InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Choice ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

I want to say thank you for all of the great reviews I have received. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. I also want to let those that enjoy my work know that my first romance/mystery novel Sullivan's Jewel by Brandi Mallette has been released and is available to be ordered at the bookstores or straight from the publisher Eloquent Books.

 

The Choice -Chapter 10

 

It was only an hour before dawn and already Kagome was awake and standing on her balcony looking over the vast gardens. She was unsure what the previous night had been about or what the Western Lords objectives were, but she knew without a doubt she would not be used as she had been in the past. This life was hers now and she would make decisions based on what she wanted and not what someone else wanted or expected. With her mind made she gracefully leapt from the balcony and landed in the gardens. She needed time to meditate and afterward she would train.

 

In the back of the gardens she found the perfect place. It was a large clear area that was surrounded by tall shrubs and flowers of every color imaginable. The fragrances when the wind blew was gentle and relaxing. For the most part it looked as if very few even ventured this far off of the path so she wouldn't have to worry about anyone interrupting her. With a sigh she sat down in the middle of the clearing and relaxed.

 

 

Sesshomaru was fully aware that the miko had left her room and were she was going. With his keen senses he knew practically every move she made. He'd known that she would be suspicious of his actions and would more than likely seek to distance herself. Her attempts would be futile, but he would give her time to gather herself.

 

An hour before breakfast he went to the farthest part of the gardens and watched as his miko went through her katanas. Her moves were as graceful and fluid as any dance he'd ever witnessed. With patience he waited until she was done impressed with the techniques he saw-most of which were no longer practiced. He would need to question her about this and find out where she learned her skills. It was only a few minutes before she stopped and looked at him slightly startled.

 

"Sesshomaru."

 

"It is time to eat, Kagome. I have come to collect you." He waited for her to come to his side and offered her his arm. When she accepted it without hesitation he was very pleased. "You were practicing katanas that have not been seen in centuries. Where did you learn them?"

 

"The jewel," she said. "When it merged with me the knowledge of the souls within was transferred to me."

 

"I see. I would like to spar with you to test your skill and strength."

 

"Alright. When would you be free?"

"This afternoon. I think the sooner we assess your strengths and any possible weaknesses the better." As they spoke they made their way to the dining hall.

 

"That would be fine," she said.

 

Sesshomaru was surprised at her calmness towards him. He had wondered if she would demand answers for his previous behavior or if she would shy away from him. Instead she spoke as if she were not bothered and had dismissed the intimate moment they had shared completely out of her mind. He wasn't sure he cared for that fact. The women he had chosen to give any small amount of his time to in the past always begged for more, but not her. She was different than any other he had come across and it intrigued him even more.

 

Opening the door to the dining hall Kagome stepped inside to see that the children were already seated and waiting.

 

"Good morning," said Shippo.

 

"Good morning, Shippo, Rin. Are the two of you ready to start your lessons this morning?"

 

"Yes," they answered.

 

"What will you be teaching today, Kagome," asked Sesshomaru as he sat.

 

"We'll be working on reading, writing and math."

 

"Very well. I'll be in my study this afternoon and than I'll meet you in the dojo later."

 

Not saying anything she merely nodded and the rest of the meal was eaten in silence. When they were finished the children followed her to gather supplies and then went outside.

 

Under a large willow tree they spread out a blanket and their materials. Kagome was well aware of son's education level because she had been teaching him for years, but she didn't know Rin's level. For the next few hours she evaluated each of their skills to determine what needed to be worked on. She was very happy to see that Rin's level was nearly equal with Shippo's.

 

"You've both done well today." Kagome said as they sat resting under the tree. In the distance a kitsune caught her eye as he made his way to them. Unfamiliar with this stranger she prepared herself in case of attack.

 

As he grew closer she saw that he was a fire kitsune like Shippo. He was tall with red hair streaked with black. His eyes were dark and his face contained sharp features and full lips. The clothes he wore were black with red flames stitched on the haori sleeves and a sword was present on his left hip. He was very handsome.

 

"I am Sano. I've been sent to collect the kit for training."

"Mother," Shippo asked not taking his eyes off the newcomer. He smirked slightly at the confusion in his eyes.

