Note: This story was originally posted under my original penname, scottishfae. Given some recent issues with AFF and FFN, I decided to change my penname here to my official one. Don't be alarmed; it is me (scottishfae). Thank you for reading. Please check my profile for important news related to this story.
Arc 1: The Deal
Ch 1: Day 0
They had taken a nasty hit from Naraku's minions.
Again.
Before that they had been tracking word of shards.
Again.
In retrospect, they probably should have realized it had been a trap. Rumors of stray shikon shards were rare and, Miroku theorized, that the ancient jewel was probably now split into only halves: Naraku's and Kagome's.
In a way, this was good. It meant the end of their journey was near. The negative was that the end of their journey was near. Battles with Naraku loomed ominously over them. It was the next step. The only place they could go next; onwards, upwards, and...well, forward.
Which is where they were now: Re-cooping from a failed attack by Naraku. Everyone was a bit banged up and, of course, no Inuyasha in sight. As the Naraku puppet fled, the hot-headed hanyou had taken off after him. No one had seen him since.
The group decided to distance themselves from where the ambush had been sprung. Then they set up a light camp (having learned this was a better option to keep their whereabouts unknown) and began the waiting game.
Kagome pulled out trail mix and water, and let the others snack. They munched while she tended to scrapes and bruises. They were lucky, no one had taken any bad injuries. "Don't forget to tend to yourself, Kagome-chan," Sango reminded.
The young miko looked down at her skinned knee and nodded. She was on the last of Miroku's injuries anyway. The perverse monk had all but ignored Kagome as she tended to him. Whether it was because he was exhausted from the day's events, or because he seemed intent on studying the odd food that she had given him, she didn't know. Whichever it was, she was grateful. She didn't really feel up to dealing with any of his usual craziness today. It just wasn't a "will you have my baby" joke kind of day.
"How long do you think we'll have to wait for Inuyasha?" Shippo asked around a mouthful of nuts and dried fruit.
Kagome sat back on her heels before standing completely. She was careful to back away enough so as not to give an up-skirt shot to Miroku. "Probably not much longer," the monk answered.
Kagome added, "If he's not back in an hour, we should probably go looking for him."
She bent down and grabbed a large band-aid from her first-aid kit. Noting that she was out of antibiotic spray and would need some more next time she went home, she proceeded to slap the bandage on her knee. She put the paper trash into a baggie she kept in her backpack, then packed the kit in its usual place.
Once sure everything was where it should be, Kagome looked up. It took a moment for her brain to process what it was seeing. Her eyes widened. Then, as it processed further, she gasped and stood quickly. The group followed her line-of-sight and stood with her, weapons at the ready. Miroku, being closer to the miko, shielded her the best he could. Kirara transformed and, with Shippo, jumped beside Kagome as well.
Kagome stood, trying to remain calm in the situation. She stared at the white-clad male, trying to decipher anything from his usual blank expression. She failed. "Sesshomaru-dono," Kagome began. "What brings you here?"
She tried to quell the fear in her voice. She hoped she succeeded.
"I have business with you, miko," he replied.
Sango squatted down, her muscles tensing, reading for an attack. Miroku didn't budge.
"What do you want with me?"
Sesshomaru regarded the humans in front of him and then, raising his head without taking his eyes off of them, sniffed. He lowered his head once again. "I see that my brother has left these two to guard you alone. He's stupid to leave in protection of humans alone."
Sango growled at the Taiyoukai. There was only a brief second before the Taijiya let loose her Hiraikotsu. It cut through the air easily, but the bulky weapon was just as easily evaded. The giant boomerang continued its course into the forest.
Sesshomaru disappeared. "Now, miko," the Taiyoukai began again, but this time behind the group.
They all spun. "Kagome-san, get out of the way," Miroku yelled, running forward.
"No," she replied. "Wait a minute."
The other two stopped; quietly asking her what she was doing.
"He could have already killed me if he wanted to, but he hasn't. So, let's just hear him out."
Very slowly, Sango and Miroku lowered their weapons, but stayed on alert and close to their friend's side. Kagome nodded at both, happy that they stood down. "Now, what did you need, Sesshomaru-dono."
The young miko's eyes narrowed slightly; again she tried to read his face. But this time, as weird as it seemed, she could have sworn he was looking at her approvingly. As if, somehow, he was proud of her. Seeing as that made absolutely no sense, she shook her head and gave him her full attention.
"Very good, miko Higurashi Kagome. I see your ability to lead and control extends throughout this little group and not just to my idiot brother."
