She Is Our Miko (I)

A/N: Beware of zeh plot. It snuck up on me and demanded I add it. So tread carefully. The story will start making sense...*gasps* oh noes 

Chapter 18

Rewarded

Her freedom; forgotten.

Her will; impassioned.

Her body; aroused.

Her mind; enlightened.

With his body, she discovers pleasure.

-D.O.D

 

“Can’t we designate a spot for her here?” Aimaru pleaded then looked around. He pointed to the carelessly strewn pillows near the fireplace. “Like over there, where we can see her. Maybe even here on this table. Then we’d always have something pleasant to look upon to alleviate the stress of our duties.”

“She’s not a table centerpiece.” The demon lord deadpanned without faltering in his elegant brush strokes down his scroll.

“She can be.” Aimaru argued. “Braid a few flowers in her hair then make her hand feed us from a platter laden with tender morsels and we’ll have ourselves a functioning centerpiece.” He purred dreamily.

Sesshoumaru shook his head adamantly while inwardly battling the urge to consider such a damnably good idea. It was tempting, very tempting.

The suggestion wasn’t necessarily unreasonable. The problem was that it was too distracting a suggestion. It was the type of distraction that would be detrimental to his workload as a High Demon Lord. The very thought of it alone was distracting enough.

It did sound exceptional. To be able to look up to the miko’s lovely face while being handfed small delicacies from her dainty fingertips sounded divine. He especially fancied the notion that he could feast directly from her body. Rub the sticky sweetness of ripe fruit all over her skin then lean forward to lap it from those perfect supple…

The demon lord shook his head again. His visuals nearly had him scribbling obscene nonsense on his scroll.

Determined, Aimaru leaned closer and added in a low tone, “Keeping her near more often may even boost our productivity.”

That had the demon lord halting his brush to glare sardonically at the Inu beside him. He knew for a certainty that if he himself wouldn’t get any work done, it was laughable that his beta, the demon with the work ethic of a slug demon, would be any more productive. That had to have been a jest.

Aimaru blinked innocently at him then shrugged. “It may. She could prove to be an effective motivator.”

Sesshoumaru blinked. Apparently the dolt wasn’t jesting. How tragic. “You know very well she would only become a distraction…for you mostly.” He resumed writing his missive then reached over to dip his brush delicately in the ink.

“Perhaps, but at least she’ll be a pleasant distraction.”

To be fair, Sesshoumaru actually considered the suggestion. And as he surmised, he found it too unproductive an idea. They would always want to touch her, tease her and rut with her when the desire arose; which would undoubly be often. Workloads would double. Audiences would go unattended. And domestic disturbances would be overlooked. That was just how distracted the demon lord knew he and his beta would be with the raven haired onna within reaching distance. It was best they kept their time with their pet limited to avoid becoming so neglectful of their duties and consumed with all that is her.

With a regrettable shake of his head, the demon lord dismissed it all together. “My word stands.”

“But it’s so dreary here. The prudish atmosphere is much too suffocating.” Aimaru leaned over on the desk and sighed. “Can’t you make this small menial concession for me; your most loyal dedicated high esteemed comrade? Hmm? Just for a day or two.” He cocked his head as he considered his own words. “Preferably two.” He smiled.

Sesshoumaru remained silent and chose to ignore his beta. He had to stand firm and remain diligent for he would be doing them no favors conceding to such a damningly tempting request.

For a long moment, he could feel Aimaru stare expectantly at him, chipping away at his resolve with his pleading silver eyes. The annoyingly persistent Inu even went as far as to whining softly. The keening noise started to grate on Lord Sesshoumaru nerves.

When the noise grew unbearable, Sesshoumaru reached the end of his patience and took a deep meditative breath before saying, “This One will allow you this ridiculous leisure for one day.” He turned to pin Aimaru with a flat gaze; annoyed that he yielded his ground. “This One expects your workflow to double as you have alleged.”

Aimaru smiled triumphantly as he said, “Don’t act as if you’re conceding solely on my account, my dear alpha. It’s not as if you won’t be benefiting from this…” he held up air quotes. “…ridiculous leisure.”

Sesshoumaru sneered. “Hn.”

“Can’t we summon her now?” his beta asked hopefully.

“No.” Sesshoumaru proceeded to documenting.

“My alpha…” Aimaru started to protest.

 He cut him off. “You have not finished cataloging our inventory.” he tapped pointedly on the unfinished page in front Aimaru with the end of his brush. “Nor have you begun placing requisitions for stock replenishments. This is one task This One cannot allow you to dawdle on. You’ve put it off long enough.”

