A Demon Should Act Like A Demon

Chapter Sixteen: Presenting The High Demoness of the Western Lands


Disclaimer: Inuyasha and friends were created and lovingly brought to life by Rumiko Takahashi.

Author’s Note: ‘__’ are thought expressions


A Demon Should Act Like a Demon
By Ericedwyn

~* At Sesshoumaru’s Fortress *~


The young woman watched the golden sun rise above the mountain tops, trying vainly to forget about the strange cry that pulled her from her deep slumber the night before and left her trembling for nearly half an hour. It was a sound she could not begin to comprehend yet pulled on her heartstrings from the weight of its anguish. Every time she closed her eyes to go back to sleepe awe awful cry would replay in her mind like a broken record; and each time, the agony seemed to multiple in intensity. ‘Who made that awful sound? What did it mean?’

Kagome closed her eyes and caught her breath as she is suddenly pulled into a one-arm embrace. She shivered as she felt a warm breath close to her ear and heard a deep, husky greeting. “Ohayou, Kagome.”

“Ohayou, Sesshoumaru…” She whispered in response.

The Taiyoukai closed his eyes as he inhaled the distinct lavender scent that lingered in her hair before laying his chin on top of her head. “Daijoubou desu ka?”

Kagome hesitated before responding. “Daijoubou, Sesshoumaru.”

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrows knitted in concern but didn’t push the Miko further; hoping that Kagome will tell him eventually, although he himself was unwilling to talk about what is bothering him. He loosened his hold as she turned in his arm. He began to lean in to steal a kiss, but Kagome laid her forehead against his chest. He settled by placing a chaste kiss on top of her head instead. His hand followed thegth gth of her spine and diverted to knead her back muscles in circles. She took a half step forward to wrap her arms around his narrow waist and to bury her face against his chest.

He took a deep breath, placed another kiss on top of her head, before breaking the uncomfortable silence. “The High Youkai Society is having its annual gathering. It usually lasts for 2 moon cycles. I do not usually attend such functions, but I believe it is best to present you to the Society. One because I have made you my heiress and two because they need to know what you smell and look like.” He waited for Kagome to speak and when she did not, he continued. “Tsumi has gone ahead to open the family manor and to prepare for our arrival. I believe a week is enough to introduce you. Jaken will stay behind to watch the children.”

Kagome nodded against his chest and softly inquired, “when do we leave?”

“This afternoon. Pack light, Kagome, for it is a long flight. Everything we will need Tsumi will provide.”

“Hai, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome looked up to smile at the Taiyoukai.

He responded with a small smile of his own as he combed her ruffled bangs back in place. “Kagome… You will tell me if something is bothering you, right?” Sesshoumaru asked hesitantly as he searched her eyes for hidden answers.

Kagome nodded espoesponse, tilted her face as she stood on tiptoes to press her lips softly against his. She heard a soft growl beneath his breath as he deepened the kiss. Kagome pulled away after a short while, smiled, and wordlessly left the Taiyoukai to look for the children.

He watched her walk away until she slipped back inside the fortress before turning his gaze to the distant mountains. He had seen the sadness in her eyes which his golden eyes now mirror, and hoped that she will tell him why she has erected a barrier between them.

~*~*~*~

~* At The Neutral Zone inside Sesshoumaru’s Family Manor *~

Kagome fingered the silk brocade of the deep purple uchikake, simply decorated with two fiery gold phoenixes in the back that draped over her dark-blue furisode, in awe. “This must have cost a fortune, Tsumi-san.”

Tsumi smiled as she slipped the last of the kanzashi on Kagome’s hair to hold the traditional bunkin-takashimada in place. “Nothing but the best for you, Kagome-sama. I much prefer this simple design on you than the elaborate designs that the other Ladies wear these days. The busy designs quite overwhelm the wearer’s features, and some plainly hurt the eyes. Well, what do you think?”

Kagome turned to face the full-length mirror behind her and gasp at the beautiful stranger reflecting from it. “I look like a princess, Tsumi-san.”

