This chapter is a transition chapter. It sets the scene for some of the major scenes coming up.
No beta or proofing. As is.
Chapter 27
It was the morning of the first day of the gathering, and Kagome was currently being dressed by Ami while Sesshoumaru held Aisoku who was still in his pup form. This pleased Kagome very much as she loved how adorable he was, but Sesshoumaru had warned her the day before that their son’s youki was beginning to fluctuate which signaled he was going to assume human form soon. Due to that Kagome had asked to have a portrait of him in his puppy form commissioned so she could keep it. Right now though, Sesshoumaru was reminding her of what was expected of her during the Gathering.
“Remember, mate, as a human you are not permitted to speak unless I give you leave to. The demon nobles who owe me fealty will present themselves to give their oaths to our pup, and reaffirm their oaths to me. You are to remain silent during this. If you are to speak I will tell you to, and should you need something you will ask me permission to speak first,” Sesshoumaru explained as he held Aisoku close to his chest.
“I know. I’m supposed to be seen and not heard. We’ve been over this before. I know you and other demons think I’m little more than dirt beneath your feet,” Kagome said while Ami tied her obi for her and then moved to fix her hair. She refused to wear it up like the fashion of time dictated, and only allowed a portion to be pulled back by one of the many jeweled combs Sesshoumaru provided her while the rest hung down around her waist.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at his mate, disliking her reference to herself. “Kagome, we have discussed this before. You have much value. You are not entitled to the same rights as demons, but you are certainly not dirt. You know in private, among our inner circle, you are permitted to speak without leave, but during public appearances you must remember your place in the demon hierarchy.”
Neither was able to comment further when there was a knock at the door. Sesshoumaru moved to hand Kagome their son, and then moved to push the shoji screen open. Kenji was there waiting, and he said, “We are ready to begin, Lord Sesshoumaru.”
“Very well. I will bring my mate shortly. Go and collect my wards.”
Sesshoumaru watched his Captain of the Guard bow slightly and head back down the hall before he turned to face Kagome, who was cooing down to their son in her arms, and asked Ami, “Is she ready?”
Ami had just finished with Kagome’s hair. “Yes, my lord. She is ready.”
Sesshoumaru ordered, “Come, Kagome. It is time. I want to get as many of the introductions to the nobles done as possible before it is time for you to nurse Aisoku again.”
Kagome moved to fall in line behind Sesshoumaru. Despite being his mate, as a human she was expected to follow behind him instead of walking beside him. As they made their way down the hall their guards fell in step with them, and they were soon joined by Rin and Shippo. Everyone was in the finest robes showcasing the colors of the West, and the children walked with their heads high, and remained quiet. Their tutors had been working with them for weeks on how to behave appropriately.
Kagome looked straight ahead and refused to pay attention to anyone as Sesshoumaru led his pack to the dais. He took her arm and seated her on her smaller throne a little behind and to the right of his, and then indicated for Rin and Shippo to move to their seats beside hers. When they were seated he stood in front of his throne and addressed the audience.
“You are here to pay homage to this Sesshoumaru’s son Aisoku, heir of the Western Lands, descendent of the Great Dog General and the House of the Moon, and born of the Shikon Miko. You will swear your loyalty to him now.”
Sesshoumaru took his seat and waved his hand to indicate the first of his nobles should come forward. He kept his hand on his sword, ready to defend his mate, pup, and wards. He had gone over every tiny detail pertaining to security himself, and he felt sure that nothing would happen, but he would not allow room for mistakes. He kept his expression stoic as noble after noble came before him. None paid any attention to Kagome, as was expected, when they dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to give their oaths. It was only when Kagome cleared her throat lightly, and called out softly, “My lord?” He turned his head slightly, signaling she could speak.
At his movement, Kagome said, “Aisoku is getting fussy. He needs to nurse.”
Facing the crowd again Sesshoumaru stood and announced, “There will be a pause in the ceremony while my mate nurses my son.”