Sulking like a petulant whelp, Aimaru picked up his brush. “You’re such a ball buster my alpha.” He plopped it into the ink.

“Hn.” The demon lord found no offense in the sentiment.

At that moment, the doors to the study were slapped open loudly to reveal a highly annoyed hanyou.

Inu Yasha stomped over toward his desk. His aura snapped around wildly buffeting the demon lord’s. Besides Aimaru, his little brother was the only other individual who would casually approach him in such an aggressive manner.

 “Ya got bitches linin’ up outside ya fortress.” The hanyou snapped in brutish dialect. His low born accent was always prominent when he was annoyed with something.

 

“You’ve been instructed to send them away.” Sesshoumaru said in an unconcerned tone. He pushed the drying scroll away and reached for a new parchment.

“Yeah, but these bitches won’t leave until you see’em.” Inu Yasha huffed and crossed his arms. “They are causin’ a scene at the gates. Spoutin’ some shit about your failure to perform ya duties. They’ve even got their sires’ wit’em and they are threatenin’ to withhold alliances with ya if you don’t go look at their brats. So whatcha want me to do?”

Sesshoumaru inwardly rolled his eyes. This was becoming tiresome, most tiresome indeed. He couldn’t be bothered with this at the moment.  He had missives to write, a fortress to oversee, and a miko to ravish. Why was everyone so unreasonably insistent?

“Oh…and just so ya know. The dragon king and his bitchy little brat are here too. He was the main one instigatin’ this shit. I think he’s tryin’ to get the minor lords to follow his lead.” Inu Yasha then said.

Aimaru leaned over to whisper conspiringly. “We most certainly can’t afford to write off the Dragon Horde my alpha. They supply most of our raw materials along with their fighting power.”

“They provide nothing we can’t do without or find elsewhere.” Sesshoumaru returned quietly.

Aimaru shook his head. “But we have the North eyeing our northwestern territories so we’ll need the oversized lizard’s assistance should the north decide to try us. Not forgetting to mention that the north recently formed an alliance with the viperous dragon witch horde which doubled their fighting power.”

Sesshoumaru waved a dismissive hand. “Losing the Southern Dragon Horde’s fighting power is of little consequence. They were simply an extra means of political stability. I alone, am more than capable enough to defend my territories.”

“Yes, but we can’t risk them allying with the north. And you know they would out of spite. A war with them and the north wouldn’t particularly ruin us, but it would most certainly be a troublous headache to recover from it. Unless, of course, you’d rather spend the next few decades restoring minor cities, trade routes and the prosperity of thousands of despaired locals. All… while constantly dealing with the north and the south challenging you for your lands.” Aimaru grinned, his argument annoyingly sound.

Considering his words, Sesshoumaru found he’d rather rut with a rabid harpy with fangs lining its cunt.

Blinking slowly in resignation, the demon lord quickly cleared his table.

“Very well.” He said as he rose and headed toward the main corridor. “Have my receiving chambers prepared and inform my mother I will be speaking with her shortly after this ordeal.” It was likely the traitorous bitch had an indirect hand in this, somehow. Her boredom had always been known to lead to unnecessary bloodshed.

“Keh.” The hanyou snorted as he stomped off to carry out his orders.

Sesshoumaru glided down the hall in an air of growing anger. 

The end to this bothersome season couldn’t come fast enough for the demon lord. Day after day, the elder council hounded him about his lack of a mate. Week after week, his mother readily accepted everyone’s vouches to present to him. Month after month, year after year, it’s the same incommodious thing. It’s astounding that he hasn’t laid ruin to this confounded city to be done with it all.

Wary of his ire, servants, court locals and pets dashed out of the demon lord’s way to escape the oppressive weight of his aura. They knew it would have been unwise to come within reaching distance. Most had seen firsthand what his anger has driven him too; nobody wants to be another bloody mess staining the immaculate halls of the palace. The most disturbing thing was that many have claimed that some pieces of the victims weren’t recoverable.

Aimaru paced calmly beside the demon lord watching everyone trip over themselves to get away from his alpha in amusement. “You do know that slaying the dragon king will only worsen the matter.” He reminded him.

Sesshoumaru glared over his shoulder to find his beta smirking at him. “Hn.”  Yes he was well aware. But there was no harm in simply considering it.

-

Kagome was lounging on her oversized futon next to Iku eating a meal together when the tree demon suddenly perked and cocked his head as if distracted by something. With her powers sealed, Kagome couldn’t fully sense what he was detecting.