 

"It's alright, Shippo. I'll see you later after my spar with Lord Sesshomaru." He nodded and followed after the older kitsune.

 

"I'm curious kit," said Sano after a moment, "why do you call a human mother."

 

"I was an orphan and when no one else would she took me in a protected me."

 

"That is unusual. It's seldom a human would care for a youkai child."

 

"Oh, she's not just any human," he grinned. "My mother is the Shikon Miko."

 

Sano stopped and looked at the kit in astonishment. He'd heard tales of the miko and knew that Lord Sesshomaru desired her above all others, but he'd felt no power coming from the woman. He'd assumed she was a normal human brought to keep Lady Rin company.

 

"There was no power coming from that woman," he said.

 

"She is masking her power so the youkai here don't feel threatened."

 

"Why? Most flaunt their power."

 

"Kagome is a kind selfless person. She accepts all no matter their race and uses her power to protect and heal."

 

"That kind of woman can be easily taken advantage of."

 

Shippo shook his head. "At one time yes, but not any more."

 

Sensing that the kit would say no more he didn't ask any more questions. Unfortunately, his curiosity had been roused concerning the woman.

 

The next few hours were spent in the dojo testing the kits skills much the same way Kagome did earlier. He had been trained in hand to hand combat could handle a sword. The use of his natural powers though needed work. Tomorrow he would start polishing the kit's skills and teaching him about his natural abilities.

 

He was about to call it a day when Lord Sesshomaru came in with the woman following behind. The kimono she wore earlier had been replaced with black form fitting hakamas that ended at the knees. Her top was sleeveless hugging her upper body ending at mid thigh with slits on the sides going up to her waist for easy movement. He could see the curves that had been hidden earlier and had to admit she was very attractive. Her hair was up in a tail exposing her slim neck and dainty feet were covered by black slippers. What caught his attention though were the twin swords on her back.

 

"Sano, I assume that you're done training for the day," said Lord Sesshomaru.

 

"Yes, my Lord."

 

"Good." He turned to Kagome. "Are you ready?"

 

"I am," she said drawing her blades.

 

They moved to the center of the dojo while Shippo moved to stand by the door out of the way. Sesshomaru began circling his prey looking for a weakness. She kept her eyes trained on him ready for attack. It was a game they had played many times before the battle with Naraku. Curious to discover her new abilities he made the first move. Kagome raised her swords blocking his attack and twisted her body away from him only to block another attack. With a gleam in her eyes Kagome smirked and back flipped out of arms reach. Sesshomaru formed his youkai whip and slashed at her swords trying to disarm her. Instead he felt her aura pulse forcing the whip away from her.

 

Sano was astonished at the power he now felt coming from the small woman. The chuckle of the kit beside him caught his attention and saw a smile on his face.

 

"Do not underestimate my mother, sensei, that is mere trickery compared to what she can do. Lord Sesshomaru himself taught her how to master a sword and they are merely warming up."

 

Sesshomaru heard what was said while taking in the woman before him. She had never used that trick on him before and assumed that it was a new one that could prove to be very useful. In a flurry of attacks he lunged for her and was not surprised to be met with attacks of her own. For the next hour they sparred with the swords meeting each other lunge for lunge and slash for slash. Their game looked like a deadly but beautiful dance to the pair that watched them in awe. They were both deadly and held grace with their movements that few could ever achieve.

 

Sano was more than astounded by what he was witnessing. A woman holding her own with the Western Lord in a way no one else had and using techniques that he'd never seen before although effective. He briefly wondered if she'd teach him.

 

Kagome was starting to tire. They had sparing for hours and she was nearly at her limits. With what was left of her strength she pulled her power around herself tightly and flew into the air. To those below her she looked like a goddess. Her eyes had turned an eerily white and her hands lifted above her head. She would show him what he desired, but refused to harm the Western Lord or those that watched. A light formed between her hands and without warning she threw it to the other side of the dojo destroying the wall and everything in it's wake. Slowly she lowered herself back to the floor and faced the Lord and astonished youkais that had gathered when they felt the threat. Looking at Sesshomaru he merely lifted an eyebrow and looked at the destruction she caused. With only a slight shrug she once more lifted her hand and everything started to reverse itself. The wall and floor that had been demolished pulled itself back together board by board and brick by brick. When done it was as if it had never been destroyed.