He stood and took Kagome’s arm to help her to her feet as he led her and their wards out of the throne room, their guards following behind. Making their way into the small sitting room off the side of the throne room, Sesshoumaru helped Kagome settle onto a pillow as Ami moved to help her loosen her obi. Rin and Shippo began to chatter excitedly about all the people that had come to the “party” while Sesshoumaru watched Kagome situate their son in her arms and bring him to her nipple. He heard her release a sigh when he began to suckle and asked, “How are you enjoying the Gathering?”
“It’s boring. How many more families will there be?”
“We will probably have two more sessions like this, broken up by your feeding of Aisoku. With the expansion of my lands there are more families that owe me fealty.”
Kagome wasn’t exactly pleased by that. She hated being put on display like a pet, but there wasn’t much she could do about it. Instead she asked, “And after the oaths we will eat and watch the dancers?”
“Yes.” Sesshoumaru knew that Kagome was having to eat quite a bit in order to produce all the milk Aisoku went through with his regular two hour feedings. “I have made sure all your favorite foods will be available.”
“Thank you.”
Their conversation was interrupted when Kagura was escorted into the sitting room by one of the guards. Sesshoumaru saw how the wind demoness’s eyes snapped to the sight of Kagome feeding Aisoku, saw how the other woman’s gaze narrowed marginally with jealousy before she focused on him, and it only reaffirmed to him that she was a danger he would need to keep an eye on.
Wanting to remind the demoness of her place, Sesshoumaru demanded, “Why have you disturbed us while my mate is busy nursing my pup, Kagura?”
Bowing her head respectfully, Kagura explained, “There has been a development on the new border, My lord. The East and the North joined together and have disrupted the supply line. The contingent of men tasked with delivering new rations to the border patrols has been attacked in an ambush. From the looks of it the attackers had knowledge of where and when the supply caravan was going to be.”
That could only mean that someone was spilling secrets to his enemies, and Sesshoumaru was immediately suspicious that it was Kagura herself. If such attacks continued he would have no choice but to leave the castle and see to them himself, and that would give the Wind Witch the opening she was probably looking for to try and assassinate his mate. He let none of these thoughts show as he turned to Kenji and ordered, “Dispatch an investigator. Survey the patrols and our supply routes for weaknesses. I do not want to hear of such an attack again.”
Kenji bowed and moved to do as his lord ordered. When he was gone, Sesshoumaru looked back at Kagura and asked, “Is that all?”
Kagura nodded her head, and replied, “Indeed my lord. I did, however, wonder if I might see your son? This is the first time he’s ever been out of the private quarters.”
Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed. He could see Kagome clutch their son closer to her breast from where she sat beside him, and he knew she sensed the danger Kagura posed as well. “You can see him just fine from where you stand. Surely you did not think to be allowed any closer? You are not part of my pack, and therefore not given leave to be any closer to my pup than you are now.”
Kagura realized she had overstepped herself. Her intention had been to prove to Sesshoumaru that she could care for his son just as much as Kagome did, but obviously she’d failed to remember how protective inus were with newborns. Their instincts screamed at them to not allow anyone who wasn’t a pack member close. Bowing her head in submission, Kagura apologized, “Forgive me, my lord, I did not mean to overstep. I was simply curious. The entire kingdom is talking about how strong he is, how his youki radiates throughout the palace along with yours, and how much he looks like his father. I simply wished to see for myself.”
Sesshoumaru nodded towards Kagome who held their pup to her breast where he was nursing noisily, and said, “As you can see, the stories are true. My mate breeds well. My son is strong … as the other pups she births me will be.”
Kagura didn’t intend for there to be any more pups. Now that Sesshoumaru had his pure bred inu heir, it was time for her to take her place as his mate. She’d earned the right to stand at his side due to everything she’d suffered at the hands of Naraku. Kagura’s eyes met Kagome’s for a moment, the other woman’s fiercly protective as though she knew what Kagura was thinking, before the Wind Witch looked at the small bundle of white fur tucked against his mother’s chest. The pup was just as white as his father, and bore the same markings. Kagura was sure that once she got rid of Kagome it wouldn’t be hard to bond the pup to her.
