Betrothal of the Warrior Hime

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Two days and nights passed before anyone at the Palace of the Moon saw any of the dark female inu’s that were at the moment held up in their room, and when someone had it had been Inuyasha. He’d been on his way to his father’s study to look for the original scroll that held the contract of the betrothal, when he saw Lady Miyako leaving the room they’d been in, heading in the direction of the kitchens. He could only assume that the pup had woken up, and that she was off to get food for her, he would be correct of coarse but he didn’t know about Kagome’s amendment for Miyako leaving, that Kagome had in fact asked for the field near the lake she and Sesshomaru had spent their afternoon together to be cleared and made ready for battle. Miyako was actually excited for this one, where as Kagome’s attention for the last two days had been nothing more then insuring her pups health, Miyako had in fact noticed that the lord and his second were training the heir rigorously. For her pup, Kagome, this meant two things, first that she might have her work cut out for her, and secondly that her pup would be happy for an actual challenge.



Ignoring the dark female Inuyasha continued to his fathers study, he was lucky that his father and the second not to mention his brother were off busy training, it would give him time to look for what he needed, to finally be able to get Kikyo free from the betrothal to his brother. Masking both his scent and aura, which had always been hard for him to do, he entered his father’s study and started looking for the contract. He’d never really taken any pleasure in knowing how to run the lands, he had no doubt in his mind he’d never be a lord, and he was actually grateful for this fact. He’d seen on many occasions both his elder brother and father stressed to the point that they were destructive, it was not to his liking to act as such manor or even to feel as trapped and pressured as he was sure his brother often felt. He’d never admit it to anyone but he pitied his brother, he didn’t really know Souta that well, but every Inu youkai of noble birth had a Second in command, even he had Ginta, though they were hardly around one another, he still had a second.



Ginta had been his second since he had turned fifteen summers old, they had trained together just as Sesshomaru and Souta once had, in fact the only reason he’d been missing for some time was that he’d been called home to watch over his father’s lands. Ginta unlike Souta though had been a half-breed of sorts, part ookami and part inu, his inu mother had abandoned them long ago, and by all rights he should hate their kind for such a betrayal for the ookami were even more fiercely loyal then the inu were, he actually did not care. Ginta had the love of his people and his father, not to mention his sister, a full wolf ookami Ayame, in general the tanned wolf-dog was very much like a second Inuyasha. He was carefree, and led most of his charges with his heart, though he was at least sensible enough to keep Inuyasha out of harms way, most of the time, anyway. His thoughts of Ginta and what he could possibly be up to at the moment had finally subsided, realizing first that it didn’t really matter what the mutt was up to, and second that he had just found the much desired scroll.



Holding the heavy rice paper up to read the details he was lost in the wording, quickly deciding that he had no time to read such things in the open, for surely when this was over with regardless the outcome his father was going to beat the hell out of him for doing this. Unless he had to actually leave with Kikyo, he knew he was going to get a beating of a life time, and what Kagome had done would look like nothing compared to the wrath of his father, but he knew in his heart Kikyo was worth it, and he’d do it every day for the rest of his life, with the same result so long as he got her in the end. Leaving his father’s study after replacing and moving things back the way they’d been when he came in, he again passed Miyako. Her muddy blue eyes panned over his form, knowing he was up to something, while his rather warm golden orbs looked over her as well, she was no kikyo, his mind thought, but for an older woman she was very exotic, his thinking was cut short as Mikyao had apparently gotten bored with him and went into the room.



He heard mumbled words and voices, knowing that the pup was in there hurt, he thought Kagome to be a true bitch in every meaning of the word now, what kind of mother hurts their own pup? he thought angrily. He was overly glad that Kagome would never be the mother of his pups, if she could do that to Sango then she’d make his life and the lives of offspring they had miserable. Inuyasha had not been there for their battle, he had only heard from those who had bared witness to the spectacle what she had done to her own pup. His thick mind did not hear the words they said, that it was about a lesson, nor did he take into account that Kagome had not left Sango’s side since she passed out two days ago. He didn’t even give the female credit that she could be so caring, she had only shown him two emotions, indifference, and hatred, he sighed outwardly as he kept walking.



