A Woman's Wile by scottishfae

Open Spaces

A Woman's Wile|| scottishfae

sequel to Unexpected Endeavors

MA || Romance, (Bad) Historical Fiction, Angst

WARNINGS || Later lemon scenes, mention of homosexual relationship, angst

SUMMARY || Kagome's 'happily ever after' is threatened from new and old antagonist from within her new courtly life.

NOTES || Here we go again! I'm trying to keep this story at ten chapters or less, but we'll see. My outlines always change when I'm not looking.

***

The quiet hours were so rare. Dawn had just broken and, while servants silently busted around, the main palace grounds, no one else was up. And certainly not in the private gardens of the most infamous miko in Japan.

It was small, as she liked it, and wild. Most gardens in the area had been fashioned in the Zen style; sandy landscapes with rocks and trees most elegantly placed. Small canals had been carved out from the river to feed streams into the little visions of perfection; several streets had been turned to water to do so.

But Kagome’s remained just as it always had been. Flowers bloomed within the clearing; bamboo forests had been grown to keep it private. It connected only with the Taiyoukai’s family’s quarters—and the dojo, though it currently was in a demolished state of broken wood.

She still wasn’t talking to her husband for that. It was a fight between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru—nothing serious, nothing unusual—but the building collapsing was new; and it happened with Aoi in it.

The little hanyou boy with mismatched eyes was nearly thirteen. He had left behind his sweet exterior to become the bundle of hormones and attitude that all teenagers became—she just hoped it didn’t take him fifty plus years to get out of it, like Inuyasha.

Mamoru was nine now; their second son. Silver hair, gold eyes, and a natural curiosity and a lack of respect for authority (which Sesshomaru attributed to Kagome); he always seemed to be in trouble.

Neither boys had been introduced to the court yet; Kagome was putting it off as long as possible.

Hina entered the garden, her long trusted maid. Tomoe was in her arms. Kagome turned to smile at the inuyoukai and held out her hands for her youngest child and only daughter.

“She’s already a bit fussy,” Hina admitted.

“When isn’t she?” Kagome teased, taking the girl that was handed to her.

Unlike Aoi and Mamoru, Tomoe’s birth had been hard. They had lost the little girl twice within the first couple hours, only the Tenseiga had saved her. She never seemed to settle well.

“I swear, it feels like we’re never going to stop getting in all the supplies for her birthday. It’s like we’re feeding everyone in the country.”

“Might as well be,” Kagome responded. “The other Taiyoukai are each bringing their own large parties, plus both courts are attending with their families, and so on and so forth. And then let’s not forget all the human lords and courts that have been included this time.”

She sighed. As it were, just like any of their children’s birthdays, she would get to spend less than five minutes with them on her own before they left for the festivities. At least this time, Tomoe would be with her the whole time. Aoi and Mamoru were required to spend time with the men of the court.

“Is anyone else up yet?”

“Only Sesshomaru-dono, he returned to his chambers just before you woke.”

Kagome looked down at her daughter, letting her long, unbound hair fall to cover her face. Tears immediately laced her eyes and while she knew the maid could smell them, she was far too polite to mention it.

There was no denying where the inuyoukai had been. He had his own chambers, for when he and Kagome were at odds, but in the past month he spent very little of his nights there. Even most nights they were getting along.

Kagome sighed again and turned from the maid and house. She walked out towards the bamboo fencing and tried to listen to everything around her. The birds were singing brightly and a light rustling could be heard from time to time.

“Kagome-sama?” Hina called after the woman had been standing staring at nothing for a while. “You should come in for breakfast, you’re not even properly dressed and I’m sure the boys will inquire of you soon.”

The miko shook herself out of her daze. “No, I think I’ll change my plans for the day. Could you take Tomoe?”

The maid did as she was asked and took the little girl carefully. She immediately began to fuss again.

“I will see the boys before I leave,” she informed Hina. “But if my lovely husband inquires of where I am, and I’m sure he won’t, tell him that I’m out.”

“Are you going to see the monk and his family?”

Kagome smiled. She patted Hina on the cheek kindly, though she was certain the maid was older than her, and shook her head. “This will be my secret.”

“Sesshomaru-dono won’t like that.”

She shrugged and walked off. Somewhere, buried deep in her wardrobe, were some clothes she had brought back from her time. If she was careful, and quick, she make off before more people woke up.