After watching him for a moment, the miko couldn’t take the suspense and finally asked him in a whisper. “What is it?” she looked around nervously.

“I’m not quite sure.” He paused then said, “I do know, however, that something or someone has the demon lord peeved.” He answered curiously.

“Is it me?”

Iku shook his head. “Most likely lordly affairs he must attend to. It could a number of things; domestic disturbances, supply shortages, or perhaps the beginnings of a war. We haven’t had a bloody skirmish in years.” He sighed in a tone that sounded suspiciously reminiscent.

Before Kagome could get too nervous, a light tapping sounded at her door. She looked questioningly to Iku. She was unsure if it was alright to address anyone seeking entrance to her room.

“Come in.” Iku permitted still slightly distracted by his Alpha’s aura. It was so immense that he was sure everyone in the city could feel it. And his lordship was only annoyed. Heavens forbid should the demon lord grow truly angry. Who was foolish enough to annoy the demon lord so?

The door slid open to reveal Miroku on all fours crawling into the chambers with a grin on his boyish face.

To that moment, Kagome still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that this mischievous erotic man was a priest. Where on earth did they go wrong in his training? Perhaps, whether or not he was trained at all, was the more appropriate question.

Iku looked to the priest crawling up beside him. “You have news for me?”

“Don’t I always?” Miroku teased as he made himself comfortable next to Iku on the floor. “Master Inu Yasha informed me that the dragon king is here with his youngest daughter threatening to pull resources and alliances should Lord Sesshoumaru continue to turn away presenting females. He may be attempting to convince the other minor lords to side with him in hopes gain support in his treasonous campaign.”

“Again?” Iku groused flatly, unsurprised and very annoyed by the news. “I can’t understand why our Alpha bothers with allying with such an idiot.”

“Presenting females?” Kagome inquired looking between the two gossiping males. “As in prospective mates?”

Iku and Miroku shared a knowing look and smiled at her. They are worse than the gossiping ladies of the court. And those social conscious harpies could new gossip a topic into old news.

Miroku spoke first. “Yes. Every year, the current regional lord has to partake in a seasonal event called the Presentation until he is mated.” At the miko’s confused expression, he elaborated. “It’s a primitive event when demonesses of powerful birth are presented to the available reigning lord in hopes to seduce him into claiming them to solidify their status and power. Lord Sesshoumaru is the only High Lord with no mate and it’s upsetting the elders. But that’s mainly because no heir was produced yet.”

“Yes…” Iku then said, “… traditionally, the reigning lord is to rut with each and every female presented and then mate the bitch who’s most compatible with him. Sesshoumaru, however, chose to abstain from rutting and instead uses his senses to dictate his selection. Of course many frowned upon his methods and failure to choose a mate. That and the fact that there are only so many high born demoness’. I believe our Lord Sesshoumaru breezed through them all already.”

“Oh.” Kagome said in understanding then frowned. She found she was annoyed with this information when she most certainly shouldn’t be. If he mated then she would no longer be needed. So this situation would be favorable, wouldn’t it? 

Curious, Kagome then asked in as casual a tone she could manage, “If the high lord should own a pet already, what becomes of him or her when their master becomes mated?”

Again, Iku and Miroku shared another look, annoying the miko further.

“Well, they sometimes keep their pets and share them between one another.” Miroku offered airily.

Iku hummed in agreement. “Most times they are gifted to a close friend or favored kin.” He paused then said. “Or sold.” He frowned. “Or simply killed.”

Reaching for her neck, Kagome gawked in horror.

At the look on her face, Iku waved dismissively. “No need to worry sweetness. You have two masters. You still have Lord Aimaru to care for you. If not…” he grew silent and looked away and sighed sadly.

Kagome clutched his knee and shook it. He couldn’t be serious. “Iku…”

“I jest, I jest.” The tree demon chuckled, “You know he adores you. They both do. And I assure you that his High Lordship has no interest in the cunts we currently have lining our gates.” He assured her with a light shake of his head. He sobered as a thought came to him then leaned towards Miroku who drew closer to hear him. “Have our lord attended the Presentation yet?”

“He was conferring with the dragon king and the minor lord’s last I’ve heard. It’s possible our lord hasn’t attended it yet.” Miroku answered.

“Wonderful.” Iku clapped his hands happily then turned to a confused Kagome. “Our first scandalous exploit. You are in for treat my young charge.” He then turned to murmur low to Miroku, “Lock and bar the door.”

