InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Vying for Dominance ❯ Quite the Party ( Chapter 14 )

Quite the Party

 

 

Kagome glared heatedly at the spot where Sesshomaru had vanished from. If she had an extra set of subjugations beads, she would have definitely sat him for gaining the height of the dais platform in one graceful leap while she was left behind, on the arena floor, with her hands tied, and no way to climb up the nearly six foot drop.

 

“Problems, priestess?”

 

She could hear the mocking tone used by the elder Lord, but she refused to let it get to her. “Not at all, my Lord,” she replied as passively as she could. Stepping back from her current dilemma, Kagome turned her attention to the one with the Indigo markings. He was Inu, but only by half. “Ookami-san,” she addressed him pleasantly, “Would you kindly help a sister out?”

 

Jomon's eyes drew wide in shock as he looked down at the little miko. “Sister?”

 

With a grin, Kagome nodded. “Kouga-kun has been quite kind to me over the years. And if I am not mistaken, you have ties to his pack, as well.”

 

From beside the stunned Jomon, Haiiro barked out a laugh as he cuffed his large arm across the back of Jomon's shoulders. “That's what you get for being a mongrel, boy!”

 

Snapped out of his daze, Jomon snarled angrily and hit Haiiro's arm away. “This `mongrel' has already defeated you once, Haiiro, as well as every other Inu that cared to dispute my rights to be here. Unless you want to meet with the end of my claws again, you will keep such comments to yourself!”

 

With an exacerbated sigh, Kagome shook her head. “Men. They're all the same, aren't they?” Holding her tied hands up to the empty space beside her, she asked, “I don't suppose you would help me out of this one, would you? If I leave it up to them, I just might end up standing here until my next birthday.”

 

“Do you suppose she is talking to anyone in particular?” Tannis asked Sesshomaru curiously. When no reply was given, he followed Sesshomaru's gaze back to the miko, only to find that the ropes binding her hands were being cut away by an invisible source. He blinked hard to try and clear his vision, thinking that perhaps, just perhaps, he had had one too many drinks. But when he looked again, the miko was free of the ropes binding her hands, and lifting herself with relative ease onto the dais platform.

 

Pulling herself to her feet, Kagome patted away a layer of dust from her ruined Kimono. She sighed a little when she realized there was really no help for the garment, but she was content to make do. Plastering her best smile on her lips, she brought her attention to the Lord's table.

 

They were all looking at her. But there was something about the way that they were looking at her that was just…weird. “What?” she asked in confusion. They had said that she could join them, didn't they?

 

It was Tannis that voiced the query. “Miko, what manner of trickery is this?”

 

“Trick?” Kagome looked blankly at the golden Inu for a moment before turning to her side. “What does he mean, `trick'?”

 

Light chimes of laughter filled the air as the other replied. “Dear miko,” she said sweetly, “They are dogs. They can not see in color. And I am merely a shade of grey.”

 

“Shaeda,” Takked growled irritably. “Dispel that mirage. You know I do not appreciate your games.”

 

Laughing again, the shade shook herself away from the cast of the shadows. From out of the dark covering of her midnight hair, her petite frame and cherub features gradually became visible to the Inu gathered. The shimmering black of her eyes glinted in the sun as she smiled joyfully.

 

“Uncle,” she called to Takked in a sing-song voice. “Are you not happy to see me?”

 

“I would be happier if you would cease with your insistence on calling me uncle,” he replied.

 

With a tiny squeak of offense, Shaeda's full lips pulled into a sulking pout. “InuPapa would not have me call you anything else.” She smiled suddenly and turned to Sesshomaru. “Isn't that right, brother dear?”

 

“Unfortunately,” Sesshomaru replied dispassionately.

 

“Well, now that that is settled,” she exclaimed with an exuberant clap of her hands, “Who needs a drink?”

