As Death Gives Life

Chapter 20 – From Peaceful Walks to Alliance Talks

A/N: I thought that I would share something with you all. One of my most beloved reviewers included this in her review of last chapter. Folks, I laughed ten pounds off! My sides were hurting! So in appreciation to Paris, I am adding it to this chapter to share a laugh with the world.

Paris’ new idea for a Master Card commercial:
Inuyasha is the voice in the commercial.
“Romantic walks taken with Miko, $54; Lavish gifts furnished, $4,038; Fine dining, $902; Fresh rare flowers sent daily, $300; Seeing my fucking half brother's plan blow up in his face? PRICELESS. For everything else, there is MasterCard.”

Hahaha! Was that not hilarious? HAHA! Thanks Paris!!!

Thanks to Swasdiva for pointing out an slight error in this chapter. I had accidentally typed centuries instead of years in reference to Sesshomaru’s age. He’s 380 years not 380 centuries! Jeez talk about a good looking old geezer. Haha!

~~~***~~~

The evening meal went off without a hitch, and Kagome soon found herself stepping out into the peaceful night with Sesshomaru. She had almost hoped that he had changed his mind about the evening walk through the gardens, but after the meal he pointedly asked her to accompany him. Shippo was a little reluctant to see her go, but thanks to Rin and Kat he was adequately distracted in time for her to slip away.

She walked along, just behind the demon lord, wondering for the one hundredth time exactly why he wanted her to accompany him? Her mind had already manufactured numerous reasons behind the invite, and she was anxious, not to mention a little afraid, of what he wanted with her.

Sesshomaru walked slowly, breathing in the fresh flower scents and listening to the light footsteps of the miko just behind him. She had been unusually quiet during the meal, and even now had not uttered a word. She was probably trying to figure out his purpose behind asking her to walk with him this evening. That only made the idea that much sweeter.

He had spent the last portion of the day thinking of the many ways this plan could benefit him in the long run. The main benefit would be her removal from his home. Sesshomaru had decided that another beneficial aspect would be the pleasure of tormenting Inuyasha during his visits. Although the hanyou did not actually think of the miko as a love interest, he obviously cared about her very much. It would be more than amusing to give Inuyasha the impression that he wished to court the miko. No doubt, the hanyou would be beside himself with that assumption.

As they meandered their way silently through the gardens, Sesshomaru realized that she had stopped behind him. He turned to see what it was that held her up, and found that she was bent delicately over the moonflower vines there. She held a blossom between her slender fingers, looking closely at the radiant bloom, before lowering her button nose to inhale the sweet fragrance.

He could not deny the beauty she held at that single moment. Her frailty and goodness seemed to add to her appeal. Sesshomaru found it hard to look away, but forced himself to turn before she noticed him staring at her.

Some of the flower beds were raised as high as her waist, set in old thick stone. The moonflower vines spilled over both sides of the winding beds, and had anchored themselves to the meandering mortar cracks. They were so beautiful that she just couldn’t pass them by without taking a closer look. They had a delicate perfume which drifted softly upon the night air, and Kagome pulled a bloom closer to breathe in the flowers lightly sweet aroma. She soon realized that Lord Sesshomaru had stopped, and was obviously waiting on her. She didn’t want to chance angering him so she gently lowered the huge blossom back into place and hurried to catch up with him.

He waited patiently for her to catch up to him, and then picked up his progression. It was a little more than frustrating to find that he could be so easily distracted by the onna. She was still quite human, and exasperatingly annoying, which should have made him feel repulsed by her presence. Unfortunately that has not been the case. Even in times past, he had found her interesting, if not somewhat attractive.

Irritating was the first item on his list of descriptions for the miko. With aggravating being second. Annoying would fall in behind that and the list could go on. He stopped beneath a cherry tree and turned back to motion for her to have a seat. His voice caught in his throat for a brief second when he caught sight of her profile looking up toward the glowing moon high in the black velvet sky. Her skin appeared to glow, and she held the slightest hint of a smile on her full mouth. She held a look of reminiscence in her large blue eyes as if she were thinking of times past.

Beautiful. That would most definitely be somewhere on the list as well.

The image was just as quickly shattered when she stepped beneath the canopy of the tree above. Sesshomaru blinked himself out of the strange haze he found himself in with the miko none the wiser. What in the Fates was he thinking? What was in his mind concerning this girl? It was more that frustrating to think that his thoughts would betray him in such a way. It was utter lunacy. He refused to fall pray to such ridiculous things. He was too busy and too powerful to loose focus of what was important in his life. Keeping his rule in tact being the foremost.

Her unusual bravery had angered him immensely in the past, but also it had managed to draw a semblance of respect from him. Respect was something hard earned by the taiyoukai of the West. His considerable skill in battle and immense level of power, both physical and political, earned him the right to look down upon those around him. Very few individuals had ever instigated a fight with him. In the three hundred and eighty years of his life only a handful of beings had dared to attack him with knowledge of who he was. He could not credit them with brains, but bravery was due. As one of those few, Kagome, a young mortal female, was one of those begrudgingly deserving of his respect.

