What Was Expected
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Category:
InuYasha › Het - Male/Female › Sesshōmaru/Kagome
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
12
Views:
9,860
Reviews:
61
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
10: Trust
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AND I DO NOT MAKE MONEY FROM THIS.
AN: Sorry for the wait, this chapter was really had to get right.
Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing, all remaining errors I proudly claim and own.
Chapter 10: Trust
Nori had listened to the kitsune and her father speak late into the night. The only thing that she had found resolution to was that if she continued to conspire with the kitsune she would not live to see the next century.
Her father had obviously taken great offensive in Sesshoumaru playing for the hand of the miko. Apparently, her father had turned down many offers for her on the unspoken agreement that she would become Sesshoumaru’s mate when he decided to take another. Whatever, her father’s reasons, Nori swore that she would not go down with him.
There had to be others that she could use to split the girl from her future mate. Human’s were petty beings; should not take much to break the girl.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Kagome had regretted not bringing more of her personal items to her new ‘home.’ When the male had stated that they were leaving he proceeded to pull her from the room and down the stairs. Goodbyes were rushed, not that she wanted to spend time blubbering with the ones that had sold her, and the remainder of the day she had spent in his oppressive silence. The silence found no reprieve when Sayami entered her home.
In fact, Kagome was quite sure that the true mother of her future husband looked on her with nothing but distain. It was very obvious to her that the elder female did not want her so close. Admittedly, it would be hard to sacrifice one’s personal freedom to welcome an ungrateful guest, but Kagome constantly felt no better than the dirt left on the welcome mat of the lobby.
It had been eye-opening to learn that these youkai did not need to eat or sleep at near the frequency her body demanded. The former had been discovered when Kagome’s hunger forced her into an immaculate but barren kitchen late Sunday night.
Padding softly from the kitchen to the living area, Kagome noticed both Sesshoumaru and Sayami having an involved discussion in tones too low for her to discern any words. She had not wanted to interrupt them but she had not eaten since last evening and was beginning to feel the fatigue of her impromptu fast. Clearing her throat to gain the attention of the two that deemed her presence completely unworthy, she was met with an “Hn” from a feminine throat.
Bowing to show her apology for interrupting, Kagome voiced her concern. “Gomen Sayami-san, is there anything to eat within the apartment?”
The weight of their stares added to her guilt. She had broken with years of ingrained manners and violated the sanctity of this youkai’s kitchen, add to that she had now spoke of her hunger rather than wait for the offer of food. However, there was a part of her brain telling her that she would not be in this situation if this hostess had been more attentive to her duties. Besides this was now to be her home as well for Kami-sama knew how long.
“No.” Kagome’s head jerked up at the curtness of the reply. She was met with unsympathic eyes of the female. A random thought floated through Kagome’s head that maybe ‘bitch’ had made its way into to modern language due to her kind.
Unaware of the human’s thoughts Sayami continued, “It will be remedied by morning.” The old bitch was now done talking to the girl and made no further attempt to acknowledge her presence; in fact, she turned back to her son and began the discussion again.
Kagome riled under the treatment just issued to her, but she had no energy to fight or voice her indignation. It was a broken figure that retreated back to “her” room. Curling in the fetal position on top of the covers of her bed, she stared blankly out her open window to the city lights beyond the glass.
The knocking on her door caused her to jump. She had no idea how long she had lain there alone in the dark, but Kagome’s head turned towards the opening door. There stood the imposing figure of Sesshoumaru holding a tray with bento boxes and a tea set. His stride was confident as he crossed the room to the low table. His rhythm was not broken as he set down the tray and then turned to her figure on the bed. She was quickly moved to the seated position in front of the table. Before she understood all the changes to her surroundings there was Sesshoumaru on the other side of the table staring intently at her with an expectant look. His amber orbs flittered ever so quickly to the tea set.
The ingrained manners again forced her reaction to quickly pour him a cup. She was going to serve him his food as well when she noticed that there was only one set of chopsticks. Sesshoumaru did not hold back the smirk that graced his face as he took in the picture she made just blinking at the utensils.
“The food is yours. It has been a while since either my mother or I have lived closely with humans and we both overlooked the frequency with which your body’s demands would make themselves known.”
His words and the cool demeanor of his voice caused her ire to rise, but the fact that he had put her needs before any demand that his mother had been making caused her to hold her tongue. Had he just admitted that he was fallible?
The week had not progressed much better, the only constant she had was Sesshoumaru’s imposing presence in the evenings. Her time on campus had been whittled down to only being there long enough to attend lectures. The hushed whispers of students, and professors alike, had risen in volume to the point that even Ayumi could not stand by her side without feeling the social repercussions.
This new development was not helped by Kagome’s unwillingness to fight the rumor mills. So she walked to her classes with her head bowed and ears shut. Thursdays were usually her most favored of the week because she could spend her three-hour break in the library lightening her load of class work and granting her precious free time.
