.

“Are you suggesting that I have a poor memory?” He questioned coolly. His mother giggled, once again in a playful mood.

“No, my dear son, I am simply reminding you,” She smiled at him once again. “I suspect to see you on the training field tomorrow.” And with that she got up and left the room, two new guards following her.

“Hm.”

~+~

Kagome pressed her hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. She felt the iciness of her skin and shivered. She was going through what had happened in the throne room over and over in her head.

“We aren't mates!”

Why did he have the need to shout that out and embarrass her like that? Did he really have no hope for them at all? Was he simply…done? With her? How could that be?

`We've been through so much together,' she cried inwardly. She refused to let the tears out and let the youkai around her see what a pathetic human she really was. `Did he forget everything we went through? All the times he worried and fussed over me? All the heartache we shared? How about all the blood we've spilled for each other? It's not fair!' She felt tears start to build up in her eyes again and she threw her head back, squeezing her eyes shut and taking a very deep, calming breath.

“Miko-sama?” Yune asked softly. Kagome opened her glistening blue eyes and looked at the demoness in front of her. She was a pretty demon, but was shorter than her. She had light brown hair that was cut in an A-line, short in the back, long in the front. Her eyes were a bright green color and they shinned with brilliance. Yune wore a very plain cream colored kimono with a purple sash around her middle, showing she served royalty. She wondered why she was a servant here in the kingdom. Wondered if Sesshoumaru or Inukimi had done something terrible to force her to work. “Priestess?”

“Hm?” She asked and looked at the servant again. She had succeeded in taking her mind off of Inuyasha for the moment.

“Are you alright?” Her voice was barely a whisper. When Kagome furrowed her eye brows and looked away the female quickly stopped walking and bent into a deep bow. “My apologies! I did not mean to step out of place and ask of your welfare! Please forgive me!” Kagome blinked and looked at the groveling youkai in front of her.

“No, no! You weren't out of place! You have no reason to apologize, Yune-san!” When the woman straightened up she looked at Kagome questioningly. Kagome gave her a warm smile. “Thank you for asking, but I'm ok. Just tired, I suppose.” She said. The servant smiled and nodded before she began to continue walking towards Kagome's room.

“Kagome-sama!” Kagome froze in her spot. Was that…? No, she was so sure he had snapped one day. It couldn't be! She turned around to see Rin running towards her.

“Rin-chan!” Kagome said happily and hugged the girl tightly when she was close enough. “Oh, Rin-chan, I've missed you!” She said and pulled away from the hug looking the girl over. She was so big now and her body had begun to mature, her breasts now a small A cup. She was starting to curve out, her waist nicely cutting in to accent her hips. Her hair was longer, but she still wore it the same way. She was dressed in a Lima bean green colored kimono, yellow flower patterns covering it, a matching colored sash tied around her tiny waist. There was now a teenager standing in front of her instead of the little girl she remembered.

“I missed you too, Kagome-sama!” The girl replied, smiling excitingly at the older girl. “Oh, Kagome-sama, your hair is so long now! It's beautiful! Will you let me play with it one day?” It almost cringed Kagome's heart to listen to the girl speak so formally compared to when she spoke about herself in third-person.

“Of course! And maybe you can show me around this place because I'm pretty sure I'm going to get lost.” Kagome said with an awkward laugh. Rin beamed up at Kagome.

“Do not worry, Kagome-sama, even if you were to get lost, Sesshoumaru-sama will find you! I always got lost my first couple of weeks here and he never failed to come find me when I went missing!” She said happily.

`Sesshoumaru did? Perhaps I was too hasty to judge him.' Kagome thought, regret filling her. Shame on her for thinking so poorly of him. She had forgotten how much he cared for Rin. She was quickly reminded of the time he had saved her from Naraku in their final battle.

Sesshoumaru had been the first one to Naraku when he had transformed into the large spider demon and found out Rin was inside of him. He had been the one to find Kagome when she was separated from Inuyasha after he attacked her. He had been slaying the demons that had been coming after her unconscious body. He had let her follow him when he was looking for Rin. She smiled when she remembered that he had hurried towards the scent of Rin, letting her hold onto his pelt when he flew. How many other times did the dark Lord save his human girl?

“But,” The girl continued on, oblivious to Kagome's thoughts. “I will show you around, Yune-san too!” Kagome smiled at her.

“That would be great!” She said and looked up when the lord himself walked towards them.

“Rin,” He began and looked from Kagome to the little girl. “I see you have found your friend.”

“Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama! I am so happy to see Kagome-sama again!” She said and rocked happily from the balls of her feet to her heels.

“Good,” He said and looked at Kagome as she gave him a very wide smile. He raised a brow at her in question. Why was she smiling at him like that? He did not like it. She shook her head at him.

“I had you all wrong, Sesshoumaru,” She said and put her hands on her hips, still grinning at him.

“Oh?” He asked with his brow still raised. This ought to be somewhat entertaining. It always amused him when people assumed they knew him so well.

“Yes, you are a big softy at heart,” She teased. “You want people to believe you are all tough and mighty, but you have a big heart.” His eyebrow relaxed back down. She was insulting him and it was most definitely not amusing.

“It would be wise to hold your tongue, human.” He replied coolly and turned to walk away. No, it would simply not do for this human to insult him and question his ferociousness. Who was she to say such things? Inuyasha's wench and that is all. That in itself should say something about her.

“Ah, see you tomorrow, Kagome-sama!” Rin said and bowed before running after her lord. He glanced down at Rin from the corner of his eye. Then again, was it an insult? Or merely the truth? He inwardly sighed. Either way, he did not like it being pointed out. It stabbed at his mind enough as it was to succumb to Rin's wants.

“Good night, Rin-chan, Sesshoumaru!” She called, waving at them happily. He lifted a brow as he walked away. Even after his threat, she still wished him a pleasant night? A pestering human, indeed.