Betrothal of the Warrior Hime

Kagome sat oddly sitting in the gardens of the palaces, she watched the sky passing from dark night to mornings twilight glow, and ushered the new morning in with meditation before her daily training with Miyako. It had been one annoying week in this palace, she’d watched over the little wolf for the day he laid in the infirmary from her ruthless battle, and had watched while he and his father returned home the next day. She remained impassive, thought somewhere she felt a bit sad for him, it really must hurt one’s pride to be beaten by a female, and he would be a lord one day, she thought sadly. Both Shippo and his father had gone as well, seeing as how there was no need for them to linger there any longer now that the battles with both eastern and northern heirs and lords were over. A quiet sort of peace fell over the palace as the week went on which was slowly deteriorated by Inuyasha and his brash ways, how her sister could love them impudent pup was beyond her.



It was on the eighth day since her morning with Sesshomaru and Souta that Kagome announced the battle, She’d been sitting in the garden that morning meditating, when the sound of a screaming Rin, and Inuyasha disturbed her. What unsettled her was the fact that he was not a scream of joy or childish glee as it should have been, more so one of utter terror that pulled Kagome harshly back into the conscious world. Rin ran into her very garden and braced herself behind Kagome, who left eyebrow shot up questioning the little girl.



“I didn’t mean to, really lady Kagome, I’m so sorry, please, help me.” she begged in an almost whimper. Kagome’s blood boiled, she didn’t care what the child had done, there could be no reason for causing the girl such madness. Kagome pulled the young human into her lap and allowed a calming purr like growl to vibrate upon the girls back. Inuyasha came upon the scene bellowing his anger.



“Just what the hell were you doing wench!!!! Your supposed to knock!” he screamed, but by then Kagome had shifted Rin’s weight into her arms and was no longer sitting, resting the majority of the small girls weight on her hip Kagome held her both possessively and protectively. She ignored Inuyasha as she noticed that in the distance storm clouds were growing, getting annoyed with the weather she finally noticed the peeved prince.



“Keep your voice down, Runt. This child can do nothing to hurt you.” she said in a cold tone while still keeping her low rumbling growl going to sooth the girl.



“You bitch! Are in my home, you would do well to respect me here, where I am lord. And as for the child she shall be flogged for her transgressions.” he answered in a lordly manner causing Kagome’s icy blue eyes to slant into slips as she looked upon him. Taking him in she noticed that his clothing was the same as the night before, and hung slovenly on him as though it had just been thrown on. Taking a discrete scent of the boorish male before her she smelled her own sister. Narrowing her eyes if possible even more she looked at him in disgust, for he did not have Kikyo to take just yet, and if by some miracle he did win the battle Sesshomaru would know his betrothed was in pure, and who had made her so. Kikyo and Inuyasha would dishonor them all.



“We battle at noon, RuntPrepare yourself, and wash you dishonor off your person before both our fathers catch your stink.” she said with a venom in her voice that Sesshomaru would get Goosebumps from. With that she left him standing there mouth gapping open, with the small human child on her hip looking back at her master’s young brother. Kagome headed for Sesshomaru’s room, it was now early morning and she knew him well enough to know he would already be awake and dressed if not already out for the morning. Knocking on the door ever so lightly, she didn’t want to wake the sleeping child who’s head lay upon her shoulder. Mere seconds had passed when a handsome armor less Sesshomaru opened the door. Looking down at the human child in her grasped inwardly he groaned. He went to grab her but Kagome smiled a rare smile and said very quietly.



“Your human’s scent is so faint that I cannot follow it to her room. I don’t want to wake her by moving her to much, would you mind showing me the way?” she asked in a whisper. Shesshomaru nodded and began to show Kagome the way, he watched as the hardened warrior hime gently tucked the small human girl into a large silk covered bed. Kagome looked down at then sleeping angel that was Rin, and gently pulled a stray hair from her face, smiling shyly she leaned in and kissed her forehead. Pulling away she nearly blushed when she saw that Sesshomaru’s harden golden orbs had warmed a bit while watching her, he allowed her to leave the room first, a great sign of respect. Once in the hall and the door safely closed behind them She looked at him. “Milard, may I speak candidly?” She asked respectfully, to which he nodded. “I was awake early to meditate in the gardens, your ward there came screaming into it and hide behind my back like a pup afraid of its shadow.” Sesshomaru looked down sternly at Kagome with a look that said ‘continue.’ “All she said was that she was sorry, and that she didn’t mean to, she pleased for my help. Soon after your brother came bellowing about knocking.”



“Is that all?” Sesshomaru asked, to which Kagome’s eyes shifted off to the side to look away from Sesshomaru. “Finish.” he commanded.



