The Portal

Chapter 30 – The Feast

As soon as she appeared at the doorway, Anubis ceased to hear a thing that Hapy was saying. He knew his brother was still talking to him, but his distinct words had become nothing more than muffled sound.

She was ravishing.

Hapy had been telling his brother a funny story that had occured between his second in command and his mother, when Anubis seemed to tune him out completely. Following his intense gaze he found that his brother was staring at the couple who had recently arrived to the feast. ‘Ah, so the warrior has arrived.’

He wondered at the strange look in Anubis’ eyes. He had a dreamy appearance of which had never seen on the inuyoukai before. Hapy returned his gaze to the couple. Was he looking at the human woman?

Suddenly a furry creature came sliding up next to the beautiful young woman, and Hapy lost all coherent thought. He turned in his seat and stood up.

Kagome caught sight of Lord Anubis who was seated at a huge low table in the center of the room. Her eyes locked with his and she could see clearly that he was pleased with how nicely his gift looked on her. A low growl from her side tore her focus off of the dark haired lord, and up to her taiyoukai. He was glaring at a newcomer that was making his way to them. The man was not looking at them, however, but instead had his eyes trained near her feet. Kagome felt a jolt of fear spike when she realized that this armor clad man was looking at Tala with an intense, but unreadable expression.

Tala felt the fear from Kagome and immediately made ready to defend.

Hapy stopped his progression when the contented demeanor of the creature suddenly changed. The large emerald eyes flashed to a shiney solid black and the short fangs grew to new lengths. The long money like tail swished once then twice and a long sharp barb shot out of the end. The creature began hissing as it placed itself protectively in front of the woman.

It all happened so fast that Kagome didn’t know what happened. By the time her mind processed the fact that Tala had morphed into attack mode, Anubis had made his way to the man’s side.

“Ah, Lord Sesshomaru, and the lovely Kagome, Anubis greeted, it would please me to introduce you to my brother Lord Hapy of the Saijin Temple.”

Sesshomaru simply nodded, but Kagome was stumbling over her words. ‘Oh great Kami, this is Anubis’ brother, and Tala is about to attack him!’ Finally Kagome managed to squeek out, “Oh it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance, Lord Hapy. I must apologized for Tala...” Kagome bent down and began soothing her disturbed pet. “...he is a bit overprotective.” Soon her gentle ministrations and calming scent effectively soothed the furry beast and his fierce demeanor dropped back to his normally content self. Kagome stood and smiled warmly at the new Lord.

Hapy’s mind was swimming with thought. The main thing that kept surfacing was that he was going to get revenge on Anubis for not warning him of this drastic turn of events sooner.

Anubis chuckled. Hapy was definately going to give him an earful later, but for now, it seemed appropriate to lead their guests to be seated.

Kagome took a seat on the huge soft cushion next to Sesshomaru. She noticed Naraku sitting a couple of cushions away, and nodded with a small smile. He didn’t return it, not that she was surprised. He had been rather aloof lately, keeping to himself. Of course, she couldn’t blame him. The way things had been going lately, she imagined that was the safest place to be.

Across from them sat Lord Anubis and his mother, as well as Lord Hapy and a beautiful female warrior with strange eyes the color of Sesshomaru’s cheek markings. Kagome suddenly realized she had been staring at the women, and as a result, blushed in embarrassment.

Anubis was facinated with the way Kagome’s delicate skin flushed with a rosey color when she became embarrassed. It was an endearing quality to be sure.

Hapy figured he may as well introduce his mother since Anubis was acting like a bumbling idiot. “Lord Sesshomaru, mistress Kagome, I would like you to meet my mother, Lady Ma’at.”

Kagome bowed her head in greetings and smiled at the boboon queen. “You have lovely eyes, my Lady.”

Ma’at was surprised at the comment, as she was rarely complimented on her looks. As a warrior, she found most compliments came from her battle skills or intellect. This human woman was something unusual. “Arigato, Kagome.”

Kagome nodded with a smile and turned to Lady Nebthet. “Konbanwa Lady Nebthet. I hope you are faring well?”

“Hai, Kagome. I fare as well as can be expected. And you?” Nebthet replied.

“Hai, very well. Doomo arigato. Everything looks deliscious. You have outdone yourself.” Kagome said with barely veiled excitement.

The servants soon appeared with cups of wine and the feast was begun. Light banter started springing up here and there amongst the guests.

Hapy soon addressed the new inu taiyoukai, “So, Lord Sesshomaru, you are the one who took down Seth?” His voice was filled with slight amusement and respect.