“Well, you are in a way, Kagome-sama.” Tsumi chuckled. “Now remember what I told you earlier. Do not show or project any fear. That is considered a weakness.”

Kagome groaned. “Don’t remind me! The idea of being in a room full of youkai is already making me quake in my knees.”

“But the difference, Kagome, is that you are now a Youkai, and a very powerful one. You have no need to be afraid. Besides, Sesshoumaru-sama will be close by. He will not let anything happen to you.”

“It still doesn’t change how I feel. I’m still scared.” Kagome said plainly.

“Do not show it.” Tsumi-san patted her shoulder before handing her a folded fan. “Sesshoumaru-sama is waiting for you in the front hall and I cannot wait to see his reaction.” The Hanyou grinned as she slid the door open for Kagome. When Kagome crossed the threshold of her bedchamber, i foi followed closely behind.

Tsumi bit her lower lip to keep from grinning when they entered the front hall. Kagome, a little self-conscious, had kept her eyes lowered to the ground, and failed to see Sesshoumaru’s jaw drop momentarily in surprise when they first entered. She watched in amusement as her master struggled to snap his mouth close and wthe the incredulous look off his face. ‘How priceless…’ The old woman chuckled inside before walking slowly away from the couple to give them some privacy.

Kagome looked up from the fan she held in her fidgety hands, yet avoided the Taiyoukai’s eyes as she took in Sesshoumaru’s attire. The Demon Lord stood a few feet away, dressed in the traditional kuro-montsuki of black silk, although he wore an inner kimono collar made of white silk. The tops of two white paws, peeking from his black silk haori, which she surmised was Sesshoumaru’s family crest, stood starkly against the dark fabric on the left and right of his chest. A white silk cord seemed to dazzle around Sesshoumaru’s haori, as well as the 5 white paws crests, three inches in height that decorated it. Sesshoumaru’s long hair glowed brightly against the dark contrast of his costume, and she ached to run her fingers through the silver tresses.

She blushed a deep scarlet when she finally met Sesshoumaru’s intense gaze, but she couldn’t look away from his smoldering golden eyes. Her skin flamed as his gaze grew hungrier.

Irresistible – natural physical

Sesshoumaru took a few steps to bridge the gap between them and lightly trailed his long, elegant fis frs from her exposed neck down to the spot between her breasts, as if to convince himself that the vision of loveliness really stood there in front of him. He felt Kagome’s sharp intake of breath and flared his fingers to cup her right breast through the silken fabric. He felt the heat from her skin even through the many layers of her attire.

It’s indefinable – magical, illogical

“You look like a Goddess sent down from the heavens, Kagome. Have you come to take this Youkai to his death for having seen your beauty?” Sesshoumaru whispered huskily as he dipped his head low to press his lips jbelobelow her ear.

So-make-you-mineable

“For I will gladly succumb…” He leaned closer still before crushing his lips against hers. Kagome gasped and he slipped his warm tongue to caress hers before running its tip over the rows of her teeth. He plunged in, escaped, and again plundered her mouth all the while teasing the peak of soft flesh he had taken prisoner in his hand. Kagome felt like she was being branded by the heat emanating from lips and his hand.

You’re mine

“You will be the envy of the gathering.” The Taiyoukai whispered against her lips. Sesshoumaru placed open-mouthed kisses against her cheek, jaw, and neck. He gently scored her neck the the tips of his fangs, just to tease her skin without breaking it. ‘And you are mine, Kagome. Mine.’

Kagome shivered, not because of fear, but from the way she felt possessed by the youkai that held and caressed her.

~*~*~*~

~* At The Neutral Zone inside the Four Points Palace *~

Half an hour later found Kagome following Sesshoumaru, a couple of steps behind, down a narrow hallway that was to lead them to the Lords Gathering Room. As soon as she entered through the wide door that the servant slid open for them, she felt the stares of all the occupants of the room. She kept Tsumi’s warning in mind as Sesshoumaru gestured to a spot slightly behind him on the tatami mat, before he lowered himself in a sitting position on the West side of the room.