This Thursday did not look nearly as promising, in fact, it was quickly turning into a horrible day. Kagome noticed that there was now a body blocking her path so she tried to move around. The obstruction again stood in her path forcing Kagome to do the one thing that she had no desire to, make eye contact.
It was a man she had never seen before, or if she had, she quickly wrote him off as unnoteable. Her skin crawled at the lewd way that he was looking at her and the feeling did not settle when he began to speak.
“Higurashi, if I had known what an obvious talent you are, I would have requested your services before this.” She wanted to vomit, no, she wanted to vomit on him after she slapped him senseless.
Enduring the louder than normal whispers was one thing, but to allow the crass advancements would only cause her life to become more horrendous. Eyes narrowing as her stance went from docile female to a woman affronted by the utmost indignation. “My services?” her voice dripped with warning.
The man, no… foolish boy, paid no heed to her implied warning. “Come now Higurashi, you expect us to believe that a wallflower like yourself caught the eye of one of the most eligible bachelors without having any other attributes to recommend you?”
“I do not care what filth like you believes,” she growled out. “However, I will be gracious enough to offer you this advice, if you continue in life as you are now all you will know is ruin and the fault will rest solely on your own shoulders. Now move from my way.”
The boy just laughed at her as he again stepped in front of her. “I don’t think you understand, Higurashi. You will be compensated for your time, but I will be sampling your talents or my name is not Kobayashi Kanaye.”
Kagome was quickly going over the best way to handle this overzealous male without drawing more unwanted attention when a rich baritone surged forth from behind her.
“I was under the impression that this institution only accepts those of great intelligence, but rest assured Kobayashi. Their error will be remedied rapidly.”
The boy just stuttered at the tall form of the silver-headed male. Knowing that the boy could no longer cause any harm to his female Sesshoumaru pressed on. “I believe the lady told you to move from her. That is a demand that you will concede to immediately if you do not wish to lose anything else this day.”
Kagome watched Kanaye bow low and figuratively run away with his tail tucked between his legs. She turned to her ‘savior’ angered that he had seen her in a moment of indecision, her unspent anger was unleashed on him. “What are you doing here?”
A single brow rose.
“Do not give me that look, Sesshoumaru. Why did you come here? Don’t you have a business to run or something?” Her face flushed as her anger leaked into more than her voice.
Sesshoumaru continued to lazily gaze down at the petite raven-haired beauty. Without giving any outward sign, he was trying to determine what was instigating her lack of gratitude. It was then that his impeccable hearing caught the whispers of the still-surrounding onlookers. The more he diverted his attention to the words of the others the more strain he found being placed on his self-control. Was this what she had been dealing with for the past few weeks? Where were those who she called friend?
He noticed that the few youkai in the surrounding crowd were intelligent enough to keep their mouths shut, but he had no doubt that if he was not there, they too would be joining in the jeering of this woman. He cursed himself for not clearing his schedule sooner. His mother had informed him of Kagome’s apprehension before she left each morning for class. However, Sesshoumaru had brushed this aside as something more for his mother to complain about.
The old bitch had begrudgingly agreed to allow the miko stay within her home, but then threw a full-on tantrum worthy of any pampered female when said miko displayed the ability to manifest her reiki. It had long been believed that neither miko nor holy man could harness their powers without training. Kagome proved their untested sense of security false and Sayami had not stopped whining to her mate about it.
Finally focusing again on the ranting woman before him, Sesshoumaru caught the tail end of her tirade. “… Fine, don’t listen to me. You know what; I have work to do Sesshoumaru. So if you will excuse me, I will see you later.”
She moved to brush past the infuriating male, when for the third time that day a male blocked he path. “How long has this been going on?” He watched has her back stiffened.
“How long has what been going on?”
The inu-youkai allowed a small growl to pass his lips at her obvious avoidance of his question. There was something that he had learned about her in the past week. The easiest way to get her to speak was not to battle wills with her head-on but to ignite her anger.
“Do not be daft. This Sesshoumaru knows that it comes naturally to humans, but do try to rise above your limiting heritage.” Yes, that worked nicely judging by the chaotic waves in her sapphire oceans.
“I should say the same to you, or have you forgotten? Is it not my ‘limiting heritage’ that you are counting on to ensure your entire pack’s safety? Furthermore, it would take a truly daft person to not understand the consequences of your interest in me. What did you expect people to think when a wealthy, prosperous man takes an interest in an unknown, poor girl? How was I to be painted as anything other than whore?” Her volume had increased to the point that a few head turned in their direction at the end her last statement.
“Hn.”
Kagome was now boiling. After all she had told him about her world falling part all he could do was offer a noncommittal ‘hn.’ The sting in her eyes warned the young woman that she was about to add crying in front of the damn Chihuahua to her list of humiliating moments for the day.
“That is all you have to say?” It came out as more a whisper.
No, that was not all he had to say however, slaughtering half the student population would definitely be frowned upon. “It is time for lunch, come.”
Her eyes turned to steel. “No, I told you that I have work to do.”
