Connections by sarhea
First Meetings (Imperial)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and company or InuYasha and company, I’m just playing with the characters.
AN: Priestess Skye’s challenge Dec 13, Prompt ‘Imperial’, Min 1K, Actual 2200
AN: The hanyous/youkais from InuYasha are not youkais/bijuus in this cross; they have kekkai genkais that mimic their youkai powers.
Summary: How the relationship between Kagome and Sesshoumaru started.
AN: Prequel, 1st in series.
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...ooO Connections: First Meetings (Imperial) Ooo...
Nishimato Sesshoumaru frowned as he adjusted the knots securing his swords on one hip and across his back. The Court might be celebrating the Fall Festival but he was not comfortable going anywhere without his weapons.
“Sesshoumaru!”
The white-clad warrior sighed internally but did not display any displeasure on the outside. “Chichi-eu.” His voice was calm and level.
Nishimato Touga raised a pale brow at the placid tone coming from his eldest. When Touga had sent the boy to his maternal uncle in the mountains Sesshoumaru had made his feelings towards his new step-mother and to-be-born sibling very clear: he hated them. It seemed as though Hatsumoto and Tsukimaru had managed to get through his heir when Touga himself had failed.
“I’m surprised to see you Sesshoumaru. Last time we spoke you said you would never step foot in Court as long as I kept Izayoi as my wife.”
Cool gold eyes that could mirror Touga’s own did not betray any emotion.
“Time changes all of us Chichi-eu. Obaa-san and Ojii-san were very… thorough in their lessons. It does not serve anyone’s benefit -but our clan enemies- to maintain this rift.” Sesshoumaru paused before continuing. “I regret my last spoken words to you.”
Nishimato Touga, Western Lord and Daimyo of Yama no Kuni, blinked and then smiled slowly. Gold eyes glowed with warmth as they studied the regal white-clad younger man standing before him. His eldest son was everything a future daimyo and Lord of Yama no Kuni should be: Tall, alert, powerful, beautiful and skilled in the arts of war and diplomacy according to the reports.
Touga waved a hand. “Do not be so concerned. I did something similar when I was your age and I believe my father gave his sire the same treatment. I believe it is something of a rite-of-passage in our clan. Besides the Kamis have given us the chance to make up so I am grateful.” Then Touga grinned wickedly. “Besides as far as I’m concerned you will more than pay for the grey-hairs you gave me when your own children give you the same treatment.”
Sesshoumaru choked. “Chichi-eu! I don’t have children. And I’m not interested in getting married or having children anytime soon.”
Touga slapped one broad hand across his eldest son’s unarmoured shoulder. “Nonsense boy! But I must confess that’s how I felt before I met your mother.”
Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose slightly in distaste. “Hahau-e was a powerful and skilled fighter. I doubt I will meet a female like her in Court.”
A faint smile quirked the older man’s mouth. “Don’t be so sure Sesshoumaru. There are many kinds of strength and you might meet someone who would surprise you.”
Sesshoumaru snorted softly. “I doubt it.”
“Just promise me Sesshoumaru. Promise me you will give every lady you meet at Court a chance. Don’t just dismiss them out of hand as weak or incompetent.”
Sesshoumaru hesitated before conceding on his terms. “I will. But only until the end of the Fall Festival.”
Touga nodded agreeably while he made plans centred around introducing his heir to the largest number of women in the shortest amount of time.
...ooOoo...
Kagome winced as Yumi tugged the obijime a little more tightly than she liked.
“Hey! I want to breathe Yumi, not pass out!”
The personal maid merely gave a look indicating impatience and no-nonsense. Tendo Yumi had practically grown up with Kagome. Her mother had been Kagome’s nursemaid. Kagome had grown up playing with Yumi. When Yumi was old enough she became Kagome’s personal maid and trusted confidant.
“Don’t be silly Kagome-chan!” Yumi scolded the slightly younger woman. “You are going to attend the daimyo’s festival! You will be meeting the wealthy and elite of society! You can’t go around in a child’s yukata!”