She kneeled on the spot Sesshoumaru indicated and when he introduced her to the other Lords and their heirs, Kagome bowed low. She kept her eyes on the tatami mat while the Lords of each co dis discussed various subjects including their borders, but the Miko wasn’t truly listening. After a while of boring a hole on the mat with her stare, she briefly looked at each occupant of the room, glancing away only when she met two pairs of dark eyes from the North side of the room. She shivered as she felt like she was being undressed by one set of eyes. She shifted slightly so that Sesshoumaru’s frame could block her from their gaze.

~*~*~*~

After the meeting, the occupants stood to move to the main gathering hall where a Noh performance was to be held. The collective smell of other youkai and their blatant stares made Kagome feel a little queasy; and the fact that she is now in a room full of youkai, albeit mostly beautiful youkai that belonged on the covers of celebrity and fashion magazines, made her even more uncomfortable… making it harder for her to keep herself focused on not showing her inner feelings. She did her best to ignore them. While most of the occupants were seated in the middle, each of the Lord had a private alcove to Kagome’s relief. ‘At least I will have some space and privacy.’

“The Demon Lord of the East has expressed that if he was a millennium younger and did not have a mate, he would have offered for you.” Sesshoumaru murmured with a slight amusement dancing in his eyes that only she could see.

Kagome chuckled, feeling a little relaxed as she thought of the White Tiger Youkai Lord she had spoken to briefly. He had reminded her a little of Toutousai in appearance, except for the visible black stripes on his face and neck, and was quite friendly towards her. She felt sure that although he was friendly, he was probably quite a force to deal with if faced as an enemy.

They heard a knock and Sesshoumaru’s eyes grew colder before standing to slide the door open but made no move to allow the newcomers to enter. “Akuma.”

“Sesshoumaru.” The young Lord laughed boldly. “The way you’re acting, I’d think you are keeping Kagome-sama away from us?”

Sesshoumaru felt eyes directed towards his alcove from the center of the main gathering hall and swallowed the retort he wanted to deliver. He took a step to the left to allow the Demon Lord and his brother to enter. He kept his mask of indifference although inside he was seething. He had prepared for this meeting with his closest rival, the only one who could possibly be his equal in battle. He hasn’t forgotten when Akuma tried to wrest the Western Lands from him only weeks after his father died. It had taken him two moon cycles to heal from the mortal wounds the Demon Lord of the North dealt him. However, this was the neutral zone, and he would not start a war.

Kagome glanced up at Sesshoumaru before rising to her feet as the two men approached her and bowed.

The Demon Lord of the North took her hand in his and brought her hand to his nose to inhale her scent. ‘Ah, what an alluring scent…but coupled with another…’ He gave Sesshoumaru a side glance before turning Kagome’s hand to place a kiss on her wrist. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Kagome-sama,” he murmured with a smile that did not quite reach his dark eyes. The Demon Lord held her hand a little longer than necessary before letting her hand go.

Kagome looked at the handsome man before her. Akuma’s hair was as dark as Sesshoumaru’s was fair, and as short as Sesshoumaru’s was long. His eyes were blacker than night and smoky under long dark lashes. Hs ths the same built as Sesshoumaru, but slightly shorter by an inch or two. While Sesshoumaru was graceful in the way he carried himself, Akuma moved with determination. There was something about him that she could not yet name, but it was something she didn’t particularly like. “It is a pleasure, Akuma-sama,” she said softly.

Akuma turned to the young man beside him and placed his hand on his shoulder. “This is my younger brother, Jashin.” Kagome smiled briefly at the younger man with long black silky hair. Jashin’s face was as handsome as his brother’s, but while Akuma looked like an angel, Jashin’s looked quite the opposite. Kagome inwardly groaned as she met his dark, raking eyes. She unconsciously wrapped her arms over her chest in defense. “Nice to meet you, Jashin-sama,” she murmured monotonously.

Jashin grinned knavishly when Kagome tried to “cover” herself. “No, My Lady, it is my pleasure completely. It isn’t everyday that a beautiful woman such as yourself grace these gray halls.” The occupants of the room heard some wild whispering from outside the alcove. Jashin glanced over Kagome’s shoulder to the crowd, in particularly… a group of youkai lionesses who were still whispering, and winked. Kagome heard some giggles behind her.

