InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate - ON HOLD ❯ PART FOURTEEN ( Chapter 14 )

DISCLAIMER - The ownership and general brilliance that is the original Feudal Fairy Tale remains the property of its honored and rightfully revered creator Rumiko Takahashi without whose brilliance, we would not have fodder.

Edited By: Meara

Reviews are fuel.

 

EP

 

Japanese Phrases/Words Used In Part Fourteen

Oka-saan - Mother

 

Otousan - Father

 

Nekomata - A bakeneko ("monster cat") is, in Japanese folklore, a cat with supernatural abilities akin to those of the fox or raccoon dog.

 

Nintojo - Staff of Two Heads

Part Fourteen -This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate

 

Change is the only true constant the universe offers. It is a gift. How we choose to accept is determined by our history, our perception of reality, and our ability to bend.

There are days of promise, days of enchantment, days of painful sadness, days of bittersweet memory, and then there are the days of revelation that lead us down hitherto unforeseen paths.

Such was a day for a Miko and a Taiyoukai who stood at a precipice not of their own making. This passing was not of the usual kind. Death of the body was in no way imminent, but the death of a way was. The gift that lay in change is not death, but that of rebirth, never without a catalyst, lest we forget the universe has a wickedly perverse sense of humor.

What proved most telling was not the sudden movement of the Miko, who leapt off the palette clutching the letter, but that of the Taiyoukai, who matched her move for move and blocked her view of the neko as he took up a defensive stance.

Kirara simply continued to lick her paw, seemingly unconcerned with the duo. She purred softly, just waiting.

A soft prod to the Taiyoukai's midsection took his attention away from the feline youkai to that of the miko's face. She currently wore an expression not quite of annoyance, but more of, `I can handle this, oh mighty one. Stand down.'

Realizing he would not do so, the Miko sighed, “She will not hurt us. Remember the letter Sesshoumaru?” she intoned, holding it aloft as his amber eyes glanced at it suspiciously.

He was not reassured under the circumstances. Kirara was a descendant of the nekomata. This group of youkai were infamous for being tricksters who not only had the ability to haunt, but were equally capable of devouring their prey in order to shape shift, perhaps even into the form of the miko. This the Taiyoukai would not allow.

There was much in the letter that required thought. Unfortunately he was not being availed of the time to do so. Right now, the Taiyoukai simply needed to assure the miko's safety for myriad reasons.

If the prophecy was true, he was to sire a pup with the Miko. Two, to his annoyance, his Mate had been chosen without his by-your-leave. Sesshoumaru found the first thought pleased him immeasurably, despite his previous words to the contrary. `A female pup, but one of great abilities,' he thought smugly. Of course, any pup of his would be exceptional. That was a given.

There was however, one fly in the ointment, one niggling thought. The letter mentioned a phrase that haunted the dog demon. Kagome's sire had used it that had implications. The Lord needed to know more before he would speak to her of it intelligibly. There was no way for her to know there was significance to the phrase. It posed more questions than it answered. Who was the demon that assisted Midoriko? Instinctively he knew, but he simply needed proof. Masking his thoughts, he returned his attention to the neko in front of them. He needed time to think.

Kagome watched Sesshoumaru's face intently and recognized his far away expression. She knew he had already begun a meticulous examination of what he had heard. So had she, but first there was the issue of Kirara.

“Kirara do you have something for me, I mean us?” she said clutching the letter, consciously reselecting her words. Was it possible, she was to give birth to a child for Sesshoumaru? It was not such a far flung idea, and if truth be told. She could think of no other she would rather have a child with. Of course, she knew he would be a pompous ass during the proceedings, but equally she could not think of a better father and protector, and she could teach him to show tenderness. He was capable, though he preferred to hide this defect.

The Miko's mind cast back over the time she had spent in his presence and the final words of her Oka-saan with respect to the Taiyoukai. What was more his relationship with Rin was the best evidence of his true abilities and nature.

`Yes, he would make an excellent Chichi,' she thought. Furtively, she looked up at the masculine being in front of her, taking in his ears and wondering absently, if their daughter would have his ears, or his beautiful warm amber eyes, at least warm when they looked at her of late. As if feeling her gaze the Taiyoukai looked at her questioningly, only to receive a soft knowing smile before returning his attention to Kirara.