***  

“Did you hear? Kagome-sama disappeared this morning?”

Five women were gathered around a small table having tea. The outside doors were open and the bamboo blinds, that shielded them from the outside world, swayed with the breeze.

“Disappeared?  Who told you that?”

“My maid. It turns out she left Tomoe-sama with her maid and told her that she was leaving, but not a clue as to where.”

“Is she coming back?”

“With any luck she won’t,” an older woman laughed. “Though, other rumours indicate that Sesshomaru-dono hasn’t been sleeping in his own bed as of recently.”

Four of the women turned to look at the newest of their group. A beautiful wolf youkai sat, looking disinterested, and fanning herself lightly. She was the image of perfection; every hair of her elaborate up-do in place, her features striking and handsome, and her clothes fashionable and just on the proper side of scandalous.

Misaki had joined the Western court just a month ago and immediately seemed to fall in favor of the Taiyoukai. She came with a letter from her cousin, Ichimaru—the Taiyoukai of the North. Rumours flew around the woman; no one knew why she left the Northern courts and many men of different stature pursued her.

But everyone was keenly aware of the attention she got from Sesshomaru.

“I do hope the little human is okay,” Misaki said in a mockingly sweet tone. “Her poor, sweet children; what kind of woman could just leave them?”

There was a mumbling agreement from the others.

“Your esteemed cousin comes next week,” another young woman began. “Are you excited to see your kin again?”

Misaki’s fan stopped and she brought it down, folding it and placing it on her lap. “Greatly, I hope this little party is a fruitful occasion for all. After all, we’ve all heard rumours of the man who pursues the hand of Sesshomaru’s old ward. I look forward to seeing many a blessed union happen from the celebration ahead.”

“I’m sure you do,” the older woman said again, behind her tea.

***

The jog had done Kagome well. She was grateful for the tracksuit her mother had given her, even more happy that it still fit. Three children hadn’t been the nice on her body, and while she was still thin by most people’s standards, she wasn’t too keen on what she’d become.

“Kagome-sama?”

The woman stopped in her exercise to smile at the large, bear youkai who had just stepped on the path. He was wearing only hakama, his body covered in sweat and sawdust. Kin bowed to the woman, matching her smile with his. “What do we owe this pleasure?”

“Just needed a little break from courtly life, that’s all.”

Kin laughed. He and Haru had tried, for about a year, to live in the palace. But Kin found he didn’t like the people or the lack of freedom. “Did you mean to come this way then?”

“Not really, but it’s nice to see a friendly face.”

The two shared another laugh with each other. Kin apologized for his state of dress, but knew she wouldn’t be upset, like some. He had become a lot less shy around her.

“Is Haru back?”

“He is. Did you get the letters from Shippo-san and your mother?”

 Kagome nodded. “I really appreciate him going through from time to time. I’m afraid I’m too visible to make the trip often.”

“He enjoys it; your mother really is a wonderful woman, like yourself.”

She blushed and thanked him. Kin motioned for her to follow him. He still needed to clean up his workshop. They walked a few yards on a dirt path until they came across a little, wooden house. Sawdust, wood, and tools littered the area.

There was a large door half propped on a worktable. Kagome went up to it quickly and began admiring the artisan’s work. “Who is this for?”

She reached out and traced the carvings. It was a vision of the ocean; the waves foaming over a few, small fishing boats.

“No one; it just came to me.”

“You have such magnificent skills; you do the wood honor.”

Kin stopped in lifting some of his tools into the hut. “I don’t think I’ve ever been given such a wonderful compliment.”

Kagome looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. Kin returned it and quickly finished putting everything up. They were off the way they came, turning right when they came back the path Kagome had originally been jogging.

It didn’t take long before another little house appeared. There was livestock in a small, fenced in yard and a little boy running around—trying to catch a chicken. He stopped when he saw the two coming.

“Obasama!” the little boy shouted.

Kagome picked up her pace and ran the rest of the distance to envelope the boy with a hug. “Daichi-kun, how are you?”

He gave a smile, showing off his newly missing tooth. “I’m very well, thank you.”

“What manners! You could teach my boys a thing or two.”

Daichi was seven. Kin had found him in the forest while hunting for specific wood to use in a commission. His parents had been killed in an attack by marauders but had given him instructions to hide in the forest. He had stayed there for days and was nearly lost, the poor human child, but Kin and Haru had mercy on him and adopted him as their own.

