Ties to Nowhere

"Then it’s settled," Kagome's father said. "Kagome will leave for her training in a few days. She will return home once every two moons, and she may meet with your son if you wish it. I do not expect her training to take more than 10 summers." The general nodded and both lords looked down at the scroll he had just signed – an agreement that Kagome would become Sesshomaru’s mate when she came of age. He was quite pleased to have been able to secure the agreement with her father. He had been observing Kagome for quite some time, and had considered her to be the best and only choice for a mate for his son. He himself had a liking for silly women, but this one showed intelligence. Satisfied with his choice, the general rose and said, "Let's see what our well-behaved children are up to, shall we?" Nodding, Kagome’s father led the way from his study and the two men left the palace to seek them out.

Ichiro, one of Kagome’s protectors, trotted up to the two lords and proceeded to lead the way towards the meadow where the children had been playing. A warm wind was blowing through the field and surrounding trees, and insects buzzed through the air above the tall grasses. The heads of Kagome's other protectors, Jiro and Kuro, rose from the grasses and stared lazily at the approaching lords. They were both panting from the heat, but were obviously doing their job of watching over the children. The two lords came to a stop a few feet away.

Dozing peacefully on her side in the grass, Kagome’s head rested near Sesshomaru’s shoulder, many flowers tangled in the long, black strands of her hair. Snorting softly in amusement or something else, Kagome's father knelt down and gathered her small form into his arms. "Son," the general spoke in a low tone. "Arise." Blinking quickly for a few seconds, his golden eyes adjusting poorly to the brightness of the sun shining on his face, Sesshomaru recognized his father's voice. His father felt the slight shift towards panic in his son's scent and chuckled softly in amusement. In the blink of an eye, Sesshomaru was up and had smoothed out his clothing. Thankful that his clothes did not attract dirt due to their magical nature, Sesshomaru bowed to the two lords and made to follow them as they turned back towards the palace.

When Kagome finally awoke a few hours later, the General and his son had already left, and Kagome's father spoke to her about the arrangement that her father and the general had come to. Thinking back on the day's events, Kagome's face became a bit red with embarrassment. If she had known that she was playing with her future mate, she would have been her best behavior. "The General is pleased that you and his son became so well-acquainted today," her father spoke. "I trust you to treat him with respect, and to use your best judgement during your time alone with him." Kagome’s reply was soft but respectful. "Yes, my lord."

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"Yes yes...wrap it up for when my son arrives. Use some of that…that...oh, the fabric that you brought back with you the other day." Turning away from her servant, Sesshomaru’s mother looked into her mirror and resumed brushing her long white hair. "Y-y-yes my lady...umm..." her servant turned nervously towards the other servant standing a few feet away, the "gift" for Lord Sesshomaru clutched in her hands. With a grimace, she grasped the small toad demon and quickly placed her hand over its mouth to silence the protests that were sure to begin. Muffled squawking could be heard as the other servant pulled a folded piece of silk from the neat pile on the floor and began to shape a bag out of it. "Should we...um..." the servant holding the toad whispered to the other, and received a nervous nod in reply. Cutting a long strip of fabric, the servant holding the toad removed her hand from its mouth while the other quickly replaced it with the strip of fabric and tied a neat bow behind its head, gagging it. As satisfied with their work as they could be, they placed the squirming toad into the bag and tied it shut. "Put a note on it," their lady spoke, still brushing her hair, "Congratulations on your engagement to the Lady Kagome." The eyes of the two servants met, the elder grimacing behind her lady's back. What a gift, indeed...

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Thanks for your review, Tussi!