That was something that he would not divulge to a single soul.

Kagome was the only thing that stood in between his earlier impulses to kill Inuyasha. Had she not been such an enigma he would have easily slain the hanyou the second time they fought over Tetsusaiga. Her gallant attack on his person was truly the bravest act that he had ever seen. After that day he found himself looking at the tiny human miko a little differently. No longer did he wish to see her dead. He even found himself backing away from fights with his brother simply because the miko was present. Not out of fear, but simple respect.

His most well kept secret was the uncanny resemblance that she holds to Rin. Had Rin not looked so similar to the miko on the first day that he met her, then he may have killed the young girl. He was in excruciating pain from receiving the brunt of the Wind Scar. Between his injuries and rage toward his brother he was more beast than man. No one would approach a lethally deadly youkai recently injured, but like Kagome, Rin pushed fear aside. Strangely Rin not only held the same source of inner strength as the miko; her features were similar as well. She had proven to be a pleasant child and an invaluable source of entertainment in his long days, making him very thankful that he had chosen to keep her under his care.

On another occasion, the day he first tried out Tokijin, he let his brother’s friends carry him away from battle. Totosia’s firewall was nothing to stop him, but the onna had once again unknowingly stayed his hand.

After his first full battle with the demonically transformed Inuyasha, Kagome threw herself over the boys’ unconscious form, bravely warning Sesshomaru off with tears in her eyes. He found himself stepping toward her on that day, subconsciously wishing to console the onna. Only her voice snapped him out of it just before her friends ran to guard their fallen comrades. He had been so stunned at his own actions toward the onna that he could not even find it inside himself to chastise her friends for their ridiculous attempt to stop him. Instead he simply walked away.

Twice later he had even saved her life, and neither time did he intend to do it before hand. It was again, a subconscious action. The moment he knew that she was danger he reacted to save her. He later told himself that it was simply because she was a good influence on Inuyasha. Perhaps he was right about that one.

It had always bothered him that he gave more to this girl than she deserved, but some inner part of him wished to keep her alive. Even now, he has agreed to take her into his home to keep her safe from those who would do her harm. However, enough was enough. He had to get her out of his home as soon as possible. Every moment that he is around her his mind seems to take some strange and very unwelcome detour. He would not allow her to invade his life, and he would not put up with her and those ridiculous friends taking up residence in his very home.

It was imperative to his sanity that she be gone.

Kagome strolled up to the tree trunk, and nervously took a seat. She looked up to the towering taiyoukai standing beside her and felt more vulnerable in that moment than she could ever remember. She breathed a sigh of relief when he gracefully lowered himself beside of her. He drew up one of his long legs and carelessly draped his clawed hand over his knee.

When the moonlight touched his features, she again thought how beautiful he was. No one should be that drop dead gorgeous. When he turned his shining golden eyes to her, they reflected crimson in the darkness causing her breath to hitch in her throat. A full demon. A powerful full demon was sitting less than an arms length away looking at her. If her mother knew of this she would be grounded for eternity.

“Kagome, do you find my garden to your taste?” Broke his silky baritone voice softly into the night.

She smiled slightly and said, “Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. Even at night it is a lovely place. I can’t wait to see it during the day.”

“Close your eyes a moment Kagome.” She did as he said, wondering what he was up to. “Now, breathe in deeply. Smell the fragrance singing on the breeze.”

Kagome did as he said, and took in the floral delicacy. With her eyes closed it seemed to give the garden life through fragrance. She smiled and released a sigh of contentment.

He had to pat himself on the back for that one. Though romance was not something that he was personally familiar with, he had learned from the best. His great and terrible father was a veracious philanderer of the ladies. His skill at making them swoon was almost matched with that of his swordplay. Sesshomaru’s own mother had forgiven the brute for many things simply because Inutaisho could weave his words so well. Sesshomaru never passed up an opportunity to learn a skill, and that skill seemed like a very important one to have.

The whole thing seemed to take a route different than the one he had planned when he glanced over to her. Again her face was tilted up. Her huge eyes were closed and she held a slight smile on her lips. The moonlight peeked through the canopy bathing her face, giving her an ethereal appearance. He forced himself to look away.

“Mmm... it smells like heaven,” Kagome softly uttered.

Sesshomaru did not reply, and only sat enjoying the sounds of the night. Insects played their songs and bats squeaked near the forests edge. In the far distance he could hear the howling of wolves. It was all music to his ears. He loved the outdoors. It was where he truly felt at home.

Kagome wanted to ask him why he brought her out here. It was eating her up inside, but she dared not spoil the moment. It was peaceful here and magical. The moonlight flowed over everything, the castle, the gardens; even the mountainside was not immune to its cleansing light. Never in a million years would she have expected to be enjoying a peaceful evening under the stars sitting next to Lord Sesshomaru. Miracles never ceased.