Turning her gaze to her lord, Kagura complimented, “He is a fine pup, my lord. He will do the West proud.”
“Indeed he will, just as his mother does. My mate is an excellent mother to my son, better than any demoness would be. I was wise to take her for my mate and ensure my pups will have the best care possible. Did my mate not do the West proud with her breeding ability?”
Kagura had no choice but to answer, “She did do well in her duty to you, Lord Sesshoumaru.”
“Hn. You are dismissed.” After Kagura was gone, Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and said, “You see the problem there?”
“Oh yeah. I saw it. I’m guessing you have something in the works for it?”
“Most assuredly. You have nothing to fear.”
“Trust me, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome replied, “Kagura isn’t the one I’m afraid is going to hurt me.”
He recognized the insult for what it was, but refused to be roused by it. Instead he ordered, “Finish nursing my son. We have much to do today.”
While Sesshoumaru didn’t show it, Kagome could tell she’d pissed him off. She idly wondered if he was going to make her pay for it later that night, but she figured there wasn’t much she could do about it now. Instead she looked down and smiled at the sight of her puppy nursing. While his constant feedings had made her nipples sore and swollen, it was these moments she enjoyed the most. She always felt like it was just her and Aisoku. No matter how many people were around them, or what was going on, when she nursed Aisoku all her pain melted away and she was simply a mother holding her pup.
Sesshoumaru observed Kagome and watched how she ignored the world around her to look only at Aisoku. Her words had upset him, because he’d made it apparent to her that he would never lash out at her physically again to reprimand her for bad behvior, and her refusal to accept his word on it chafed him, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. It was going to take him time to convince her that he enjoyed having her as his mate now, and truly wanted her to be happy in her role as his breeder.
When Kagome was finished nursing their pup Sesshoumaru led his pack back into the throne room to continue with the ceremony. From the shadows Kagura gazed upon the dais, and glared at the sight of Kagome sitting next to Sesshoumaru. A filthy ningen had no place beside the great and powerful Lord Sesshoumaru, and the wnd withc swore she’d get rid of the girl at the early opportunity. She’d set her plans in motion, and it wouldn’t be long now before Kagome was out of the way and Kagura could take her rightful place at Sesshoumaru’s side.
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Later that night Sesshoumaru gave one last powerful thrust of his hips to knot tightly to Kagome, and as his seed began pouring into her he rolled to his back bringing her with him to lie atop his chest. His eyes were heavy lidded and he stroked a his claws through her damp hair as he growled, “You get better every time. Did you enjoy the four orgasms I gave to you before mounting you, mate?”
Kagome blinked back her tears and replied, “You know I didn’t. I hate it when you do that, Sesshoumaru.”
He knew she did, but he would change her mind. He satisfied himself with the knowledge that the entire shiro had surely heard her cries of pleasure as he used his mouth and hands to bring her to climax again and again. He certainly had. He loved forcing out those low gutteral moans she made, those high pitched squeaks, and the much sought after cries that filled the room when she couldn’t fight back the waves of sensation any longer.
Feeling his cock continue to unload his seed into her womb, Sesshoumaru cautioned, “I want you to be on alert. I am certain that Kagura will not outsmart me, but she is a danger to you and our pup. You need to be cautious.”
“If you take this collar off I could protect Aisoku and myself from her.”
“And risk you running away? Kagome, I am all the protection you need. You should forget you ever even had holy powers because you will never use them again. You will wear that collar the rest of your days.”
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the feel of his fingers combing through her hair as she was forced to lie atop him due to his knot inside her. Instead she asked, “If you know she is such a threat, why not just kill her now?”
“Because it serves a purpose to keep her alive.”
