Swamps by thehotty
Chapter 1
A/N : I don't own. Very unfortunate, but very true. Read on Inu Lovers, read on.
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Kagome watched as Inu Yasha chased after Shippo across the field and smiled softly. She was enjoying the warm summer day for the first time in a long time. There wasn’t’ any jewel shards to search for, or any demon to find and kill.
Everything was peaceful on the front and everyone seemed to relax and have fun. Sango and Miroku sat huddled up together, whispering and smiling. Kikyou (Even if Kagome felt uneasy around her) was picking herbs by the trees. Kirra slept in the sun, stretched out on her back.
She couldn’t help to feel useless, despite the cheerful day around her. The jewels were collected and Naraku was defeated.
In the end of their quest, Sesshoumaru had joined the make-shift group to help defeat the half-demon. It proved to be extremely useful and made all of them a force to be reckoned with. He was nicer then usual to Kagome, even leading her into several conversations, mostly, revolving around her and Inu Yasha’s relationship (or lack thee-of). She had mustered up the courage to ask him several questions, to which he had answered without glaring at her.
Without even realizing it, everything had come together faster then anyone could have imagined it doing. And Kagome was the only one of the group that didn’t have anything left to look forward to. Inu Yasha and Kikyou had mated. Sango and Miroku were married. Shippo was starting to grow, in which he’d soon be too big to care for completely.
She had decided the night before that she was going to travelJapanand find a new adventure to work on. Nothing else appealed to the girl. She was skilled enough that the rest didn’t need to worry about her anymore. Her powers were extremely tuned and she had learned to use a sword, which she picked up faster then the bow.
Tonight she would pack her bag and leave while the village slept.
Kagome wandered down the path, the moon lighting her way. She was headed West, hoping to find something to fight and new friend to travel with. Daydreams of all the different fights she could get into filled her head.
The sun was starting to rise when Kagome felt the first presence of demon since leaving the village. It was familiar and Kagome sighed while sitting on a rock near by, waiting for the demon to appear.
“You are alone,” the voice noted. It was cold and emotionless, as if nothing could break the barrier of surprise.
“Yeah. I wanted to travel. To see the land that isn’t corrupted by Naraku. Find my place in this world,” she replied.
The demon stepped out of the trees, revealing Sesshoumaru’s long Silver hair and tall, muscular frame. “And the half breed let you just go on your own?”
She shook her head. “I left while everyone was sleeping. Nobody knew of my plan.”
He watched her carefully. “And when they discover you’re missing?”
She shrugged. “Probably go looking for e. I hope to get a good lead before that.” She stood up and grabbed her bag. “Which means I should be heading on my way. Hopefully I’ll see you again.”
Sesshoumaru sighed. “Woman, you will get lost and hurt by yourself. Allow me to travel with you.”
Kagome stopped in her tracks and faced him. “What? You want to join me?”
His glare hardened slightly. “I do not repeat myself.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I just never thought you, of all people, would be willing to travel with me. I mean, I’m a human wench after all. Not your type at all.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. “Indeed I do not extend my help or presence to many, but it is a whimsy of mine to take on a strangler at times.”
Kagome chuckled. “Alright. If it amuses you, then I will travel with you. Plus, I’m sure Rin would enjoy another girl around.”
Sesshoumaru nodded and headed back into the trees before him. Kagome followed until they reached a clearing with a fire in it.
“Rest and eat your breakfast. We will be heading to my castle soon enough to collect Rin and Jaken.”
Kagome nodded and soon enough she had inner cooked up for the both of them. They ate in silence and headed out before the sun had completely risen. They traveled for hours before Kagome soon decided lunch was in order. She dropped her bag, startling Sesshoumaru into stopping.
“What is the problem?” he asked, turning to face her.
“I’m starving. It’s already past noon and I need to rest before I die.”
He sat down by a tree and leaned onto it. He watched her build the fire and boil water, happily humming a tune to herself. She offered him some tea, which he accepted and quickly pulled out a bowl of Romen, which she added the water to and ate in merry silence. When she finished, she sat in silence and studied the forest around her.
“Where are we, exactly?” she asked, breaking the still air.
“Half a days travel to my castle. In the Western Lands,” he replied “We should continue before it gets to late.”
Kagome nodded and quickly packed her things into her bag and they headed out.
Kagome was dead on her feet. The sun had set already and there was no sign of any castle ahead of them. Kagome sat down on the path and leaned against her backpack.
Sesshoumaru stopped and turned to face her. “What is the matter now?”
“I haven’t slept in almost two days. I’m completely exhausted and I don’t think I can go any further. I need to sleep.”
“My castle is just over the hill. You can eat and sleep there,” he replied.
Kagome groaned. “That means I have to keep walking.” She stood up, grabbed her bag and started walking, her feet dragging behind her. She could feel the weariness in her bones as they reached the top of the hill. She looked out ahead of her and was instantly impressed by the view.
At the bottom of the hill sat an enormous castle. Bigger then all the ones she had witnessed in her travels throughJapanto defeat Naraku. It looked to take up at least several acres of land and was extremely delicate looking, despite the many armed soldiers on the battlements and at the keep. She could hardly see the back of the building, being only a couple of minutes away.
Sighing in relief, she followed Sesshoumaru down the hill and past the keep. Several demons started at her awkwardly as she walked by, but she was too tired to even notice much. They traveled the longer then necessary path in the courtyard were demons seemed to gather and mock duel, or to bow to their Lord as he passed in greeting.
They reached the doors, that swung open, two guards bowing respectfully as they walked by.
“Just show me to my room. I’ll worry about food in the morning,” Kagome said, looking around her.
A servant walked up to them and bowed. “Follow me, my Lady. I’ll show you to your quarters.”