With a nod, Miroku crawled away to do as he was ordered while Iku closed his eyes and held out his hand.

Intrigued, the miko watched him summon a ghostly gold blob of energy in his palm and simply waited. Miroku had already finished his task and was settling right against Kagome’s side. He settled close against her, pushing his chest flush against her back completely invading her personal space. But instead of letting it bother her, she chose to take advantage of the arrangement and relaxed against him making him her human lounger. She felt she might as well get comfortable. They were beyond the limits of modesty as it were. She’ll be doing herself no favors stressing over every little thing like modesty and personal space.

After a moment, movement from the corner of her eye drew Kagome’s attention to the wooden column in her room. It was the transparent head of a miniature ghost. The fairy sized apparition slowly deviated itself from the column and floated towards Iku’s hand to suck at the ghostly substance in his palm.

Iku smiled warmly at the little ink-eyed spirit. The creature in turn blinked its large rounded eyes up at him and returned the smile. “Hello little one. Would you mind granting me a favor?”

The creature bobbed it rounded head up and down enthusiastically.

Kagome leaned closer to scrutinize the white little spirit. It was no bigger than Iku’s hand and had a large head and a small chubby body. Large black eyes were framed with long white wispy lashes and it had white vine-like hair with leaves sticking out in all directions. Its body was slightly transparent that Kagome could see where the gold essence from Iku warped and melded within it. As a whole, the little spirit was utterly adorable. “What is it?” she finally asked.

The spirit made an odd chirping noise and blinked over at Kagome. Cocking its head curiously, it suddenly launched itself at her face. When it collided with her, it felt much like being smacked with a cold fluffy towel. The little spirit commenced to feverishly nuzzling her face while cooing happily.

At a loss at what to do about the affectionate apparition, Kagome looked though the little creature’s body to a chuckling Iku.

“What did you expect sweetness? Even sealed, your holy aura calls to spirits. This one here is a tree sprite. They reside and all manner of wood; dead, alive, furniture, lumber… that wooden column there.”  He nodded toward the column in question.

Humming thoughtfully, Kagome reached up to gently extract the excited sprite from her face. She could barely feel it in her hands; it was so light and airy.

Chirping, the little fairy hugged and pulled playfully at her fingers like an energetic infant.

Way too adorable. Kagome smiled down at it.

“Hey now…I believe you were doing me a favor little one.” Iku crooned down at the little sprite.

 

The sprite chirped and quickly hopped off Kagome’s hand on the table in front of them. She watched in amazement when the creature melted onto the surface to reveal the colorful image of a room filled with naked demoness’ waiting to be seen.

“Oh good it hasn’t started yet.” Iku said cheerfully.

“There are quite a number of them this time. I see a few returning presenters. Mighty bold of them I would say.” Miroku commented softly.

“Indeed.”

Kagome scrutinized the line up critically. All of them were different heights, colors, and sizes boasting bright demon markings of their heritage. She could only recognize a handful of demon types. Mostly the neko and inu species were the only ones she could recognize; maybe a few kitsune. “They’re naked.” She noted aloud to no one in particular.

“Well their goal is to mate with the demon lord. They’re supposed to bare all their bodily assets then rut with him to test compatibility.”

“In front of the other demoness’?!” Kagome interrupted incredulously with a wide eyed look at Iku.

Iku raised a brow at her disbelieving tone. “Modesty isn’t a demon’s strongest virtue, sweetness. In fact, this whole ordeal is supposed to be an orgy of sorts. It is Lord Sesshoumaru who’s keeping it somewhat …conservative.” He said the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.

Humming thoughtfully, Kagome looked back to the image on the table. “How is the sprite able to do this?” she watch the head of the sprite appear on the corner of the image and smile at her before migrating around the edge of it.

Iku pursed his lips as he contemplated his answer. Kagome was starting to take that as a sign that the tree-demon was deep in thought…or plotting. “To put it simply, the sprites posses a bit of a hive-like mentality. There is nothing that one sprite sees, hears and knows that the others don’t. What we are seeing is what another sprite is spectating from its home in a wall, rafter, or wherever it may reside in that room. From the angle, I would say that it’s perched in a rafter.”

Kagome started when another sprite crawled over her shoulder to lie lazily across it. Another crawled over her knee and perched itself on her thigh. She looked over at Iku, who was decorated with quite a few of them. “Are you the only one their drawn too Iku?” she asked as she reached to tickled a sprite’s belly.