Back with Kagome…



Her pup had finally woken up that morning, she had not left her side since Sango had lost consciousness, she had not slept, nor had she ate, her eyes had been the same thundering crimson that they had been when they fell upon Kikyo days before. Sighing as she watched her pups eyes flutter open softly, her daughters face wincing in pain as she attempted to sit up. Kagome had watched ever even breath her pup had taken, heard every soft whimper as her pup moved, she was obsessed she knew, but both she and her inner-self were content to now know their pup was okay. She had looked to Miyako without much word relaying the information needed, “Two days, I’ll battle him.” was all she had whispered, now that she was sure of her pups physical state, she needed to assess her mental state, while Miyako was out delivering the information to InuTaishou, Kagome had taken the time to talk to her pup before sleep again claimed her.



“Are you well?” she asked her pup in gentle grunts, yips and barks.



“Yes, sore but yes.” answered Sango in her normal voice and language.



“I did not intend to go this far to teach you, you have your mother’s apology.” Kagome stated formally.



“I would rather my mothers firm hand and her love then her apology. I knew leaving was against your wishes, it never occurred to me that it would worry you so.” answered Sango confidently.



“I suppose it is being a mother, I don’t know if I’ll ever stop worrying about you. From the moment I took you as my own, I have always done what I thought was best for you, tried to show you how to carry yourself and act. I was just so worried, anything could have happened and there’s not telling how long it would have been before I’d even known you weren’t where you were supposed to be. I have never known fear until I got you. Even now the idea of losing you for any reason pains me.” Said Kagome quietly, while her pup listened attentively. “I wear my heart and emotions for few pup, and admitting fear to anyone is particularly worse then pulling fangs.” she sighed ass he lulled her heavy lids closed, but they soon opened as she felt the cool touch of her pups had. “Miyako goes to find us food, until then please rest. I have made my mind up, it is time to finish what I came for.“ her pup turned away from her then.



“So you’ll battle then?” asked Sango.



“I haven’t a choice pup, there are many things I have never told you about, many things I have a responsibility to and for.” the kuroinu answered.



“Tell me then, tell me so that I may know why my mother might leave me.”



Kagome sighed, this was not how she wanted to go about this conversation, but she would not lie to her pup. “You know that my brother was killed when I was very young, and that I left to come to Lady Miyako’s to learn to fight, what you don’t know is why.” said Kaogme, she launched into her story, the story of Souta’s death, her training and leaving her family, coming back, everything, leaving nothing un-said. “So you see, I have no choice, I must find one that is able to best me, if I cannot then Souta’s soul is doomed to remained bound to me, bound here where he should no longer be.” Sango sat and listened to every word, she knew her mother had to do this, but she didn’t want to think of a life where she and her mother would be separated, though she was old enough to mate, and start her own family, and she was of pup baring age, she had never once thought of such things. Now that her mother was of mating age, she knew depending on the outcome of the battle with the Heir her mother would become the eventual Lady of the West, she wouldn’t have time for her any more, she would have to grow up eventually.



Kagome watched as her pups aura seemed to dim with worry, she didn’t know where this sudden feeling was coming from but she didn’t like it, instincts kicking in, a hard yet soothing thrum began to radiate from her being. Sango was indeed calmed by the sound, it was then that Miyako came back, smiling shyly Miyako nodded to her great-grand-pup, she was proud of the girl, Kagome had not gone easy at all, and the fact that Sango had lasted as long was nothing short of amazing. Kagome could if she wanted to draw out the best in a warrior, and the worst depending on what she was doing, her grand-pup had a talent for it. “The lord of the Palace is aware of your intentions and is insuring that preparations are being made, in two days you will battle the heir. Rest now pup I will watch over you both.” said Miyako as Kagome laid down next to Sango and sleep clamed them both quickly. The elder Kuroinu looked upon her pups, such angels as they slept, such demons when awake, she smiled despite herself.



Out in the practice field….



