Trial and Error by WickedSecrets

À grands frais

Blanket Disclaimer:I do not own Inuyasha or any other character associated with Rumiko Takahashi. I make no money off this or any other work I create.

Hey guys. This is my first ever SessKag fic so please be gentle with me! 

À grands frais

adverb

1.French. at great cost or expense.

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Her life lacked thrill. It was the same tedious routine day in and day out; every morning she woke to her ladies maids preparing her kimono and she felt like ripping her hair out. She was a master at concealing her true feelings, however, and even the keenest of noses couldn't pick up the scent of disdain that clung to her skin.

This morning was no different than any other. She woke with the sun, sapphire eyes still hazy with sleep. No sooner had she sat up than the screen to her room opened, revealing two dark haired maids holding a fold of green silk between the two of them.

"Good morning Kagome-hime," They greeted in unison. Blue eyes studied them silently. "We hope you are happy with our choice of color this morning," The maids on the left, Kaoru, murmured.

"It's lovely." Kagome replied. She stood and allowed her maids to dress her in the tri-layered kimono. The first layer was was a plain off white color, the second was a soft pale pink while the top most was a deep shade of green with white flowers decorating the sleeves. All of it was held together with a golden obi. She sits patiently as her long, black hair is piled into a complicated mass of curls twisted into a bun at the crown of her head.

When they were finished she stood.

"You're mother has requested you join her for your morning meal," the other maid, Kasumi, informed her. Kagome nodded and left the room. She traveled the extensive shiro silently with her maids close behind. When she sank gracefully onto the cushion at the low dining table she was met by a pair of blue eyes. Though she had inherited her azure eyes from her mother,  Lady Kotone's eyes were at least two shades lighter than her own; her hair however was just as dark and thick. Lady Kotone nodded slightly in recognition of her daughter's arrival.  Neither one spoke for several long minutes

"I expect you are prepared for our guests this afternoon?"

"Yes, mother,"Kagome responded.

"Good. Remember this gathering is of extreme importance. This alliance is unstable as is, therefore we cannot afford any mishaps."Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes. Lady Kotone sighed. "Kagome, you must understand something. Our way of life is being threatened so it is of dire importance that this goes smoothly."

"I understand that, mother."

"Good. Finish your meal and prepare yourself for our guests." Kagome did as she was told. She returned to her room silently, asking Kasumi to let her hair down.

"May I be frank, Kagome-hime?" She asked softly. Kagome said nothing but nodded slightly and waited for Kasumi to speak. "I get the feeling you are unhappy with the arrangements made for you, but I feel as if it would be best if you simply tried to see the good in this." Kasumi's eyes found hers in the reflection and she smiled. "I know my opinions are best kept to myself but this arrangement is what's best for the kingdom, correct?"

Kagome sighed. "I suppose so," she murmured reluctantly. "He's just so...ugh. An iceberg shows more emotion than the Western Prince." Kasumi removed the last pin from Kagome's hair who slumped over and buried her face in her hands.

"Well, you're not married--"

"Yet."

"This meeting is just to see how compatible you two are." Kagome barked out a laugh.

"My mother doesn't half ass anything." She pointed out, completely ignoring Kasumi's look of shock at her less than lady like language. "Remember, she did the same thing with Kikyo and she's been married for two years now." Her mouth dropped into a frown.

She and her older sister had been extremely close in their childhood. But her mother saw it fit to arrange a "meeting" for her three summers before hand. She apparently found the couple extremely compatible because come the next spring she had married her eldest off.

Kagome hadn't heard word from her sister since.

"The point is," Kagome continued, "I'm going to end up married off to some cold hearted dog and I won't be able to do anything about it." She stood. "I'm going to the gardens."

"But my lady you're not ready to receive!" Kaoru, who'd been standing by quietly called. Kagome waved her have dismissively.

"I need to clear my head and compose myself."

"You're mother won't be happy about this." Kaoru warned. Kagome smiled bitterly.

"She hardly ever is."

- - -

The sun was high in the sky and Kagome was basking in its warmth when she felt three burst of youki at the edge of her senses, announcing the arrival of their guests. Kagome's azure eyes widened. She'd heard how powerful the Inu no Taisho and his family were, but this was nearly overwhelming. It was as if an ice cold stone wall of power and confidence had dropped from the sky. Several suffocating seconds later Kaoru found her still sitting beneath the plum tree.

"My lady, your guests are nearly to the gates. Your mother is already there waiting." Kagome stood slowly, taking her time to brush stray plum blossoms off of her kimono, before making her way to the front gates. If her mother was angry about her blatant disregard of a timely arrival, she hid it well.