“More or less.” He shrugged while pulling off a rambunctious sprite swinging on his hair. “My woodland brethren and I used the sprites to keep tabs on the happenings of the world. There’s a lot more to it that would take more explaining than I care to bother with at the moment.” Iku waved dismissively.

“Then I’ll bother you about it later then.” Kagome smiled at the annoyed look on Iku’s face when a sprite plopped down on his head.

He sighed when more sprites flocked around them. “Being a tree demon, they flock to me like moths to a flame. A small price I have to pay to commit espionage.”

“The price would steepen gravely should you get caught, Iku.” Miroku added.

“Indeed it would.” He readily agreed then smiled. “But I would have no regrets my lecherous youngling.”

The miko shook her head at their exchange. She was finding that the atmosphere here was growing on her, more than it should. Dare she say that she was starting to feel comfortable here?

The scene on the table took precedence once again when Lord Sesshoumaru finally entered the room with Lord Aimaru tailing close behind. They were both wearing robes.

Kagome leaned closer and scrutinized the demon lord’s attire. And nothing else apparently. She noted.

The demon lord took a seat. “Proceed with your presentations.” He then commanded sounding rather dry. Well dryer than he normally sounded. She would bet that her master didn’t want to be bothered with this vulgar ordeal at all.

One by one, each demoness stepped forward to prostrate themselves low to the floor to recite what they were offering to a possible union with the demon lord. From wealth, land to special abilities their heir would inherit. All sounded rather impressive. But then the demon lord had all that and probably more. So it must be hard impress one who was so entitled.

A neko stalked forward gracefully and kneeled.

“Well now,” Iku leaned closer and grinned conspiringly. “…if it isn’t Lady Botako.”

“Wasn’t she mated to Lord Yato?” Miroku whispered questioningly.

“She was.” The tree demon gave Miroku a knowing look, smirking smugly. “Two suns ago. Scandalous wouldn’t you say?”

“Quite. Not forgetting to mention bold.” The monk cocked a brow. “And perhaps a bit foolish.”

Kagome blinked owlishly at Iku’s and Miroku’s words, their conversation easily interpreted. “Awful cutthroat are they not?”

“Yes!” Iku said somewhat happily. “Isn’t it just delightful?”

Choosing not to answer that question she instead asked, “Is Lord Aimaru participating in this affair?”

“No. He’s simply there to spectate as a witness.”

“Hmmm.” Attention on the Neko, Kagome watched the female wait for acknowledgement from the demon lord who still looked quite annoyed. Maybe even murderous. The demon lord really didn’t want to be bothered with this and did nothing to hide it.

It was Aimaru who spoke first. “Wasn’t the wake for your late mate Lord Yato this morn Lady Bakato?”

The neko demoness stiffened but managed to answer evenly. “It was Milord.”

Aimaru nodded and smiled politely. “I was told that it was quite an extravagant occasion.”

Lady Bokato nodded remaining composed. “No less would suffice Milord.”

That woman had a lot of nerve, Kagome thought in disbelief. Her mate just passed two days ago and she just attended the wake this morn. Yet here she is putting herself on the market like it was a normal thing.  Shaking her head, Kagome was torn between commending the woman on her tenaciousness and scorning the woman for her lack of courtesy.

The miko watched Aimaru consider the neko for a moment before saying solemnly, “I’m deeply saddened for your loss. I had no idea Lord Yato was so sickly. Why, when I saw him just the day before his death, he was the picture of perfect health. A shame that he perished so suddenly…under natural circumstances, I’m sure.” he gave her a pointed look.

“He didn’t!” Kagome smacked her thigh incredulously.

Chuckling with barely suppressed glee, Iku answered, “Yes, he most certainly did.”

“There’s no wittier instigator than Lord Aimaru. He’s practically notorious for it.” Miroku commented quietly.

“Shh…shh.” Iku waved at both Kagome and Miroku, successfully shushing them. “I want to hear what the silly cat has to say.”

Unfortunately the neko wasn’t given a chance to speak. Lord Sesshoumaru made it clear he was through with her when he summoned forth another presenter. “The one with onyx eyes will present herself next.”

Given no other option, the dismissed neko stood stiffly and stalked briskly from the room.

“Well, that was certainly disappointing.” Iku pouted.

“Quite.” Miroku seconded the sentiment.

Shrugging, Kagome watched a tall lithe female slither, rather than walked, forward. She had pure onyx eyes with dark toned skin. Her hair was the brightest red the miko had ever seen. There was no denying the creature’s beauty even as she possessed less humanoid features.  Like the females before her, she sank low to the floor and recited her dowry.

