InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Choice ❯ chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful and encouraging reviews I received. I will, at some point, have Kagome and Inuyasha meet back up. I haven't made my mind up about Koga yet though. When I write I write. I don't have anything planned out. I just see what happens like everyone else. Anyway I wanted to remind everyone about my book. Here is the website: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/SullivansJewel.html so please check it out.

 

 

Chapter 12

 

Kikyo had traveled through the night and most of the morning before she stopped to rest. With the help of her soul stealers she knew that Inuyasha would have a difficult time catching up. He was the least of her worries at the moment.

 

What consumed her every thought was Kagome. She had been gifted with everything that should have been hers. Now she would take what was her due. She was the one after all that had died while protecting the jewel and for Inuyasha. More than any other she deserved it's power that would make her clay body flesh and blood once more. Than she would have the life that she'd been denied.

 

Another three days travel and she'd be in the area where her soul stealer had been destroyed. She'd start there and eventually track her down. The thought of putting an arrow in her heart made her smile. Perhaps she'd put one threw that kitsune she'd claimed as well.

 

She settled into the branches of the large tree that she was resting in and stared into the distance. Kagome was powerful there was no denying that and the fact that they could feel when the other was near put her at a disadvantage. Physically she couldn't compete. The Western Lord had made sure of that when he trained her. Her only option was to catch her off guard.

 

The thought of Sesshomaru only infuriated her more. From the beginning he'd watched her closely and prevented her from killing the bitch. Within days of joining the group he had made the decision to train her as a warrior under the pretense it would make her more useful. She hadn't been fooled. The demon lord had protected her not only with training, but by keeping her at his side. On more than one occasion she'd questioned his actions. Wanting to clear her thoughts for a little while she placed a barrier around the tree and closed her eyes.

 

 

She couldn't sleep. Throughout the night Sesshomaru's words plagued her every thought. Although she'd been honest when she told him she'd been flattered by his intention she could not overlook the reasons for these intentions. Power and loyalty were not reasons to take a mate.

 

He'd admitted he cared for her. For someone who never showed their emotions she could only imagine how difficult it had been to admit. Only to herself would she admit that she did admire him. She admired his strength, honesty and the fact that he made Rin very happy.

 

Not wanting to think about it anymore she leapt over her balcony to land gracefully in the gardens. The only thing she wanted to do was clear her mind and forget everything if only for a little while. She started running. The moon shone bright lighting the way as she fled. With every step she could feel the wind in her face. In the distance she could hear the animals either howling of fleeing for cover. It was exhilarating.

 

Later that morning, when she was nearly exhausted and her legs burned, she sat down next to a stream to rest. The area was surrounded by wildflowers and tall trees making it secluded. The sound of water flowing over the rocks calmed her just as the sun warming her chilled body did. With a small smile she lifted her face to the sun and completely relaxed for the first time since she'd come into Sesshomaru's home.

 

The Lord of the West knew that his miko was not within the castle grounds. As much as he preferred to have her close by he also understood her need to get away and trusted in her ability to protect herself.

 

He'd given her a great deal to consider in a very short time. The fact that she had paced the entire night told him that she was also thinking about their discussion. He only hoped the stubborn onna would finally see reason. To keep himself busy he went to his study and began to work on the never ending piles of scrolls.

 

 

Kagome sat in the clearing watching as the clouds rolled by in peaceful silence. Here was the serenity she needed to gather her thoughts. It was true that she wanted a mate and children, but she refused to give up on the idea of love. It just wasn't in her nature to settle for less. It was hard to deny that much of what Sesshomaru said to her was true.

For the rest of the day she enjoyed the serenity and gentle breeze that came through the clearing. Through meditation she calmed her emotions and once more centered herself.

 

When she returned to the palace to dress for dinner she was met by Shippo.

 

"I was wondering when you'd be back?"

 

"You know I'm never gone long. I've just needed a little time to myself."

 

Shippo knew she was having a hard time accepting Lord Sesshomaru's advances, but refused to say anything about it.

 

"Dinner will be ready soon, Mom. I think you'll have just enough time to get ready."

 

"Alright, Shippo, I'll see you in a little while."

 

Kagome made it to her room and dressed quickly. Just as she was putting on her slippers someone knocked on her door.

 

"Come in," she said not looking at who it was.

 

"I see you have returned."

 

Kagome straightened at hearing the voice of the one demon that been trying to force his way into her life.

 

"Is there a reason that I shouldn't have?" she asked watching him closely. "If you have changed your mind and wish us gone you merely need to tell me."

 

He stood only a foot away forcing her to look up to him.

 

"You misunderstand, Kagome. The fact that you returned on your own merely means I do not have to retrieve you myself."

 

"I'm not a pet that needs to be found when it goes to far, Sesshomaru," she growled.

 

The fire and defiance in her eyes as well as her growl nearly sent him over the edge. His instincts told him that she was a bitch that needed to be dominated. Instead he forced himself to remain calm.

 

"We will discuss this after dinner. The children are waiting already."