The defiant attitude did nothing to soothe his already boiling blood. How was he to protect her when she did not confide in him? When she refused his methods of protection?
They stood locked in a battle of wills as the world and time passed around them. Her steeled will pitted against his molten desire to be her male. The great Sesshoumaru, heir to the West, had come to the realization that he would never dominate her by force. No, her submission would only come when she was assured of the ownership of his very soul. This was not a favorable realization but the sting was dampened by the fact that he would then have her total loyalty. For an inu, loyalty was everything, and the first quality that he recognized in this raven-haired woman, besides her miko abilities, was the loyalty she held for all those close to her.
Kagome felt her resolve faltering under the intensity of his gaze. Everything about him screamed alpha male, but there were moments, like now, that she could almost see the need in his eyes. The moment she had shifted her weight denoted the moment she had lost.
Stepping closer to the now frail-looking being before him, Sesshoumaru spoke, “Kagome, there are more important things to do today, then your school work. Come, we will discuss this in the car.”
Why was she giving into this male? What lure did he have that none of her family or friends had? By his own admission his only interest was use her as a tool, a means to secure safety. However, she found herself yearning to always be within those amber orbs’ line vision. When he looked at her, she felt as if he saw all of her, stripped of any shields, and that he accepted her flawed being wholly.
When had this started? When had he ceased to be the enemy? Kagome did not know. Maybe she was just tired of standing alone against all of those she cared for. Maybe it was the fact that he was the first one to truly listen to her heartache, or maybe it was in the last week where even his most minuscule actions were used to show how attentive he could be in caring for her. There were so many possibilities to ponder over for this new dynamic between them that Kagome did not even noticed as she entered his vehicle.
Finally, she was ripped from her thoughts by Sesshoumaru’s tension filled voice. “Why did you not inform this Sesshoumaru?”
Dazed, Kagome could not decipher the meaning behind his accusation. “Why did I not inform you of what?”
The growl ended in more of a snarl, waking Kagome to anger festering in the other occupant of the car. She pressed herself into the door as far away from the enraged inu-youkai as she could get.
Sesshoumaru noticed the woman’s movements and knew that he was dangerously close destroying whatever small bond of trust that had been formed between them. With the utter lack of anything to melt, the stoic youkai was left with only one avenue to vent his rising frustration. He would have to express it verbally. Damn.
“You know exactly of what this Sesshoumaru speaks of, woman. You are mine, and as such you will not be subjected to such,” in a trend that he was find all too familiar with this particular woman, Sesshoumaru found himself searching for the correct word. “vileness.”
Kagome noted the way his clawed hands gripped the steering wheel to the point where it groaned under his strength. The anger was palpable on the air, yet it was his wording that gave her comfort. No, she was not pleased with how she was claimed almost like some object. However, his disignation of human jealousy lead her to believe that his anger was not directed at her.
With a shaking sigh, she tried to calm the raging inu. “It is human nature to lash out at those you are envious of, so there is nothing that I can do about it.”
Therein lay the problem between them, Sesshoumaru noted. She still believed that she stood alone in this. A belief that held no credence, and would no longer be allowed to stand. “If you have no will or strength to fight your battles then you will tell this Sesshoumaru. For it is this Sesshoumaru’s duty and honor to fight them in your stead.”
The journey was coming to an end and when his attention was not required in other avenues, his full attention was focused on her. One of the powerful-clawed hands reached for hers with gentleness that she had learned to expect from his physical interactions with her.
“Kagome, there are many things that we do not innately know about one another. Time will only heal this if we trust and seek each other in confidence. In this matter allow this Sesshoumaru to be your strength.”
The warmth caused by his words had Kagome question her loyalty and her worth. Was it wrong to allow him this so soon after Liam? What had she done to cause the Kami to test her in such a way? She was tired of the numbing ache of the soul-searing heartbreak she had endured. Kami-sama she was tired.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Lunch was a silent affair. When it was finished, Sesshoumaru checked the time and then announced that they had somewhere to be. The trek through the office halls left Kagome in a daze. She barely noticed as he argued with a secretary outside some large office door. It was not until she was confronted with green eyes and red hair that she sent a questioning gaze at the male she had been following.
Ignoring his father’s rising ire and all others in the room, Sesshoumaru choose to answer Kagome’s unvoiced question. “You have concerns that if left unaddressed, you will never be able to move beyond your past.”
Was he really going to allow her to speak with this youkai? After he had stated, not in so many words, that she never to be in contact with any of Liam’s family. Did this mean that he saw her needs to be more important than his… ego?
Kagome listened to the heated words exchanged between father and son. It was obvious that the elder male was not happy with his son’s decision to bring her into this room. It was also obvious that if the two continued in the same manner that she would not have the chance to confront her doubts about Liam.
The resolve set in and she moved to bow before the ‘alpha’ in the room. “Sato-san, please allow me this. Please.” Kagome remained fixed in the bowing position until she heard an acquiescing grunt.
Quickly moving to the redhead, she bowed and introduced herself. The male returned the gesture in kind. There was no point in beating around the bush, as Kami-sama only knew how long the patience of the lookers would last.
“Shippo-san, how well did you know Liam?”
Shippo hedged for a moment. If two lie-sniffing youkai had not been in the room, the temptation deceive to the girl would have been overwhelming. However, under the circumstances, honesty was the best policy. Besides his clan’s bid for the girl was already over.
“I knew as well as any can claim to know a family member who lives overseas and has not been seen in years.” Shippo watched Kagome’s features become crestfallen. It was easy enough to guess what had weighed so heavily on her mind, especially considering everything that had been brought to the girl’s attention. The girl was lost, but there was still a way for him to ensure his good standing with the Western Dog Clan. “However, I can offer you insight to his instinctual side that might help you answer your haunting questions.”
She would never know for sure, but maybe she would find security in what this ‘Fox’ had to say. “If you would, please.”
“As Kitsune, we rely on misdirection and, quite honestly, deceit at times to obtain what we want. What this means directly for your relationship with Liam is that the fact that you walked away without a permanent mark means that he had no desire to deceive you.
“I know that he was never the one to brag about the miko he had snared. He held out against family pressure to force your hand. However, the most important thing was that he never, according to his mother, did speak of your potential power, but you as a person.”
Kagome looked into the green eyes of the being before her. She wondered how much she should believe for the male had just admitted that he was not above deceit to obtain his ends.
In the end, it did not matter how much common sense told her not to put faith in Shippo’s words. What Kagome wanted more than anything else, was to believe that her first love had truly loved her back. Yet one thing this youkai had stated was puzzling her. If Liam did not speak of her miko abilities then how had his family known? Never once in her few visits to his home did she feel the pressing chill of youki nor did she feel the inner warmth of her reiki. The words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them. It was not her intention to accuse the one that offered her hope, but she could not keep it from her voice.
Shippo sighed; he had been caught in an embellishment. “It is my understanding that during your first encounter with Liam at the party that you glowed slightly when he pressed his aura. Why he did this to begin with, I do not know. What I do know is that his initial interest in you stemmed from the promise you held.”
The burn of unshed tears stung her eyes. “So, if I had not shown this… this…. this ability then he would have been happy to simply insult me,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “I have no value beyond a power that I just happened to born with. Apparently, I am not worthy of love and devotion by my own merits.”
The soft incrimination of her self-worth played havoc on the surrounding youkai. Toga had known letting her talk to the kitsune was a bad idea. He was well aware of the agreement that his son, his heir, had come to with the girl’s grandfather and now it seemed that she was never going to be able to overcome the depression she had fallen into. It was with the utmost control that he did not cut down his son.
The younger inu of the West was using his control not to strike down the kitsune. Really, why did he think this was a good idea?
However, it was Shippo that felt the weight of the girl’s mood the strongest. It had been his words that sent her into this spiral, and it did not sit well with him to allow one so pure to doubt herself. He would fix this and he would do it now.
“If any of what you just said was true then I would not be here now. Liam would have marked you in such a way that these inu would not have had the chance to stake claim on you. If he did not hold freedom of choice in such high regard, then my clan would have had the time to allow you to mourn and then approach you.
“Kagome, your merits are many and do not doubt that those around you cannot see them. There are few that would be allowed the choice to deny the West what they want.”
“I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“It was part of the agreement made between your intended and your grandfather. The union will only be blessed by your family once they are assured that you have willing agreed to the wedding-“ his words were cut off by a deafening snarl. Shippo was not sure from which throat it had originated, but as a smaller being, he knew that he had just marked himself as prey.
The meaning of the words finally sunk into to Kagome’s mind and immediately she turned to Sesshoumaru. “Why?” When he did not answer, her faltering voice again tried to glean an answer from the deceiving male. “Why did you not tell me?”
Sesshoumaru knew that she was now oblivious to his father’s rising anger and youki, add her high running emotions, and he was left with a foreboding feeling. Truly, what could he say to her? He had withheld the stipulation because he knew that she would refuse him without giving him a chance to prove himself. The words that came next broke his silence.
She did not mean to voice it aloud, but it hurt too much to keep it in. “I trusted you. I was starting to care about you.”
Within a sliver blur, Sesshoumaru was before her. He bent his head so that his mouth rested by her ear. “This Sesshoumaru did not wish to be rejected for failings that were not his own.”
She pushed back against his chest and searched his eyes. He was telling her the truth. The cold, closed amber orbs had opened to allow her to see in, and he was telling her the truth. Could she blame him? She did not know.
“Sesshoumaru, I want to go home. Please take me home… to the shrine.”
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
He watched the figure under the Goshinboku. He had been relieved when she did not go for her box of memories but searched for solace under the boughs of the holy tree. Her mother had asked the reason for their unexpected visit and he had told her that she was dealing with many trying things at school. It was not a lie, and it could be part of the reason she wanted to be here.
As the minutes slipped into hours, Sesshoumaru wondered if he had already lost the woman he now stood vigil over.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*
AN: Thank you for reading, I hope that enjoyed enough to leave a review.
emmaren
AN: Sorry for the wait, this chapter was really had to get right.
Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing, all remaining errors I proudly claim and own.
Nori had listened to the kitsune and her father speak late into the night. The only thing that she had found resolution to was that if she continued to conspire with the kitsune she would not live to see the next century.
Her father had obviously taken great offensive in Sesshoumaru playing for the hand of the miko. Apparently, her father had turned down many offers for her on the unspoken agreement that she would become Sesshoumaru’s mate when he decided to take another. Whatever, her father’s reasons, Nori swore that she would not go down with him.
There had to be others that she could use to split the girl from her future mate. Human’s were petty beings; should not take much to break the girl.
Kagome had regretted not bringing more of her personal items to her new ‘home.’ When the male had stated that they were leaving he proceeded to pull her from the room and down the stairs. Goodbyes were rushed, not that she wanted to spend time blubbering with the ones that had sold her, and the remainder of the day she had spent in his oppressive silence. The silence found no reprieve when Sayami entered her home.
In fact, Kagome was quite sure that the true mother of her future husband looked on her with nothing but distain. It was very obvious to her that the elder female did not want her so close. Admittedly, it would be hard to sacrifice one’s personal freedom to welcome an ungrateful guest, but Kagome constantly felt no better than the dirt left on the welcome mat of the lobby.
It had been eye-opening to learn that these youkai did not need to eat or sleep at near the frequency her body demanded. The former had been discovered when Kagome’s hunger forced her into an immaculate but barren kitchen late Sunday night.
Padding softly from the kitchen to the living area, Kagome noticed both Sesshoumaru and Sayami having an involved discussion in tones too low for her to discern any words. She had not wanted to interrupt them but she had not eaten since last evening and was beginning to feel the fatigue of her impromptu fast. Clearing her throat to gain the attention of the two that deemed her presence completely unworthy, she was met with an “Hn” from a feminine throat.
Bowing to show her apology for interrupting, Kagome voiced her concern. “Gomen Sayami-san, is there anything to eat within the apartment?”
The weight of their stares added to her guilt. She had broken with years of ingrained manners and violated the sanctity of this youkai’s kitchen, add to that she had now spoke of her hunger rather than wait for the offer of food. However, there was a part of her brain telling her that she would not be in this situation if this hostess had been more attentive to her duties. Besides this was now to be her home as well for Kami-sama knew how long.
“No.” Kagome’s head jerked up at the curtness of the reply. She was met with unsympathic eyes of the female. A random thought floated through Kagome’s head that maybe ‘bitch’ had made its way into to modern language due to her kind.
Unaware of the human’s thoughts Sayami continued, “It will be remedied by morning.” The old bitch was now done talking to the girl and made no further attempt to acknowledge her presence; in fact, she turned back to her son and began the discussion again.
Kagome riled under the treatment just issued to her, but she had no energy to fight or voice her indignation. It was a broken figure that retreated back to “her” room. Curling in the fetal position on top of the covers of her bed, she stared blankly out her open window to the city lights beyond the glass.
The knocking on her door caused her to jump. She had no idea how long she had lain there alone in the dark, but Kagome’s head turned towards the opening door. There stood the imposing figure of Sesshoumaru holding a tray with bento boxes and a tea set. His stride was confident as he crossed the room to the low table. His rhythm was not broken as he set down the tray and then turned to her figure on the bed. She was quickly moved to the seated position in front of the table. Before she understood all the changes to her surroundings there was Sesshoumaru on the other side of the table staring intently at her with an expectant look. His amber orbs flittered ever so quickly to the tea set.
The ingrained manners again forced her reaction to quickly pour him a cup. She was going to serve him his food as well when she noticed that there was only one set of chopsticks. Sesshoumaru did not hold back the smirk that graced his face as he took in the picture she made just blinking at the utensils.
“The food is yours. It has been a while since either my mother or I have lived closely with humans and we both overlooked the frequency with which your body’s demands would make themselves known.”
His words and the cool demeanor of his voice caused her ire to rise, but the fact that he had put her needs before any demand that his mother had been making caused her to hold her tongue. Had he just admitted that he was fallible?
The week had not progressed much better, the only constant she had was Sesshoumaru’s imposing presence in the evenings. Her time on campus had been whittled down to only being there long enough to attend lectures. The hushed whispers of students, and professors alike, had risen in volume to the point that even Ayumi could not stand by her side without feeling the social repercussions.
This new development was not helped by Kagome’s unwillingness to fight the rumor mills. So she walked to her classes with her head bowed and ears shut. Thursdays were usually her most favored of the week because she could spend her three-hour break in the library lightening her load of class work and granting her precious free time.
This Thursday did not look nearly as promising, in fact, it was quickly turning into a horrible day. Kagome noticed that there was now a body blocking her path so she tried to move around. The obstruction again stood in her path forcing Kagome to do the one thing that she had no desire to, make eye contact.