Afterwards, what the demon lord demand next surprised Kagome.

“Present your heat to this Sesshoumaru.” her master demanded in a low murmur.

The miko watched the serpent female slither forward to the front the demon lord then coiled her tail beneath her as she leaned back to thrust her pelvis forward. At the junction, where her thighs would meet, was a puffy slick slit that quiver under the flat gaze of the demon lord.

Emotionlessly, Lord Sesshoumaru reached forward to prod the female’s nether lips with gentle and sure fingers. Kagome couldn’t help but be a little annoyed with his actions, even as he did so with distaste plain on his face. She most especially found it annoying when her master pushed his two long digits deeper into the serpent demoness’ core and proceeded to fingering the receptive female. The demoness closed her eyes and rode the demon lord’s fingers in pure bliss until her pleasure was cut short when he abruptly pulled away from her heat.

“Hn.” He then held his hand out and accepted a small towel from Lord Aimaru then dismissed the demoness with a curt nod toward the door, signaling her dismissal.

With haughty smack of her lips, the female made her slithery leave with anger evident on her face.

Kagome found that she was rather pleased that the serpent was denied. Jealous pooled in her gut at the sight of the demon lord caressing the serpent so intimately. But, she couldn’t be jealous. Jealously had to business in her heart at that moment.

“You appear vexed my young charge.” Iku noted amusedly.

“It’s nothing.” Kagome denied quickly and looked everywhere but at Iku who would read her easily. She pointed towards a small red haired demoness with large breasts and a child-like face. It was hard determining whether to coo at her or lust after her. “Who’s the small demoness in the front?” the miko asked in hopes to veer the attention away from her.

She could practically feel the tree demon smiling knowingly at her as he answered casually, “That evil little sow is the Dragon King’s favorite spawn. Kilda Qladette”

“Don’t like her much eh?” Kagome asked with a chuckle.

“It’s not so much that I don’t like her…” Iku started as he reached to shoo sprites off his shoulder. They were getting uncomfortably numerous. “…It’s that I simply despise the traitorous viperous conniving little she-bitch.” To stress how much he despised the demoness, Iku place heavy hissing emphasis on the end of the word despised.

“Oh…well that makes sense then.” Kagome responded sarcastically then looked back to the demoness in question.

“Lots.” Iku agreed just as cryptically then said, “She unwelcomingly frequents our palace, pestering our High Lord with her shameless advances while leaving all types of drama in her wake. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama. In fact, I live for it. But the drama this viper stirs makes me want to gauge my eyes with chopsticks and chew my arms off in a fit of hysterics.”

Kagome blinked at the demon beside her.

“I jest not when I say he came close to doing it. She spares no one in her drive for entertainment.” Miroku offered in all seriousness.

“What did she do?” Kagome asked genuinely curious.

Iku regarded Kagome critically before sighing, “She made the grave mistake of using me as one of her drama subjects. Spreading some nasty little rumor around about me regarding my heritage. Luckily all that knew me knew better than to buy her sorry little lies. Of course I returned the favor tenfold.”

“I’m sure you did.” Unable to help herself, Kagome grinned and asked in an eager whisper, “What did you do?”

Iku shrugged carelessly as he said, “Given her popularity, it wasn’t hard to convince the palace locals that she coupled with her father a time or two and lost two of his spawn in miscarriages.”

Gasping, Kagome gawked Iku. “And they believed you!”

 

Again, the demon shrugged barefacedly. “You have to admire the ability to convince people with such outrageous gossip. Any other would have been laughed out the palace.”

“It’s all about persuasion Milady.” Miroku added as he nuzzled her cheek from behind.

“Dare I ask how you managed to be so persuasive?” Kagome jested while nudging Miroku away with a playful shove of her shoulder.

“That is no business of yours, my gorgeous youngling.” Iku tapped her on her nose with a light claw.

Kagome winkled her nose at him. “It will be.” she smiled.

“Are you threatening me my young charge?”

“Of course not. I’m in no position to threaten anyone.” Kagome said in an affronted tone as she toyed with the jeweled bangle on her wrist. “We’re all entitled to our secrets, private lives and…” She blinked coyly at the tree demon as she said, “…shameless acts of espionage.”

Iku narrowed his eyes. “Well played my young vixen. Well played.”

Grinning, Kagome bowed her head. She was learning yet. “So…you were telling us about how you managed to so persuasive…”