"Control? I don't-"
Kagome was cut off by Sesshomaru moving forward. He entered into her personal space-barely a foot between them-and looked down at her. Sango and Miroku were forced to back away to keep a good attacking distance. Sango worried her bottom lip as she watched.
"I do not make decisions on a whim, so understand that the deal for which I am about to ask you has been thought out and constructed to prove best for both parties."
"O...kay..."
"I am usually not one to have relations with humans-"
"What about that little girl?"
Sesshomaru paused. His face remained pointed down but his eyes stared upwards; his only outward appearance of his exasperation. "I am not speaking of another type or relations. Rin is my ward, and I am looking for someone to sire my heir."
Kagome took a step back.
Then another one. She spun to her left slightly and looked at Miroku, then back at Sesshomaru.
Then at Miroku.
Then to Sesshomaru.
Then she exploded.
"I think Naraku is playing a trick on us," Sango announced. "But got it Sesshomaru-dono, and Miroku-san mixed up."
"Or we entered some bizarre world where Miroku-san is Sesshomaru-dono," Kagome added.
"Hey!" Miroku exclaimed. "I have a lot more class and tact than that. I mean, what a horrible line!"
The two women looked at the monk with disdain. He got the message to shut up.
"Are you three done yet?" Sesshomaru asked, clearly getting annoyed.
"Ah, yes. Sorry, Sesshomaru-dono. Please continue. Is there someone you're interested in? I'm not that great at matchmaking, but my friend Eri was always brilliant with getting people together. I'm sure I could ask her for tips."
"You."
Kagome blinked a few times. "Come again?"
Sesshomaru raised a fine brow at her unfamiliar slang. She sighed. "Repeat that again, please."
"This Sesshomaru is not in the practice of repeating himself."
"But you said 'you' and that would mean me, and I know you don't mean me."
Again the Taiyoukai stepped up and into Kagome's personal space. "I certainly mean you. In many aspects you are the best choice. While your humanity, poor choice of attire and...inability to hold back your words are your main flaws, your leadership, bravery, and strength as a miko are all distinguishable qualities. There is no other who can fulfill this duty than you."
"Man," Miroku mumbled. "I need to try using that sometime."
Sesshomaru gave the hoshi a disregarding glance.
"Are you planning on making Kagome-san your mate?" Shippo piped up.
"Wait, what?" Kagome shouted.
"Of course not," the Taiyoukai replied.
"So you want to rut with her? No way! I won't allow it!" The small youkai huffed, arms crossed in an imitation of Inuyasha.
"Hey!" Kagome shouted. "Watch your language, Shippo."
"As if you have a say in any decision to be made, kit. And don't presume things about me or about your imprinted parent."
Shippo scrunched up his face. He looked like he wanted to continue arguing but was too embarrassed to do so. "Wait," Miroku began. "Sesshomaru-dono. Would you like to explain to us, lowly humans as we are, what exactly you want and from whom?"
"You grovel like the con-artist you are, hoshi," Sesshomaru replied.
"Thank you."
"It wasn't a compliment."
Sesshomaru turned to Kagome. "I am looking for a suitable woman to bear my heir. Not a mate, not a partner to rut with. Just someone who will produce a strong pup, one worthy of being the next Taiyoukai of the West."
"And you think that person is...me?"
The Taiyoukai nodded. "I have prepared a suitable exchange for services."
"Services?" Kagome growled. "Thanks. Now I feel like a prostitute."
"I hadn't intended for you to take that meaning; you would be no such thing."
The teen snorted. "Watch out. You'll make it seem like that you care."
"I do."
"You know what," Sango interrupted. "I'm just going to go back to enjoying the path mix."
"Trail-"Kagome corrected.
"Whatever. Since this seems like it's going to take a long time, and Sesshomaru-dono isn't here to do any harm, then I say we all sit down."
The other group members agreed and headed back over to where they had been seated prior to their interruption. Sesshomaru joined the group, forgoing the offered seat to hovering over Kagome, so he could continue his discussion.
"Let's start from the beginning," Miroku offered.
Sesshomaru made no move to repeat himself. Miroku picked up his water bottle, took a swig from it, then started to recap. "Basically, you--Sesshomaru-dono--are looking for someone to carry your child-"
"Son. It must be a son."
"You can't guarantee it'll be a boy. Genetics doesn't work that way," Kagome stated.
Sesshomaru observed her carefully. "It will be a son," he repeated. He hid his curiosity for her foreign words, and the meaning behind them.
Sango rolled her eyes; she urged Miroku to continue.
"Sesshomaru-dono," the Hoshi began again. "wants an heir--a son--and has chosen Kagome-san to help him in this task. In return for this...favor, Sesshomaru-dono is willing to give Kagome-san something in return."