Taishou stood standing with his eldest son, both males dawning only their hamaka’s and obi’s to hold the sheaths of their swords, sweat glistening down their taught bodies, the father’s brows hard and drawn into a tight furrow as he looked upon his heir. They had been training for the last two days, only stopping to rest, and when the Lord stopped his Second quickly took up his place. Sesshomaru was pleased to say the least, he was looking forward to this battle with the female kuroinu, it was getting late in the season, and if he could he’d get a mate that was not the boring, and dull Kikyo. Sesshomaru thought about how different the twins were, like night and day, he thought, their personalities, loyalties, mannerisms, even the way they went around doing things. Kagome was direct, Kikyo was sly, Kagome took what she wanted, Kikyo asked, he knew winning this battle was going to be difficult and that was calling it lightly, but he loved a challenge and Kagome was a perfect challenge.



Sesshomaru thought of what Lady Miyako had come to say, that Kagome had asked for the field where they had spent time together to be cleared and ready for battle. He didn’t know exactly why there, but in two days he would meet her in battle and prove to her that he was dominate, that he was not lost, that he was her better, and depending on the battle he might take her as mate. He honestly wasn’t sure what his tastes were, Kagome was wild, and a challenge, she would always a warring force of nature in his life, she was exotic and dangerous, alluring, and sexy. He could see himself spending an eternity fighting with her only so they could make up. He could also see his own pale skin against her dark sun kissed body and the idea was very tempting, he himself did not actually fancy a bride that looked so much like all the others, and with her beauty on his arm, surely every male would envy him. Though to contrast Kikyo was a classic beauty, she was everything a bitch should be, she was submissive, and did as she was told, but there was no fire or need to show her to her place for she knew. Sighing, he didn’t still know where he wanted to place his future, should he lay it with the safe choice, or should he attempt to take his life into something a bit more wild. He needed to spend time with Kagome, it was only right considering he might end up with her, as he had already spent hours upon hours with Kikyo.



So lost in thought Sesshomaru barely had enough time to dodge his fathers attack, as a whip of poison came his way, again he began his drill, faster, and with more intensity. When sparring was over with he knew he’d ask to have her for a privet dinner so they could talk, maybe afterwards they could go out for a walk, or something, anything really. Sesshomaru while still immersed in training let his mind wonder over things to come, in all honestly with himself his inner-self wanted the dark bitch, his more conscious self though was still not convinced. If he actually listened to himself, his inner-self he would see what it saw, power, beauty, stubbornness that no female they had ever come across had ever possessed, she would be a perfect mother, and if her fiery displays were anything to what she was like in the bedroom, they would never look elsewhere.



He let his mind wonder over her body, 'she wasn’t tall like most inu bitches, the top of her head barely came to his chin, where as Kikyo stood at least a few inches taller then she. Her skin was dark, not like the pale snowflakes of this land, no she was like a dark pretty thing, aged perfectly in the sun, kissed by its beauty, and her body that he had seen even more beautiful for it. He wondered if when she moved you could see her muscles taught and moving beneath the skin, not for the first time he thought of her glistening below him as he took her, surely he’d see just how toned she was then. Then there were her lips, Kikyo’s were pouty to a point, but Kagome’s were tanned as well, and looked kiss ably soft and full. Kami and then there were her eyes, her eyes that seemed to change with her mood, could go from pale silvery blue, to fierce angry white, to dark and sorrowful muddy blue, and even to a fury filled thunderous grey blue.'



With a thunderous growl Sesshoamru was brought from his musings to see the Second advancing on him with alarming speed, it took his brain seconds to figure out why, his body had begun to react to his wayward mind. The scent of his own arousal did little to amuse the second, though he for the life of him couldn’t understand why Shin would be upset, either way one of his daughters would be Sesshomaru’s mate, and so it was only natural that he think of them in this way, but then it was just that. His body was not reacting to Kikyo, it had never even when she had been attempting to win his favor reacted to her in such a manor. His body had on the other hand reacted to Kagome, the thought of her did this to him, and the feel of her days before had caused worse, he smirked remembering the day by the lake, and now he would be battling her there. Practice had to come to and end for Shin, the scent of the Heir’s arousal was sending his inner-self into a simi-rage, he had only just gotten his pup back, and now her life would possibly be handed to another, to this prince of the lands. He knew very well that Sesshomaru was a good male, a strong male, and any father should be so happy to have him betrothed to one of their pups. But where he had time to adjust to the idea of Kikyo and the Prince, the idea of him taking Kagome away just made him angry.