Taking the opportunity provided by his querulous glance, Kagome stepped forward, being careful not to step in front of the Western Lord, as this would agitate him.

Gracefully the priestess got to her knees to face Kirara, who turned her head to the side and looked, in that moment like an oversized pampered kitten, with front paws splayed to accommodate the priestess' current position.

Kirara was prostrating herself, Sesshoumaru realized. He reined in his youki, which had been in threatening mode. Kirara had merely remained docile throughout, offering no outward resistance.

The Western Lord refused to kneel. He would not do this for any youkai, much less the Miko. Standing his ground, he folded his arms within his sleeves. He maintained an impassive expression though he now stood directly over the Miko like her own personal A Frame. Kagome rolled her eyes and looked up at the Taiyoukai. Then she smiled at the cat demon, raising her brow. The neko purred in acknowledgment of his overzealous protectiveness.

`Midoriko chose rightly,' thought Kirara as she placed her head in Kagome's lap and continued to purr softly.

“She wishes you to touch her head,” said Sesshoumaru in sudden understanding.

Kirara had been speaking to him in the ancient language of the bakeneko all along. His trepidation, which he would never admit, had not allowed him to hear her before this. His sensitive hearing had recognized the hallowed ningen name of the ancient warrior priestess. The Western Lord chastised himself for losing his mental control sufficiently to miss the obvious clues that the neko had directed, her purring to the Taiyoukai in particular. He had been so busy watching for telltale signs of threat to his Miko, he had neglected to hear or see to the obvious.

A low rumble of acknowledgement emanated from his chest directed at the feline youkai.

Finally receiving his permission, Kirara removed her head from Kagome's lap, relieved the Taiyoukai got the message at last. Cautiously, the feline youkai stepped back maintaining eye contact with the Taiyoukai as she continued to purr softly.

“She is preparing to transform,” the dog demon said. He altered his stance, selecting finally to stand beside the Miko, ever watchful. Nothing was to happen to his pup's mother, or for that matter his future Mate.

Kirara reversed until she stood a mere two meters from the duo, and then seemingly burst into white-hot flames.

Usually Kirara's morphing flames were reddish-orange in color, not so in this instance. Her flames were intensely white and violet of hue, infinitely cooler in appearance and yet somehow hotter.

The black diamond crest on the feline's forehead, transformed. The marquise shaped marking disappeared, becoming a shaft of near blinding white light that shot like a laser beam to the Taiyoukai's forehead. It settled over his crescent marking, illuminating it similarly to that of a true moon's iridescence.

Kagome spine tingled instinctively as her own defensive powers came to the fore. She rose hastily to defend the Taiyoukai, her body taking on a pearlescent pink aura that attempted to reach through the flames' barrier.

`Whatever Kirara is doing, it stops now,' thought the priestess.

She might have been hurting the Taiyoukai, and though friend, the Miko would not permit this. Just as she stepped between the two youkai in an attempt to break the contact, callused hands gripped her arms firmly, moving her gently out of the way. Kagome noted the smell of burning flesh. His palms had been scorched in their brief a contact.

Kagome grimaced. Her lack of control had caused the Taiyoukai injury, unintentionally. It had not been her intent to harm, merely protect what was hers. She hoped Sesshoumaru understood.

The priestess stepped back, selecting to watch instead. `They're talking, or something.' She furrowed her brows, trying to decipher what was happening, feeling a tad left out. Kagome was not to realize the scroll immolated in the process of her attempted rescue, something she would come to regret later.

The Taiyoukai's resonant murmuring took on a gentle acquiescent tone similar to that of Kirara, as he began to approach the feline into the flames. Joining her in the light which now engulfed him, the Miko noted the Taiyoukai appeared to become an ethereal being of light, almost transparent. Still nervous for his well being, Kagome watched, clenching and unclenching her hands unsure of what to do, yet realizing he was apparently in no immediate danger. The feline purred softly in response to his quiet murmurings.

