What Was Expected
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Category:
InuYasha › Het - Male/Female › Sesshōmaru/Kagome
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
12
Views:
9,861
Reviews:
61
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
Vigilance
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND CO, NOR DO I MAKE MONEY FROM THIS.
Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing.
Thank to all of those who voted for this story and “Yellow Brick Road” in the Dokuga Quarterly awards. You are awesome. I apologize for the long wait it is just real life demanding that I pay attention to it.
Chapter 11: Vigilance
The minutes under the swaying boughs of the Goshinboku turned to hours as the day turned to night. Kagome was more lost than she had ever been in her life. The solace usually found among the gnarled roots was not present; instead, they seemed to be a physical manifestation of the confusion in her life. The only truth that she found was that if she continued down the same path she had been she would soon wither and fade.
Life was not meant to be stagnant and she was only a small part of everything. If she did not want to fade then she must begin to move again with the flow of life. However, the choice of which direction was what held her feet immobile. She needed advice. Only one name came to mind when she searched for who to turn to, Ayumi.
With her course of action chosen, she made arrangements with her childhood friend to meet that night. It was as she was hanging up the phone that she was confronted by the one that she did not want to talk to at the moment.
Sesshoumaru had overheard her conversation with her friend. He knew that his movements now needed to more careful than if he were walking over a thawing lake. Therefore, he did what any great predator would do; he waited patiently for her to show her weakness. It did not take long.
“I am going to meet with a friend.” Kagome was proud of the false resolve she managed to ingrain in her voice.
He bore into her eyes as he responded. “I will take you to your friend and then I will take you back to the apartment.”
Anger rose from the depths of her soul. Throwing life-long lessons from her spiritual beliefs aside, Kagome allowed the anger to guide her actions and words. Her hand rose up to push the infuriating male out of her way while venom seeped into her voice, “I will not be controlled!”
He brought one hand up to trap her hand upon his chest, and the other moved toward her face. The backs of his fingers lightly grazed the underside of her jawline. His tone was firm, not demanding or harsh, as he said, “No, Kagome, you will not be controlled. However, you will be protected.”
With the last statement, he ran the pad of his thumb over her lips. The feeling of such a sensuous act forced Kagome to release more of her anger than she had wanted. What was it about this youkai that made her want give into his promise of forever?
Good-byes were short and strained and soon Kagome found herself inside a small teahouse where she and Ayumi had agreed to meet. The conversation had started out awkward, but when Ayumi realized that her childhood friend held no ill will towards her the air cleared.
Not sure how to begin her line of questioning, Kagome stared into the tea leaves at the bottom of her cup.
“So… Kagome, how are things going with Sato-san?”
Kagome looked deep into the chocolate orbs of her friend; there was no reason to lie. “Honestly?”
Ayumi was becoming more worried for her friend’s mental health by the moment. “Yes, honestly.”
“I don’t know. I know that I am being used, but at the same time, I feel that I have been placed into a position where I am to choose the lesser of two evils. Should I go back to my family that essentially sold me for a better roof, or stay with a being that willingly hides the truth from me?” Kagome could not bring herself to make eye contact with her life-long friend.
Brown eyes absorbed the woman before her, and Ayumi wondered when they had started keeping secrets from each other. However, that was not going to solve her friend’s problems and quite frankly, she could not begin to give advice when she only knew bits and pieces of the whole situation. “What did Sato-san hide from you?”
“Apparently, while my grandfather did agree to move forward with the Yuinou quickly, he had specifically told Sesshoumaru that no marriage would take place until my family was convinced that it was something I wanted.”
“So, technically, your family did not sell you,” Ayumi raised her hand to silence the oncoming protest from her the stubborn raven-haired woman, and continued to her next query. “When you discovered his omission, did he offer a reason for it?”
Only receiving an affirmative nod, Ayumi began to equate this conversation as something akin to having your teeth pulled. “And…” Still no verbal response. “Kagome, what reason did he give?”