What Sesshoumaru didn’t say was that by allowing Kagura to live he could weed out those who did not agree with him having a human mate, and ensure that any willing to aid his enemies to bring down his house would flock to her. By the time Kagura made her move to assassinate Kagome, Sesshoumaru would know of every person she’d utilized to “circumvent” his security measures, and when he took her down he’d be able to take care of those issues right along with her. He would kill not only Kagura, but any spies in his house, or traitors. Kagura was bait he was using to find the few weaknesses that might exist in his house. She just didn’t know it yet.
Realizing that Sesshoumaru wasn’t going to tell her anymore, Kagome asked, “Do I have to be present for everything during the Gathering. It is boring and I hate having to sit up there while they all stare at me.”
“You do. It is tradition. This is the only time Aisoku will be exposed to the public until he is old enough to begin patrolling with me. Which should be in about twenty years or so.”
“How old will he be in demon years by then?”
Realizing she meant how matured he would be, Sesshoumaru replied, “He will be about Shippo’s age.”
Her first instinct was to tell him that was much too young to be going on patrols with Sesshoumaru, but then Kagome realized that she’d been taking Shippo out to fight Naraku at much younger than that. Instead she questioned, “He won’t be presented to the public again when we have our next pup?”
She’d long since reconciled herself to the fact Sesshoumaru was going to bring her like an animal until she found a way to get out of the palace and to the well. She wasn’t happy with it, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She comforted herself with the fact she’d love all future children just as much as she loved Aisoku, and she could only hope that any future pregnancies kept Sesshoumaru from touching her again.
“No,” Sesshoumaru answered. “Only the heir is presented in this fashion. When our other sons are born a message will be sent out to all the noble houses alerting them to the births, but only an heir is given oaths of fealty.”
In an effort to help prove to Kagome he was trying to repair their relationship, offered, “I know the Gathering will not be pleasant for you, so once it is done you may invite your friends to come visit if it will please you. I thought you might like to introduce them to our son, and see the slayer’s own pup.”
That actually had Kagome smiling a bit. “Can they stay awhile?”
“If it will please you they may stay two weeks.”
Sesshoumaru’s knot finally loosened from inside her and he watched her rise to collect their son as soon as she was free of him. Kagome always retrieved Aisoku as soon as she could when he was finished mating her. He knew their son brought her comfort, but he was hoping that soon she wouldn’t wish to flee their bed so quickly. He waited until she was lying on her side with Aisoku tucked into her chest before he moved to curl his body around her, his tail moving to wrap around her chest and cover Aisoku who was still sleeping quietly. Nuzzling into Kagome’s long locks, He said, “Sleep well, mate.”
Kagome didn’t respond except to pull Aisoku closer. Sesshoumaru hadn’t punished her for her words earlier this afternoon, but she wasn’t going to let him fool her. She knew what he was. She knew he was a vicious monster that had no problem raping and torturing her if the desire struck him, so she wasn’t going to drop her guard.
When she didn’t respond, Sesshoumaru simply pulled Kagome closer and licked her mating mark before forcing his body to fall still. He would not sleep tonight, or any of the following nights until the Gathering was done. Too many people were in his home. To many possibilities of danger, and he would not rest until his home was once again fortified against all outsiders. Instead he would simply hold his mate and pup and watch over them while they got the rest they needed. He would protect them.
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Across the countryside, Inuyasha sat beside Kikyo on their porch as they spoke to Myoga. The flea had finally shown up after months of absence, and Inuyasha had immediately questioned him as to whether or not what Kagura had told them was true. Inuyasha didn’t want to believe it, couldn’t believe that he’d suffered and sacrificed so much all for nothing. He knew he didn’t love Kikyo, having figured that out even before he’d found out the horrible truth of what had happened to Kagome, but he still longed for a family with her. He needed children to love and care for to take his mind off of the woman he’d made the mistake of mating.