 

"You have grown more powerful than I had thought, Kagome," he said.

 

"That, Lord Sesshomaru, was only a fraction of the power I hold," said Kagome.

 

He knew she told the truth. It also made him wonder how much more she held. "Come it is getting late. We'll bathe and I'll have something to eat brought to your room. I'm sure the children will not mind." He looked to Shippo who only nodded his agreement.

 

With a sigh she agreed. It was getting late and she was tired. A good nights sleep sounded wonderful to her and so did a bath. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."

 

He once more stood by her side offering to escort her back to her rooms. She gave a small smile and followed. Those they passed looked at her with astonishment and a small amount of fear and in some cases lust.

 

The hot springs were a welcome sight and the warmth was welcome on her tired and weary body. It had been some time since she'd been challenged to such an invigorating match. Those that had come for her since her departure from her old village and Inuyasha had been weak and easily defeated. Now she could spar with Sesshomaru and train her body to fight for longer periods of time.

 

When she was finished she dressed in a sleeping kimono and walked into her room while trying to dry her hair. She had not expected to see Sesshomaru there waiting for her.

 

"Sesshomaru, is everything alright? I didn't expect to see you here."

 

"I have decided to eat with you this evening. There are things that I would like to discuss with you."

 

"I see and what would that be?"

 

"Eat and than we will speak."

 

"Alright." She did as he asked but couldn't help feeling uneasy. He had been strangely attentive to her since coming into his company and the kiss they shared the night before weighed heavily on her mind. She pushed all of her thoughts away and finished the meal. When done he gently lifted her by the hand and led her through the doors leading to the balcony.

 

He'd wanted to pursue her little by little to let her get used to the idea of being with him. Instead he found himself wanting to push the issue until she agreed to be his mate. He turned his gaze to the woman who looked at him with patience and curiosity.

 

"After the battle with Naraku I left to check on Rin. When I returned to the village you inhabited you were gone."

 

"It wasn't safe for me or the others. Kikyo would have eventually tried to use the others against me. I couldn't risk their safety."

 

"Do you know why I sought you out?"

 

"No," she said cautiously looking at him. His eyes were darker than normal and held something she couldn't quite place. 'What is going on?'

 

"I wished to speak with you about the future. I came to request permission to court you."

 

She was completely stunned, "c..court me?"

 

"Yes." He watched as she processed the information and than turned guarded eyes onto him.

 

"Why? Why would you want me as a mate?"

 

"Why not? You're strong, powerful and beautiful. You hold qualities that no demoness could ever hold such as loyalty, kindness and love. I have also grown attached to you in the time we have spent together."

 

"I see. You flatter me, Sesshomaru, truly you do, but I can't accept your offer. I want a mate that loves me and one I can love in return. You have shown me kindness and respect that no other has given me and I cherish that, but I will settle for nothing less than love. Attachments are easily overcome and sooner or later that person moves on to someone else they find an attachment for. I've been in that situation before. I won't put myself there again."

 

"What I'm offering you is my loyalty, affection and devotion."

 

"I'm aware of that and as I said I'm very flattered, but my mind is set. I will not mate for anything less than love."

 

"I understand." He faced her and took a few steps in her direction smirking as she took a few back until he had her pushed against the wall. "I also want you to understand that I will not give up. I will pursue you until you submit to me." He quickly captured her lips in a passionate kiss forcing his way into her moist cavern.

 

Kagome was overcome by the sensations he forced from her body. His hands grasped her sides and than pulled her into his embrace while his arms wrapped around her refusing to let go. Her hand wrapped themselves in his haori, but she didn't know if it was to push him away or pull him closer. His entire being overrode her senses and set her body on fire. Before she could process the riot of sensations he caused it was over and he carefully pushed her back looking at her with lust filled eyes tinged in red.

 

"I hope that gives you something to think about. I want no other than you as my mate. I swear that I will be loyal to you and only you. Do not forget that Kagome and do not forget that I always get what I want."

 

Making sure that she heard his words he left her to think.

 

'Oh shit,' thought Kagome.