“Are you staying for lunch?” he asked.

“I don’t know, are you cooking?”

He laughed. “No, Otousan is. He’s gotten really good.”

“Haru cooking, that sounds scary.”

“He really has gotten better. Thanks to your mother, I would say. He comes back with little pieces of paper with recipes written on them,” Kin added.

The large youkai went to the door and opened it. He shouted for the man inside. Kagome and Daichi followed him. Haru walked out of a half-enclosed room. He beamed when he saw the miko.

“Kagome!”

She met him and they both gave each other a hug. Pulling away, they exchanged a look. Haru squeezed her shoulder. “You’re just in time for lunch; what good timing.”

“So I hear; I also hear you’ve been taking lessons from one of the best cooks I know.”

The two shared a laugh and the four walked into the little kitchen that Haru had just left. A pot was simmering over an open fire. Dried herbs were hanging up everything, giving the room a fragrant smell. Kagome smiled and leaned against the inuyoukai next to her.

Daichi ran to get another bowl for Kagome. She noticed that, while there were no modern amenities, the house itself felt modern. It was more than just a regular hut, like the people in Kaede’s village had and the layout seemed oddly familiar. Cabinets like the one in her mother’s house, closets and full rooms. Haru still dressed in his favorite Western attire, so somehow it was fitting that his house took the fashion of another culture—even it was just the future one.

“Here you go,” Kin said, handing her a bowl and spoon—both elegantly crafted out of bamboo.

“Thank you. It smells wonderful.”

Haru thanked her and pointed that towards an opened door. “We like to take our meals outside, when the weather is nice. There is a table out there, if you and Daichi would like to head out. We’ll be out in a second with tea.”

Kagome nodded, resisting the urge to point out how domestic the man had become. Inuyasha had pointed out, in the months previous, how much the man had become Kin’s wife.

That had led to a nasty fight. But, everyone could see how happy the previous playboy was.

Tears came to her eyes again and Kagome began coughing to cover the reason. Daichi reached over and patted her back like his dads did for him. She let the fit come to a close and thanked the boy.

From the look on Haru’s face, she hadn’t fooled him.

***

Kagome offered to wash dishes. Kin had looked horrified, but after continued pestering from the woman, he had let in. Haru joined her and Daichi left to help the larger man in his workshop.

They worked in silence until most of the dishes were done. Haru was glaring at her throughout, though Kagome did her best to avoid eye contact.

“So, how are my brothers?”

Kagome shrugged. “Okay, Kaede-san came down with a cold and, at her age, Kikyo didn’t want to take any chances. She, Cho, and Inuyasha went to the old village to see if they could nurse her back to health.”

“I hope she gets better,” Haru commented, sincerely. “And my other brother?”

“The usual.”

“Asshole?”

“Definitely.”

The two shared a laugh with each other and Kagome began to relax. “Are you still listening in to the rumour-mills?”

“A little, but most of my time is occupied elsewhere.”

Kagome bumped her hip against him and he chuckled and returned the act of affection.

“Well, in case you didn’t hear, we’ve had a new addition to the courts. A wolf youkai from Ichimaru-dono’s family who, for some unknown reason, left his court for ours—on request of Ichimaru-dono, of course.”

“Of course.”

People couldn’t just come and go in the courts as they liked.

“Her name is Misaki—and, well she is beautiful by anyone’s standard. And, she puts you and your father to shame in the art of flirting. It’s kind of fun to see all the men around her kind of melt into piles of goo when she turns her attention on them.”

Kagome paused and Haru filled in the blanks.

“Except when it’s your husband, I’m sure.”

She nodded.

“That doesn’t sound like Sesshomaru-nii though. He was never one to be pulled in so easily.”

Kagome snorted. “Maybe he’s going soft in his old age?”

Again the two shared a laugh with each other. Haru reached up and put the last of the bowls away and motioned for her to follow him. They walked through the kitchen, back towards where Kagome had entered and into another room.

Paintings decorated the walls and several easels held unfinished pieces. Haru’s talents were just as amazing as Kin’s. She walked over to a painting of the little three-some family. Kin and Daichi were already finished, but Haru was only a charcoal sketch.

“These are amazing,” she breathed in awe.

“Thank you,” Haru replied softly. “I have a couple for you.”

He walked to a corner where two thick, cream sheets were covering various paintings. He grabbed the two from the back and brought them to an unoccupied easel. He put the largest up first and slowly took off the sheet.