Kagome stifled the urge to whine because Yumi was right. Her mother and jii-jii had not said anything but all the efforts and preparations being made… They were hoping Kagome would meet a suitable lord at the festival. The Hiragushi’s were an old, respected and highly honoured and spiritually blessed family but they were not overly blessed with material riches. When Hiragushi Akito died life became more difficult in the material sense. If Kagome met a good man and married him she could help reduce her family’s burden and her mother’s worries.
“I don’t know Yumi.” Kagome whispered. “I’m not pretty like most of the ladies at court. Lady Kaguya is absolutely gorgeous; all the lords chase after her and Lady Kagura.”
Yumi sniffed. “You are just as pretty as any of those high-class court ladies Kagome-chan. And you are much kinder than any of them. If a man wants to marry one of those vicious harpies you are better off knowing that from the start. You want a man who will Not chase after every pretty face that comes along.”
Kagome snorted. “If I hold to such high standards it will remove ninety percent of the single males at Court. And I don’t want to marry a widower old enough to be my father!”
“Kagome!”
“Well it’s true.”
Yumi frowned then conceded. “Maybe you’re right. Or maybe I’m right. Just keep an open mind Kagome-chan. Don’t judge on first appearances.”
“Oh all right.”
“Promise me Kagome-chan.”
“I promise Yumi-chan. I won’t judge on first appearances.”
“And you’ll give everyone a chance.”
“When do I not?”
...ooOoo...
Kagome sighed as she politely detached herself from a small cluster of young lords and ladies holding an impromptu haiku writing event. Writing poetry was not exactly her thing. She was more of a Do-er.
Briskly she walked through the gardens, following paths unafraid of the twilight and darkening skies. She was a miko and more than capable of looking after herself. Besides a single scream would draw the attention of the daimyo’s household guards who were patrolling the walls and gates.
When she reached her destination, a small private grove she slowed and sat down on the ornate stone bench and studied the growing shadows. This particular grove was a night garden designed by the Daimyo’s first wife, Nishimato Hitomiko. It was a particular favourite of Kagome. The Daimyo’s second son InuYasha had shown it to Kagome the first time she had been sent to court. Kagome had been feeling homesick and isolated from the usual cliques. She had been quite fortunate that the Daimyo’s wife Izayoi-sama had taken an interest and introduced Kagome to her personal bodyguard Sango and her son InuYasha. Both Sango and InuYasha were wonderful companions. Unfortunately this year Sango was rather involved in her own romance with Miroku and InuYasha was more interested in spending time in the training fields with his male friends leaving poor Kagome out in the cold.
Kagome inhaled deeply and waited and watched. As the sun sank and the moon rose the night-blooming plants unfurled releasing a heady intoxicating scent under the light of the full moon. Kagome could not resist stepping around the well-tended beds and picking one large jasmine bloom. She inhaled deeply before tucking it behind one ear. Then she sensed something that made her stiffen and turn around quickly drawing her fan.
“Who is out there?!? If you don’t show yourself right now I’ll scream.” She warned in a loud carrying voice.
The following seconds were tense and awkward. Just when Kagome was about to turn away and dismiss her instincts as an over-reaction a tall regal white clad form emerged from behind the line of trees casting shadows.
Smooth silky-looking platinum hair that almost reached the back of his knees, shorter bangs framing an almost too beautiful face marked with twin red stripes on each cheekbone and an indigo crescent moon on his brow. Only a powerful lineage had such markings and only the truly powerful manifested those markings. White hair, gold eyes, cheek markings like InuYasha and Touga-sama. This had to be Sesshoumaru, the eldest son and heir.
She had heard of the Heir. He was not as tolerant and lenient as his sire, or as casual and relaxed as his half-brother. All women sighed and whispered of his prowess on the battlefield and in the bedroom. When Touga-sama announced Sesshoumaru-sama would be returning to Court it had caused a flurry of feminine interest and one-upmanship over just which lady would win his attentions and interest.