Kagome stalled by taking a long drink from her cup. She was not really sure why she was so hesitant to answer her friend’s inquiry; it just seemed wrong to portray such a powerful male as doing something as degrading as begging, or more accurately, pleading. However, by the hard-set look on Ayumi’s face there would be no way to avoid it.
In tones no louder than a whisper, Kagome relinquished the much-sought answer. “He said that he feared that I would reject him before I ever gave him a chance.”
A startled gasp forced sapphire eyes to meet chocolate ones. “Are those his exact words?”
“They may not be his exact words, but the sentiment is the same. So much was happening when I discovered his lie that I don’t think I will ever be able to remember exactly what he said.”
“Kagome, you know as much as I do what it took for him to be able to admit to something like that. I am not saying that you have to forgive him, but for him to make that large of a leap to rectify his mistake then maybe there are some other redeeming qualities as well.”
No, she did not want her friend to be on their side. Kagome felt her hate and venom pour out of her, directed at one person who did not deserve it. “So, because he is wealthy and willing to take me, I should jump at the fortuitous opportunity I have been presented. I mean my family has, my elders have, already made their wishes known and who am I to stand in the way of tradition and honor?”
Her chest was heaving and her eyes ablaze with the fire of indignation, and for the first time in over two and half years Ayumi recognized the being across from her as being Kagome not some shell walking around with Kagome’s face. Ayumi could not stop the smile that spread across her face, it felt good to have her friend back.
“For Kami’s sake, no. Kagome, honor and tradition can only carry you so far. I do not want to see one of my closest friends resign herself to a life of misery just so her epitaph can read, ‘She always did what was expected of her.’
“I don’t pretend to know how hard any of this is for you. I can tell you that this is the first time since you left overseas that I truly recognize you. I can also tell you the man that everyone wants you to marry seems to be an honorable person though flawed with natural human insecurities.” At this Kagome could not stop the laugh, Ayumi however, paid no mind and continued with her lecture. “I can tell you that the boy that harassed you earlier today has been sent packing, by the Dean himself, for reprehensible and dishonorable behavior. I can tell you that I am ecstatic that you would consider breaking your usual course in order to ensure that you are happy. Finally, I can tell you that while I know your dream has always been of love and not pomp and wealth, you should not reject someone just because he can offer you the latter as well.”
Listening to the words being spoken aloud forced Kagome to realize that her friend was not on their side, because there probably was no their side in the first place. “So Ayumi, you are saying that I should give Sesshoumaru a chance, even after he lied to me?”
What would it take to convince her that the man was doing what everyone else around her had been doing? In all actuality, his decision was more than likely not based on deceit but the desire to avoid unnecessary strife. “What I am saying is that I am sorry that the man you loved so deeply died, but there is nothing that anyone can do to bring him back. You are young and deserve to live your life, not spend the rest of your years mourning the loss of another. If there is any part of you that believes that you can find happiness with this Sesshoumaru guy, then you owe it to yourself to give him and your possible future together a chance.”
Then all that was left to be said was the epitome of that which encapsulated Kagome’s true problem. “Then why does it feel like I am betraying Liam, if I even contemplate giving another man a chance at my heart?”
“Because you are more of a romantic than a realist. Love is not supposed to have an unhappy ending. Even doomed star-crossed lovers are able to die together; they never have to deal with the pain of lost love.”
“I don’t think that I am so superficial.”
“No, you’re not. However, let’s try this at a different angle. Do honestly believe that Liam would have wished you to remain depressed and miserable the rest of your life supposedly ‘honoring his memory,’ or would he have wished you to find happiness?”
There was no reply. Kagome receded into her mind to mull over the statement as if it was first time she had ever heard the sentiment. Staring into the bottom of her cup, she wondered if there was any true validity to the belief that tea leaves could tell your future, after all, there were youkai in the world. Thoughts clouded her mind to the point where she barely noticed when her friend left and was replaced with the silver-headed bane of her existence. Numbly, she followed as he led the way out of the establishment.