Kagome smiled kindly and soon found herself in a very luxurious bed and drifted off to sleep.
Kagome woke with a start. Something was heading in her direction. Something strong and powerful. She sat straight up and watched her door, wondering what could cause such an aurora.
The door flew open and a woman with blue hair and piercing gold eyes stormed in, glaring at her. “What is filth doing in the mate-to-be quarters?” she growled out. Her voice was as cold as Sesshoumaru’s, if not colder.
Kagome scrambled out of the bed. “I was unaware of what room it was. A servant brought me here late last night. Lord Sesshoumaru gave me the room,” she answered.
The woman scoffed. “My son would never do such a thing. You will leave this castle immediately.”
Kagome glared at the demoness before her. “I will do nothing you command of me. I am Sesshoumaru’s guest. I believe he would not take kindly to you speaking to the protector of the Shikon-no-Tama as you are.”
“You insolent whore!” the demoness screamed before launching herself at Kagome.
Kagome raised a protective shield, she was sure Sesshoumaru would not be pleased to learn that she had attacked his mother. She watched as the demon threw herself at the shield and resisted the urge to laugh as she felt Sesshoumaru’s presence near.
He walked in a moment later and stared at the two. Kagome waved to him.
“Morning Sesshoumaru. How was your night?” she asked, turning to face him, ignoring his mother completely.
“Better then your morning seems to be. Did you sleep well?”
She nodded. “Better then I have since my last trip home. Do you think you could do something about her?” she asked, pointing at the demoness who stood glaring at her.
“How dare you speak of me like I am not here!” the woman screamed.
“She will wear herself out soon enough. Are you hungry?”
Kagome nodded. “Food would be wonderful. I was wondering if I could have a word with you in private sometime today?” she asked.
He nodded. “I will have your breakfast sent in shortly. A servant will show you to my personal springs afterwards, so you may bathe. You are an honored guest in my house. Do not be afraid to ask for anything you want or need.”
With that he turned around and left, his mother retreating after him, angered whispering coming from her.
Kagome plopped back onto the bed and curled up under the blanker, hoping to catch a couple more minutes of sleep.
Kagome wondered the halls, trying to find Sesshoumaru. She had been searching for almost an hour now. No servants were around that she could see. She stared at the hall before her questioningly before turning around. She could have sworn she had just came from there. She gave up and sat down in the middle of the hallway, hoping that somebody would come by eventually.
She stared at the door in front of her, following the lines of the wood work. Soon she heard footsteps near her, making her look up.
Sesshoumaru stared down at her. “What are you doing sitting here?”
“I got lost,” she answered, standing up.
He shook his head and opened the door she had been staring at to reveal a study. “You wanted to speak to me?” he asked, walking in.
She followed and looked around, not entirely impressed by the study. It was exactly what she expected it to be; Large, neat and orderly. She took a seat on one of the chairs. He sat down behind the desk and stared at her.
“Why am I in the mate-to-be chambers?” she asked.
“You are an honored guest in my castle, meaning that you get the best of the best. Those rooms are the best, besides my own.” He leaned foreword. “Would you prefer different rooms?”
She shook her head. “Why do all the servants and guards seemed surprised by a human coming in your house? Rin stays here, doesn’t she?”
He nodded. “She does. It is because you are a grown woman. Besides my mother, Serenade, not many women come here. I have already heard rumors of you becoming a future mate of this Lord Sesshoumaru. Be rest assured, it will end, but it’s very uncommon for them to see a woman with me.”
“So when do we leave? I don’t like being cooped up in buildings for long periods of time.”
“In several days. There are rumors of a rising threat in the East and I must investigate,” he answered.
Kagome groaned and covered her face. “Must we go East?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to travel.”
“I was hoping to avoid the East. Prince Kouga lives there, you see, and he is quite enamored with me, which is very unpleasant. I can assure you.”
“You find suitors every where, don’t you?”
Avoiding the question, Kagome sat up. “And do I need to worry about Lady Serenade?”
“She has been dealt with.”
“Alright. So how do I get to the gardens?” she asked, standing up.
The door opened and a servant walked in, bowing low. “How may I serve you, my Lady?”
She turned back to Sesshoumaru. “How do you make them come like that?”
He didn’t answer and Kagome sighed, following the servant before her.
Kagome watched the demon in front of her. They were beaten and bloodied, but they had insisted that she didn’t hold back, due to her being human and all. She could tell they had held back for the first couple minutes until they realized she wasn’t as weak as they thought. Several demons laughed at them from the crowd that gathered to watch.
“If you think you can do better, prove it!” one of them yelled, his voice harsh.
A tall demon stepped out of the crowd and smiled. “I can beat a ningen wench,” he boasted, drawing his sword.
A low growl was heard and all the demons quickly bowed as Sesshoumaru walked through the crowd.
“You will hold your tongue,” He directed at the demon in front of Kagome. He looked at her. “What are you doing out here?”
“Practicing,” she answered. “They offered to be my punching bags.”
He stared at her for a moment. “And what is a punching bag?”
“A bag that hangs from a beam about this wide,” she held her arms up, showing him how wide it was, “that you kick and punch while some one holds it from the other side.”
He frowned. “I hope nobody is being held down.”
She laughed. “No. They have a fighting chance. It’s also used as a metaphor.”
He nodded. “Why are you practicing?”
She shrugged. “Have to eventually. Can’t get rusty. Not in this era. Which reminds me, after we go East, I have to go to the Bone Eaters well so I can go home for a day.”
He nodded. “We can do that.”
Kagome smiled. “Thanks! Now, do you want to practice with me?”
He pulled out his sword and attacked, Kagome blocking beautifully.