The Love of Brothers

Chapter Five

The week had passed in agonizing slowness and the the demons had sought solace from each other. Neither one had touched her so intimately since then and Kagome was beginning to worry about that. It didn't bother her for long, she was swamped with things to do. The messengers had been sent and the guests had arrived, the last having just been put in their quarters. A seamstress had come and created a gown for Kagome. The kimono was nearly sheer, a confection of airy and billowy fabric. She had never seen anything like it before. The demon seamstress giggled, her butterfly wings fluttering. "Of course not and you never will again.". She continued her work and Kagome thought about the argument she had had with Sesshoumaru earlier that morning. She had only wanted to head into the forest to walk and practice her archery. She had done so often enough. Sessh had barely glanced up from his reports and muttered a simple "No."
"Why not? I could use the exercise. Besides there are too many people around here." she had said. Golden eyes lifted momentarily, "I have said no and that it is the end of this matter." he informed her. Kagome had seen red, he'd not acted this way since her arrival in his fortress and she wondered if it had anything to so with Inuyasha. "You can't tell me why?" she asked, her voice strained in an effort to keep her temper. Sesshoumaru continued reading. "Hey!" Kagome snapped, "You could at least listen to me when I say something.". He blatantly ignored her. "Damn dog." she muttered under her breath. Sessh gave her his full attention and she was sure she wanted it anymore. "Woman." he bit out carefully, "You may not leave the palace. I am your lord and will be husband soon enough, you will do as you are told and not question me.". She growled at him, opening her mouth to speak, but she shot to his feet, "Do not dare to defy me again Kagome."
Kagome had instinctively known not to press him even though she was stung by his words. As if he sensed this, he spoke again, in a softer tone this time, "In time you will learn the way of things Kagome. It is different once the oaths are spoken. I have much to do, we will speak at dinner.". Kagome had nodded stiffly and left his study without a word. She wasn't sure what he meant but she knew she'd be finding out soon enough.
The rituals would take place tomorrow, and she had barely had a moment to speak with Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha in that time. They were just as busy as she it seemed. She finally tracked down Jaken and begged a repieve, "Please Jaken... I just need to have some peace for a while. Will you see to things?". The toad had agreed and sent her to her room, promising to send up tea. He hated to see the usually smiling girl looking so hagard and tense.
Kagome shut the chamber doors, leaning heavily against them. "Whew! What a hassle. Guess I don't get married every day though!". She wandered to her balcony and opened the door wide. It was overcast today, the clouds heavy with rain. It was cold today, it might even snow. Still, after all the hustle of downstairs, she reveled in the silence and the cool wind on her face. Funny, how this palace had become home to her. She missed her family terribly and she knew that those around her were aware of that. She tried to not to dwell on it, she couldn't change it after all. Still, her mother must be so worried, and Ji-chan and Souta. Now Inuyasha was back, he must have succeeded in destroying Naraku. Why then did she feel a lingering threat?
Inuyasha crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. She yelped and jumped much to his amusement. Her cheeks were flaming and she had obviously been lost in thought. "What are you doin hidin up here?" he asked, pressing a kiss to her ear. Inuyasha was practically cuddly, though she suspected if she said so he'd deny it. He was funny like that, but then again, so was the reigning lord of the west. She sighed and sagged against him, "I'm gonna go crazy Inuyasha, there is so much to do! People are everywhere! Everyone wants something!" He shrugged, nuzzling her neck, "Yeah well, it's almost over. Just one more day.". She closed her eyes, tilting her head to give him better access. "When this is all overm the three of us have alot to talk about Kagome." he had told her, staring out across the distance. She had joined his stare and together they made a haunting tableau.
Those is the lower levels of the castle walkways had looked up to see the tall, silver haired man stanidng straight and proud, his firerat clothing lifting in the wind, his hair swirling to meet and mate with the inky blackness of the lady of the west. One more day.
Sango arrived that afternoon, she'd be spending the night with Kagome and standing with her tomorrow as her family. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had done a fair amount of grumbling... they had intended to sleep with Kagome. The clever slayer would have none of that however. The Taiyoukai might easily have overridden her and had his way, but he chose instead to accept the defeat gracefully and retired early. Inuyasha had stormed and pouted and the slayer had been indifferent.
Her good company and straight answers did wonders for Kagome. She shyly told Sango about the night in the library and Sango had blushed. She told Kagome that it was all quite natural and not to worry about the bedding. Kagome ate her meals in her room that night and bathed with Rin and Sango. Rin was estatic because now she would have a mother. Kagome wondered if Shippo would want to live at the palace as well. Sango believed he would choose to remain in the village. Two inuyoukai were too much trouble. The two women had laughed heartily at that. Over the past months the little kitsune had sprouted and was no longer the tiny creature that clung to her. He still considered her to be his mother and he hadn't held it against her when the great lord had summoned her away.
Inuyasha growled and grumbled behind his chamber door, his ears flicking furiously. The other side of the door, she was right on the other side of the damn door. Curled up with Sango! It should be him in there, keeping her safe in her sleep. That damn Sango, she did this on purpose, I know she did. That pervert husband of her knows too! Inuyasha was cranky and uncomfortable. He missed nosing his way into Kagome's hair and feeling her breathe as she slept. By this time tomorrow he'd be deep in her, the hours, the slayer and the damn heavy wood of the door were his only barriers this night. He knew his brother was in similar shape. The demons within sensed the taking of a mate and it chomped at the bit wanting to be loose to take care of the situation that it's more controlled half had yet to remedy. Inuyasha growled again and flung himself onto his bed, burying his face in his pillows. He couldn't even recall his human nights going so slowy. Why the hell did the night have to be so long?!