“Yes milord. I told him to keep his voice down because he was yelling and upsetting your ward, after some colorful conversation, I noticed his appearance, was unkempt to say the least, and worst, the smell of a female upon him.” Sesshomaru nodded.



“What’s more, I told him the battle will be at noon, and then I left with your ward to put her to bed. That’s when I found you, after she fell asleep on my shoulder. I don’t care much that he was with someone, that it your houses business, but if he goes after the child again for any reason, before you even get a chance to strike him, I will, I wanted to let you know.” he nodded with a bemused look in his eyes. She bowed her exit and began to walk away.



“Will you be victorious today?” he asked as she walked away from him, Kagome turned to look at the young heir to the West.



“I don’t really have much choice do I?” she said half amused, half serious, “Besides, I haven’t seen your brother in action but I’m not really all that worried, its you that’ll be a tough fight.” she said with a sly grin, causing Sesshomaru to smile inwardly. “Good day milord, until we meet again.” she called as she left him. He watched the sway of her hair and hips as she walked away, the kimono she’d meditated in was a summer night like heavy yakata, it hugged her curves far more then any wardrobe she’d dawned so far. He wanted nothing more then to throw her down and take her right there, covering her inside and out in his seed, allowing her to wallow in it until her scent was nothing but his own. He let out a huff of air, knowing they would have to get this over with quickly every moment he seemed to spend with her now seemed to drive his inner self to near craze.



Kagome easily found Miyako, after changing into something to spar in, and both females headed to the dojo for their work out. Along the way Miyako asked why she smelt of Sesshomaru’s ward, and Kagome confided in her what happened, even details about both her sister and the second heir. Miyako was furious, and that would be putting it mildly, thought Kagome as the two sparred with even more fight then normal. Kagome liked it actually, no one came close to just sparring with Miyako. One heavy and slightly bloody sparring hour later the pair left and went for the hot springs, later near what might be nine in the morning, Miyako went to inform those who needed to know, which included both families, and the captain of the house guards, of the battle to come that afternoon. Kagome went to find Kikyo, which had not been too difficult.



She saw her sister heading into a hot springs near Inuyasha’s room, knowing what had gone on that morning, or more likely the night before, She followed her older sister. Kikyo had been in the middle of undressing when Kagome grabbed her arm and threw her into the wall a bit forcefully. Kikyo’s wince in pain, and threatening growl came out as one, as tented crimson eyes locked with fierce scorching glowing white. “Just what do you think your doing?” said Kagome in a cold tone, who had her own older sister by the throat.



“What are you talking about?!” choked out Kikyo and she fought to pull her sisters fingers from her person. Kagome leaned in so that she could whisper, for even here in such a private place as a hot springs even the walls had ears.



“His scent… is all over you, if I can’t win this battle, then you will end up shaming yourself and him, along with both our families.” she hissed out, while Kikyo’s eye grew wide with fear.



“Kagome, I know he’s your betrothed, but I --” she was cut off from finishing her statement when Kagome said.



“I knew very well your intentions and to whom your heart belongs to sister, your one of the reason’s I fight. I had just hoped that you would have had faith in me to let me finish before you opened your legs to him. Nothing is certain, and if I fail … then you have sullied yourself for the heir, with his brother.” Kikyo was pale and crying now, she hadn’t thought of that, she and been so swept up in the feel and longing, that she hadn’t listened to her head at all. Kagome’s voice was still bone chillingly cold when she said, “You disappoint me Kikyo. Wash his stink off of yourself and return to your room before anyone finds you missing. …And Miyako knows, do not play her, if I have a short temper then her temper in nonexistent. Prey sister, that your lover loses this battle so that he may have you, now that he has had you.” With that Kagome left her sister standing with her back to the wall in the cave like room, who walls were lined with bamboo, and floors were covered in deep colored woods.



Kikyo’s form slumped to the floor, her hand covering her mouth as tears slid down her face, she sobbed silently,’ what have I done?’ over and over like a mantra. It had taken forever for her to calm down and soak her weary sob ridden body into the soothing waters of the hot springs. Kagome had not wasted her time so carelessly, she went instead to find Lord Taishou, picking up his scent and following it to his office, she knocked on the door and waited.



“Enter.” came his deep baritone voice, which was so much like his eldest son’s that Kagome could hardly tell the difference by sound alone. She bowed respectfully and upon leaning back up noticed that his eldest son was indeed in the office as well. “Speak.” came the same voice.



“I wished to know, Milord, how we will battle, as I’m sure your aware it is to be held today at noon.” Taishou nodded, having just been told, and he would not admit he had been wondering as well when this would come.