However, the cool night air managed to bring her focus back to things that were happening around her, not the torment in her soul. It was in this sudden awakening that she noticed how the seemingly always-elegant male had slowed his gait to an awkwardly slow pace to match her trudging footsteps. He no longer led her, but gave her the position of an equal by walking beside her. He seemed as if he was walking on eggshells, and she realized that he was trying to ensure that he did not lose her. The question was: Was he trying so hard because he wanted the safety her power would provide or was it because he wanted her.
Life was full of uncertainty, but Kagome knew that never before did she worry whether someone’s motives were to manipulate her. In that moment it felt as if a piece of her had died, some inner light now illuminate without the previous luster. She wanted it back. What would bring it back?
Sesshoumaru had taken note that she had made no mention that he should not take her back to his mother’s, yet he could not escape the instinct that told him he should not take her there. It was not that he thought his mother would purposely do something to further deteriorate the situation. It just seemed that the small woman was in need of those who understood the thrill of life, not a bitter old high-born bitch that bemoaned her current situation without thought of how much she actually had.
Still there was nowhere else to take her that would not endanger the accord that he had reached with her grandfather, and seeing how she already felt betrayed by him the last thing he needed was her family to change their minds. He had not felt this stifled and contained since the first time that he had been told he would be mating. Now more than ever he felt resentment for how fate chose their meeting. Under other circumstances, he could state that his attraction to her was based on something other than her ability to provide security to his pack.
This would not do. He was Sesshoumaru, heir to the West. The most powerful youkai in the whole of Japan, quite possibly the world, and he could not state with certainty his attraction to a human. Watching her from the corner of his eye, he could easily state that she was attractive even with all the sadness radiating off her. Her scent was becoming something of an addiction for him, and when she looked at him, he felt himself wanting to drown in her deep sapphire pools. Her anger excited him like nothing else because with it came the burning press of her power on his aura. And therein lay the problem.
He was youkai and it was only natural for him to seek out a powerful mate. What it was that his father saw in Izayoi, he would never understand. As daft as he believed his half-brother to be, at least the pup had sought to align himself with a powerful female. Would Kagome understand this aspect of him if he explained it to her?
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Sesshoumaru found himself sitting on the outside of Kagome’s door still contemplating all that plagued his mind on the way to the apartment.
“Has our lineage become so unimportant that one of our noble bloodline would play simply guard dog?” came the cool tones of his mother’s voice.
His eyes did not open and he made no attempt to rise to his mother’s bait.
“So now not only is our lineage trivial, but an always honorable son would set aside age-old tradition and ignore his mother all for a simple miko that does not know her purpose. Truly the humans have been allowed too many liberties if a miko does not understand that the Kami themselves sent her down here in order to serve us.”
Apparently, she would not be going until she had gotten him to respond. Repressing the sigh that threatened to escape his throat, Sesshoumaru answered his mother. “Hn.”
“That is all this Sayami receives. An ‘hn’ is all that this Sayami is worthy of. Pup, you take after your sire more and more with each passing century. The two of you are wholly ungrateful for the sacrifice I make each day by allowing that… that… that lethal weapon of an untrained miko stay within the walls I call home.”
Really, his mother was beyond trying. In the last week or so Sesshoumaru had found logic in his father’s decision to find another female with which to share his nightly bed. It was time to remind her of her place within the pack or else he would not be left to his thoughts this night.
“This Sesshoumaru will take a moment to remind you that a miko’s place was never to be benevolent or beneficial to youkai. Furthermore, my comings and goings have not been your concern in many centuries. What I decide is best in this particular course of action is what will be done, and might I remind you that your noble blood was only truly made great in the face of your mate and alpha’s actions along with that of you son, this Sesshoumaru.”
Sayami’s normally pristine features scrunched in an ugly contention of indignation and the need for retribution. She had humbly taken her place that any other first mate would have killed their alpha over and played second best to a human hime. However, she would not allow her son to think that he could talk down to her like some common dog.