 

Kagome nodded and reluctantly took his offered arm. More than anything she wanted to be petty and leave him behind, but she refused to act like a child. Instead she kept silent until they reached the dining room and greeted the children.

 

"Lady Kagome, I'm glad you're back I was beginning to worry," said Rin.

 

"There's no need to worry. I'm more than capable of handling anything that comes my way. Lord Sesshomaru made certain of that," she smiled at the young girl to reassure her as she sat down.

 

"Will we be having our lessons tomorrow?"

 

"Yes, we will."

 

"I'm glad. While you were gone today Shippo helped me practice my reading and math," said Rin.

 

"That's very good. It shows how much you want to learn."

 

Kagome nearly giggled at the look of pride on the girl's face. Instead she gave an encouraging smile and started to eat.

 

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence and when everyone was finished the children were sent to get ready for bed. Sesshomaru, however, was already by Kagome's side with his hand at the small of her back leading her outside.

 

The sky was filled with clouds that overshadowed the moon making it harder to see. The air contained a chill that provided proof of winter not being far off. When the bench came into view she sat down and looked to the sky.

 

"I assume you left to gather your thoughts today."

 

"I did."

 

"And what is your decision?"

 

"It has not changed. I will only take a mate out of love. You are a powerful demon, Sesshomaru. One filled with honor and determination and I respect that and you more than you know."

 

"So you will continue to run from me?"

 

"No."

 

She closed her eyes and sighed knowing that her decision would change everything. What he'd said had made her realize that he was right in the sense that she was letting her past relationship with Inuyasha jeopardize anything she may have with another. It was time she stopped letting him have that control over her life. It would be hard, but it needed to be done.

 

"I will allow the courting with the understanding that it may or may not lead to mating. I give no promises. This will be a time for us to learn about each other. Do you agree to this?"

 

"I will agree," he said.

 

The look he gave her was full of promise and a possessiveness she didn't want to think about. "Do not think you have won, Sesshomaru."

 

'Don't think I'll let you go so easily.'

 

"You wish to ask me questions. What do you want to know?" he said.

 

"Many things," she said. "The one that plagues my mind though is why me. You hate hanyou and any children we have would be hanyou. So why are you so determined to have me as your mate?"

 

"I do not hate all hanyou and would be proud of any pups that came from our union." He knew she spoke of his relationship with Inuyasha and decided to tell her why he hated him. "When I was younger my mother grew ill. It wasn't long before it was determined that she was slowly dying. My sire searched for a cure, but none was ever found. A few months later she was dead."

 

Kagome listened closely. She too had lost a parent at an early age so she could understand his sorrow. In silence she gave what little comfort she could and laid her hand gently over his.

 

"It was only a few years later that my sire took Inuyasha's mother as a mate and pupped her. From then on he spent every spare moment with her. It was as if I no longer existed. That is why I detest the half-breed."

 

She understood now. Not only had he lost his mother, but in a way his father as well. While Inutaisho tried to move past the death of one mate by taking another his son saw it as a betrayal of his mother and as an abandonment to him.

 

"I'm sorry. I know how hard it is to loose a parent. Some throw themselves into a new relationship when their mate dies as a way to get over the one they lost. Unfortunately, while trying to move on they tend to forget everything and everyone else. I don't know what happened between you and your sire. But I do know that it's not Inuyasha's fault for being born. He didn't have that choice and he is your only brother. Whether or not he admits it I know he regrets not having that bond. You, at least, had the opportunity to know your sire. Inuyasha was not given the luxury of knowing him or you. Please, think about it. What you perceive as the sins of your father are not the sins of your brother. The two of you could learn a great deal from each other."

 

He wanted to tell her that there was no possibility of he and the half-breed getting along. Only by sheer will did he keep that thought to himself. He'd known that if he was to have her as a mate he'd have to learn to deal with the imbecile at some point. She was entirely to forgiving.

 

"I will consider it."

 

"Thank you."

 

"Tell me of your family and the time you come from."

 

He listened as she spoke of her kind and loving mother, the little brother who was a pest as all brothers are prone to be and her grandfather who always gave her strange gifts and tried to repeatedly ward off Inuyasha. She told him of buildings that nearly touched the sky and the streets made of stone and so much more. Regardless of the story he could hear the love and loneliness in her voice.

 

"You mourn their loss even though you will see them again," he said.

 

"I do. They mean a great deal to me and five hundred years is a long time to wait," she said sadly looking at the stars. "It's getting late."

 

Sesshomaru stood sensing the change in her mood. "Come. I will escort you to your chambers."

 

She merely nodded and placed her hand on the arm offered. They walked in silence each lost in their own thoughts.

 

"Good night, Sesshomaru."

 

"You are not alone, Kagome. You will see them again."

 

He didn't know what possessed him to try and comfort her. He only knew that he didn't like the smell of sorrow in her scent. In return a small smile graced her lips.

 

"Thank you," she said and closed the door. The thought of her family made her miss them terribly. Although five hundred years was a long time she was determined to see them again. Until than she would raise her son, travel and help those that she could. With her mind set she went to bed.

 

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