~~~***~~~

Anubis and Wepwawet had just delivered four more souls to the Hall of Truth. They were waiting for Lady Ma’at to appear in order for the judgement to begin. Anubis excused himself for a moment and stepped over to the rear of the spacious room. There he found the Mirror of Insight, where he could peer into the lives of those upon the Earth’s surface.

He waved one elegant hand in a semi circular fashion, and waited for his Kagome to appear.

What he saw there, reflected in the mirror, was not at all what he expected. He had thought to find her alone in her rooms grieving still from his absence, but instead he found her in a garden sitting rather closely to the taiyoukai.

She looked enchanting in the moonlit night, smiling up to the stars. She did not look unhappy at all. At first he felt relief wash over his soul, but as he looked on he found himself wondering why? Why was she sitting so peacefully next to Sesshomaru? The demon lord looked completely at ease by her side. Were the two not enemies earlier that very day? How was it that now she exhibited no anger, fear or sadness?

“Anubis, it is time to proceed,” Thoth called. Anubis waved once again and the image of his chosen female faded from sight. He turned and followed Thoth back to the Scales of Truth. His longtime friend began to read the magical words from the Book of the Dead, and Anubis found that his mind had drifted once more to his little flower. The image of her sitting so closely to Sesshomaru gave him a strange feeling. One that he could not exactly define. It was a bit unsettling for some reason, and annoying that he was unable to pursue the phenomena further at this time.

Thoth began to read the deeds of the dead, and Anubis watched Ammit slither her shapely form closer to the Scales. She thought to gain a meal soon, but he did not hear the dead soldiers’ life being read the God of Wisdom. His mind was a little distracted at the moment.

“Anubis. Anbuis?” Lady Ma’at repeated.