“And let this Sayami,” her voice dripping with false sweetness, “remind you, my son that your sire is still your alpha as well. I do not know why I am bothering to warn a son who is so obviously disrespectful to his own mother, but the love of a mother knows no insult. So I will tell you that said alpha is not pleased with the stunt that you pulled today at the office. It would not be surprising if you find yourself without the rights to take the miko for mate.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew that it had been the wrong thing to hint at. Faster than she had seen her son move in the last century he was up and snarling in her face. His voice took on a gravelly quality and couple that with the blood-red eyes there was only one conclusion to be drawn: Sesshoumaru had allowed his baser instincts to slip past his control.
“Kagome is mine. None will change that even if I must kill my alpha to prove it.” Though the quality of his voice and eyes belied the beast he naturally was, his tone and demeanor held with his true personality. His statement was a simply warning of what would happen if any tried to stand in his way.
Sayami whined pitifully and then slowly retreated to her room, never once turning her back on her son. Her mate would have to be informed that unless he wanted a challenge, not to press his heir on anything regarding the miko.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Again, the minutes had slipped into hours as the night faded in the pre-dawn light. It was at this time that Sesshoumaru scented the salt of Kagome’s tears. His ears slightly twitched as he strained to her breathing and heartbeat through the door. While it was slightly faster than it had been throughout the night it did not seem that she was awake.
Stealthily, he crept into her room to find her crying in her sleep. The salty liquid had already started to soak into her pillow, and for the first time in his long life Sesshoumaru longed to pull her into his arms. There was nothing that he wanted more than for her to find solace within his embrace.
As the rays of a new day began to light her ivory skin and obsidian hair, the great Sesshoumaru was humbled by his need to possess and be possessed by this woman. It was her that he wanted; all that was left now was to make her understand that reiki was only one aspect of her that had garnered his attention.
With a quick press of his lips to hers, he was pleased that she seemed to be calmed by the action. Leaving her to her slumber, Sesshoumaru resumed his vigil outside of her door.
*+*+*+*+*+*
AN: Thank you for reading, if you would be so kind as to review that would be awesome.
emmaren
Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing.
Thank to all of those who voted for this story and “Yellow Brick Road” in the Dokuga Quarterly awards. You are awesome. I apologize for the long wait it is just real life demanding that I pay attention to it.
Chapter 11: Vigilance
The minutes under the swaying boughs of the Goshinboku turned to hours as the day turned to night. Kagome was more lost than she had ever been in her life. The solace usually found among the gnarled roots was not present; instead, they seemed to be a physical manifestation of the confusion in her life. The only truth that she found was that if she continued down the same path she had been she would soon wither and fade.
Life was not meant to be stagnant and she was only a small part of everything. If she did not want to fade then she must begin to move again with the flow of life. However, the choice of which direction was what held her feet immobile. She needed advice. Only one name came to mind when she searched for who to turn to, Ayumi.
With her course of action chosen, she made arrangements with her childhood friend to meet that night. It was as she was hanging up the phone that she was confronted by the one that she did not want to talk to at the moment.
Sesshoumaru had overheard her conversation with her friend. He knew that his movements now needed to more careful than if he were walking over a thawing lake. Therefore, he did what any great predator would do; he waited patiently for her to show her weakness. It did not take long.
“I am going to meet with a friend.” Kagome was proud of the false resolve she managed to ingrain in her voice.
He bore into her eyes as he responded. “I will take you to your friend and then I will take you back to the apartment.”
Anger rose from the depths of her soul. Throwing life-long lessons from her spiritual beliefs aside, Kagome allowed the anger to guide her actions and words. Her hand rose up to push the infuriating male out of her way while venom seeped into her voice, “I will not be controlled!”
He brought one hand up to trap her hand upon his chest, and the other moved toward her face. The backs of his fingers lightly grazed the underside of her jawline. His tone was firm, not demanding or harsh, as he said, “No, Kagome, you will not be controlled. However, you will be protected.”