Excusing himself from the practice to the knowing smirk on Sesshomaru’s face and Taishou’s slight frown, the Second left to find his mate, he needed comfort right now. Taishou had never seen his Second acting in such a manor, he didn’t know that slightly far too over-protective bond that a father had with a daughter, for he had never had a female pup, he would never be forced to give up one of his own pups so that they became a part of another family as Shin would two of his living four pups. Sighing he asked his Heir if he had ‘any idea what was wrong with Shin‘.”I believe the second does not want to lose his pup so soon after her return.” said the slightly baritone voice of Sesshomaru.



“So it is to be Kagome then?” asked Taishou.



“The battle will see to the out come, but my inner-self seems rather infatuated with her.” answered the silver son.



“Ah, well then it is Kagome after all.” said Taishou with a knowing smirk, causing Sesshomaru to frown.



“This Sesshomaru will chose, not his inner-self.” retorted the heir angrily, causing his father to near bellow with laughter.



“That son, has got to be the first lie I’ve ever heard you tell, I’ll let you know a little secret that it seems no one had ever told you, when your inner-self settles on a mate, it won’t let you have any other. I can’t say I blame your beast, she’s a lovely young inu, and such power, let alone her fire, a fine daughter she’ll make. Though I wonder how this battle will go, she’s not the type to back down, she’s going to be a hellion in bed son.” That comment got a dangerous growl from his son. “What? Its plan as day you want her, your arousal even forced her father to retreat!” laughed the general, but at this Sesshomaru just began to star another assault on his father’s person, catching the General off a bit before he too refocused on the point of training, Sesshomaru was relentless, he didn’t need to hear this from his own father.



Elsewhere…



Kagome awake while Sango was still asleep, Miyako’s eyes landing upon her the moment her own started to flutter open. Gracing her grandmother with a small smile she got up and got cleaned, she needed to speak to her father, there were things that needed to be said, things that couldn’t wait any longer, and before dawn she would take them to see Souta. Nothing at this point could change her mind on the matter, they needed to know, everything, she needed to tell them both her mother and father just how she felt, so that things could move on. Miyako watched with awe as her pup’s aura grew with quiet determination, she watched as she threw on a kimono and made her way to the door. Miyako was one of the few that knew all of Kagome’s secrets, it was time the two people who love her most knew as well. “I’m going to speak with my parents, its time.” MIyako nodded and Kagome left.



She hadn’t bothered to do her hair, nor had she put armor on, in fact it was maybe the simplest she had ever looked while staying at the Palace of the Moon. She wore no make-up, and her pelt was left coddling her pup back in her room, even her kimono’s were not plentiful, instead she was in a light summer yakata, and a simple mostly white kimono that had bamboo stalks going from the bottom left hem of her kimono upwards. She didn’t look like the woman that had entered the Palace, nor the demoness that fought so beautifully with everything and everyone around her, for once, she looked like Kagome, and just Kagome. Her father had only just made it to his room, his mate just behind them, when they heard the knock at their door. Scenting just who it was his velvety voice rang through. “Enter.” was all he said.



Kagome came in keeping her eyes downcast and bowing to her parents to show them some type of respect, Shin didn’t know what to think of his pup while Sayuri looked on amazed, for she had never seen the sweet innocent side of Kagome. “Father, Mother, I have come today to speak with you on the past. Would you grant me this?” she asked still not looking up. Sayrui was anxious she wanted to know everything, unlike her mate and her son Souta, even her pup Kikyo, Kagome never spoke openly about how she felt. Sayuri nudged her mate to answer their pup, and with a sigh Shin did.



“It is time we knew your heart pup, speak with us.”