Akuma shook his head and smiled apologetically at Kagome. “Forgive my brother, Kagome-sama,” he said as he took her hand in his again. “I hope Sesshoumaru will allow you to mingle while you are here, Kagome-sama. I would love to get to know you better.” He cocked his head to one side to look at Sesshoumaru for any reaction before placing another kiss on her wrist. He then led his brother to the door. “May I have a word with you in private, Sesshoumaru?”

“No, but if you will make it brief, I will humor you.” Sesshoumaru said flatly, although his eyes glowed a darker golden.

Akuma grinned as he gestured for Sesshoumaru to leave before him, and the Northern Lord followed.

Kagome turned without looking at the crowd who continued to whisper about her… about her strangely sweet scent, the attention she is getting from the Demon Lords, and about why they’ve never heard of her before. She kneeled on the ground and gingerly picked up her cup of tea and concentrated on its light fragrance before taking a small sip. She waited only a short while before the performance began and the whispers dwindled.

~*~*~*~

As soon as Akuma entered a nearby room, he slid the door closed. “I know that there is no friendship between us, Sesshoumaru, but I am most fascinated by your new heiress”

“So is everyone else.”

“Hai. It’s very curious no one has met her before.” Akuma raised a dark eyebrow.

“Is it your wish for me to list her parentage, Akuma, or is there something else you wanted to speak to me about?” Sesshoumaru asked dismissively.

“Always to the point.” Akuma smiled. “Actually, I am here to request to make Kagome my mate. It wasn’t something I planned, but after seeing her, the idea quite grew on me.”

“Kagome and I have not discussed her mating status.” Sesshoumaru replied emotionlessly, keeping his eyes on the other Taiyoukai.

Akuma watched the Taiyoukai of the West in silence before venturing to speak again. “She has quite a sweet scent, Sesshoumaru,” he said quietly, watching for any reaction from the other occupant of the room. He smiled and tried a different approach. “I am sure her blood is just as sweet or even sweeter. Have you… tasted her?” Akuma leaned by the side of the door and crossed his arms. A slow grin alighted his face.

Sesshoumaru didn’t take the bait, nor gave any indication of his inner feelings or his situation with Kagome. He did, however, allow a thought of himself clamping his hand on Akuma’s throat and throttling the other violently to drift through his mind for a few moments. “If there is nothing else, Akuma, I prefer to go back to my alcove.”

“You will let me know your decision regarding my request…?”

“Hai.” Sesshoumaru marched to the door and left the room. ‘Eventually… Perhaps when you are rotting in your burial mound.’

~*~*~*~

A few minutes after the performance began, a young servant appeared at Sesshoumaru’s alcove with a note. Kagome unfolded the note and read its contents.

~*~*~* The Note *~*~*~

Kagome,

Meet me in the gardens.

Sesshoumaru

~*~*~* The Note *~*~*~

“Ano… where are the gardens?” Kagome asked the servant as she rolled to her feet.

“Follow me, My Lady.” The servant said before leading her out the room. They walked down the corridor and the servant gestured for her to continue to her right. “The gardens are immediately through those doors, My Lady.”

“Arigatou.” Kagome said with a smile before making her way down a small passageway. She tried to pick up Sesshoumaru’s scent but failed. ‘Maybe he is masking himself again. I can’t sense anyone in there.’ She opened the door and slipped in, and after sliding it closed, she felt a hand clamp over her mouth while she was dragged to the other side of the gardens to be pinned to the wall.

Her eyes grew wide as she recognized her attacker. She struggled against his strong hold and tried to scream, but only a muffled sound escaped. Kagome’s heart began to pound and she began to panic.