With the last statement, he ran the pad of his thumb over her lips. The feeling of such a sensuous act forced Kagome to release more of her anger than she had wanted. What was it about this youkai that made her want give into his promise of forever?
Good-byes were short and strained and soon Kagome found herself inside a small teahouse where she and Ayumi had agreed to meet. The conversation had started out awkward, but when Ayumi realized that her childhood friend held no ill will towards her the air cleared.
Not sure how to begin her line of questioning, Kagome stared into the tea leaves at the bottom of her cup.
“So… Kagome, how are things going with Sato-san?”
Kagome looked deep into the chocolate orbs of her friend; there was no reason to lie. “Honestly?”
Ayumi was becoming more worried for her friend’s mental health by the moment. “Yes, honestly.”
“I don’t know. I know that I am being used, but at the same time, I feel that I have been placed into a position where I am to choose the lesser of two evils. Should I go back to my family that essentially sold me for a better roof, or stay with a being that willingly hides the truth from me?” Kagome could not bring herself to make eye contact with her life-long friend.
Brown eyes absorbed the woman before her, and Ayumi wondered when they had started keeping secrets from each other. However, that was not going to solve her friend’s problems and quite frankly, she could not begin to give advice when she only knew bits and pieces of the whole situation. “What did Sato-san hide from you?”
“Apparently, while my grandfather did agree to move forward with the Yuinou quickly, he had specifically told Sesshoumaru that no marriage would take place until my family was convinced that it was something I wanted.”
“So, technically, your family did not sell you,” Ayumi raised her hand to silence the oncoming protest from her the stubborn raven-haired woman, and continued to her next query. “When you discovered his omission, did he offer a reason for it?”
Only receiving an affirmative nod, Ayumi began to equate this conversation as something akin to having your teeth pulled. “And…” Still no verbal response. “Kagome, what reason did he give?”
Kagome stalled by taking a long drink from her cup. She was not really sure why she was so hesitant to answer her friend’s inquiry; it just seemed wrong to portray such a powerful male as doing something as degrading as begging, or more accurately, pleading. However, by the hard-set look on Ayumi’s face there would be no way to avoid it.
In tones no louder than a whisper, Kagome relinquished the much-sought answer. “He said that he feared that I would reject him before I ever gave him a chance.”
A startled gasp forced sapphire eyes to meet chocolate ones. “Are those his exact words?”
“They may not be his exact words, but the sentiment is the same. So much was happening when I discovered his lie that I don’t think I will ever be able to remember exactly what he said.”
“Kagome, you know as much as I do what it took for him to be able to admit to something like that. I am not saying that you have to forgive him, but for him to make that large of a leap to rectify his mistake then maybe there are some other redeeming qualities as well.”
No, she did not want her friend to be on their side. Kagome felt her hate and venom pour out of her, directed at one person who did not deserve it. “So, because he is wealthy and willing to take me, I should jump at the fortuitous opportunity I have been presented. I mean my family has, my elders have, already made their wishes known and who am I to stand in the way of tradition and honor?”
Her chest was heaving and her eyes ablaze with the fire of indignation, and for the first time in over two and half years Ayumi recognized the being across from her as being Kagome not some shell walking around with Kagome’s face. Ayumi could not stop the smile that spread across her face, it felt good to have her friend back.
“For Kami’s sake, no. Kagome, honor and tradition can only carry you so far. I do not want to see one of my closest friends resign herself to a life of misery just so her epitaph can read, ‘She always did what was expected of her.’
“I don’t pretend to know how hard any of this is for you. I can tell you that this is the first time since you left overseas that I truly recognize you. I can also tell you the man that everyone wants you to marry seems to be an honorable person though flawed with natural human insecurities.” At this Kagome could not stop the laugh, Ayumi however, paid no mind and continued with her lecture. “I can tell you that the boy that harassed you earlier today has been sent packing, by the Dean himself, for reprehensible and dishonorable behavior. I can tell you that I am ecstatic that you would consider breaking your usual course in order to ensure that you are happy. Finally, I can tell you that while I know your dream has always been of love and not pomp and wealth, you should not reject someone just because he can offer you the latter as well.”