“Do you think you can hurt my son?” he asked her, causing Kagome to look to her lord.



“Pardon me, milord but you have two sons.” she answered, receiving a light chuckle from Taishou and a glower from Sesshomaru.



“That is correct, how silly of me not to be specific. My Son Inuyasha.” he answered.



“For many sakes, I have no choice but to win.” she answered truthfully.



“And who’s sakes would that be fore?” he asked her knowing she could not refuse his answer, he noticed Sesshomaru looking at her as well, both waiting for the answer.



“For my own, and my families.” he answered not giving details, and allowing Taishou to ogle her to try and get the answer out of her. After she stood there as if no one was looking at all at her, Taishou spoke.



“A blade. One blade, to battle. Be warned Inuyasha will be allowed the same as you, a single blade to use against you. You will both have your wits and the single weapon.” Kagome nodded already knowing Tenmiki was to be her blade this day, a sword of both life and death, that was able to create barriers and happened to be welded from the fang of Hitomi.



“Hai.” was her reply, before she again bowed and left the two western kings in peace. Leaving that area of the castle Kagome found her way to Kitchens and ate very little, not enough to spark a fire of hunger, but enough to ensure that one would not arrive for a while. Taking one last walk around she came to the main courtyard where this battle would take place, she noticed the ever closer storm clouds, they were dark grey and bellowed with crashes of lightening. If she could she would flinch at the sound, but that would show a weakness she was not ready to show the word, a fear she didn’t want to unleash. Turning on the spot she went to ready herself for battle.



Entering her room, she saw her mother Sayuri and her grandmother Miyako sitting waiting for her, neither said a word as Kagome began to disrobe of her kimonos and heavy yakatas. While Miyako made ready for war, Sayuri picked up the dropped peacefulness of her daughters wardrobe, it had been less then an hour when Kagome was made ready, though unlike so many times before she did not pull her hair back, allowing the wild untamed bangs that many remembered from her youth to pour over her forehead, swept to the side she still retained her fearsome style.



Her clothing was a dark sage green, completely unfeminine, but it suited her well, her obi was a deep rust color and her armor was Miyako’s favorite set, a set of beige, trimmed in the same sage green as her outfit, with detailed work in a dirty gold color, that one would need to be close to make out. Opting this fight to dawn her mokomokosama, she summoned the deep chocolate bundle of fur and energy to her, settling in its natural place around her right shoulder she looked like a female warrior should. Miyako beamed with pride as she slide Tenmiki lovingly into the bright rust color obi, while Sayuri looked as though she might cry at any moment. Kagome lead the way down through the great hall to the courtyard, and leapt away from both mother and grandmother.



Soon her own respective family arrived, as did Inuyasha, and his own brother, father, and mother, no one knew Kagome sat on the roof of the palace watching them all as they came out, and yet keeping a steady eye on the ever advancing thunderstorm, she grimsed at the sight of the furious storm, and listened to the murmur of the youkai below. Above all she could her Inuyasha bellowing about where she was, Sesshoumaru ‘Hn-ing’, Taishou, comforting Hatsumomo, while Mugen spoke with Miyako about the battle to come, Kikyo remained silent, and Sayuri sobbed silently into her mates chest. She took one fleeting look skyward to see that the sun had finally risen above her head, centering the sky, standing she looked out at the oncoming storm, it would be there within the hour.



Kagome knew she didn’t have much time, had she known today of all days it would ran she would have rescheduled the battle. Leaping from the Roof she landed gracefully behind the still bellowing second son, “WHERE THE HELL IS SHE? MAK’IN ME WAIT FOR HER ASS?!?!” he bellowed until her heard her delicate throat clear out. Bowing to her Lord, Taishou she nodded to the rest of the group, and not acknowledging Inuyasha as he stood so close to him. Taishou spoke up then.



“The battle will be fought to submission ONLY. One blade each are you allowed other then your own wits and skill.“ They both bowed respectfully and made to ready themselves. As both Inu’s black and white turned to find the center of the courtyard, Miyako heard Sesshomaru murmur something about ‘smelling rain.’ Immediately Miyako a sun kissed demon’s face paled, Shinosamu, Sesshomaru, Mugen, and Taishou all noticed the stony faced woman lose her color.



“D-did you say r-rain?” she studded, to which Sesshomaru nodded. “Dear gods, Lord Taishou you must stop this battle!” she breathed out causing all but the warring pair to be to look at her. But it was her son who spoke first.



“Mother? Why would rain concern you?” he said in a stern fatherly voice. Miyako’s eyes were wide with one could only assume was fear when she answered.



“Because if it rains….. She’ll kill him.”

















cliff hangers are evil. :D review please, i like them.