Kagome wrinkled her nose slightly. Sure Touga-sama’s eldest son was gorgeous, powerful and imperial looking with his cool attitude and white robes, but he made Kagome angry. He made Izayoi-sama cry, Touga-sama sad and InuYasha angry. She opened her mouth to berate him for how he treated his family and then shut it quickly. Everyone agreed Nishimato Sesshoumaru did not tolerate familiarity and people taking presumptions. He specialized in cutting such interlopers down to size. Usually Kagome would not care but she had promised Yumi she would not judge on first appearances and give everyone a chance.
He raised a faint brow. “You look as though you want to say something.”
Kagome huffed. “I was about to lecture you on how badly you treated your family but I promised Yumi I would not judge on first appearances so I won’t.” She glowered up at the older larger male. “But the first time I see you making Izayoi-sama cry or treating InuYasha badly you are going to get it!”
He blinked, clearly taken aback that a female was scolding him, not fawning or trying to win his interest. Then he smirked.
“Oh really? And just what would you do if I beat the brat?”
Blue eyes blazed as she unfurled her fan and charged it with her reiki.
“This.”
And then she swung the fan sharply, forcing her power through the ironwood ribs and spider silk lacing.
Gold eyes widened before he darted to one side, just avoiding the arcs of raw power that passed through the space he had stood just seconds before. The energy impacted on the dense living wood and dissipated. Kagome had shaped her power to hurt only humans with a specific energy signature. She knew if they had landed on the Heir he would have suffered a nasty burn. But she was also certain she was not good enough to land any blows on him by herself. Besides she was not looking to hurt him, just make her point.
“Like that.” She spoke bluntly as she folded her fan and tucked it away.
“You are a miko.” His tone was less condescending and more respectful.
“Yes.”
“Your name?”
It was a break from court protocol. The usual way was to be introduced by a third party known to both. But then again he knew she knew his family.
“Hiragushi Kagome.” She responded in grudging tones.
Gold eyes widened slightly. “A relative of Hiragushi Akito?”
“My father.” She blinked. “You met him?” She asked hesitantly.
He shook his head, silver tresses swung smoothly. “Not personally but several of my trainers spoke highly of him.”
She hesitated before deciding to take a chance. The most he could do was refuse. “Could you tell me what you know about him Sesshoumaru-sama? He died when I was around eight. Many people back home talk of him but I’d like to hear something new about him.”
Gold eyes blinked slowly before the white silk clad figure sat down on the bench Kagome had occupied. “I don’t know much about him but I will tell you what I do know Hiragushi-san.”
Kagome smiled brightly. “Please call me Kagome.”
The beautiful face tilted slightly to one side as he considered her request before responding. “Very well. Kagome.”
---
Sesshoumaru watched as the small curvy figure sit down beside him and arrange the material of her simple but elegant emerald green kimono marked with russet falling leaves at the hem and edges. The rust-coloured obi woven with discrete wave designs and black obijime accented her narrow waist and curves.
When she had first entered his mother’s favourite garden Sesshoumaru had believed she was just another greedy title-seeking schemer looking to entrap him. But then she had sat down without even looking around clearly more interested in enjoying the beauty around her. And then there was her reaction when she sensed his presence. She had shown no fear, in fact she had demanded he show himself. And when he did her reaction did not change. She did not turn into the usual court lady. Her nose had wrinkled as though scenting something distasteful. And when he gave her the chance to win his favour she destroyed his expectations by lecturing him on how he treated his family.
Of course he hadn’t taken her threat seriously and nearly paid for it with second-class reiki burns. He hadn’t even sensed she was a miko, her control and ability to mask and channel her power was astounding. How odd she turned out to be the daughter of a man respected by those Sesshoumaru respected; a daughter seeking information about her own sire.
Suddenly Sesshoumaru was glad he had revealed himself to this intriguing female. She was not weak or incompetent like most. And she definitely had her own strength to stand up and defend those she cared for.
Perhaps his sire was right after all.
...ooOoo...
The End.
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AN: Apologies for jumping back in the timeline. As I said before the chapters are one-shot responses to prompts and for ‘Imperial’ Kagome’s first impressions of Sesshoumaru fit.
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