Alpha by Lyra
Evolution
Drabble Collection Alpha
CXLV
Prompt From Priestess Skye's Bi-Weekly Challenge
Evolution
Clean, dry, and robed in soft silk, Kagome sat in a low chair and submitted to Yoko's combing of her hair. Kagome sat quietly, trying to pull her questions into order, wondering if this new companion was really someone who could be trusted.
Then again, if I don't try to trust her, I'll never know if I could've or not.
Determination straightened her spine, and Kagome peered at the Dragon female out of the corner of one eye.
“Kagome-sama, you must have questions about your place here...”
Yoko spoke quietly, her voice in time with the smooth movements of the comb in her hand.
“Actually, I...”
Kagome flushed red, and held her breath for a moment before trying again.
“I wondered – um...about...about what happened...earlier...”
“At the evening meal?”
Kagome squeezed her eyes tight shut.
“N-no. After – Sesshomaru and I were...um -”
“Does my lady need instruction in how to please my lord?”
Kagome stared at her wide-eyed for a moment. Unbidden, images flashed across her mind – Sesshomaru's snarl of passion, the liquid heat of his groan when she used her tongue to...
“No!”
And then again, more calmly:
“No...no...thank you, Yoko. That's not it. I wondered about...privacy?”
The last word out came doubtfully, as if she was not sure if it was quite the right one to use.
“A pair of Inu came in while Sesshomaru and I were...”
Again, she flushed. Yoko continued to comb her hair calmly, amusement showing only in her eyes.
“Anyway, I wondered if that was...normal? For them to just...walk in, like that.”
At that, Yoko paused mid-stroke.
“Normal? Hmm...Kagome-sama, I have some experience with humans, and this may be difficult for you to understand. Among youkai, sex is not a hidden thing. To make it so is to admit a vulnerability.”
Kagome paled, and sat very still.
“My lady must know that Sesshomaru-dono would never do anything that might make him appear weak.”
“Yes. I – know that. Is there...anything else I should know?”
“About this matter? No, Kagome-sama. But if I may advise my lady...”
She paused, and Kagome realized she was actually asking a question.
“Of course! Always, Yoko.”
“Then I would say that it would be best for you to accept this quickly...and move on to other things. There is a great deal that you do not know, and every unanswered question will be dangerous.”
Kagome shivered a little, reminded of Sesshomaru's warning – and then straightened, remembering his praise.
“Thank you, Yoko – for answering my questions, and for your advice. If only I didn't want to shout Sesshomaru's ears off now...”
Yoko put down the comb and came around to sit by Kagome's side, where she could see the young woman's face, scrunched with anger that believed itself righteous.
“Kagome-sama, you should not be angry with your mate. How would he know human ways? Who would have taught him? All Sesshomaru-dono knows and feels is youkai. This embarrassment of yours...it will not serve you well. The rousing of the Inu in him could push him to take you any time; Sesshomaru-dono is more restrained than this usually, I know, but even he has limits.”
Kagome's eyes widened.
“Do not think that Sesshomaru-dono will be lenient with those whose eyes linger too long on you; with those that show an interest in the body that is my lord's alone to mark. There is a casual courtesy among us that prevents such things...but as with so much else, it is often pointless to even attempt to ignore it.”
And a sly expression of humor crossed Yoko's face.
“After all, Kagome-sama – arousal has its own particular scent, and you, at least, are loud enough to let the whole island know what you were doing.”
“Ah – hey!”
For a moment, Kagome covered her face with her hands, blushing furiously, and then she dissolved into laughter. Yoko smiled, glad to have pleased her new Lady, and sat back on her heels, contemplating everything she had learned about humans.
She could see already one vital necessity; Kagome needed to grow...to change...to evolve. To accept the vital motives and purposes of youkai life without altering her essential character.
Yoko stared at the young woman before her, bright with power; she remembered Kagome's clear acceptance of her little Kitsune's needs, and the tone of her questions, curious – excited.
She found herself wondering if it would be Kagome who changed to fit the demands of youkai society...or if ten thousand years of tradition could possibly survive the looming conflict.
Probably not.
Yoko was tempted to laugh out loud, but she did not think her new Lady would understand her reasoning; not yet.
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A/N: So, to make up for the fact that the last ten chapters only had 100 words each, this chapter has...800 words! Yaaay 800! I think this is all for today...I think...
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