“I will only ask that you allow me to finish before you say anything to this.” She waited for their nod, and continued. “In all my life even with my twin I had never felt a bond such as that which I had with Souta. When he died protecting us, my world died with him. I felt that the world had ripped my being in two, and when I finally came to, all I got was you trying to take his sword from me, and questions. There was no one there to hold me, no one there to tell me it was okay. I was so angry, I was angry at myself for not being stronger, for not protecting Souta, for not being smart enough to stay near the palace. Mostly I was just angry. I let that anger consume me for a very long time, and after a while I goaded my brothers into allowing me to train with blade with them. It was perhaps the happiest I had been since that day.” she paused as she let it all sink it to her parents ears but didn’t stay quiet long enough to allow them to interrupt her.



“For year I spent my time hiding, indoors behind walls, while Kikyo was allowed to do whatever she wanted so long as it worked with your plan for her, and she was happy. I was miserable, only finding peace when I sparred and honed my skills, and I found out why, simply because of a claim upon my person by the former Northern lord. And then you, father, found out, and abruptly told me to stop the only thing that brought me pleasure. I had enough and so I left in the middle of the night, that much you know already. I went to grandmother, and she told me about our families history, which, father, you never told me.” she said angrily, but she continued anyway. “To say I was surprised was an understatement, and then I started training. In twenty or more summers, most of my training was complete, and it was then that I came upon Sango. General Miroku and I were out patrolling the lands when we came upon smoke and fires in a near by youkai village. When we got there it was decimated, not one living surviving being. Quickly leaving when came upon a second village, like the first there was no one left, even pups and females were slaughtered. There at the headman’s hut was Sango. Her beast was feral and awake she was so small, and the sight of her, she reminded me of myself when Souta died. Seeing her, covered in the blood of her kin, ready to attack, both my inner-self and I could do nothing but comfort her. We took her as our own and it has been so ever since.”



“Considering most of my training was complete, my goal was to teach Sango as well, and honestly that’s all I did for the better part of the last seventy or more summers. Only recently did I even think about coming back, I was happy there, though there were some moments that it was possibly the hardest thing I had ever done in my life, I was happy with my grandmother and my pup. I took such pride in knowing that I had raised a strong pup, that hardly any female and some males would be able to take her down, unlike most hanyou she is the product of a true hanyou and a full youkai, she has both a humanoid form and a bestial form, words could not ever be said to say how much a am both proud and how much I love that pup. Until she arrived though I had never put thought into how her actions would reflect my own. I can honestly say that when I saw her I was beyond angry, she had not only disobeyed me, but had put her self at risk by leaving the Palace of the Sun. I was angry because I worried, and even the idea of her being hurt in anyway causes a pain in my chest.” Her mother by now was near tears listening, while her father looked upon her in a new light, a new respect.



“For nearly one hundred summers, I never thought that pain in my chest was anything like what I might have put either of you through with my absence. For all the pain that I have caused you both, This Kagome humbles herself to ask for your forgiveness.” she said bowing her head to the floor before her parents. Kagome waited with baited breath for any sign of acknowledgement, her head bowed so much that she could have no sight of anything her parents might say. Her mother was in shock it seems, such a sign of submission from Kagome was like having a conversation with a kami, it just didn’t happen. And when her mate finally spoke, Sayuri was happy to hear his words.



“Being a parent isn’t easy. No matter how sure one is of one’s self, having a pup brings the unknown into foresight. It is both the most beautiful and more terrifying thing one can put themselves through. Thin Shinosamu, is proud to be your sire.” and with that both Sayuri and Shin met their youngest in a tight embrace. Kagome was happy, but still she needed to tell them about Souta, clearing her throat she said.



“There is more, but it must wait until after midnight, and I will show you why I fight. We will need to return home to the Northwestern Palace for you to understand why.” Kagome finished, her mother nodding, while her father took a pause before also nodding. He didn’t know what they might need to return home for but if it helped him to understand his pup more, he would do it, he had lost so much of her life because he hadn’t thought to understand her. He would do this for her and no one else.