She waited patiently beside her mother for the head of the House of the Moon and his family. She took the time to study their approaching figures.

The Inu no Taisho was an intimidating sight to behold. His long, silver was held back away from his intense yellow eyes. He wore large, heavy looking armor over his white kimono and armor plated boots. Despite all this he was graceful in his walk, confident.

On his right walked his mate, Noriko -though most referred to her as Inukimi. Her hair, like her mates, was snowy white and held back, exposing the violet crescent moon on her forehead. Her golden rod eyes were half closed and almost bored, but with in them there was a spark of wisdom and playfulness. Her kimono was obscured by her pelt, which she wore over her arms. She too seemed cool and confident, her power simmering just below the surface; deep enough not to be completely understood but close enough that it would take nothing for her to put someone in their place.

Finally Kagome's eyes found Sesshomaru. He walked on his father's left, his face a mask of emotionless stone; his amber eyes betraying nothing about what he was thinking. Unlike his parents his silver hair hung free down his back, completely unaffected by the spiked armor over his left shoulder or the pelt over his right. He had inherited the crescent moon of his mother, but if he had inherited anything else-besides his looks- from either parent was a mystery to her. Where his father displayed his confidence and even seemed friendly, Sesshomaru was aloof and distant; his mothers power was settled deep enough where it was hard to sense just how eminence it was, Sesshomaru's thundered under the surface like a contained storm.

“Lord Toga,” Lady Kotone's voice snapped Kagome out of her thoughts, “Please allow me to introduce my daughter, Kagome. We are honored you've taken this arrangement into consideration and have graced us with your presence.” She bowed at the waist and Kagome followed suit.

"You're hospitality is very generous," The Inu no Taisho replied. Kagome repressed the shiver that threatened to run down her spine at the sheer power in his voice. Lady Kotone smiled politely.

"Shall we gather for tea within the hour to discuss?"

"No tea for me. Sake if you have any."

"Of course my Lord." Lady Kotone motioned to the servants standing by. "Please escort the Inu no Taisho and his family to their rooms." The servants bowed and led the Inu youkai away. 

- - -

Within the hour Kagome was seated next to her mother who sat at one end of the table while the Inu no Taisho sat at the other; his mate was was on his right and Sesshomaru beside her, right across from Kagome. As soon as the tea was served, the heads of each household got right to business.

Surprisingly, however, it was Lady Noriko that spoke first.

"It's my understanding that your eldest daughter has already married." Her voice, not unlike her mate's, was laced with unadulterated authority that made Kagome's hair stand on end. Lady Kotone nodded her head.

"That's correct. She married two springs ago." She smiled fondly. "Kikyo had many suitors though I wouldn't expect less from her. She is quite beautiful and very well mannered.She looked at her youngest out of the corner of her eye. "Kagome on the other hand is a bit more free spirited." At her mother's words Kagome flushed, her eyes widening on shock.

Lady Noriko raised a delicate silver brow. "Is that so?"

"Oh don't get me wrong she's very well mannered, polite and respectful of course, but she's known to get restless from time to time." At this the Inu no Taisho barked out a laugh.

"It seems Sesshomaru isn't the only one then," he turned his molten gaze to his son who looked back coolly. "This sounds like the perfect opportunity for us to see just how well you two get along."

"Dear?" Lady Noriko inquired. Lord Toga grinned.

"Since our son has been itching to get out of the shiro, I propose we allow Kagome to join him on his patrol of the lands." Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly, his hackles rising at the thought. "It's the best way to see just how compatible the two of you are. Should you return in one piece," his eyes found Kagome's as he said this, "then we'll continue this conversation further. If not, all then the House of the Rising Sun will be one less vixen princess." It took all Kagome had not to bare her fangs at the great Lord of the West; the six tails tucked inside her obi twitched in sudden irritation.

She kept her emotions in check, pulling her youki in tight around her to keep her emotions from being detected. If being a kitsune was good for anything it was trickery. If her mother agreed to this it was not only going to -possibly- put Kagome's life at risk, but it would also cost her a great amount of sanity as well. Her cerulean eyes closed briefly and she sent a prayer to the gods that her mother would dismiss the idea.

Please. Anything but that. Don't send me out there with him alone.

"I think that's a fantastic idea," Lady Kotone interjected, "A trial of affection." At her last words, Lady Noriko tittered behind her fan.

"I wouldn't go that far. Sesshomaru isn't exactly affectionate. Perhaps a trial of tolerance is better."

Kagome gave an inward groan, Sesshomaru snorted and the heads of each household grinned. 

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Word Count: 1,383

Prompt:N/A 

Original Post Date:4/7/16