Miroku looked up at the Taiyoukai for approval. Said inuyoukai nodded, satisfied in the recap. "For helping me, I am prepared to give you an estate, miko Higurashi. The estate will have servants, obviously, and be protected by soldiers that I will personally choose. Furthermore, the estate will be available to you prior to conception and it will be where you stay while with child. After my son is born, he will be removed to my personal estate and you will have free reign. As long as you live, you will have the protection of the House of Inu."
Miroku whistled; obviously impressed with the deal. He had, however, no doubt it would be flatly refused.
"Wait--so, if I agreed to this, I would never get to see my child? How is that okay? What mother would do that?"
"It's not uncommon, Kagome-chan," Sango spoke. "Especially for nobility. Children are often given to wet nurses to raise. Since Sesshomaru-dono is looking for an heir--it would make sense for him to take the baby. He needs to be trained for his position in life."
"But--studies have proven that having a two parent household is important. Both mother and father help in the development of a child."
None of the group answered. Sesshomaru because he simply didn't understand; the others because they were used to not understanding. The world seemed much more complex in her time.
Breaking the silence, Sesshomaru began again. "So the part of this deal you disapprove of is not being able to raise the pup?"
"Well, besides it being demoralizing, yes."
"Demoralizing?"
"It's all objective. No...feelings involved. Even if the word isn't used, it still feels like prostitution."
"Feelings are for the weak--"
"And yet they make Inuyasha stronger-=pigheaded, too-=but definitely stronger."
Sesshomaru looked away. "So, these are the two objections you have?"
"Why are you choosing to have an heir this way?" Miroku interrupted. "It doesn't seem like you would ever be in want of partners. And surely being a Taiyoukai would allow you a suitable youkai choice, or even a mate."
"I do not desire to create political alliances at the moment; nor do I wish to create a weak child. I have already stated that I did not make this decision easily."
"But our child would be hanyou," Kagome pointed out. "And you hate hanyou."
"I do not."
"Uh-huh," she answered skeptically. "And I suppose you're treatment of Inuyasha is just 'tough love.'"
"I do not expect you to understand my relationship with my brother. But understand that, if I wanted him dead, he would be so."
"Is that suppose to make me feel better?"
Sesshomaru continued to stand as he was with his head now averted. The group looked at each other and waited.
And eventually got sick of waiting. Quietly, to each other, they began chatting again. Kagome reached in her back and grabbed more of the trail mix for everyone. She reminded them that they should probably go looking for Inuyasha soon.
"Your problems lie with being able to parent the pup, and the...feelings involved; not that you are against bearing my son."
"Well, yeah--I guess. If the situation is right--if there was love involved--I don't think any woman would mind having a child."
"Hear that, Sango-san," Miroku smirked.
Sango rolled her eyes.
Sesshomaru's lips pursed together in a thin line. He nodded. "Accepted."
Kagome looked up at the Taiyoukai. "Hmm?"
"You gave your conditions and I accepted them. You will be allowed to help in the process of rearing our pup, and I will try to work on these feelings you value so highly."
"But I didn't accept!"
"You said that you didn't object, but for certain terms. I agreed to meet those terms. Thus, our deal is official."
"But-"
Sesshomaru shook his head. "You are too honorable to back out, miko. It is one of your better qualities."
"But, I didn't know...you, you...jerk!"
"I have already stated that that mouth of yours is a fault; you should work on your etiquette if you're going to raise the next Western heir."
Kagome groaned. "You're already failing at the 'feelings' bit of this deal."
The Taiyoukai paused and mentally noted that. "I will work harder. In the meantime, go back to Inuyasha's forest and wait for me. I will come for you at the next new moon; expect someone before then to prepare you."
In her head, Kagome was melting down. She looked at Miroku; desperation evident in her eyes. If there was anyone who could weasel a way out of a deal, it was the reproachable priest. But the look on his face didn't look hopeful.
Sesshomaru, in the meantime, took her silence as acceptance. He put his hand down, as he often did with Rin, and placed it gently against the crown of her head. He left it there for only a brief second, before pulling away. He nodded at the other humans and walked away from the group. He needed to rejoin with Jaken, Rin, and Ah-Un soon. There were preparations to be done.
"Did that really just happen?" Sango asked.
"I...I think so," Miroku answered.
"We need to find Inuyasha now," Kagome all but screamed.
"Then what?"
"Figure out a way to get out of this!"
"Do you think you can?"
The young miko shrugged. "We have two weeks to figure it out."