Listening to the words being spoken aloud forced Kagome to realize that her friend was not on their side, because there probably was no their side in the first place. “So Ayumi, you are saying that I should give Sesshoumaru a chance, even after he lied to me?”
What would it take to convince her that the man was doing what everyone else around her had been doing? In all actuality, his decision was more than likely not based on deceit but the desire to avoid unnecessary strife. “What I am saying is that I am sorry that the man you loved so deeply died, but there is nothing that anyone can do to bring him back. You are young and deserve to live your life, not spend the rest of your years mourning the loss of another. If there is any part of you that believes that you can find happiness with this Sesshoumaru guy, then you owe it to yourself to give him and your possible future together a chance.”
Then all that was left to be said was the epitome of that which encapsulated Kagome’s true problem. “Then why does it feel like I am betraying Liam, if I even contemplate giving another man a chance at my heart?”
“Because you are more of a romantic than a realist. Love is not supposed to have an unhappy ending. Even doomed star-crossed lovers are able to die together; they never have to deal with the pain of lost love.”
“I don’t think that I am so superficial.”
“No, you’re not. However, let’s try this at a different angle. Do honestly believe that Liam would have wished you to remain depressed and miserable the rest of your life supposedly ‘honoring his memory,’ or would he have wished you to find happiness?”
There was no reply. Kagome receded into her mind to mull over the statement as if it was first time she had ever heard the sentiment. Staring into the bottom of her cup, she wondered if there was any true validity to the belief that tea leaves could tell your future, after all, there were youkai in the world. Thoughts clouded her mind to the point where she barely noticed when her friend left and was replaced with the silver-headed bane of her existence. Numbly, she followed as he led the way out of the establishment.
However, the cool night air managed to bring her focus back to things that were happening around her, not the torment in her soul. It was in this sudden awakening that she noticed how the seemingly always-elegant male had slowed his gait to an awkwardly slow pace to match her trudging footsteps. He no longer led her, but gave her the position of an equal by walking beside her. He seemed as if he was walking on eggshells, and she realized that he was trying to ensure that he did not lose her. The question was: Was he trying so hard because he wanted the safety her power would provide or was it because he wanted her.
Life was full of uncertainty, but Kagome knew that never before did she worry whether someone’s motives were to manipulate her. In that moment it felt as if a piece of her had died, some inner light now illuminate without the previous luster. She wanted it back. What would bring it back?
Sesshoumaru had taken note that she had made no mention that he should not take her back to his mother’s, yet he could not escape the instinct that told him he should not take her there. It was not that he thought his mother would purposely do something to further deteriorate the situation. It just seemed that the small woman was in need of those who understood the thrill of life, not a bitter old high-born bitch that bemoaned her current situation without thought of how much she actually had.
Still there was nowhere else to take her that would not endanger the accord that he had reached with her grandfather, and seeing how she already felt betrayed by him the last thing he needed was her family to change their minds. He had not felt this stifled and contained since the first time that he had been told he would be mating. Now more than ever he felt resentment for how fate chose their meeting. Under other circumstances, he could state that his attraction to her was based on something other than her ability to provide security to his pack.
This would not do. He was Sesshoumaru, heir to the West. The most powerful youkai in the whole of Japan, quite possibly the world, and he could not state with certainty his attraction to a human. Watching her from the corner of his eye, he could easily state that she was attractive even with all the sadness radiating off her. Her scent was becoming something of an addiction for him, and when she looked at him, he felt himself wanting to drown in her deep sapphire pools. Her anger excited him like nothing else because with it came the burning press of her power on his aura. And therein lay the problem.
He was youkai and it was only natural for him to seek out a powerful mate. What it was that his father saw in Izayoi, he would never understand. As daft as he believed his half-brother to be, at least the pup had sought to align himself with a powerful female. Would Kagome understand this aspect of him if he explained it to her?