“Your fear smells so delicious, Kagome-sama, and coupled with your already enticing scent, I find myself already aroused.” He followed his words by grinding his hips against her lower abdomen to let her know just how much. He laughed at her as she squirmed. He gripped her wrists and shoved them behind to lock them between her and the wall. Her attacker’s dark eyes twinkled at the panic in her eyes. “Hai, I love the look in your eyes, Kagome-sama. It will please me to see it when I take you.” He moved his hand from her mouth and quickly crushed her lips with his, and quickly slipped his hands inside her uchikake.

Hot tears streamed down Kagome’s face. She whimpered as her attacker sliced at the sides of her obi with his claws, freeing her furisode open to his roaming hands. She cried harder as she felt his hands on her breasts, kneading them roughly, and then one hand began to make its way down her body. ‘No… Oh, Kami-sama, please no…’

‘NO!’ She thought as she twisted her face sharply and screamed, and as she did so a blinding blue light discharged from her body. Her attacker was forced off of her and slammed to the ground 10 feet away, crushing a marble bench as he went down.

~*~*~*~

Sesshoumaru returned to the alcove to find Kagome gone. He followed her scent down the corridor and sensed her fear. He heard footsteps behind him as he ran. He found himself in the hallway towards the gardens and broke down the door. His heart lurched in his chest when he found Jashin against her. He began to make his way towards them when Kagome screamed and saw the blue light that surrounded the Miko. He heard many gasps and exclamations from the small youkai crowd behind him when the light pushed Jashin off of Kagome in a concussive force.

“Kagome!” He screamed as he rushed to envelop her in a crushing hug. His anger boiled when he saw her bruised lips and open kimono. He wrapped his tail securely around them both as he covered her with his body.

“Sesshoumaru,” she cried as she wrapped her arms around him, not caring about the weakness she is showing. “Please…” Kagome whispered between sobs. “Please… take me away from this place.”

“Not yet, Kagome. I must see him punished for his crime.” Sesshoumaru snarled as he glared at her dazed attacker a few feet away on the ground.

“What will happen?” Kagome looked up from against his Kimono.

“For his crime… Dismemberment.” Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru in surprised after he spoke and gasped. She gripped his kimono in horror.

Akuma walked to where his younger brother laid sprawled on the ground, dazedly shaking his head to clear it. The elder yanked the younger man to sitting position by his long hair. “You dishonored me, Brother.” He whispered harshly so only he could hear. “You dare molest the woman I intend to make my mate.”

Jashin gripped his brother’s hand to yank it off and their eyes met. Jashin nearly trembled at the anger he saw in his brother’s shining red eyes, and knew that his luck had run out.

Akuma motioned to two of his men and they grabbed hold of his brother. The Demon Lord of the North took on a stoic mask as he walked to Sesshoumaru and Kagome. “I apologize for my dishonorable brother, Kagome-sama. Jashin will be severely punished for this act.”

“See that he is, Akuma, or I will wipe this world of you and all your kin.” Sesshoumaru snarled, his eyes scarlet and shining with hatred and anger.

Akuma, having never seen Sesshoumaru show any emotion, was taken slightly aback. “I hope that this sordid event will not mar my earlier request, Sesshoumaru.” He didn’t wait for a response as he spun on his heels to where his brother was being pinned by his guards. He unsheathed his dagger and knelt by his brother’s prone position on one knee.

Jashin struggled against his captors as he looked up at his older brother with startled eyes. “No, Akuma… Don’t do this.”

The Taiyoukai of the Northern Lands let the dagger of his blade hover over his brother’s hakama and said disquietingly dangerous, “I hope you will learn your lesson...” Akuma made a clean cut of the material, before he made a clean cut with the dagger. His ears pricked and he flinched from the strangled yell of pain so close to his ears. “While this grows back in ten years…” He threw his brother’s bloody member to the bushes.

He smiled darkly, his eyes darkening red, and leaned closer to harshly whisper in his brother’s ear as his brother begin to lose consciousness. “If I fail to make Kagome my mate, you shall pay dearly with your life for this transgression, Little Brother.”

Akuma stood, turned, and bowed low before Kagome and Sesshoumaru before making his way through the crowd that has assembled in the gardens.

