InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Yellow Brick Road ❯ Please Refer To ... ( Chapter 15 )

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INYUSHA AND COMPANY, NOR DO I OWN WIZARD OF OZ.

AN: Thank you to angelic memories and ktshabatie for beta-ing.

*** This is a general response to comments made by some reviewers. In general, their issue is that Kagome is weak and I apparently do not like her. First, I do like her, which is why I have not killed her yet.

Now I think if the readers go back and look at the time lapse of this story, her “weakness” and “self-pitying” will make more sense. Since the cave, it has only been five days at the most. She slept through the first two, so she has only had three days to understand that deal with everything around her. In the cave and on the way to the Citadel, she relived some of her worst memories, and then she wakes to discover that she is pregnant and her child is at risk. On top of all of it, Sesshoumaru is not really helping her understand why he took the actions he did back in the cave.

Therefore, I think that it is a lot for any person to deal with and resemble a strong person. She needs time to understand everything around her and then her strength can return while she heals. I know that this has already turned into a longer story, but just remember what happened to Dorothy at the end of OZ.

In addition, one other thing, Kagome was raised in modern society; every other character holds the values of Japanese culture from the Warring States Era. Women held a completely different role than they do now. If Kagome is going to continue to function in the past, then her character must understand that on some level. This story is not about bringing feminism to the past, it is about finding a “home.”

By the way, this is not meant to vent at anyone who reviewed. It is meant to clarify things that I think are easily overlooked. Please continue to read and review.***




Chapter 15: Please Refer To …

Kagome found herself completely engulfed by the inu’s embrace. At some point, she had been told that inu-youkai were affection by nature with those deemed worthy, but she could not shake the ominous feeling that this particular inu’s attentions instilled on her. Then it became clear. She needed to stop thinking.

She was lost in his warmth, security and strength. She allowed her hands to fist into his haori, while she nuzzled her face into his chest. Not once did she wince away from his movements. The soft growls had been used not to scare but sooth her. It would make sense, seeing how he did not start to employ them until after she had been ‘pupped.’

If her brain would just cease working, she would have been able to convince herself that this was as good as home.

The room was uncomfortable for all others in it. Miroku was thankful that Inuyasha was not present; Kami only knew what he would have done. Everyone was trying not make the embracing pair the center of their focus, but it was hard not to. The irony was that if you did not know the history shared by the two beings, you would have assumed that this was the embrace of long denied lovers.

A smile inspired by hope swept across the monk’s face. Serenity never last long, just long enough that all know it is a possibility. In this case, the serenity was broken by the scream of the female inu-youkai.

Toto had shifted away from her mistress, trying to give the female the room to bond with the male. It had been that movement that set off Michi. Many nights she had lied in bed awake, fearing that shadows would come for her after her mother’s bedtime story.

The moment was shattered; both Sesshoumaru and Kagome turned to see the female inu cowering behind Tadashi. Having Toto immediately seek refuge in her hair, Kagome guessed the other female’s concern.

Kagome moved from her alpha to calm the distraught youkai. Sesshoumaru did not even attempt to stop the growl of irritation, when his bitch moved from him. What shocked him was her response, a whimpered plea to do what she viewed as her duty. Sesshoumaru nodded his head at her.

Kagome quickly crossed the room to kneel before the timid creature. She cast her hand out in a slow motion to catch the female’s chin. Turning the face filled with lilac eyes towards her, Kagome spoke.

“Toto will not harm you. The only two she has ever bit was Almira Gulch and the wicked witch of the west. Though I am not sure, they are not one in the same. The point is Galinda; you are more than welcome here. More to the point you are powerful enough to never be the one cowering in the corner.”

Michi was confused. Was the human supposed to make sense? Who was the witch? Who was Alm-Almi- whatever? In addition, who the hell was Galinda? The sapphires of her eyes were oceans. The tide pulled at her soul, and she knew that this one was kind. Michi sniffed at the other female. That was strange; she let the question slip out before she thought to stop it.

“Why do you still carry your own scent?”

Kagome’s head jerked back and cocked to the side, “Why wouldn’t I smell like me?”