After hearing everything that Inuyasha had to say, Myoga offered, “I’m not sure if your brother speaks the truth or not, though I’ve never known him to lie. Inuyasha, the situation between you and Kikyo is strange indeed. Being brought back from the dead changes things, and it might be true that she is unable to birth children because she is not supposed to be here. This is not something I am knowledgeable on. I can taste her blood and see if I can detect any diseases that would prevent pregnancy, but to be sure you will need to seek out Bokensu. He is an ancient and wise tree demon that even your father’s father went to for counsel. If there is truth to Sesshoumaru’s words, Bokensu will know, and if it is true, only Bokensu will know hot to fix it … if it can be fixed.”
Inuyasha and Kikyo both froze at the last part of Myoga’s little speech. The mere hint that they might really and truly never be able to have children was a horrible truth that neither had been willing to bring up until now. Studiously avoiding looking at Inuyasha, unwilling to see how hurt he was at their predicament, Kikyo held out her hand to Myoga and ordered, “Have some of my blood and tell me if you taste sickness.”
Myoga hopped onto one of Kikyo’s fingers and knelt down to latch on. He drew several deep pulls of her blood, analyzing the flavor, before pulling back and reporting, “I don’t taste anything that would normally signify infertility in a woman, but there is a strange taste to your blood I’ve never encountered before. I’m afraid for further counsel you will have to seek out Bokensu. I have no further knowledge to give you.”
Turning to face Inuyasha, Myoga bowed deeply and said, “Now I must be on my way, my young master. I must report to the Western Lands and give my oath of fealty to the new Western Heir. Are there any messages you’d like me to give to Kagome? I hear that she and Sesshoumaru are mates now. It is odd. I always expected her to return home through the well once the quest to defeat Naraku was done.”
Myoga, being the coward he was, had disappeared long before the fight with Naraku had taken place, and thus didn’t know what Inuyasha had done, or why it was that Kagome was Sesshoumaru’s mate. Feeling shame, guilt, regret, and hurt well up within him, INuyasha cast his eyes back down to the ground and said, “Yes. Tell her … tell her I’m really sorry, and if she ever needs anything, no matter what, send word and I’ll do it.”
Myoga looked at Inuyasha curiously, and asked, “What are you sorry for?”
“She’ll know.”
Kikyo wasn’t going to tolerate Inuyasha going into another depression over that girl. What’s done is done, and there was no point in getting upset over it. He’d chosen her and it was time for him to get over it. Drawing Myoga’s attention to herself, she demanded, “Where do we find this Bokensu?”
“In the East. Follow the river between the twin peaks, and you’ll find him. Now I must be off. I have a long way to go and I don’t want to miss the Gathering! Goodbye, Master Inuyasha! I will come see you soon!”
As Myoga hopped off Kikyo’s hand and bounced away, she turned to look at her mate and said, “We will leave in the morning and get this matter resolved. Soon we will have our own child and you won’t need to mope about that foolish girl anymore.”
Glaring at his mate, Inuyasha warned, “I told you not to speak badly about her anymore! I won’t put up with it, Kikyo!”
“And I won’t put up with you pining after that girl! I’m your mate! ME! Not her!”
“Oh believe me, Kikyo,” Inuyasha growled, “I’m well aware of who my mate is, and who is not. Painfully aware.”
Kikyo watched as Inuyasha stood and left her side, disappearing into the woods around their home as he did every day. He was always gone when she woke in the mornings, and only came back at night for dinner. Their evenings had turned into painfully silent affairs as they ate their food with no conversation, and then retired to their bed chamber. Inuyasha no longer touched her gently or with love. He simply went through the motions, and every time he clenched his eyes shut as he moved over her she knew he was envisioning that it was Kagome beneath him, and it not only wounded her pride, but ignited her anger. She was much better than that foolish girl, and Inuyasha should realize that. What made it worse is that when he was done he would roll off of her and turn on his side away from her, never uttering a word. She knew if she and Inuyasha were going to have any happiness in their futures they would need a child. There was no love or affection between them anymore, only a mating that forever bound them, so happiness would have to come from a child they could love despite their growing disdain for one another. It was as simple as that.