It was a man she had never seen before, or if she had, she quickly wrote him off as unnoteable. Her skin crawled at the lewd way that he was looking at her and the feeling did not settle when he began to speak.
“Higurashi, if I had known what an obvious talent you are, I would have requested your services before this.” She wanted to vomit, no, she wanted to vomit on him after she slapped him senseless.
Enduring the louder than normal whispers was one thing, but to allow the crass advancements would only cause her life to become more horrendous. Eyes narrowing as her stance went from docile female to a woman affronted by the utmost indignation. “My services?” her voice dripped with warning.
The man, no… foolish boy, paid no heed to her implied warning. “Come now Higurashi, you expect us to believe that a wallflower like yourself caught the eye of one of the most eligible bachelors without having any other attributes to recommend you?”
“I do not care what filth like you believes,” she growled out. “However, I will be gracious enough to offer you this advice, if you continue in life as you are now all you will know is ruin and the fault will rest solely on your own shoulders. Now move from my way.”
The boy just laughed at her as he again stepped in front of her. “I don’t think you understand, Higurashi. You will be compensated for your time, but I will be sampling your talents or my name is not Kobayashi Kanaye.”
Kagome was quickly going over the best way to handle this overzealous male without drawing more unwanted attention when a rich baritone surged forth from behind her.
“I was under the impression that this institution only accepts those of great intelligence, but rest assured Kobayashi. Their error will be remedied rapidly.”
The boy just stuttered at the tall form of the silver-headed male. Knowing that the boy could no longer cause any harm to his female Sesshoumaru pressed on. “I believe the lady told you to move from her. That is a demand that you will concede to immediately if you do not wish to lose anything else this day.”
Kagome watched Kanaye bow low and figuratively run away with his tail tucked between his legs. She turned to her ‘savior’ angered that he had seen her in a moment of indecision, her unspent anger was unleashed on him. “What are you doing here?”
A single brow rose.
“Do not give me that look, Sesshoumaru. Why did you come here? Don’t you have a business to run or something?” Her face flushed as her anger leaked into more than her voice.
Sesshoumaru continued to lazily gaze down at the petite raven-haired beauty. Without giving any outward sign, he was trying to determine what was instigating her lack of gratitude. It was then that his impeccable hearing caught the whispers of the still-surrounding onlookers. The more he diverted his attention to the words of the others the more strain he found being placed on his self-control. Was this what she had been dealing with for the past few weeks? Where were those who she called friend?
He noticed that the few youkai in the surrounding crowd were intelligent enough to keep their mouths shut, but he had no doubt that if he was not there, they too would be joining in the jeering of this woman. He cursed himself for not clearing his schedule sooner. His mother had informed him of Kagome’s apprehension before she left each morning for class. However, Sesshoumaru had brushed this aside as something more for his mother to complain about.
The old bitch had begrudgingly agreed to allow the miko stay within her home, but then threw a full-on tantrum worthy of any pampered female when said miko displayed the ability to manifest her reiki. It had long been believed that neither miko nor holy man could harness their powers without training. Kagome proved their untested sense of security false and Sayami had not stopped whining to her mate about it.
Finally focusing again on the ranting woman before him, Sesshoumaru caught the tail end of her tirade. “… Fine, don’t listen to me. You know what; I have work to do Sesshoumaru. So if you will excuse me, I will see you later.”
She moved to brush past the infuriating male, when for the third time that day a male blocked he path. “How long has this been going on?” He watched has her back stiffened.
“How long has what been going on?”
The inu-youkai allowed a small growl to pass his lips at her obvious avoidance of his question. There was something that he had learned about her in the past week. The easiest way to get her to speak was not to battle wills with her head-on but to ignite her anger.
“Do not be daft. This Sesshoumaru knows that it comes naturally to humans, but do try to rise above your limiting heritage.” Yes, that worked nicely judging by the chaotic waves in her sapphire oceans.
“I should say the same to you, or have you forgotten? Is it not my ‘limiting heritage’ that you are counting on to ensure your entire pack’s safety? Furthermore, it would take a truly daft person to not understand the consequences of your interest in me. What did you expect people to think when a wealthy, prosperous man takes an interest in an unknown, poor girl? How was I to be painted as anything other than whore?” Her volume had increased to the point that a few head turned in their direction at the end her last statement.
“Hn.”
Kagome was now boiling. After all she had told him about her world falling part all he could do was offer a noncommittal ‘hn.’ The sting in her eyes warned the young woman that she was about to add crying in front of the damn Chihuahua to her list of humiliating moments for the day.
“That is all you have to say?” It came out as more a whisper.
No, that was not all he had to say however, slaughtering half the student population would definitely be frowned upon. “It is time for lunch, come.”
Her eyes turned to steel. “No, I told you that I have work to do.”
The defiant attitude did nothing to soothe his already boiling blood. How was he to protect her when she did not confide in him? When she refused his methods of protection?