Sesshoumaru loosened his hold just enough for Kagome to fold her furisode and uchikake close before taking to flight…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~* At The Neutral Zone inside Sesshoumaru’s Family Manor *~

Kagome’s clutch on Sesshoumaru’s kimono slackened as she felt herself grow suddenly weaker. “Sesshoumaru…” She whispered against the silk.

“I have you.” Sesshoumaru murmured as his arm and tail tightened around them in mid-flight.

“Please wake me when we get there…”

“Hai.” Sesshoumaru whispered against her hair. His countenance remained hardened at the lingering scent of her attacker on her hair and skin. ‘Both of them will pay one day, Kagome. I’ll make sure of that.’

When he descended, he carried her inside to the front hall where Tsumi was waiting for them.

“What is wrong?” She asked with a frown. Her nose twitched at the scent that accompanied them. “Who?”

Sesshoumaru ignored her question as he softly nudged Kagome awake. “We are home, Kagome.” He set her down on her feet but kept a hold of her with his arm and tail to support her.

“Arigatou, Sesshoumaru.” The young Miko said exhaustedly. “May I please have a bath? I smell him all over.” She whispered.

Sesshoumaru glanced up at Tsumi in silent request, who nodded before leaving.

“I am sorry, Kagome. I should not have left you alone.” He said mournfully asbrusbrushed her hair.

“It’s not your fault. I would not have left the alcove had I known the note wasn’t from you.” Kagome bowed her head, tears flowing down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away.

Sesshoumaru wondered about that, although he thought she would know his script by now. Didn’t she read his addition to the story? She must not have realized he wrote it…

“Kagome-san, your bath is ready.” Tsumi announced as she re-entered the front hall.

Kagome glanced up, smiled, and thanked her. Sesshoumaru allowed the young woman to lean on him as they walked to her bedchamber.

“I’m sorry I’m so tired. I think I used up all my strength when I used my Miko powers.” Kagome smiled ruefully.

”I am glad yod…” d…” Sesshoumaru didn’t even want to think about what could have happened…

They entered Kagome’s bedchamber in companionable silence, and then crossed the threshold leading to the steamy bathing room. Kagome turned to tell him that she’ll be able to bathe by herself, but Sesshoumaru was already removing his clothes. Kagome turned away and blushed. “Sesshoumaru, I can…”

“I am not leaving you alone at your weakened state.” He interrupted. He walked towards the Miko and gently slipped the furisode and the uchikake off her shoulders and arms. Kagome lowered her eyes as she lowered herself into the steaming scented water of the furo. A few seconds later, Sesshoumaru joined her with a small cloth for each of them.

He dipped his cloth into the water, squeezed most of the water from it, and ran the cloth gently over her face. Kagome smiled tenderly at his gentleness and met his gaze as her hand covered his. “Arigatou, Sesshoumaru.”

Sesshoumaru helped her bathe in silence and was gratified when Jashin’s scent soon faded. Outside, he tried not to show how angry he was for what happened and how angry he was with himself for not being there to keep it from happening. He tried to project calmness, instinctually knowing what Kagome needed… a pillar of strength, something she could hold on to. Although the calmness he was projecting was very far from what he was feeling.

After their baths, Sesshoumaru led a sleepy Kagome to her bed and was about to tuck her in when she reached up suddenly to curl her hand over his wrist. “I don’t want to be alone…”

Sesshoumaru nodded and slipped in beside her. Slowly he gathered her to him, and she laid her head on his chest. He stroked her hair until her breathing turned shallow and even before closing his eyes.


Glossary:
Akuma – The name I gave to the Dog Demon of the North. His name means “Devil.”
Bunkin-takashimada – Traditional upswept Japanese hair style.
Furisode – Long-sleeved kimono worn by unmarried women.
Jashin – The name I gave to the heir and younger brother of Akuma. His name means “Wicked Heart.”
Kanzashi – beautiful gold combs and hair accessories.
Kuro-monstsuki – The ceremonial kimono for men meaning “black-with the family crest.”
Uchikake – Full length outer robe worn by noble ladies on formal occas in in the past. In modern times, it is part of the traditional bridal costume.