Sesshomaru looked up to Hapy with a questioning look, and then turned to Anubis with a narrowed gaze. ‘So the dog hasn’t told him yet,’ he thought with irratation.

Anubis took his queue from the glare Sesshomaru had just given him “Hapy, Lord Sesshomaru was not the one to injure Seth so gravely.”

Hapy looked confused and turned to Anubis for answers. Anubis nodded at the female beside Sesshomaru. “Kagome is the one who brought Seth down.”

All conversation ceased at the great table. Complete silence reigned supreme for what seemed like endless moment of time. Kagome was sure she felt sweat beading on her forehead under the scrutiny she was now receiving. Would Lord Hapy find her attack on his brother offensive?

The uneasy silence came to a crashing end when Hapy burst out in a round of deep barelling laughter, which was soon joined by the hearty laughter of his mother, Lady Ma’at.

Sesshomaru had been making ready to do battle. He wasn’t sure of the relationship between the baboon and falcon. For a moment he feared Kagome would be in harms way at the dogs announcement, but when Hapy let out a room shaking laugh, his worry subsided. Apparently the falcon wasn’t well liked by his brothers. It reminded him of Inuyasha, for some reason.

After a few strangled chuckles and wiping the tears from his eyes, Hapy finally regained control of himself enough to say, “You, Kagome? You are the one who took down the ‘Great and Powerful Lord Seth’?”

Kagome smiled shyly and nodded once in answer.

Hapy produced another round of laughter, which was joined by everyone at the table, except Sesshomaru, Naraku, and little Kagome, who wished that a big hole would appear beneath her cushion and suck her in.

Hapy found this highly amusing. He had to know the details. “So, young woman, tell me... how is it that you acomplished such a feat?”

Kagome softly relayed the details to Lord Hapy making sure not to sound too excited. She didn’t want to give the impression that she had enjoyed her attack on his falcon brother, although at the time her heart soared when the bird hit the dirt.

When she finished the tale, Hapy sat there for a moment absorbing the information. “So, you are the decendent of our sister, Midoriko.” Hapy said matter of factly.

Kagome nodded, “Hai, I believe you are correct.”

“That explains why that blasted beast has taken up with you,” Hapy stated.

“Hai,” Kagome replied, growing a bit nervous.

Sesshomaru decided it was time to interject. He wanted to get the center of conversation away from Kagome. There was too much danger and unknown circumstance to allow them to dwell on this subject. He could tell it was making her anxious. “It would seem that Lord Seth has targeted myself as an enemy, though I have done nothing to merit such an attack.”

Hapy grunted in understanding, “It doesn’t take much to provoke his wrath. Where Lady Nebthet is concerned he is overly touchy. I am surprised that you still draw breath.”

“It is not so easy to kill this Sesshomaru.”

“Especially when you have a beautiful maiden to come to your rescue,” Anubis interjected.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and growled low at the dog who dared insult him, by suggesting that he needed a mere woman to save him in battle.

Kagome knew the conversation was turning sour, and quickly spoke up in Sesshomaru’s behalf, “Oh I have seen Sesshomaru take down worse than Seth. I have no doubt he could have defeated him on his own. In my distess I interferred, where I should have stayed my hand.”

Sesshomaru grunted, and decided to let the subject drop, which was accepted by the other’s sitting at the table.

Naraku listened to the conversations near him intently as he picked at his youkai food. It appeared that his new ally had more against him than with. Although that information was disconcerting, it would make no difference to his plans. In the end, he would have the Shikon no Tama. Sesshomaru would be a bad memory. Kagome would writh beneath him as he pleasured himself with her body, and Lord Seth would never see his downfall coming.

After the meal was complete the guests arose and retired to the dance hall to enjoy a bit of music supplied by four talented musicians playing strange instruments. Kagome found the music soothing and light. She stood beside Sesshomaru watching the other’s dancing about the floor. It was a lovely dance and she was amazed at how simple it was, once she paid attention to the steps. It was really just a simple repeat of three different steps, which circled about the floor in a graceful flurry of movement.

Nebthet was smiling and dancing with Lord Hapy, but it appeared that Lady Ma’at had declined the dance and was currently deep in conversation with Naraku. Naraku was a handsome demon male, but Kagome figured Ma’at was not interested in him as a male. She was all business, and was probably interrogating him with a smile.