It surprised the Miko, when the glowing male turned, reaching one clawed hand for her to join him in the flames with Kirara, who now turned from the Taiyoukai to the Miko. His usually stoic countenance bore something indecipherable, yet laced with newfound understanding. All her nerve endings were on fire as she reached for him.

“Come,” he said quietly, inclining his head towards her. Though not entirely sure, Kagome approached the Taiyoukai and her friend. `Sometimes a moment such as this required unconditional faith,' she thought as she smiled with the youkai and selected to join him in the light, forever altering the course of history as they both knew it.

Large, frightened amber eyes watched from the darkness of the balcony in final acknowledgement of this new sacred trust.

Kagome had never been one to run from a challenge or an adventure. `Sesshoumaru would never do, or will me to do anything that would harm me,' she thought as she grasped his hand and stepped into the flame. Not knowing what to anticipate, she closed her eyes and was enveloped by a sudden feeling of warmth and love. Opening her eyes tentatively, not truly expecting to see with the light's intensity, a female voice, that could only be that of Kirara, spoke within her mind.

“Hello Higurashi Kagome, daughter of Kensho and Aiko, Descendent of the Bow. We have waited long for your incarnation, so very long.”

Kagome was speechless as she looked at Kirara.

“Kirara, you can speak…all this time?” the miko said in shock as the ruby eyes looking back at her smiled softly.

“Yes Kagome, I have always spoken. It was for you to hear and understand,” said a soft, eloquent, feminine voice in amusement.

“We have waited six hundred years for this very moment. Midoriko and the Taishou chose rightly. We are pleased. The outcome is almost assured, but you both have work yet to do. Your respective choices will determine the strength of the outcome,” said Kirara, something in her voice held foreboding regardless of her pleasant tone.

“What do you mean?” said the Miko, suddenly filled with renewed trepidation.

“We can set the course, provide you both the means for victory, but in the final moment, your choice, will be the only difference between victory and loss.”

“Can you not help us with the decision?” said the Priestess.

“No. We can provide your Mate with the way, as we have done now. In order for both worlds to survive, your Mate must be able to traverse both, as your offspring will. Balance must be maintained,” said the neko youkai.

“Okay, I don't understand. Why is it Sesshoumaru must be able to pass between my time and this?” Kagome said with frustration.

“In order for her to bestride both worlds, he has been altered. He now shares your human essence. Only those with human aspect can travel time. He is of pure youkai blood. We needed to intervene, and make you both as one,” said Kirara, “She will be more than hanyou. In order for her to fulfill her mission, she needs the true strength of both species.”

As if in need of his re-assurance, Kagome looked at her Taiyoukai. His features were in constant shift, as though many beings were taking the opportunity to gaze at her, if only for a moment. One being, in particular, caught the miko's attention. Something was familiar about his features, though similar to Sesshoumaru, they were also reminiscent of her best friend and yet not. The vision that ghosted Sesshoumaru's face simply smiled softly with his weathered features and then was gone.

“Her name will be Satori,” said a familiar male voice.

“It is not destiny that speaks Kagome. You will both decide this at her birth. The rest, is yours to foster. Her name will be her shield for a time, just as the jewel protected you. We, who remain un-named stand before her as guardians, until such time she needs us no more.”

Kagome's eyes widened in disbelieve. That was the voice of her Otousan. Looking to the Lord, she realized he heard it too.

This was the unspoken, familiar warmth she felt when she stepped into the light. She now knew, though Kirara was the catalyst, several beings were in the light, one of which was her father.

In that moment, Kagome felt unconditional love, and wondered if Sesshoumaru felt it, too. Though she could never prove it, she felt two unknown beings -one a female, and another distinctively male. If she were to hazard a guess, the female was human, or was human at one time, and of great power. The male however, was not and he was extremely powerful. If she were to describe his essence, it had the will and drive of Sesshoumaru and the heart of Inuyasha. There was but one who represented this ideal.

Sesshoumaru's warm, sun-kissed eyes looked at her curiously, as if in wonderment at her new knowing expression. All she could do in the moment was to reach up and touch his face with the back of her hand softly. Her fingers passed over his lips, feather light. It was ordained. He was hers. Fear of hurt would have to be put aside. She would have to follow the road, far less traveled, with the Western Lord.