 

Immediately, Tannis lifted his cup, and Shaeda once again was thrown into a light bout of giggles. “Oh, Tannis, you dog,” she chided him lightly. “I will get to you in just a moment.” Turning to Kagome, she offered her a pleasant smile. “Come, miko,” she said as she began ushering her towards the head of the table. “I am afraid that there are no extra places, but uncle does not need such a large cushion.”

 

“Why do you call him uncle?” Kagome couldn't help but wonder. The youkai was obviously not Inu. In fact, Kagome wasn't even sure she knew what she was.

 

“Because my InuPapa was his brother,” Shaeda replied. But, leaning in closer to Kagome, she added in a softer voice. “But do not let them fool you, miko. The General was not as terrible as they would make him seem.”

 

General…Of course. Shaeda had called Sesshomaru brother, and Kagome had already felt the strong similarities between Sesshomaru and Takked's auras.

 

Smiling, Kagome nodded her head. “I know.”

 

Upon reaching Takked's left side, Kagome inclined her head to him and waited for him to give her permission to sit. After a moment, he waved his arm in a passive gesture of allowance. But just as she began to lower herself to sit on the large pillow with the elder Lord, a strong current of dark energy from behind her burned against her senses. She straightened immediately and turned.

 

“Never.” Kuro's voice was ripped with the fierce snarl that erupted from his throat. His eyes burned in fury, but in the dark of his iris, the crimson tides were made black and terrible. “A Human will never sit at my table.”

 

He took a step closer to Kagome, but was met by the swift turning of Shaeda. She hissed at him in challenge, her forked tongue flicking out of her mouth and her dark eyes slitting with sharp lines of iridescent green.

 

“This has never been your table, Kuro,” she spit. “And it never will be.”

 

“More mine than yours, waif,” he returned with fury. “And so long as I sit at this table, no human shall ever do so.”

 

“Perhaps you will not long be sitting at this table, Kuro,” Shaeda hissed. “Was not that your son that disgraced himself in the arena earlier?”

 

Kuro's eyes narrowed dangerously. “That traitor has been dealt with, just as any other that would disgrace our traditions and our laws. He is to be given no more than the lowly rouges he has reduced himself to. And she,” his eyes moved to Kagome, “She is no different from them.”

 

“Kuro, you…”

 

“No.” Kagome's voice cut off Shaeda's words. She took a step forward to stand at the demoness' side. “If you do not wish me to sit,” she told Kuro evenly, “Then I shall stand.”

 

Turning away from the dark Inu, Kagome bowed to the elder Lord. “I am sorry, Lord Takked, but I must decline your most generous offer. Perhaps, though, I might be of service in filling your cups.”

 

“A wonderful idea!” Tannis exclaimed as he held up his still-empty cup. The motion had, most deliberately, caused his elbow to jab into Sesshomaru's shoulder beside him.

 

Sesshomaru shot Tannis a sideways glance of disproval at his persuasion tactics; but, though feigning disinterest, he responded to it anyways. Reaching for his cup, he drained it of the crimson liquid before lifting it to be filled again. “Shaeda,” he called for the chameleon's attention to turn her away from her standoff with Kuro. When she turned, she did so slowly; her instinct to fight not leaving her. But though Sesshomaru would never underestimate Shaeda's abilities, he didn't want her testing them against Kuro. She would only end up using another of her priceless gifts, and she so hated to part with her `treasures'.

 

Besides, Kagome had done well. Very well. “Since even a human is capable of filling a cup, I suggest you use your time to find your new doll attire less offensive to the senses.”

 

“Oh!” Shaeda's eyes widened with glee, the sharp edges of her darker side dulling as she returned to her normal state. “I love presents! Thank you, Sesshomaru!”

 

Turning to Kagome, Shaeda wrapped her arms around her shoulders and pulled her into an excited hug. “Just you wait,” she told her cheerily. “I will make you the finest Lady Miko there ever was!”

