Alpha by Lyra

M: Magnality

Drabble Collection Alpha

CXXVIII

Prompt From The Alphabet Challenge

M: Magnality: a wonderful thing

In the Main Hall of Sesshomaru’s shiro, a bell rang in tones dark and sweet, welcoming the oncoming night. Kagome sat quietly, sipping on a final cup of tea and listening to the sounds that had swelled with the twilight: whispers, faint as the wind, passing by the entrance to the hall; the soft jingling of metal, as of weapons or heavy jewelry; the thrum of stringed instruments and a low and steady drumbeat.

The scent of dark incense, deep and full but faint, so that she could barely detect it, drifted by Kagome’s nostrils. She closed her eyes, and held her cup in both hands, and let out a long breath.

Sesshomaru spent several minutes staring at the piece of folded paper that had been brought to him by messenger, his features shifting with discontent. There was a hard gleam in his eyes; twice, Kagome had caught him looking at her with a strange expression, but as she was finishing her tea he seemed to come to some conclusion and stood quickly, gathering the attention of Yoko and Shizuka to himself.

“Shizuka, you will come with me. There is something...we must attend to. Yoko, you will go with my mate. Your service to her begins now; tonight, this very hour, I will send females to her rooms from the Weaving Chambers.”

“Yes, my lord.”

As Shizuka stood and walked to the door, Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome’s quizzical look; he did not smile, exactly, but something in his face grew...softer.

“I told you I would have something made for you, Kagome; did you think I had forgotten?”

The memory of the last time she had worn his haori leapt into her mind; she had forgotten, or rather, she had not believed him to be serious.

Kagome found herself unexpectedly warmed by his care – by the fact that he had apparently made a point to remember, and by the thought of the moment in which he had made that promise. As he turned away and left, followed by Shizuka, Kagome wondered what it was that had been in his letter, and what it was that he was leaving to do...but Yoko was by her side in another moment, distracting and deferential both.

“My lady – Kagome, if you are through I will bring you to your rooms.”

“Yes, I’m done.”

Kagome put down her cup, and stretched.

“ Are we going back to the Lower House?”

“No, that would not be...appropriate. You are Sesshomaru-dono’s mate, no mere female, and a distinction must be made at once. There are rooms meant for one of your status and position, and I am sure that is where my lord means for you to stay...unless you would prefer otherwise, my lady?”

Kagome shook her head vigorously and stood carefully; one did not make good impressions by toppling face first onto the dinner table.

“Whatever you think is best for now, Yoko – whatever you think Sesshomaru would prefer.”

“I would prefer that you are comfortable, mate.”

Startled, Kagome turned swiftly and saw that Sesshomaru had returned and was standing in the door behind her.

“There are rooms and wings and Halls that lie empty all over this mountain; tonight, stay in the Lady’s Chambers; tomorrow, choose your own place – any place you desire.”

And, to Yoko:

“Quickly. The Silk Mistress waits.”

Yoko’s eyes widened as he vanished again, and she began to tug Kagome along, moving quickly out the door Sesshomaru had vacated and down a long hallway that led to a covered bridge. Kagome peered behind her for a moment, watching Sesshomaru disappear, but she turned back to Yoko with a distracted smile as her sleeve was tugged.

“This way, my lady. Even for Sesshomaru-dono, the Silk Mistress will not wait long. She is...easily aggravated, and most disrespectful of our lord. I think he finds her amusing.”

Kagome blinked.

“Who is this...person?”

Yoko paused outside an elaborately painted shoji, one hand on the door.

“She is the Silk Mistress, a weaver of garments and tapestries. She and her brood are masters of thread-craft; there are none better.”

~~~~

A/N: 700 words! And onward...because I felt bad about having taken a long time, and have been writing like mad to make up for it :p I dedicate this chapter to YamiBakura1988, who has reviewed on...an insane number of chapters at ff.net! Everyone should do that! :p

Please Review!