Her heart could not encompass the feelings that passed between them both in that moment and, with sadness, she removed her hand from his cheek but kept his grasp with the other. She needed to know, even if briefly, that this moment was real.

Understanding her need, the Taiyoukai spoke, “Her name will be Satori.”

“Yes, Satori is our daughter,” she was to say quietly. She would not remember these words, but the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands would. There before him, enveloped in violet light stood the ningen female he had secretly coveted from his half brother for so long. Her face was radiant and her eyes, something about her eyes, they had an amber cast as new eyes ghosted within hers looking back at him. He blinked… `No it is not possible'…as the light began to fade.

“And you are both mine to protect with my life,” he said in the fading violet light.

Only the sound of the crackling fire remained. Kirara had vanished, but one other remained, unseen, merely watching transfixed.

The soft tap at the shoji screen caused them both to start, before shyly looking at each other once more, breaking the remaining contact of their hands, as though said touch burned or the intimacy far too unfamiliar.

“Is Kirara here? Rin wishes to see her. She told me she would come,” said the Taiyoukai's ward as she entered her lord's chambers.

“No Rin,” said Kagome with a soft reassuring smile, “but I am sure she will be back soon.”

The Priestess reached for the Taiyoukai's outstretched hand and grasped it firmly, looking up at him in re-assurance. No, they had not gone insane. Something had happened in those private moments before his ward entered.

Just from his expression alone, she could tell, he wanted to talk, a rarity, but this was not the right time.

“Get a room, why don't you,” said a gruff masculine voice from the balcony. The red clad hanyou stood in shadows with arms folded and head leaned back defensively ready for battle.

Now that was unexpected. Kagome and Sesshoumaru turned to the hanyou in surprise. How long had Inuyasha been there, Kagome wondered.

“In case you haven't noticed, Inubrata, this is the Taiyoukai's chambers,” said the Miko with a wry smile on her face. She looked at her longtime, handsome and belligerent friend in the shadows, before her eyes returned to her Lord and yes, accepted master, if only in some respects.

Sesshoumaru growled in warning.

Ignoring her comment and the usual threat from his elder sibling, the half-breed snorted and turned his gaze towards Rin.

“She's gone, kid.” Large warm amber returned to glaring at his snotty know-it-all brother. He had questions about what he saw, but it would wait, at least until the kid left. All this was kind of complicated - and very disconcerting.

There in all his unanticipated glory stood a somewhat calm, contemplative Inuyasha. Not looking particularly pleased, but equally, not looking hateful. In fact, his large amber eyes bore an unreadable expression veiled in a mask of defensive indifference.

Sesshoumaru growled once more in warning but never took a step towards his brother, selecting instead to remain within the Miko's grasp.

Though Sesshoumaru thought himself incapable of feeling insecure in the presence of any life form, the presence of his brother brought home his need to mark the Miko, if not this night, soon. There was something within the hanyou's gaze that seriously pissed off the Taiyoukai. Inuyasha's expression held longing that raised the Lord's ire. No male was to look at her in that way save for the Western Lord, her rightful Mate.

Sensing something amiss with his half-brother, Inuyasha addressed the currently mesmerized miko, who clearly had it bad for pretty boy, he noted irritably. Kagome had never looked at him in that way.

“We followed Kirara, in case you're wondering. She started acting weird earlier,” he said as he stretched his long powerful arms over his head, “I had to carry Sango all this way. She weighs a ton. She could do with a diet, if you ask me,” he said less than decorously as Kagome heard his spine crack, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Sesshoumaru instinctively pulled her to him.

Before Kagome could ask who the `We' were…

“Inuyasha!” growled an indignant female from the opened screen door. It was Sango, who stood glaring at her friend the hanyou with intent to kill at the first available opportunity. It would not do for Rin, who had seen much, to see her Uncle `Yasha being dismembered however much he deserved it.

The hanyou snorted and rolled his eyes. “So what was with the light and all this togetherness crap?” The half-breed said in question, masking his interest in his usual harsh tone.