 

Pulling, somewhat stiffly, away from the youkai's strange embrace, Kagome laughed nervously. “That really isn't necessary.”

 

“Necessary?” Shaeda questioned with a giggle. “Why, of course it is necessary! I love buying pretty things for my dolls. Besides,” she added with a sly wink and a wide grin as she turned. “It is fun to spend Sesshomaru's money.”

 

“It is a good thing you have plenty, pup,” Tannis laughed from Sesshomaru's side, “else that one would clean you out in no time. You know, though,” he added in tone less slurred by his drink. “A mate would be able to put her in line. Auria has been quite looking forward to…”

 

“Shaeda shall never be put into place, Tannis,” Sesshomaru interrupted frigidly. “Do not forget for whom she served.”

 

With a sigh, Tannis abandoned his efforts to sway Sesshomaru's decision. The boy was far too stubborn; and with every passing year, Auria had grown more and more restless. If the pups could not find their peace with each other soon…

 

Sighing again, Tannis lifted his cup. “Miko, if you would.” He was suddenly in need of another drink.

 

“Of course,” Kagome replied quickly. She picked up the closest serving pitcher and made her away around the large table to kneel at Tannis' side and pour his drink.

 

She watched curiously as the blood-red liquid poured into the cup. Whatever it was, it was pungent in its scent, burning against her nose as she breathed it in. she wondered how it was that creatures with such sensitive noses could be drinking it. Curious, she just had to ask. “What is this stuff?”

 

“Blood wine,” Tannis replied with a greedy growl as he took his newly-filled cup and drained it before setting it back in front of Kagome to be filled again.

 

The little miko, however, wasn't paying any attention to the cup set before her. She was busy looking down into the decanter she held in horror. “Blood?...Wine?...” she stuttered weakly.

 

From down the table, Jomon laughed at the sudden pallor of the miko's skin. “Do not worry, miko,” he teased. “It is not human blood.”

 

Kagome released a shaky sigh of relief. But, and she really wished she hadn't been so curious; but she simply had to know... “Then what is it?”

 

With a snicker of amusement, Jomon replied, “Dragon's blood!”

 

Palling even further, Kagome looked back down to the vile liquid and groaned, “I think I'm gong to be sick.”

 

“A berry.” Sesshomaru's comment had Kagome turning to him. He spared a look at her out of the corner of his eye before continuing. “The drink is made from a toxic berry called Dragon's Blood.”

 

“Toxic?”

 

“Wouldn't be fun otherwise,” Tannis told her with a wink as he nudged his cup towards her again.

 

Jomon lifted his cup as well. “I'll drink to that!”

 

Laughing softly, Kagome shook her head and poured the old dog his drink before rising and moving down the table to Jomon. “You're bad,” she scolded him lightly as she reached for his cup.

 

He clicked his fangs together in a playful snap. “It is in my nature, miko.”

 

“Hm,” she mused softly. Finishing pouring his drink, she turned to him and winked. “Then I suppose that would make me good, wouldn't it?”

 

“Perhaps,” Jomon allowed.

 

Leaning back slightly, he allowed himself a better look over the young miko. She was fair enough, for her kind; her skin smooth and tanned, her curves soft and pleasant to look at, her eyes a sparkling sapphire, and her hair, though somewhat matted from her ordeal, still faintly catching the sunlight to make the midnight strands seem lit with golden fire.

 

But it was her manner that was most compelling. She was bold, but not foolishly so. She voiced questions openly, and yet still knew when to fall back into her place, or when to challenge it. And he knew all too well what it was like to be just outside of things, to have to fight for what you would not be given freely.

 

“Tell me, miko,” he asked curiously, “How is it you are acquainted with my cousin's pack?”

 

Kagome shrugged. “Kouga has possession of two Shikon shards.”

 

“That does not explain why you would be so openly accepted,” Jomon pressed.

 

Kagome gulped a little. That was one question that she knew he expected an answer for. She released a nervous laugh. “For some reason he has this ridiculous notion that I will become his mate.”