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Sesshoumaru found himself sitting on the outside of Kagome’s door still contemplating all that plagued his mind on the way to the apartment.
“Has our lineage become so unimportant that one of our noble bloodline would play simply guard dog?” came the cool tones of his mother’s voice.
His eyes did not open and he made no attempt to rise to his mother’s bait.
“So now not only is our lineage trivial, but an always honorable son would set aside age-old tradition and ignore his mother all for a simple miko that does not know her purpose. Truly the humans have been allowed too many liberties if a miko does not understand that the Kami themselves sent her down here in order to serve us.”
Apparently, she would not be going until she had gotten him to respond. Repressing the sigh that threatened to escape his throat, Sesshoumaru answered his mother. “Hn.”
“That is all this Sayami receives. An ‘hn’ is all that this Sayami is worthy of. Pup, you take after your sire more and more with each passing century. The two of you are wholly ungrateful for the sacrifice I make each day by allowing that… that… that lethal weapon of an untrained miko stay within the walls I call home.”
Really, his mother was beyond trying. In the last week or so Sesshoumaru had found logic in his father’s decision to find another female with which to share his nightly bed. It was time to remind her of her place within the pack or else he would not be left to his thoughts this night.
“This Sesshoumaru will take a moment to remind you that a miko’s place was never to be benevolent or beneficial to youkai. Furthermore, my comings and goings have not been your concern in many centuries. What I decide is best in this particular course of action is what will be done, and might I remind you that your noble blood was only truly made great in the face of your mate and alpha’s actions along with that of you son, this Sesshoumaru.”
Sayami’s normally pristine features scrunched in an ugly contention of indignation and the need for retribution. She had humbly taken her place that any other first mate would have killed their alpha over and played second best to a human hime. However, she would not allow her son to think that he could talk down to her like some common dog.
“And let this Sayami,” her voice dripping with false sweetness, “remind you, my son that your sire is still your alpha as well. I do not know why I am bothering to warn a son who is so obviously disrespectful to his own mother, but the love of a mother knows no insult. So I will tell you that said alpha is not pleased with the stunt that you pulled today at the office. It would not be surprising if you find yourself without the rights to take the miko for mate.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew that it had been the wrong thing to hint at. Faster than she had seen her son move in the last century he was up and snarling in her face. His voice took on a gravelly quality and couple that with the blood-red eyes there was only one conclusion to be drawn: Sesshoumaru had allowed his baser instincts to slip past his control.
“Kagome is mine. None will change that even if I must kill my alpha to prove it.” Though the quality of his voice and eyes belied the beast he naturally was, his tone and demeanor held with his true personality. His statement was a simply warning of what would happen if any tried to stand in his way.
Sayami whined pitifully and then slowly retreated to her room, never once turning her back on her son. Her mate would have to be informed that unless he wanted a challenge, not to press his heir on anything regarding the miko.
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Again, the minutes had slipped into hours as the night faded in the pre-dawn light. It was at this time that Sesshoumaru scented the salt of Kagome’s tears. His ears slightly twitched as he strained to her breathing and heartbeat through the door. While it was slightly faster than it had been throughout the night it did not seem that she was awake.
Stealthily, he crept into her room to find her crying in her sleep. The salty liquid had already started to soak into her pillow, and for the first time in his long life Sesshoumaru longed to pull her into his arms. There was nothing that he wanted more than for her to find solace within his embrace.
As the rays of a new day began to light her ivory skin and obsidian hair, the great Sesshoumaru was humbled by his need to possess and be possessed by this woman. It was her that he wanted; all that was left now was to make her understand that reiki was only one aspect of her that had garnered his attention.
With a quick press of his lips to hers, he was pleased that she seemed to be calmed by the action. Leaving her to her slumber, Sesshoumaru resumed his vigil outside of her door.
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AN: Thank you for reading, if you would be so kind as to review that would be awesome.
emmaren