“A bitch in your position should be so drenched in the sire’s scent, that no one can any longer distinguish your own scent. It proves the sire’s desire to protect the pup.”

The loud snarls caused Michi to prostrate herself and then bare her neck to the enraged male. From her throat escaped a continuous strain of whines begging for forgiveness. She turned to look at her alpha’s form towering over her and the other. Kagome knew this female meant no offence.

“Please,” Kagome said, repeating back the word. Sesshoumaru knew that she was not standing in defiance; she was searching for an answer. He again allowed her to pursue this course with an inclination of his head.

Kagome turned back to the prostrated female. “You must understand that I am not youkai, that our lord has taken that into account. He understands that I only really have one instinct, ‘Flight or Fight.’ I am his breeder. I will carry no other male’s scent. He knows this for fact, and thereby has no need to force his scent upon me.”

Kagome had no clue if she was even close to why he had not pushed the issue of her scent, but she figured that it gave a nice out for everyone involved.

“I meant no offence, Breeder-sama. It is just unusual, no unheard of, that a carrying female not be confined to the pallet. That way the male can ensure that all of her needs are met as well as his own.” Michi looked at the two humans and kit for a moment before returning to the breeder. “But as I can see, that is not the case with humans.”

“No, that is not the way with humans. Perhaps, if it pleases Sesshoumaru-sama, I might be able to discuss with you some of the other differences?”

“Hn, Breeder are you in the habit of enlisting help from those you do not know?” During his breeder’s conversation with his niece, he had been assessing his niece’s loyalties. In all honesty, he was disgusted at how timid the wench was. At the first sign of displeasure, she immediately cowered trying to disappear into the floor. He supposed that it was a causality of watching so many siblings being killed.

“I have never been one for convention. Besides, you can tell by her aura she is pure.”

Miroku was now looking at the unknown female with a scrutinizing eye. “Kagome-sama, what do you mean by pure?” It was odd for a miko to describe a youkai as ‘pure.’ The standing belief was that by default of their nature, youkai could not be pure.

“You do not see it Miroku? Amidst the sorrow and the fear, her soul is untainted. It takes a strong being indeed to remain this way. She is a beacon of light to the north. Come Galinda, what is your name?”

“Michi, Breeder-sama,” she was overwhelmed by the sapphire, drowning even, but if she swam to the ring of silver, all would be well. There she would be able to hold on and keep her head above water.

“Good. I am Kagome, the woman who has apparently been neglecting her duties. So, let us quit groveling on the floor and join the rest.” Kagome nodded her head in self-affirmation of her own sentiment. She rose and began to attend to her duties in the dining hall.

The rest of the meal was finished in a pleasant mood. It would be allowed for Michi and Kagome to converse in the gardens in the morning. Rin had been invited to join, and she agreed. The mood was light.

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Kag ome was still in good spirits as she entered ‘her’ sleeping chambers. Humming to herself the tune of “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” she began to prepare for sleep.

She spun, gripping the cloth of the kimono tighter to her body. She had detected his presence the second he stepped foot in the room. He stood there eyeing her with a gleam in his eyes that she wished she still could not place, lust. No. She was willing to begin to forgive, not hop into bed.

“What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Could her voice be any more squeaky and shaky? Wait … squeaky is good. It might hurt his ears long enough to give her time to escape.

He stalked forward from the position as observer to one of player. “I have come to ascertain the health of my breeder.” The purring baritone sent ripples through the woman’s body.

Kagome had almost lost herself in the sensation that his voice caused within her, when she realized exactly what he had said. “NO! We are not playing doctor! I will not be getting up on the table and putting my feet in the stir-ups for you! No!” she ended with her arms crossed over her chest and her lips pursed.

“Why would one put stir-ups on the table? And what does that have to do with a doctor?” Really, the things that came flying out of her mouth would be hilarious, if he was not the one trying to understand them.

“Well, it’s for- wait. I am not explaining this to you. What are you doing here?” She had lost her embarrassment and now was allowing her indignation to take control.

Sesshoumaru smirk down at her, really, if he was more playful, she would be hours of endless entertainment. When Kagome caught his look, her face became more of a scowl.

“Come Kagome, this Sesshoumaru wishes to sleep,” he began to remove the outer layers of his attire.