“Sango? Inuyasha? What are you doing here?” said another familiar voice, that of Miroku now standing at the shoji with his lady love, completely perplexed by the sudden gathering.

He had felt the distinct, intense demonic energy in the honmaru and had come to investigate. Though assured by the Taiyoukai of the Miko's safety earlier, he needed proof for himself and was decidedly relieved to find Kagome and even Sesshoumaru intact. The houshi had not expected the added surprise of the delicious Sango and Inuyasha, and come to think of it Rin, who sat in the middle of the Taiyoukai's palette absently blowing on a white feather as she watched her Taiyoukai and Kagome's intimate embrace with clear satisfaction. No one noticed her expression, nor the subtle change in her eye color as she watched the couple…but that for another time.

Sesshoumaru growled quietly in frustration It was evident that he was annoyed. Kagome turned to him and hugged herself to his body in an effort to comfort him and dispel his anger. One thing that truly irritated him about the Miko was her baggage. Wherever she went, not only did the uncouth half-breed follow with his sarcastic commentary, but so did all the ningen she had befriended. All that was missing now was the kitsune from this little conclave.

He wanted nothing more than to have time to discuss the letter with her in the quiet comfort of their palette and get on with marking his female and, perhaps, get a jumpstart on the creation of their pup. It was readily apparent that none of these things would be happening in the near future. The one positive, her scent was changing again, and soon that would be rectified, if he read all the signs right, another day at most. His musings were interrupted by the scent of another's approach…the elder Miko. The Western Lord sighed, as he looked down at the female in his arms.

“This Sesshoumaru has a thousand guards at the ready, to no avail,” he murmured into her ear. “Commander Daichi had some explaining to do before his beheading.”

“Oi! I'll help you with that if you want?” snickered, the hanyou, whose koinu ears missed nothing. His brother's discomfort with not having control of a situation always pleased him. It was clear something of significance had happened, and he would get to the bottom of it. Inuyasha noted Kagome seemed remarkably relaxed in the Taiyoukai's arms. Not comforting exactly, but she seemed safe. For that, Inuyasha was pleased.

“The prophecy has been fulfilled at last,” said a satisfied Kaede. She, too, had felt the demonic energy coming from the Taiyoukai's chambers, but unlike Miroku, had waited.

She had known what it meant.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, may I be of service?” said a frightened pubertal voice, which came from behind the billowing robes of the houshi.

The kappa had watched beyond the shoji and felt the intense surge of previously unknown power. Unaware what he could truly do to save his Master, Jaken had run back to his quarters to retrieve the nintojo, in case he needed to call other youkai for help, or leap in to defend his Lord. Thankfully, none of this had been necessary.

Kagome chuckled light heartedly against her Taiyoukai's chest.

“Hn,” said the Taiyoukai, clearly not in the least bit amused by the proceedings, or the inordinate amount of beings in his private quarters.

“Jaken, have the dining hall prepared,” said Sesshoumaru, finally able to look away from the giggling miko.

She had been unaccountably quiet since the invasion of their chambers, selecting to hold him closely with eyes closed. For whatever reason he looked at the top of her onyx locks then at his brother and assumed a supercilious expression, possession being nine tenths of mating. The Miko had chosen.

“Jaken, prepare the hall. Megumi undoubtedly can offer tea at this late hour. We will all convene there momentarily,” he reiterated meaningfully, keeping his brother's eyes in challenge.

Bowing, with just a hint of trepidation, Jaken left his Lord's chambers, casually noting the possessive hold of his Master with respect to the Kagome female he held so tightly. A sudden thought occurred to his retainer. He had never taken care of a newborn pup, perhaps Megumi could instruct him. She had four young and one still required nursing. She could provide him details as to its care, he thought as he waddled out of the chambers mumbling distractedly.

“Lord Asshole… I get it,” said Inuyasha disparagingly. “You can let her go now. You're suffocating your prized bitch.” Inuyasha said, as he pushed between the two, stopping briefly to stare in challenge as fiery amber met frigid citrine.

