The Portal

Chapter 22 – Some Make Amends, and Other’s Make Allies

It had begun as a minor irritant, then progressed into a dull ache, and now the pain just behind his right eye had blossomed into a full blown headache. This was very disturbing to Sesshomaru, as he wasn’t even sure if youkai could have headaches. He had never experienced one in his entire life, until the miko.

After Lord Anubis abruptly departed, Sesshomaru motioned for Kagome to have a seat. She eyed him warily, as if she were gauging her chances of survival, and then slowly lowered herself back onto the garden seat. To say that he was angry at her defiance was safely an understatement. Angry was only the beginning.

Sesshomaru had just spent the last three hours charming Lady Nebthet into trusting him. It was not a difficult task, as he could dazzle any female, if he wanted to. The Lady was also very pleasant company, as well as a fountain of information into this strange world. He had learned many interesting things during their refreshing discussion, including where the first key was kept.

It had not taken long for the Lady to lead him right to the key’s resting place, where it had been kept safe for hundreds of years. Sesshomaru had been rather pleased with his deception, and soon he politely excused himself to return to his succulent little vixen. Imagine his surprise when he found his bed empty, and his minx missing. It only took a couple of rather blatant clues to enlighten him on how she managed her great escape. A broken teacup and a pile of ruined wine colored sheets.

Kagome was very resourceful.

Her method of escape was rather clever, and tracking her had even delightfully stirred his instincts. It wasn’t long before he traced her scent outside of the pyramid, and then into the courtyard. A short while later he came to a very elaborate tropical garden. By the time he found the garden, he had all but forgiven her for defying his command to stay put. Truthfully, her actions were rather predictable, considering whom he was dealing with.

Sesshomaru’s temper flared to life once more, the very moment he caught sight of Kagome in the arms of Anubis.

He could see that the kiss was obviously instigated by Anubis, but he found no amount of comfort in that. A small flicker of approval stole over him as he witnessed Kagome step away in refusal, but his ego had already taken a great blow. With deadly intent, Sesshomaru swiftly made his way to Anubis.

From there, things did not quite go as he planned, for if they had, he would be currently washing the dogs’ blood from his pristine white hair. Instead the sly mutt had openly admitted to his transgression. While that had not completely served to thwart Sesshomaru’s wrath, Kagome’s reminder of his human child, Rin, did.

As Sesshomaru glared down at the wary girl, the itch to render Anubis into bloody shreds of mutilated flesh was still rubbing his nerves raw. He needed a moment to collect himself, before he tried to confront Kagome. Sesshomaru was angry with her, for seeking the company of Anubis, but the majority of his anger was not for her. After instructing her to take a seat, he turned away for a few tense moments. When he finally felt that he could conduct himself in an appropriate manner, he returned to her side and took a seat.

“Do you now see why this Sesshomaru ordered you to stay in our chambers?”

Before she could answer, he cut her off by saying, “Anubis has taken a rather deadly interest in you, Kagome. Deadly for him, that is. This Sesshomaru will not tolerate his continued disrespect. The next time that he approaches you, he will die, and we may never return to our homeland.”

Kagome nodded meekly in understanding. She finally found her voice and replied, “I didn’t understand the extent of your concerns, Sesshomaru-sama, and for that I apologize. I don’t think that he will be a problem after this dreadful incident.”

Sesshomaru huffed, and turned his head to look at her. His expression was somewhat unsettling. “Do not delude yourself, girl. Anubis has set his sights on you, whether you belong to me or not. You unknowingly draw him to you, just as you draw all men, my lovely little miko. He will be back.”

Kagome sighed deeply in despair. She hadn’t meant for her petty revenge to go this far. Sure, she wanted Lord Anubis to seek her out, and yes, she had all intentions of using him to spark a bit of jealousy in Sesshomaru, but when he actually kissed her, it was unexpected. In her innocence she had assumed that Anubis would not take that step. He was a Lord, after all, and had his honor to keep in tact.

Apparently not all inuyoukai are as honor bound as Sesshomaru. Not that the kiss wasn’t nice. In fact, in that brief moment, when his lips met her own, Kagome had felt the stir of desire. That was what jolted her out of the hazy state of bliss.

There was only one inuyoukai that she wanted to desire.

Kagome lifted her gaze to meet that of her lover, “Gomen. I should have listened.”

The moment between them was interrupted by a force pressing in on them. Both Kagome and Sesshomaru looked to the sky. “Do you feel it, Sesshomaru?” Kagome asked with a shiver.

“Hai,” He replied.

~~~~***~~~~

Naraku chuckled menacingly. He watched the sky as the Falcon King began to disappear from sight. It was now time to return to the Inu kingdom, before his companions detected his absence.

He rather hoped that Sesshomaru would be a bloody mound of rotten flesh by the time he returned. He certainly did his best to ensure that it would happen.

His plan had formed the previous night, as he returned to his bedchambers after the festival activities. Naraku’s eyes flashed crimson in remembrance. He wasn’t sure what infuriated him more, the smell of the sex, or hearing Kagome screaming Sesshomaru’s name in the throws of passion.

That was the very moment when his decision was made. With a rustle of silken fabric, Naraku retreated from the hallway and out of the temple. His fury fueled his speed, and by this afternoon he arrived here, at the Temple Shiraha.

Although his first interaction with the clan of falcon youkai was somewhat unpleasant, things soon took a turn for his favor. Once he was brought before the Falcon Lord Seth, he recognized a kindred spirit. Naraku was never one to pass by the opportunity to join forces with an ally after his own heart, as hearts black as his were very rare.

Seth proved to be more that Naraku had hoped for, almost as power hungry as himself. The bird had one fault, however, and Naraku was an expert at exploiting such a weakness.

The inyoukai female, Lady Nebthet.

Naraku had thoroughly enjoyed the Lords anger, as he ‘warned’ the falcon of his new rival. He even found great pleasure when he advised him of his half-brother, Lord Anubis’, unseemly attraction to Lord Sesshomaru’s human female breeder. Lord Seth was less than pleased.

In exchange for his generous offer of valuable information, Naraku had secured himself a place in Lord Seth’s Kingdom. He would also be gifted with his own female breeder, as soon as her master was disposed of.

Naraku took one last glance back at the Temple Shiraha. It wasn’t Japan, but there was much mischief to be had here, and Naraku could easily adjust. After all, his future breeder carried almost the entire remainder of the Shikon no Tama around her neck.

An evil smirk traced its way across Naraku’s handsome face. He just loved when things went his way.