Oh, that was supposed to explain it all. “Then go to your sleeping chambers.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” Moving to grab an article of sleeping attire from one of the chests, he proceeded as if this had always been the habit between them. He did not fail to notice that she still had not moved from her original spot when he walked in.

‘Okay, think. Why would he be here to sleep? He doesn’t think that because of this evening's events, I am going to…’ “Sesshoumaru-sama, why are you sleeping here?” There was no accusation in her voice; it was a genuine search for understanding.

“Listen, for this shall not be repeated. In order for this Sesshoumaru to find rest, he must be able to ensure your safety. The easiest way to do that is to have you in contact with my body the entire time. There is no motive beyond sleep. Now, finish preparing for sleep. It is time to retire,” their eyes had never left each other’s and her only response was a slow nod.

Sesshoumaru had lowered himself to the pallet already, waiting on the female to join him. Kagome approached the new development with trembling steps. She eased herself down, letting out a startled “eep,” as an impatient dog pulled her to him. They were in a position that she remembered her friends in the future once described as ‘spooning,’ and she found his warmth both comforting and addicting.

Shifting and wiggling trying to find the coziest spot, Kagome stilled. There was something oddly hard protruding into her backside. Sesshoumaru mentally sighed as he listened to his bitch’s heart rate skyrocket.

“Go to sleep. The only thing that will occur here is rest,” still she did not relax. “Think of it as a compliment. Most females must do much more to put this Sesshoumaru in such a state,” he tightened his arm around her and allowed himself to drift to slumber.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Kagome had been spared the awkward encounter in the morning, having awoken to an empty bed. It was odd, but she missed his warmth. Oh well, every relationship has to have a starting ground. Not that she really believed that she and Sesshoumaru could have anything that would remotely measure up to her standards of what constitutes as a relationship. Nevertheless, it would be nice to move beyond the stage of “I am going to pin you to the ground and assert my dominance.”

Michi and Rin were already deep in conversation when Kagome came out to join them. The two had developed something akin to a familial bond. They viewed each other as cousins. Rin being the ward of the Western Lord was the closest thing that he had had to a pup.

“So I see that Sesshoumaru-sama has begun to re-scent you.” Michi smiled at the other human woman who had just approached.

“Re-scent?” usually, people greeted with a ‘hello’ or ‘good morning,’ not comments about body odor.

“Please Breeder-sama; do not be mad at Rin-chan. She informed me that you did not pursue your current position. If I had known that last night, then I never would have made the egregious comment about your scent. However, I did and now I can tell that the lord used your newly acquired knowledge to assuage some of his instinctual demands,” Michi bared her neck to the alpha bitch.

“Huh. I thought he was tired. Why are you doing that to me?” a vague motion of Kagome’s hands indicated that she was talking about the inu’s posture.

“You are alpha. Until the Lord takes a mate, no female ranks higher than you do. If any female does not show reverence it is direct slight on the Lord and the equanimity of the West.”

“Oh, well then how do I acknowledge your acknowledgment?”

“There are several methods; one would choose which one depending on the circumstance of submission. However, the easiest and safest is to simply speak the supplicated female’s name.”

“Well Michi-san, please un-submit yourself. Where is an instruction manual when you need one? I swear, if were not for arrogant dogs-“

“Kagome-sama,” Rin would not let Kagome fly off at the handle in front of this relatively unknown female. Yes, she liked Michi, but she did not completely trust her yet. Trust was built over time, and Kagome’s position was vulnerable enough as it was.

“Right, no free rein on thoughts in front of the munchkins.” Kagome smiled at both the bewildered females before her; she knew what she was talking about at least. “Michi-san, may I ask why you are here?”

“I am one of three full-blooded descendents of the great Inu no Taisho, Sesshoumaru-sama and my mother being the other two. I am an unmated female, which makes me the perfect pawn to try to use to subvert Sesshoumaru-sama’s claim to dominance. My offspring would be full blooded. Sesshoumaru-sama’s pups will now be hanyou unless he mates another female. In accordance to old traditions, he cannot and will not until you have bore him an heir. If this pup is female, it is your right and honor to claim his bed until the joining has produced a male pup.”