It was her family – her whole family. Kagome couldn’t say how Haru had fit everyone on the canvas, but everyone was there. Kin, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Haru stood in the background. Miroku, Sango, Kagome, her mother, Kikyo, Kaede, Souta and Shippo stood before them, and at the bottom level were all the children, Cho and Jaken.

“How did you manage this?”

“It was difficult to fit everyone in, I’ll be honest. Harder to try to capture everyone’s personality on top of the spacial issues.”

“You did a magnificent job.”

Haru thanked her and brought the picture down and recovered it. He hesitated a bit before putting the smaller picture in its place and uncovering it.

A sad smile flickered on Kagome’s face as she saw the portrait. It was of her and Sesshomaru. They were sitting in a meadow, Kagome next to the Taiyoukai, and both staring at each other. Kagome looked closely at herself. “Did you paint me pregnant?”

Haru snorted. “Well, you were when this happened.”

“Yeah, but it’s a painting, not a photo, you could have painted me thinner.”

Kagome threw up her arms in exasperation, Haru was laughing at her side. He threw an arm around her and drew her into a hug. “Your strength continues to inspire me.”

She pushed him away and gave him a doubtful look. Turning around the room, she walked to each painting and gave it a proper look. “Are you coming to Tomoe’s birthday party?”

“Of course, we wouldn’t miss it. Though, Kin was hoping that you might have something planned that wasn’t in the main events.”

Kagome sighed. “I can see – it wouldn’t be everyone though. Sesshomaru-dono, the boys, and Inuyasha are required to attend all the main events,” she paused. “Actually, it would probably just be me.”

Her shoulders sank. “How is that I can be surrounded by people all the time and still feel so lonely.”

“Welcome to courtly life,” Haru replied. “It sucks. Do you not get to see Miroku or Sango anymore?”

“Not as much. I’m sure twins are difficult to handle as it is, but Miroku’s twins always seem to be getting in trouble – and their daughter just learned how to walk, so keeping up with her is challenging too. Sango writes though, which makes me happy, even if we can’t see each other all the time.

“Funny enough, Shinobu-san, and my maid, are two of my most frequent companions. He’s such a sweet man.”

“My father?”

“Yup, I don’t know where you came from,” she teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Three stars to the right and miles into the heavens,” he teased back.

“Kagome-sama,” Daichi yelled from outside.

Haru and Kagome looked at each other oddly then went to the foyer to see what was going on. The little boy ran in, breathing hard, and informed her that she was being looked for.

Kagome’s brow knit and the three of them walked out.

“Ah, if it isn’t my most esteemed brother,” Haru grated as he entered the yard first.

Sesshomaru stood in front of them, two guards on either side, looking very angry. “If you wish to visit family, inform me so a proper escort can be arranged,” he barked at Kagome.

She jumped back and cowered, her eyes sinking to the ground. Sesshomaru’s posture relaxed and he quickly walked across to her. Enveloping her in a hug, that she didn’t return, he apologized for his tone. “I’m sorry, Kagome, I simply was worried. I hadn’t even realized you left until the rumours began flying and Jaken told me.”

Kagome froze for a second before she started pulling away from him. “I see, I apologize for causing unrest in your court. I will return presently and retire to my chambers for the day.”

Sesshomaru let her go but the look of confusion was clearly etched in his face. “What did I do wrong this time?” he grumbled.

Haru shook his head. “Would you like some tea, Sesshomaru-nii?”

“No, I was busy when I had to leave.”

“You should stay for dinner,” Daichi added, holding on to his father’s arm. “Otousan’s gotten really good at it. Just ask Kagome-sama.”

The Taiyoukai reached down and ruffled the little boy’s hair as he declined. “I was invited for a private dinner tonight that I cannot put off.”

“How private?” Haru asked bluntly; all humour was wiped from his face as he started angrily at his elder brother.

“Leave it,” Sesshomaru ordered under his breath.

He turned to return to the palace. The guards had left with Kagome who was just out of sight down the path.

“It’s not often, but there are times where you make me ashamed to be your brother,” Haru warned. “And right now is definitely one of them.”

“Now you know how I feel most of the time," he quipped back.

Haru huffed as the Taiyoukai sped off. He crossed his arms and looked down at his son. “Daichi, don’t grow up to be an asshole.”

“You’ve told me that before.”

“Well it goes double now.”