 

“You?” Looking at the miko in complete shock, the question came out before he could think better of it. “Why?”

 

“I know, right?” Kagome answered quickly. “I mean, the guy already has Ayame, a real princess, and he wants me? And no mater how many times I tell him it's never going to happen, he still insists on calling me his `woman'. Like even!” She huffed a little over the idea of `belonging' to someone. She belonged to no one! Especially not that over-amorous wolf! “Besides,” she added off-handedly, “I could never get over the weirdness of living with that many people. I only spent two days with the pack, and every time I went to the washroom I was constantly looking over my shoulder!”

 

“Washroom?”

 

Laughing nervously again, Kagome waved her hand in an absent gesture. “Yeah, you know…” The blank looks she was getting, however, told her plainly that, no, they really didn't know. Her cheeks flushing in embarrassment, she tried, “When nature calls?” Still nothing. Her blush was rapidly spreading from her cheeks and down her neck; so, rather than embarrassing herself any further, she leaned over to Jomon and whispered the answer in his ear.

 

His eyes widened momentarily, but he soon broke into a riotous fit of laughter. “And you called me bad?” he taunted through his mirth. “Takked,” he panted as he turned to look at the elder lord down the length of the table. “You were right, she is a jester!”

 

Kagome was mortified. All she could manage to do was huff angrily at the laughing wolf before standing stiffly and turning on her heel to leave him and his laughing self behind her.

 

“To not offer drink is an insult.”

 

Kagome stopped walking immediately and turned back to where she had passed the black Inu Kuro. The dark focus of his eyes were daring her to contradict him, but challenging her to comply all at once. He was telling her how dangerous he was and taunting her to come closer to find why. But she knew that to insult him by not doing her hostess duties would give him even more cause to lash out at her. She did not plan on giving him a reason.

 

“My apologies, Lord Kuro,” she said. “But I did not believe you would want for a human to pour your drink.”

 

“Who are you to be thinking for me, mortal?” he growled in return.

 

Not willing to respond to such a question, she asked instead, “Would you care for a drink, Lord Kuro?”

 

His eyes narrowed angrily. “Not from filth like you,” he spit.

 

“Very well then.” Kagome turned swiftly away from him. Her hand was clutching the pouring flask she held so tightly that her knuckles were white, but she refused to let her anger get the better of her. With her eyes trained straight ahead, she made her way to the head of the table.

 

“Would another drink please my Lords?” she asked as she kneeled between Sesshomaru and Takked.

 

That question…Looking down and seeing that this time it was the miko by his side was relaxing somehow. Like something out of place had finally been set right.

 

She wasn't looking at him, but she didn't need her eyes to feel the soothing warmth that spread across her senses from being so close to the dance of Sesshomaru's powers. The tension from her encounter with Kuro was melted away in the wash of those flames, and she smiled despite herself as she reached forward to take the cup he offered to her.

 

“You are quite skilled at diversion, miko.”

 

Startled by the sudden statement from Takked, Kagome nearly poured Sesshomaru's drink on the table. But she managed to catch herself at the last second and steady her hand. “Diversion?” she asked Takked as pleasantly as she could as she carefully poured the dark liquid into Sesshomaru's cup.

 

“You never did answer my question,” The elder lord replied. “If you indeed contested for an Inu male, why is he not here?”

 

Setting the pouring flask down on the table, Kagome lowered her eyes to prevent herself from looking upon Sesshomaru. “He…” She couldn't lie. But she didn't have to. “My protector is unwelcome here.”

 

“A rogue,” Kuro sneered.

 

Kagome shook her head slowly. “No. A hanyou.”

 

“Hanyou?” The elder mused. “Yes, I recall hearing something about an Inuhanyou that fought for the Shikon Miko.” Leaning back, he looked to Sesshomaru. “You have had contact with this rogue, have you not, Sesshomaru? Is he as able as the young miko attests?”

 

Kagome looked to Sesshomaru, as well. She had always known of his hatred for his brother, but it seemed impossible to her that he could have kept this secret from others of his kind. How could he sit there and deny the son of Inu no Taisho, his own brother, his rightful place, the recognition he deserved? How could he be so cold?

 

“A waste of time!” Kuro cut in with a ripping snarl. “Hanyou filth serve no purpose except for sport! Those things are a disgrace! As are any that share affinity with them! I say, that any Inu that would lower himself to rut with a worthless human wench is no better than the ningen filth; and that they and their repulsive offspring should be hunted down and killed!”

 

“How dare you.” Kagome's voice was nothing more than a whisper, but it was filled with oaths of deadly promise. “That you could be so pompous and arrogant, that you could think yourself so much better because of your `pure blood', that you could honestly believe that what makes a man could be determined by whom he shares his bead with; it is repulsive. I know this youkai that sired my hanyou protector, and he was the greatest of your kind. Hundreds of years from now, and still there will be stories told about him, still people of all races will hear of his deeds and know of his battles, still he will be revered and respected. He shall be a true immortal, living on even after his death. And who are you? What stories have been told of you? Who will remember someone who has no deeds and no accomplishments, who has nothing but for his contempt and his disgusting displays of prejudice and hatred?”

 

“Insolent wench!”

 

In an instant the Inu was on his feet, a movement so fast that mortal eyes could not detect it. But Kagome would never fear such a creature, one so blinded by his own dark desires and deluded self-importance that he could not see the light of truth. He would have attacked her for being so bold, for speaking such words to him, Kagome knew this. But she knew as well that he would never be permitted to bring her harm for speaking only of truth, and of true greatness.

 

The dark Inu stretched his claws towards her, but he was caught and thrown back with astonishing force, crashing into the framework of the dais and being covered by the falling debris. Though he recovered quickly, shaking away the splintered planks and rubble as he gained his feet, the Inu could not, would not, make another move.

 

It was Sesshomaru that barred his path towards the miko, and though the other did knot know it, it had been Sesshomaru that had bore the insult of the black Inu's accusations against his father.

 

“This table has never permitted violence,” Sesshomaru informed the dark one in a voice steeled by cutting ice, “Nor has it welcomed any that would wish it so.”

 

For a moment more, Kuro held his ground against Sesshomaru. His claws were twitching with nearly invisible movements as he fought with himself over whether to attack or withdrawal. In the end, it was reason that won out. He snarled in displeasure before turning away from Sesshomaru.

 

Tannis chuckled in unveiled amusement when Kuro finally took his leave from the dais. “Quite the party, Takked,” he commented. “Hell, even Sesshomaru seems to be enjoying himself.” He sent a playful wink at Kagome. “He doesn't get out much, you know.”

 

Ignoring the sharp and pointed glare sent in his direction by Sesshomaru as he seated himself again at the table, Tannis smiled broadly at the young priestess and took another long draw from his flask. “Funny though,” he slurred as he brought his bleary eyes back to focus on Kagome, “I seem to recall you saying that you were acquainted with one of us; but I think I would remember a spirited girl like you, be you human or otherwise. So, tell me, little miss, why is it you believe one of us would recognize you?”

 

“I…” She was caught, and she knew it. How could she answer without exposing Sesshomaru? How could she answer without implicating herself in a lie? Shaking her head slowly, she replied, “I don't think it is my place to say.”

 

“Protecting your allies,” Jomon mused. He nodded shortly at Kagome. “I can respect that.”

 

“Sounds to me like you are admitting your guilt, Jomon,” Haiiro said from beside him, his words rumbling with deep disproval.

 

With a wave of his hand, Jomon dismissed the notion. “I am simply trying to avoid any further conflict. Enough accusations have been thrown about on this day.” He smiled pleasantly and looked to Kagome. “Would you not agree, miko?”