“Fuck up, and you're dead. Don't disappoint her…or me.” Inuyasha ground out between clenched teeth. His fangs protruded menacingly at his much seemingly despised elder kin, who glowered at him in return, unsure of what to make of his last word.

Inuyasha turned and embraced the Miko tightly, not daring to look into her shocked brown eyes, ignoring the low constant growl behind him.

Letting her go in a flash, the red clad hanyou exited the Taiyoukai's chambers following on the kappa's heels towards the dining hall, as though following his lead.

Sango smiled softly at the still stunned Kagome and turned her soft brown eyes to the Western Lord giving him a not so veiled threatening look before pulling a protesting houshi with her towards the dining hall.

Kaede remained within the chambers, as did Rin.

Unfolding her arthritic hands, she beckoned Sesshoumaru's ward, who peacefully returned the feather to Kagome's pillow and happily took the elder Miko's hand.

Looking from one to the other the elderly priestess spoke.

“When ye return Kagome, ye will be with child, and I will have the honor of delivering her in due time.”

Looking at the Taiyoukai she inclined her head. “You will attend, Lord Sesshoumaru. Your daughter will need your presence at her birth.” With that, she turned and hobbled slowly, with the aid of Rin, towards the hall.

Then there were two - finally silence.

“Sesshoumaru?” said the Miko, who found herself in a rare condition: speechless.

Never one particularly good with things unexpected or emotionally charged, the Taiyoukai's face brightened, as he looked on the futon at her reading matter.

Unbeknownst to Kagome, she had not selected her current favorite romantic novel, but her unspoken talisman, which always had a place in her backpack; her father's favorite moth eaten novel.

“Miko? What is `Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?' ”

The Miko began to snort in an unladylike fashion as the demon lord continued to stare at her, innocently turning his handsome face to her, genuinely awaiting an erudite response.

This made Kagome laughed at the sheer abstract perversity of his query and her seemingly mistaken choice. There are no mistakes, she would come to find.

Only the Western Lord could take in the extraordinary events of their evening and manage to find, or more accurately select to find, something so far flung from what his true question was, so as to distance himself from that which he did not yet have an answer for. Sesshoumaru, Kagome realized, was seeking a safe harbor, away from the tumult, away from the unknown that faced them both.

“You are a snoop,” she said as she reached up, still smiling, her eyes tearing, as she tweaked his pointed delicate, shell-like ears.

“Hn,” he said noncommittally as he bent his head, looking at her lips with clear intent to kiss.

“Behave,” said the Miko with one raised finger to his lips. “I believe we have a meeting to attend?”

“Hn…”

This, of course, presented the Taiyoukai with another opportunity to touch his female. He lifted her, adjusting her yukata, which had a habit of coming undone and revealing far too much shapely smooth leg under the circumstances. With her arms slung about his neck casually, she merely watched him adjust his favorite mannequin and began to explain.

“That dog eared book, no pun intended, belonged to my Otousan. It was one of his few, cherished possessions and is now mine. He read to me from it. I never really understood it, but I simply loved to sit in his lap and listen. It is the story of a road trip and the ningen who made it and all the people he encountered on his journey,” she said as she adjusted his bangs to get a better look at his crescent. It seemed a little raised and still glowed somewhat and remained warmer than normal to the touch.

He gave her a sidelong look indicating he was not impressed with her telling of this tale and he would clearly have to read this at the first opportunity. If, for no other reason, her sire prized the bound scroll, as did she.

“Not to spoil the ending for this, Lord Sesshoumaru, but if you select to read it, you will find, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the trip and everything to do with the man and his approach to life,” she said. Though her explanation had been brief, Kagome finally understood her father's love of this particular piece of foreign fiction. Even now he was showing her the way, she realized.

Sesshoumaru stepped through the fusuma with the Miko cosseted in his arms protectively to find seven sets of eyes staring up at them both- in anticipation. It had begun.

Change is the only constant the universe had to offer; its gift. It is for those in the midst of it, to realize it.

The Shikon-No-Miko and the Taiyoukai finally did, as did one other who smiled menacingly as he returned the mirror to Kan'na.

Author's Note

Enter Naraku…lesson five learned.

EP