They stood locked in a battle of wills as the world and time passed around them. Her steeled will pitted against his molten desire to be her male. The great Sesshoumaru, heir to the West, had come to the realization that he would never dominate her by force. No, her submission would only come when she was assured of the ownership of his very soul. This was not a favorable realization but the sting was dampened by the fact that he would then have her total loyalty. For an inu, loyalty was everything, and the first quality that he recognized in this raven-haired woman, besides her miko abilities, was the loyalty she held for all those close to her.
Kagome felt her resolve faltering under the intensity of his gaze. Everything about him screamed alpha male, but there were moments, like now, that she could almost see the need in his eyes. The moment she had shifted her weight denoted the moment she had lost.
Stepping closer to the now frail-looking being before him, Sesshoumaru spoke, “Kagome, there are more important things to do today, then your school work. Come, we will discuss this in the car.”
Why was she giving into this male? What lure did he have that none of her family or friends had? By his own admission his only interest was use her as a tool, a means to secure safety. However, she found herself yearning to always be within those amber orbs’ line vision. When he looked at her, she felt as if he saw all of her, stripped of any shields, and that he accepted her flawed being wholly.
When had this started? When had he ceased to be the enemy? Kagome did not know. Maybe she was just tired of standing alone against all of those she cared for. Maybe it was the fact that he was the first one to truly listen to her heartache, or maybe it was in the last week where even his most minuscule actions were used to show how attentive he could be in caring for her. There were so many possibilities to ponder over for this new dynamic between them that Kagome did not even noticed as she entered his vehicle.
Finally, she was ripped from her thoughts by Sesshoumaru’s tension filled voice. “Why did you not inform this Sesshoumaru?”
Dazed, Kagome could not decipher the meaning behind his accusation. “Why did I not inform you of what?”
The growl ended in more of a snarl, waking Kagome to anger festering in the other occupant of the car. She pressed herself into the door as far away from the enraged inu-youkai as she could get.
Sesshoumaru noticed the woman’s movements and knew that he was dangerously close destroying whatever small bond of trust that had been formed between them. With the utter lack of anything to melt, the stoic youkai was left with only one avenue to vent his rising frustration. He would have to express it verbally. Damn.
“You know exactly of what this Sesshoumaru speaks of, woman. You are mine, and as such you will not be subjected to such,” in a trend that he was find all too familiar with this particular woman, Sesshoumaru found himself searching for the correct word. “vileness.”
Kagome noted the way his clawed hands gripped the steering wheel to the point where it groaned under his strength. The anger was palpable on the air, yet it was his wording that gave her comfort. No, she was not pleased with how she was claimed almost like some object. However, his disignation of human jealousy lead her to believe that his anger was not directed at her.
With a shaking sigh, she tried to calm the raging inu. “It is human nature to lash out at those you are envious of, so there is nothing that I can do about it.”
Therein lay the problem between them, Sesshoumaru noted. She still believed that she stood alone in this. A belief that held no credence, and would no longer be allowed to stand. “If you have no will or strength to fight your battles then you will tell this Sesshoumaru. For it is this Sesshoumaru’s duty and honor to fight them in your stead.”
The journey was coming to an end and when his attention was not required in other avenues, his full attention was focused on her. One of the powerful-clawed hands reached for hers with gentleness that she had learned to expect from his physical interactions with her.
“Kagome, there are many things that we do not innately know about one another. Time will only heal this if we trust and seek each other in confidence. In this matter allow this Sesshoumaru to be your strength.”
The warmth caused by his words had Kagome question her loyalty and her worth. Was it wrong to allow him this so soon after Liam? What had she done to cause the Kami to test her in such a way? She was tired of the numbing ache of the soul-searing heartbreak she had endured. Kami-sama she was tired.
Lunch was a silent affair. When it was finished, Sesshoumaru checked the time and then announced that they had somewhere to be. The trek through the office halls left Kagome in a daze. She barely noticed as he argued with a secretary outside some large office door. It was not until she was confronted with green eyes and red hair that she sent a questioning gaze at the male she had been following.
Ignoring his father’s rising ire and all others in the room, Sesshoumaru choose to answer Kagome’s unvoiced question. “You have concerns that if left unaddressed, you will never be able to move beyond your past.”
Was he really going to allow her to speak with this youkai? After he had stated, not in so many words, that she never to be in contact with any of Liam’s family. Did this mean that he saw her needs to be more important than his… ego?
Kagome listened to the heated words exchanged between father and son. It was obvious that the elder male was not happy with his son’s decision to bring her into this room. It was also obvious that if the two continued in the same manner that she would not have the chance to confront her doubts about Liam.
The resolve set in and she moved to bow before the ‘alpha’ in the room. “Sato-san, please allow me this. Please.” Kagome remained fixed in the bowing position until she heard an acquiescing grunt.
Quickly moving to the redhead, she bowed and introduced herself. The male returned the gesture in kind. There was no point in beating around the bush, as Kami-sama only knew how long the patience of the lookers would last.
