Snowdrop by PhoenixBlade

Apple

Next chapter out. Thank you Kneazles, for the explanation! Much appreciated! :) 

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Snowdrop

By: PhoenixBlade

Prompt: Apple

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The Lady of the West was peeling the apple gracefully between her claws.  Kagome sat, in her many kimono layers, in awe at how adept the Lady was in peeling it and slicing them into equal parts.  Not only did the Lady’s prowess in apple cutting amaze Kagome, but also the fact that she had an apple (though this apple was pure white) despite the freezing temperatures of the terrain in the Western Lands.  By all means, the fruit shouldn’t even exist here!

After reading Sesshomaru’s…poem about her, she simmered for a good few minutes before deciding that it wasn’t worth her time and decided, instead, on reading Sesshoumaru’s personal collection in his study.  It was about the history of the Western Lands; the geography, its borders, population, flora and fauna (if any), clans, goods, currency, the account of the shiro and many other things that had her head spinning in circles.  Sesshoumaru kept himself knowledgeable about his lands quite well.  It took her quite by surprise when she was looking at information about the Western Lands itself that winter was all year round.  Certain crops could grow despite the cold weather and it was by the power of the Lady of the West that anything could grow. 

Watching the Lady pick up a slice and chew on it, made Kagome nervous.  If she had the power to let things grow in these extreme temperatures, then she was indeed powerful and not one to be trifled with.  There was only a small table, with a bowl of white apples, that separated them from each other and one wrong move could put her in a rather bad spot. 

Not soon after she had put down a book and realize that night had fallen, a servant had come into Sesshoumaru’s study to bring Kagome to the mistress, Sesshoumaru's mother.  Sesshoumaru was nowhere to be seen or heard and the servant refused to speak to her out of fear towards herself or the Lady of the West, she didn’t know.  One thing she knew was to not antagonize Sesshoumaru’s mother.  Another thing she wanted to know what, where was Sesshoumaru?

“…like one?”

Kagome snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of her voice.  It was polite and meant to be kind, but there was danger leaking in every word.

“I’m sorry. Could you repeat that, Lady Inukimi?” Kagome stammered, embarrassed at herself for getting lost in thought.

The Lady narrowed her eyes on Kagome and tapped her lips, before letting her facial features spread into a smile.

She giggled, “Little Kagome, this Inukimi wanted to know if you would like an apple?”

She held out one, from her pile in front of her, to Kagome, but all she could do was stare at it, as if it had been laced with poison.  Another giggle tore her gaze away from it as the Lady held a hand over her mouth.

“Oh, there is nothing to worry about with this apple, little Kagome!  This one assures you that it is not the poisonous kind to make you fall asleep for a thousand years.  It is merely… an apple,” she told her as she held the apple in front of her by the tips of her claws.

Sharp, sharp claws, she thought, I don’t think I'd like being on the receiving end of them…

She bowed her head slightly in apology, “My lady, thank you, but I’m still full from my late breakfast.  Perhaps later?”

An eyebrow rose, a reaction that was identical to Sesshoumaru’s.  There was no doubt in her mind that Sesshoumaru had picked up his odd “this Sesshoumaru” speech and gestures from his mother.

Inukimi sighed, “Very well then, little Kagome.”

The “little Kagome” nickname was starting to annoy her.

Placing the apple with the rest, Inukimi pushed aside her plate that was still filled with apple slices.

“Do you know why you are here, little Kagome?” she suddenly asked her, voice now becoming dangerous and cold.

A shake of her head made the Lady rise from her seat and continue, “You are here because this Inukimi’s son wishes for you to be here.  Had it been anyone else, they would have simply put you out of your misery.”

Kagome looked down, afraid to look at the female youkai's eyes. 

“There is a rule here; one that makes sure no outsiders can trespass upon this land.  The wards on our borders were set up to keep outsiders out and this one’s people in, to protect them from your world.  Ningens are not welcomed here, especially those who are miko.”

Kagome felt herself trembling in fear.  The Lady of the West was cold.

“However, the wards seemed to have failed this time, though it will no longer be an issue.  No more outsiders will be able to enter these lands.  You are lucky, little Kagome, for this one’s son refuses to have you dead.  Therefore, this Inukimi will allow you to remain here for the time being…” she told Kagome, walking around the table to Kagome, right behind her.

Her palms were cold and clammy and she felt a drop of sweat slide down the side of her face. The many layers were suddenly too stifling and hot on her.  She was like a mouse, being hunted by a ferocious cat.

“Do not become attached to Sesshoumaru, for he is youkai, like the rest of us, and will give into his beast,” the Lady warned her as her freezing hands rested on Kagome’s shoulders with a strong grip. 

Kagome could only shiver from the cold that was suddenly seeping into the many layers from the Lady’s claws.  Her hands were like ice!

“Do I make myself clear, little Kagome?”

Kagome gulped, knowing the Lady was threatening her and that danger was close to breaking her neck.  Meekly, she nodded, hoping she would let Kagome go.  Her shoulders were freezing from her claws being on her!

“Good,” the Lady said, polite and refined once again, and moved away from her to the doors.

She heard the door slide open just as a thought hit her, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “What if I want to go home?”

A few moments went by before the Lady of the West answered, “You can never return.” And the door slid close behind her.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she was crying before she knew it. How she wanted to return home!

Mom… Dad… Grandpa…

More tears were flowing now at the thought of her last person, whom she dearly loved.

Souta… I’m sorry…

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Can you imagine having someone like her for a monstermother-in-law?  Yeesh!  Let's see what she'll do in the next coming chapters! Till then! Ja!