He snapped back to see that it was time for him to check the Scales for accuracy before the heart was weighed against the Feather of Truth. For the first time in a millennia Lord Anubis had missed his queue.

~~~***~~~

Sesshomaru sighed and stood up. He held out his hand to aid the miko in standing. “Come Kagome, we should return to the castle. A female in your delicate condition needs rest.”

Kagome smiled in mild wonder at his gallant behavior. She placed her tiny hand in his large one, mindful of his sharp claws, and allowed him to assist in her rise from the cool grass. For a moment he only looked at her with an unreadable expression on his pale handsome face. She smiled up at him, which seemed to bring him around. He gave her hand an almost undetectably light squeeze, before releasing her to proceed toward the manor.

She followed him silently, watching the hypnotizing sway of his long white hair as it moved with his gentle steps. Kagome had still not discovered anything more about his reasons for asking her out here. Had he forgotten or changed his mind? What had he wanted to begin with? She was so confused. It was driving her crazy not knowing! Should she ask him? Should she just leave it be?

He was such a mystery. Never had they been able to understand his thinking. Every single time that they thought they had gained a semblance of understanding where Sesshomaru was concerned it turned out that they were all wrong and back to square one. Kagome knew that guessing was useless, as most likely she would be completely wrong. After following his tall pristine form back through the fragrant gardens and into the candle lit hall of the castle, Kagome finally decided that she would ask. If she didn’t then she may not ever be able to fall asleep.

He led her through the halls and up the winding stairway until she stood outside her beautifully painted shoji door. She turned to ask him the question that was weighing on her mind, but something in his eyes made her pause.

“Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama!” Jaken squawked loudly as he stumbled up the last step of the stairwell. “There has been an attack on the Northern Lord! A messenger has just recently arrived with the news!”

Sesshomaru turned angry eyes on Jaken, and forced himself not to kick the toad back down the stairs. He was about to grace Kagome with one of his rare debonair smiles when he was rudely interrupted. His thoughts of killing the kappa youkai servant was brushed aside when he revealed the reason behind the interruption. “Tell me Jaken, did the Northern Lord survive the attack?”

“Y..Yes, my Lord. It was an assassin that infiltrated the Northern Lords palace home. The assassin escaped, and is feared to be hiding still in, or near, the Lords home. He and his family have been evacuated, and uh... well.... they are... being forced to seek protection... here, my lord.” Jaken said the last part fearfully. He was well aware that Lord Sesshomaru valued his solitude, which had already suffered greatly since the miko’s arrival. Now that the Northern Lord was seeking his aid, Lord Sesshomaru could possibly become rather violent.

He stayed his hand, which itched terribly to lop off the toad’s head. By the Gods this day seemed to never end! What started out as any other peaceful day was determined to end in chaos. He turned back to Kagome, who was patiently waiting by her door. “I bid you good evening Kagome. It would seem that duty calls.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and disappeared into the darkness of her rooms.

Sesshomaru turned back to Jaken. “I wish to speak with the messenger. Where is he?”

“In the mess hall my lord. The youkai was sorely in need of water and food when he arrived. It seems that he ran the distance non-stop.” Jaken said with a hint of respect for the messenger.

Sesshomaru was not impressed, however, and ordered Jaken to bring the messenger to the debriefing room. He then passed his retainer and glided down the stairs to his study, where he pulled various documents concerning his alliance to the North. Honor would have him uphold his alliance by providing the Lord and his family with safe shelter until the assassin was found. Even then, he would be forced to house the royal family until the one responsible was brought to justice.

The taiyoukai sighed heavily in exasperation. It looked like his quiet life was about to temporarily come to a screeching halt.

Kagome blew out the candle and climbed into her futon. She lay upon her bedding thinking over the strange evening’s events. Sesshomaru’s reason for asking her for a walk was still unknown to her and according to Jaken they were about to receive new houseguests. It was kind of weird to think about Sesshomaru actually having to run a kingdom. In the past they only viewed him as Inuyasha’s lethally powerful full demon brother, but staying here, in Sesshomaru’s home had shown her that there was much more to Sesshomaru than she had ever seen or known about.

Running a kingdom could not be an easy task. She had no idea what all was involved, but it had to be a tough job. Sesshomaru didn’t seem like the type to run his affairs with anything less than perfection. No doubt his political life was run with strict discipline. How did he manage to keep it all together and still find time to periodically drop in and attack Inuyasha? A slight smile curved her lip at the thought of the brother’s swinging on each other with deadly intent.

Kagome’s thoughts were interrupted when her door slid open slightly revealing Shippo peaking in. “Um... Kagome? Do you... you know, do you mind if I sleep in here tonight? This place gives me the creeps.”

Kagome sat up smiling. She motioned for her little fox friend to join her, and waited until he slipped in beside her. His furry warmth provided a little familiar comfort in the strange new place. Soon her eyes grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep.