InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Vying for Dominance ❯ Now or Never ( Chapter 19 )

Now or Never

 

“Come, miko Kagome. It is not proper to leave our Lords waiting so long for their hostess.”

 

Accepting the hand offered to her by Kara gratefully, Kagome rose to her feet, smoothing her hands over her gown before turning to Auria and Enai to offer her farewell. “Thank you both again. I look forward to our next meeting.” Her smile was cunning, conveying her anticipation for Auria's decision and the coming challenge.

 

Oh, she knew it was coming. No matter how much she thought she could hide it, Auria wanted no part of a mating with Sesshomaru. Just as well. Kagome would have had to feel a touch bad when she showed her up in the arena and took over her place. It wasn't for Sesshomaru that she was so set on proving herself in such a way. Not really. It was for herself, to prove in her own mind that she really was not in second place. If it just so happened to help Auria out of her dilemma and impress Sesshomaru while she was at it, then all the better.

 

“Do try to stay out of trouble for a time, miko,” Enai bid her. Then, with a wink, added, “I wouldn't want to miss out on any of the action.”

 

At this, Kagome laughed. “Believe me, I would if I could, but trouble just seems to find me wherever I go.”

 

“You are very fortunate then, miko, to have found such an able protector.”

 

It was Auria who had spoken, and Kagome turned to her suspiciously, wondering what exactly she had meant by her soft statement. “Yes it is,” she replied, though even she wasn't quite sure to whom she was referring.

 

“Come, miko,” Kara urged once more from her side. “We should be going.”

 

Nodding slightly in agreement, Kagome looked to Auria one last time before she turned. She knew that more had been said than she might have wished. But there was no going back now. Whatever Auria thought she knew, it could only be based on speculation. But suspicion she had come to expect from those of her kind. Youkai simply could not forget or forgive the ancient feud between their peoples. It was only because she had never experienced the rift separating their species that Kagome could keep such an open mind. She did not expect others to be so easily convinced. But still, she would try to make them see that the lines separating them were not as impossible as they may seem. She would try. And maybe, just maybe, He might come to see it as well.

 

“She is hiding something,” Auria observed quietly once the miko was beyond range of hearing.

 

“Yes,” Enai agreed fully with her sister. “The question is though: what?”

 

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

 

“You should take more care, miko.” Kara had whispered the words so quietly that Kagome found it difficult to hear.

 

The Raven had her head down, ever the passive one. But while all her life she had submitted, she was not the weak thing she would have everyone believe she was. She had been trained well by her father, may the gods rest him well. He would not have a weakling pup, unable to defend themselves; not even a female. She simply had no care for the contests…Had never, at least, until she had been brought to the Lord's table, been in the company of such greatness, presented as the prize of their festival by Lord Takked himself.

 

Never had she been so honored, felt so proud. The fact that her champion mate was not to be didn't matter. Her status was greater now, to have been seen at the side of their Lords. Surely she could find a suitable mate should she choose, one that would fight for her, stand for her, and accept her favor as she gave it freely. It was a beautiful tradition that she had only just begun to understand.

 

But, unfortunately, she knew that these days could be ugly as well. “Auria is powerful. And she grows suspicious of you, miko.”

 

“I know that,” Kagome whispered in reply. “I know.” And she knew all too well. “But I…I have to do this.”

 

Nodding mutely in understanding, Kara would not dispute the miko choice. “Then take care, Kagome. Guard your secret well, lest you find your death on the arena floor.”

 

Kagome looked quickly to the raven in shock. “Death? I thought it was forbidden to kill in the contests.”

 

“It is…” Slowly, Kara lifted her eyes, allowing Kagome to see the seriousness muting the shimmer of the dark surfaces. “…for the males.”

 

Kagome gulped. Hard. Things had just gotten a little more…complicated.

 

Finding silence a good thing to process her thoughts, Kagome walked with Kara for a time before speaking again. When she did though, her comment startled the raven so much that her step actually faltered.

 

“Guys suck!”

 

Kara blinked rapidly as she caught her footing, turning to the miko in absolute disbelief. “I beg your pardon?”

 

“They suck!” Kagome repeated with flair. “I mean, it's all well and good for them to get a little bloody and then drink away their losses, but they actually expect the women to do all the hard work! I mean, seriously! As if giving birth and dealing with every other problem that comes with being a woman wasn't bad enough, they still want more! And to think that you would just walk out there to your deaths to fight for their high and mighty selves….ARG!”

 

Kagome was absolutely livid. That son of a bitch! He had done it on purpose! And he probably would have let her die out in those woods if she hadn't been the one to out-show that silver bitch! And now, because she was so stupid she actually thought she could do something to impress the jerk, she ends up getting herself into yet another battle that was just as likely to end in her death. Of course, she shouldn't have been surprised. Any time Sesshomaru was involved in anything -Ever - something usually ended up dying. But for shit sakes! It wasn't supposed to be her!

 

“Miko, please,” Kara pleaded with her anxiously. “You must mind your voice.” There were far too many that could hear her now.

 

Seeing how much she was upsetting Kara, Kagome slumped in defeat. She couldn't even express herself here without fearing the repercussions of what she did. Every word, every action, everything she did was scrutinized ruthlessly. One wrong move and it would spell the end for her. She was getting so tired of it all. “I just want to go home,” she whispered dejectedly.

 

“There now, miko.” Wrapping her arm around Kagome's shoulders in support, Kara soothed her gently. “It is not as bad as it may seem. Auria is not known to kill those who would face her in contest. Even Gina she allowed to maintain her position after her defeat. I was only trying to warn you of the dangers. As you have seen yourself, some can not accept their defeat as gracefully as others. It is because our females have been known to carry their grudges, some so hateful that it has managed to divide the pack, that our laws allow for such things to be settled permanently.”

 

“So, basically,” Kagome drawled out, “If I just manage to keep from pissing anyone off too bad, I should be alright.”

 

“I suppose…” Kara answered slowly. Though, with a small giggle, she added, “Though I would not use those words.”

 

Kagome's smile was fragile as she looked to the raven, but it was of pure gratitude. “Thank you, Kara. You don't know how thankful I am to have you with me.”

 

“It truly is a pleasure, miko Kagome,” Kara replied with a smile of her own.

 

“Right then.” With a determined nod, Kagome set her sights towards the dais again. “Let's get this show on the road.” Turning slightly to Kara she gave her a wink. “Maybe you can show me the ropes up there.”

 

“Ropes?”

 

“Yeah,” Kagome laughed. “You know, show me how to pour a drink for an over-stuffed Lord.”

 

“Miko,” Kara said slowly as her shock faded, “I do not believe that you are…”

 

Her words had died on her lips, and her relaxed stance had stiffened. Kagome had felt it as well as the raven had sensed it: something was coming. And whatever it was, it had Kara scared stiff.

 

“What is it Kara?” Kagome asked as she cautiously turned towards the approaching aura.

 

“Mesudoku…” the raven whispered in reply, her eyes anxiously searching the distance. A soft whine sounded in her throat as she turned to Kagome. “I am sorry, miko, but I can not help you any longer.” Backing away slowly from Kagome, Kara bowed deeply and waited.

 

Ok, so, this was probably bad. Kagome waited anxiously for this newcomer to arrive. Female, she knew that much. And powerful. But there was just something about the aura of this female that had Kagome wondering. It was just too familiar. A tiny smirk worked its way onto Kagome's lips when the bitch finally came into her range of vision and she realized what it was.

 

She was a silver, her long flowing mane of hair brushed by moonbeams, just as she was marked with its crest upon her brow. Only one house of youkai would bear such a marking. Only one. And judging by the way this female carried herself, Kagome knew she was unquestionably the leading Lady, the Alpha Bitch.

 

With passing notice, Kagome took note of the one accompanying the silver Lady. Gina. She should have known. But she knew that she could not find her retribution against that lowly bitch just yet. She had bigger problems to worry about…Starting with: what do you say to the mother of the man you've been sleeping with?

 

When Mesudoku came to a stop several yards away from where she stood, Kagome bowed deeply. “My Lady,” she greeted her with difference, knowing it to be her place.

 

“Human.”

 

Thankfully, with her head bowed, the bitch couldn't see the scowl that formed on Kagome's lips. So that's where he got his charming personality, she thought in annoyance. But, forcing a grin, Kagome straightened to face the bitch. “Yeah, well, I tried being a bird once when I was six,” she told her. “It didn't turn out very well.”

 

That look… It truly was eerie seeing the way the bitch's golden eyes narrowed sharply on her, knowing she had seen such a dangerous look before, especially when she had seen it from the son of the youkai she was speaking to now. But, as it simply couldn't be helped, Kagome found herself filled with mirth over that very fact. She couldn't help but think that if this female was Sesshomaru's mother, then that would mean…Sesshomaru HAD a mother!

 

Her mirth was betrayed when her smile spread her lips, but she managed to keep her voice from cracking when she spoke again. “Speaking of six year olds…”

 

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

 

Upon the dais, even with the arena filled with the sounds of clashing blades as a skills contest was being presented, an unsettling silence hung over the Lords. Those who had been taking account of the strange miko's interactions with their females had been denied any further contact as a strong barrier was erected to shield their ears, and even those who had not been paying any heed to the events taking place in the fields behind the arena understood the change in the atmosphere.

 

“Mesudoku has arrived,” Sesshomaru observed with passing interest.

 

“So it would seem,” Takked replied. Turning fully to Sesshomaru, he asked, “Which one of us do you suppose should get the miko out of this one?” Because he knew that the old bitch had no care and showed no leniency towards the human race.

 

Sesshomaru knew this as well, knew that even with her power Kagome could not hope to stand against Mesudoku's. “She is your mate,” he informed the elder Lord.

 

With a passive shrug of his shoulders, Takked returned, “She is your mother.”

 

“Hn.” Sesshomaru eyed his uncle suspiciously. The old dog knew something. What, he could only speculate; but that it regarded his connections to the miko he was all but certain. But, since he wasn't about to leave Kagome in Mesudoku's claws, he stood slowly. “Shall we then?”

 

Shrugging again, Takked took a moment to drain his flask before standing to join Sesshomaru.

 

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

 

“I think we missed something,” Takked said slowly, taking in the rather bizarre image of his old bitch clinging to the little miko in what, had it been any other, he would have described as a joyous embrace.

 

“I would have to agree,” Sesshomaru replied just as slowly. There was no denying that there was something highly misplaced about this entire situation.

 

“Oh, Sesshomaru!” Releasing the miko from her tight hold, Mesudoku turned to greet her pup, smiling radiantly as she threw her arms around him instead. “I am so happy! Finally, after all these years!”

 

At a complete loss over why the bitch was acting so peculiarly, and finding her sudden fondness for himself, not to mention her expressions of joy, something that defied any coherent explanation, Sesshomaru turned his attention to Kagome. “Miko…” His words failed him when he truly saw her. She was breathtaking. The gown was fitted perfectly to her curves, the colors only bringing out the brightness of her eyes and contrasting sharply against her midnight locks. And they, pulled up so carefully to reveal all of her delicate features, only served to make the soft blush of her cheeks that much more noticeable, and that much more enticing. Breaking himself from staring with a hard mental shake, he forced himself to finish. “Explain this.”

 

Smiling innocently, Kagome shrugged. “Well, we were talking about children, and, you know, how you are hers.” She paused to snicker again at the very idea of Sesshomaru being born and not chipped off some iceberg in the Atlantic, continuing only once she had managed to bring her mirth back into line. “I just thought I should share with her that I know the sweetest little girl. I'm not sure, but someone might have implied that if someone were to spend a great deal of time around such a sweet child, it would likely get them to thinking about having children of their own.”

 

All Sesshomaru could manage to do was stare in muted shock and disbelief. Somehow, the miko had convinced his mother, the mother that despised humans even more than he was supposed to, that his having a human child as a…pet, of sorts…was a good thing? How? No, never mind how. He was becoming well accustomed to the miko managing to throw him off. Why? Again, not a valid question. She would never make any sense to him.

 

Deciding it would be best to just forget the miko all together, a task he found more than difficult after being witness to her beauty in that stunning gown, he turned his attention to the old bitch that had latched herself onto his person in an open expression of joy that he couldn't even remember her ever displaying.

 

She was rambling on about how she wanted to see a big litter. Six, no, seven pups. Three males, of course, all strong and beautiful like their sire. And four females that she would be able to fawn over and train to be true ladies. The joy of hearing the patter of little paws running through the palace again, however, was the final straw.

 

Placing his hand firmly on her shoulder, Sesshomaru pushed her back from himself. But before he could contradict the miko's suggestion, Mesudoku had turned her attention elsewhere, offering a nearly ecstatic greeting to Auria as she approached with her father and sister.

 

“Auria, my dear! Such wonderful news! Let me be the first to congratulate you. It has been far too long in the coming that my son will choose a mate.”

 

Though Auria, as the others, was shocked to see the old bitch give such a happy greeting, not to mention the indication that Sesshomaru might truly be choosing a mate this year, she did not let her confliction show. She bowed politely, even offering a small smile to Mesudoku. “Always a pleasure, my Lady.” But with her head bowed, she took the opportunity to steal a glance at the miko. Adding to her surprise, the girl only winked at her discretely. And though she was uncertain of its meaning, the smile on the miko's lips held just enough deviousness for her to understand.

 

The girl was good, she would give her that. Whatever she had said to Mesudoku had left the old bitch open for suggestion.

 

It was now or never.

 

Straightening herself, Auria turned her attention to Sesshomaru. “Lord Sesshomaru,” she addressed him properly with a slight inclination of her head. “The miko, however unknowing, has made a slight against you. As the top female vying to be your mate, such a slight is also posed against myself. I wish to challenge her to gain retribution for her actions. However, since she is not of our kind, I propose that the contest be of skill rather than of battle. I wish the challenge to be by the bow.”

 

Not quite being able to contain it, Kagome laughed. “You want to challenge me in an archery contest? Oh, you're on!”

 

“A challenge, Sesshomaru!” Mesudoku prompted ecstatically from his side. And in this challenge she might finally see her eldest boy accept his mate's offering. Oh, what joy such an occasion would bring. What a glorious day for their pack. “A challenge!”

 

Clearing his throat, trying, but failing, to ignore Mesudoku's swooning over the decision she seemed so certain Sesshomaru had already made, Takked turned his sights to the young miko. She was smiling, and he did not miss the confidence he found in that image of her. She knew something, something more than she was saying; and Sesshomaru's silence now was only further proof of what he had suspected all along.

 

“Miko,” he addressed her curtly. “You do realize that you are entering a contest for the rights to be mated with Sesshomaru, do you not?”

 

“With all due respect, Lord Takked,” she replied easily. “This has nothing to do with Sesshomaru. If she had challenged me to a fight, I would have gladly conceded to her victory without contest. I have no desire to impugn on her position, or degrade Lord Sesshomaru's any further than my ignorance has already allowed for. But she is challenging me to a contest of the bow, and, as a miko, receiving such a challenge from a youkai is not something I can simply ignore. I accept her challenge, but not for your rights or your contests. I accept to prove my skills and defend my own honor.” She paused and turned to Sesshomaru, inclining her head ever so slightly, but never taking her eyes from his. “Would you deny me this right, Lord Sesshomaru?”

 

Gods, he was so hot for her in that moment, he could have mounted her right then and there. She had obviously goaded Auria into a contest, he knew it without question. The bitch never took to a contest unless she was challenged outright or was pushed into it by her father. No, this had not been Auria's doing. It had Kagome written all over it, especially since he knew, as she did, that this was one contest that Auria would likely meet her match in.

 

But it was more than that. Crafty little miko. She catered to his position by denying the implication that she would ever stand in a place to be his mate; but at the same time, by asking for his permission, she was making it clear to him, if not to anyone else, that she was proving herself in his eyes. What was more, by saying that she would only fight for her own honor and to prove her own skill, she was leaving herself open to invitation. Any who saw her skills and were impressed by them would be able to approach her. Any, if he were not to make the next move. He wouldn't, of course; but he would be damned before he let another touch his miko. She must have known this as well.

 

He had never been so enticed by a female. Never had the stakes of a contest meant so much to him. Never had he felt so proud or so humbled.

 

She really had no idea what she was doing to him. Or maybe she did, and that just made it all the more enticing.

 

When his answer was noticeably lacking, Kagome just smirked. “You know what,” she told him, “I'm going to take that as a no. So, since we're all in agreement, let's get this contest going.” She indulged herself in a light chuckle at the absurdity of the whole situation before asking, “So, which one of you youkai wants to hand the miko her bow?”

 

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

 

Alright, I think I got my one-shots out of me for the time being. Time to get back to other endeavors.

 

This story is about…half-way done, according to the outline. So, hopefully, the hentai in me will be appeased with my little shorts long enough to make it the five chapters or so needed between this chapter and the next lemon ;P Lol I really can write without smut, but it's just so much fun!! XD

 

Now, about my other WIPs…

 

I suppose that I was going to have to fess up to this eventually, so I might as well do it now. Temporal Twilight is dead in the water. I've read it over a few more times, and every time I come to the same conclusion: I should never have taken the turn to bring her back to the past. It was an impulsive move that put the story in a place I really had no desire of taking it to. So, until I find myself with any sort of inspiration to continue it, consider it a loss.

 

As for Sins of the Father, I haven't given up on it just yet. It's just that the next chapter is really, really proving difficult…mostly because it will be in that chapter where Miroku's death will be made known to everyone that didn't already know, and that is proving terribly difficult. Not to mention the fact that Sango's battles in the chapter before last were not there for no reason. There is a conspiracy in play, and the way it works out is still a little cloudy to me. Still, I do have plans for working on it…soon. Maybe even today since this chapter finished itself so quickly. But no promises.

 

Lol there was one thing though. After reading through my in-progress works to remind myself of where I was in them, I cam across this interesting little thing. I knew I had used it before, but I couldn't quite remember where. Takked, in this story, is the elder Inu Lord, but I just discovered that I also gave the name Taked to another character, one just showing up in Sins of the Father. Ummm…oopsie?

 

Anyways, I've rambled enough for one AN. Time or me to get going.

 

Cheers. I hope you all enjoyed.

 

Shadow