 

Sighing in relief, Kagome returned his smile gratefully. “Yes. Thank you.”

 

“I am afraid that this is not enough.” It was Takked that had spoken, and all eyes turned to him. “A gesture of trust,” he supplied to Kagome. “Any here that would dispute your word could justly use your silence as a means of asserting your presence here is not as it would seem. Be it then your words to justify your actions. If they be true, then you have no fear of repercussion.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened apprehensively, and slowly, she allowed her gaze to travel along the length of the table. All eyes were trained on her, those eyes that glinted so fiercely in the golden light of the sun. A pack of hunters, all of whom were unquestionably deadly. With her gift of sight, she could know every one of them, feel the distinct impression of each of their aura's. And yet, she knew none of them, none except for one. But if He would so readily dismiss his own kin, what chance would she have of him supporting her words? Could she trust Sesshomaru enough to support her now?

 

“Speak, miko.”

 

Startled by the sound of his voice, Kagome blinked hard to set her focus on Sesshomaru. Through his piercing gaze, she could see nothing beyond the wasteland of ice, couldn't tell what it was he wanted from her. So desperately she wanted to ask him, but she knew she couldn't. If only she could see what she had that night, if only for an instant she could see beyond those barriers.

 

“Twill be alright, young one,” Tannis soothed her gently. “But you best not keep the Lords waiting.” He lifted his eyes momentarily to Sesshomaru, the golden surfaces regaining their sharp edge for a moment as the drink cleared from his vision. “Some do not take so kindly to delays.”

 

But though Kagome had heard his voice and his soft assurances, her sight remained trained on Sesshomaru.

 

`You need never fear me, Kagome.' She could only hope that his words had been true.

 

“The lure of the Shikon is great,” she finally replied. “As its guardian, I know that only the strongest of will can turn away from its call. Only the strongest. I would never entrust it to someone if there was even a chance that they would attempt to use it, or it to use them. I knew that Lord Sesshomaru would never be turned by the jewel and never seek to use its power to augment his own. I knew this because I know that, like me, he seeks to destroy the one that has sought to use the Jewel's dark power. I know because I have seen his blade drawn in battle against my enemy. And though the enemy of my enemy may not be my friend, he is not my enemy, either.”

 

“An interesting philosophy, miko,” Sesshomaru replied, his words clipped and measured and so cold they nearly made her shiver, “But I have always been of the mind that one must keep their friends close, and their enemies…” He paused, giving time for the chill of his words to seep into her bones. His eyes had narrowed dangerously, the crimson fires ablaze beneath the placid gold of his eyes, igniting them with sharp lances of amber fury; and his voice dropped into a dark whisper, “…even closer.”

 

Refusing to say anything more or to bear any further scrutiny by the assembly, Sesshomaru stood from the table, leaving Kagome with no option but to watch in muted horror and disbelief as he walked away.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Don't you just love how minor characters can pop out of thin air, shake the plot up a bit, and then fade back into the either? Lol I do! So much so, that sometimes I just forget to add them back into the story (did anyone notice how Myoga suddenly disappeared in Twilight and was never seen again? Hehe, I did, but only after reading through it again after not working on it for a bit…oopsie :P)

 

But I can't forget about my Shaeda. I know, it's cheating a little to steal characters from my other stories, but have you seen how many characters there are showing up in this story? Sheesh! I'm used to writing cannon, so having to do so many of my own characters is…interesting. Still, I like Shaeda. And I have an important role for her in this story, so I'm using her. (It is also the only way I get the fun of calling InuPapa InuPapa XD)

 

And last, that was an extra long chapter because I thought that it just wouldn't have the right impact if I split it up. It just felt better to me to keep going until the scene drew to its close. So, I guess it's just Shadow's treat for you readers ;) I hope you all enjoyed.

 

Well, I'm off for now. Till next time,

 

Shadow