“Shippo-san, how well did you know Liam?”
Shippo hedged for a moment. If two lie-sniffing youkai had not been in the room, the temptation deceive to the girl would have been overwhelming. However, under the circumstances, honesty was the best policy. Besides his clan’s bid for the girl was already over.
“I knew as well as any can claim to know a family member who lives overseas and has not been seen in years.” Shippo watched Kagome’s features become crestfallen. It was easy enough to guess what had weighed so heavily on her mind, especially considering everything that had been brought to the girl’s attention. The girl was lost, but there was still a way for him to ensure his good standing with the Western Dog Clan. “However, I can offer you insight to his instinctual side that might help you answer your haunting questions.”
She would never know for sure, but maybe she would find security in what this ‘Fox’ had to say. “If you would, please.”
“As Kitsune, we rely on misdirection and, quite honestly, deceit at times to obtain what we want. What this means directly for your relationship with Liam is that the fact that you walked away without a permanent mark means that he had no desire to deceive you.
“I know that he was never the one to brag about the miko he had snared. He held out against family pressure to force your hand. However, the most important thing was that he never, according to his mother, did speak of your potential power, but you as a person.”
Kagome looked into the green eyes of the being before her. She wondered how much she should believe for the male had just admitted that he was not above deceit to obtain his ends.
In the end, it did not matter how much common sense told her not to put faith in Shippo’s words. What Kagome wanted more than anything else, was to believe that her first love had truly loved her back. Yet one thing this youkai had stated was puzzling her. If Liam did not speak of her miko abilities then how had his family known? Never once in her few visits to his home did she feel the pressing chill of youki nor did she feel the inner warmth of her reiki. The words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them. It was not her intention to accuse the one that offered her hope, but she could not keep it from her voice.
Shippo sighed; he had been caught in an embellishment. “It is my understanding that during your first encounter with Liam at the party that you glowed slightly when he pressed his aura. Why he did this to begin with, I do not know. What I do know is that his initial interest in you stemmed from the promise you held.”
The burn of unshed tears stung her eyes. “So, if I had not shown this… this…. this ability then he would have been happy to simply insult me,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “I have no value beyond a power that I just happened to born with. Apparently, I am not worthy of love and devotion by my own merits.”
The soft incrimination of her self-worth played havoc on the surrounding youkai. Toga had known letting her talk to the kitsune was a bad idea. He was well aware of the agreement that his son, his heir, had come to with the girl’s grandfather and now it seemed that she was never going to be able to overcome the depression she had fallen into. It was with the utmost control that he did not cut down his son.
The younger inu of the West was using his control not to strike down the kitsune. Really, why did he think this was a good idea?
However, it was Shippo that felt the weight of the girl’s mood the strongest. It had been his words that sent her into this spiral, and it did not sit well with him to allow one so pure to doubt herself. He would fix this and he would do it now.
“If any of what you just said was true then I would not be here now. Liam would have marked you in such a way that these inu would not have had the chance to stake claim on you. If he did not hold freedom of choice in such high regard, then my clan would have had the time to allow you to mourn and then approach you.
“Kagome, your merits are many and do not doubt that those around you cannot see them. There are few that would be allowed the choice to deny the West what they want.”
“I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“It was part of the agreement made between your intended and your grandfather. The union will only be blessed by your family once they are assured that you have willing agreed to the wedding-“ his words were cut off by a deafening snarl. Shippo was not sure from which throat it had originated, but as a smaller being, he knew that he had just marked himself as prey.
The meaning of the words finally sunk into to Kagome’s mind and immediately she turned to Sesshoumaru. “Why?” When he did not answer, her faltering voice again tried to glean an answer from the deceiving male. “Why did you not tell me?”
Sesshoumaru knew that she was now oblivious to his father’s rising anger and youki, add her high running emotions, and he was left with a foreboding feeling. Truly, what could he say to her? He had withheld the stipulation because he knew that she would refuse him without giving him a chance to prove himself. The words that came next broke his silence.
She did not mean to voice it aloud, but it hurt too much to keep it in. “I trusted you. I was starting to care about you.”
Within a sliver blur, Sesshoumaru was before her. He bent his head so that his mouth rested by her ear. “This Sesshoumaru did not wish to be rejected for failings that were not his own.”
She pushed back against his chest and searched his eyes. He was telling her the truth. The cold, closed amber orbs had opened to allow her to see in, and he was telling her the truth. Could she blame him? She did not know.
“Sesshoumaru, I want to go home. Please take me home… to the shrine.”
He watched the figure under the Goshinboku. He had been relieved when she did not go for her box of memories but searched for solace under the boughs of the holy tree. Her mother had asked the reason for their unexpected visit and he had told her that she was dealing with many trying things at school. It was not a lie, and it could be part of the reason she wanted to be here.
As the minutes slipped into hours, Sesshoumaru wondered if he had already lost the woman he now stood vigil over.
AN: Thank you for reading, I hope that enjoyed enough to leave a review.
emmaren