“Okay, so he brought you here where he could keep an eye on you.”

“Yes and no. I have been informed that the former breeder, my grandmother, has been sent into exile, much like when Izayoi-sama became Lady of the West. Madoka-sama will not idly sit in exile waiting for your death, especially not when she has the perfect means to reclaim her former glory. My grandmother holds the rights to arrange my mating.”

“I follow what you are saying, but why not send for both you and your mother? Can she not be used in a ploy as well?”

“Mother has a few things going against her. First off, she has far more pride than intelligence. It makes her hard to control and grandmother already knows that I am the more docile of the two. Next, mother’s pups have a nasty habit of not surviving infancy.

“This last one is why mother will not survive. She is the only one who can prove Madoka-sama’s guilt in the death of my siblings. Rumors are just rumors. As long as the lord stays, his hand, and no others can strike her down for the rumors.”

The horrified look that was on the faces of the two human women told Michi that this was another difference between humans and youkai. Kagome was the first to regain her composure. “Madoka-sama is immune to poison isn’t she?”

“Hai. Therefore, so is my mother, but I do not share that ability. Poison was the death of all the siblings born after me. I may have been young, but I could still smell its effects on the cold bodies. Both my mother and grandmother claimed that the poison was passed from mother to pup in the milk. Somehow, I was strong enough to withstand the effects. There can be no validity in that claim. My mother’s favored form of discipline was poison, and it was my body’s inability to protect from its effects that proved to me I must have never received it through the milk while I suckled. Why do you ask?”

Kagome drew her brows together in thought. “Poison would have been the easiest method to deal with Madoka-san. It would have been hard to trace back to the origin, therein giving the executioner some amenity. I do not mean to be disrespectful to your heritage, but it seems that many within the West have died because of the old witch’s schemes, and even more wish for her death.”

“I do not know the courts or interactions of the West, but if the face she displayed while visiting her daughter are anything close to how she acted around here I wonder why grandfather did not just kill her when he brought Izayoi-sama home as mate.

“Unfortunately, it seems that uncle has taken the same road as his father by not slaying Madoka-sama when she slighted you.”

Rin decided that it was time to set Michi straight before she insulted her lord again. “Michi-chan, it was Kagome-sama who threw hot water on Madoka-sama.”

Michi gasped and turned the woman that made her look like a giant. “Why?”

Kagome’s lips came to a pout. “Stupid witch was supposed to melt.”

“With water?”

“Hai hai, with water. The wicked witch of the west is always supposed to melt when water is thrown on her. It just proves how obdurate the old bitch truly is.”

Rin and Michi just looked at each other, and then fell over in a fit of giggles. Kagome could not help but find the mirth in her statement. She lay back a giggled as the clouds passed lazily over her head.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in relaxed conversation.

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Kuro was done. Being executed for killing the wench was surly worth it. This was the fourth time within the same hour that he had needed to empty the contents of his stomach.

There was no beauty in this bitch, only conceit and decay. She should have long ago been put down, to save the rest of them the misery that was her. The most sickening thing was the fact that old wench had such a strong libido. He was not sure if he would ever be able to bed another female without feeling the need to vomit.

He would give anything to be still pinned under that rock … or was it a pebble?

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

No. No. No. No. This was not how things were suppose to go. That useless mongrel of a daughter had allowed her mate to send away Michi. The moronic bitch did not understand what she had done wrong.

*Flash Back*

“Mother, what is the problem? Pups are like the flowers, they always bloom in the spring and whither within a few days,” the two silver haired bitches stared at each other, golden eyes glinting dangerously on both sides.

“You twit, how do we claim the value of a full-blooded heir when all of your pups save one have died? Michi was the key to regaining power within the West. Your womb has no use.”

“What are you implying mother?”

“Nothing at all dear daughter. I see no fault in your actions at all,” her hands waved dismissively at the younger female; it was a motion her daughter had seen often in her youth.

“DO NOT dismiss me in my own home, Mother. Remember that it is I who has the blood of the great Inu no Taisho running through her veins. It is I who is still welcome in her home. I have never been displaced from my position by a mere human. How many times now mother have you proved inferior to a human? Twice, is it?” the sneering smile on the younger’s face was swiped away with the claws of her mother.