A deep voice close to her ear sent shivers down her spine, when Anubis asked if she would grant him the honor of a dance. A growl from Sesshomaru wiped the smile off of her face, but before she could reply, Anubis looked up to Sesshomaru and politely asked, “Lord Sesshomaru, would you deny me a simple dance with the descendant of my sister?”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the demon lord. Oh how he wished he could melt that smirk off of his face. In spite of the raging jealousy screaming for him to refuse, Sesshomaru nodded once with a piercing glare aimed at Anubis.

Anubis smiled at the snowy haired taiyoukai, and quickly turned his full attention back to Kagome. He took her dainty right hand in his left, and led her onto the dance floor. The music began again, and he stepped into the dance with graceful motion. His heart soared as he waltzed with Kagome. She had surprisingly followed the dance perfectly, as if she had done it her entire life. Her grace was impressive, and of her beauty there was none to compare.

Kagome smiled up at him and decided now was the perfect time to thank him for the new clothing, “Lord Anubis, I would like to say doomo arigato for the beautiful clothing you have gifted me with.”

“You are very welcome, my dear, and may I say that your beauty this evening inspires me to new heights.” Anubis replied. He watched as Kagome giggled softly and blushed once more. Oh how he wished he could taste her lips again...

Sesshomaru was watching the dance with feigned boredom. In reality he had his eyes keenly set upon Kagome dancing with that sorry excuse for a inuyoukai. She was laughing softly and smiling as she twirled about the floor. Her huge blue eyes glittered with life making his heart long for her to return to his side.

Tala lay curled near his feat, watching the dance with disinterest, but Sesshomaru could see that the beasts’ eyes never left Kagome’s form. He wondered what would happen if Anubis tripped her? He had to hold back the chuckle that threatened to spill out as he imagined Tala suction cupped to Anubis’ head, while ripping his face to shreds with his fangs. He absentmindedly bent and patted the beast on the head. Tala looked at him in shock, but contentedly purred in response.

When the second song began, Sesshomaru grew a little angry when Anubis continued to waltz around the floor with HIS woman. He abruptly decided that this was over.

Kagome laughed when Anubis threw her into a half spin, and as soon as she came back to a stop she noticed Sesshomaru was now standing very close to Anubis with a death glare pasted on his handsome face.

Apparently the dance was over.

Anubis refused to let the taiyoukai get one over on him however, and decided to put him on the spot. “Ah, Lord Sesshomaru, you have come to whisk Kagome into a dance.”

He was on to his game. So Anubis thought he would make him out the villain? ‘I think not,’ Sesshomaru vowed. Instead of dragging Kagome off the dance floor as Anubis apparently thought he would, Sesshomaru bowed and took Kagome’s hand. “You don’t mind, do you Lord Anubis?”

Anubis snarled silently at the taiyoukai’s small victory, and reluctantly released Kagome into his care with a slight nod.

Kagome flashed a brilliant smile up to her demon lover and allowed him to take her into the dance. Sesshomaru proved to be as magnificently graceful at dancing as he was at sword play and she found herself swirling and flowing as if on a cloud. The molten gold of his eyes never left hers as he took her through the motions. She could see his lust for her there, and he made no move to hide it. His outward show of need made liquid heat pool in her womanly region, and when he pulled her against his chest she could not help the little moan that escaped her lips.

His breath was against her ear, and Sesshomaru whispered, “I want you Kagome.”

The tempo took a turn and she was briskly swept away from his warmth for another cycle of movement.

As the cycles ran through Kagome once again was pulled against his hard chest, but his time he pressed his engorged manhood against her stomach before saying, “Do you feel what you do to this Sesshomaru?”

There was a fire burning in his eyes and Kagome did not know how much more she could take of his torturous play. The ache between her legs was growing stronger and she could feel her folds becoming wet with desire.

Again she was pushed away in a delicate motion and twirled in time with the graceful rhythmic beat. Her mind was swimming with heated emotion, and as soon as she was pulled to him again he whispered, “I want to bury myself inside of you.”

‘Damn he doesn’t play fair!’ Kagome thought. His ploy to sweep her away from Anubis was working very well, and Kagome could do nothing except reply breathlessly... “yes”.

Anubis nodded at Sesshomaru as he watched the demon escort Kagome out of the room. The creature lying curled near where he was standing quickly rose and scurried off to join them. It took a great deal of effort to push his inner beast down, for he was screaming to battle the male for mating rights. He was not some mindless beast; however, he was a well respected lord. He would not give in to his primal desire to snatch her from Sesshomaru’s grasp, even if he wanted to with all his demonic being.