“Enjoy your hollow victory daughter. It was I whom gave you your immunity to poison. It was also I that denied you complete immunity. I shall take my leave now, dear daughter. I am sure your mate will enjoy the gift of his freedom that I have bestowed upon him.”

Madoka left the den; she no longer had a daughter.

*End Flash Back*

She had to sleep with the young soldier again to convince him to detour to her daughter’s home. What a waste of time. Well, the soldier was not; he was very satisfying. In fact, she would maintain the affair long after he was mated to her granddaughter.

However, the whole visit to her useless, twit of a daughter, had provided them with no gain. Yes, she had the satisfaction that the twit died a slow tortuous death, but she was still without means to the lordship of the West.

Her son, it would seem, did not suffer under the same delusions as her late daughter. He was not so conceited as to believe he was untouchable. Damn. Why could he not take after his father more. He already showed the stupid affinity towards humans.

First, it was the little girl who spent her time picking the gardens clean of anything that bloomed. While the girl was beyond insufferable, it was not until she left with her husband that Madoka had been willing to concede the girl’s one value. Ren, Rina, whatever her name was had managed to monopolize the toad’s attention. With the toad off her back, she was able to move freely amongst her plots.

Then came the hanyou. The damn abomination looked and smelled so much like his sire that none could refute his claim to being the second son. He waltzed into the West swearing his allegiance and sword all for the price of one human wench’s safety.

Finally, the wench arrived. Such a small thing, which never looked anyone in the eye. This was the miko that was professed to have destroyed the Shikon no Tama. She did not believe the claims, not until she passed the girl one day in the gardens and felt the power humming through her being. Madoka had originally thought to manipulate the girl to her own means. This ploy, however, never made it to fruition. Every time Madoka attempted to talk to the moron, said wench would spout off about never giving up her ruby slippers.

Then, to add insult to injury, the wench goes and gets herself pupped by none other than Madoka’s own son. Madoka was now displaced not by a human hime, but an insane miko. What made males so stupid that they could only think with a certain head that was not located above the shoulders?

Madoka would not sit by and allow her son to deny her the mating rights to her granddaughter. No. He had his bitch; he would not take hers away. Her mind slipped back to the young soldier that had been warming her bed for the past few nights. She had enough to occupy her while she waited.

She could dream on the face the insane miko would make when her pup was ripped from her womb. That would be one bloodied death that Madoka would not mind staining her perfect claws on. It would have taken her almost a thousand years, but she would yet be Lady of the West.

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Sesshoumaru stared blankly at the scroll in front of him. His sister was dead. She had insulted Mother, and apparently did not have as complete an immunity to poisons as previously believed. Hn. Technically, he could not go after Mother in the slightest because his sister’s mate was not seeking retribution.

The dog had been given a title and land upon his mating into the Inu no Taisho bloodline, but the only offspring to survive infancy was Michi. Now, all the dog wanted was to be able to mate another and produce an heir. He cared nothing of avenging his first mate’s death.

The rumors of his sister’s conceit and malice rivaling that of Mother’s must have been true. She had been mated to this male for more than four hundred years and he did not even want to wait an appropriate mourning period. Fine, let the dog have his heir; all that was needed was for the dog to relinquish the rights of alpha for Michi.

Yes, Sesshoumaru was supreme alpha of the entire West, but to sever Mother’s claim to Michi, Sesshoumaru had to claim the female as direct pack. Things run more smoothly when the previous alpha agreed (or was dead). A new pack meant all previous claims on the individual are forfeit.

With Mother in exile, he could now ensure that no unwanted influence be exerted on the female. He had also noticed that she had a way of explaining simple inu-youkai culture to his bitch. That was helpful; he had enjoyed being able to coat his bitch in his scent without her fighting him. In addition, both Kagome and Rin had taken to the female.

Michi was a submissive bitch who was quietly intelligent. She would not be hard to mate off once an honorable male was found. He was pleased that she did not take after her grandmother or mother.

Speaking of mothers, Michi should probably be informed that hers had died. Then he would track down his bitch, no point in letting his scent fade off of her.

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AN: Thank you for reading, please review.

Emily