Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Unexpected Endeavors	By : Scottishfae Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 70550 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Unexpected Endeavors
scottishfae

Arc 1: The Deal
Chapter 9: Day 8

Long before officially entering his estate grounds, Sesshomaru could hear the commotion within the palace walls. Scouts had obviously spotted him and spread the word of his return. Not as if he was hard to miss; he walked in the open, his white garments a striking polar to the late summer flora.

As the gates parted, he could see part of the court lining the path towards the main building; the more important members were standing on the other side of the courtyard on the raised, wooden landing. His mother, Amaya, stood in the middle. She looked pristine.

She wore an elegant, white kosode; red stitched maples dance around her shoulders and lower hem. The heat of the day allowed all the courtly women to wear their brightly coloured uchikake as koshimaka; the usual draped kosode tied around their waist adding unneeded girth to the delicate and deadly women.

However, despite her elegance, Sesshomaru didn’t miss the dangerous glint in her eye, even from the distance, and he knew exactly the cause of it. If Cho had heard the rumors, his mother would have heard too.

He made a quick assessment of the people in the courtyard and found his brother missing. “Jaken, send a scout to Inuyasha’s forest. Tell them to retrieve Haru and inform Inuyasha that he is hanging around.”

The retainer nodded and parted on a path to the right. A soldier there received the order.

As the Taiyoukai continued his walk into his palace, the people around him began to bow. He ignored them. He didn’t acknowledge anyone until he was walking up the stairs to the main building. He greeted his mother offhandedly.

“I was wondering when I would get the pleasure to see my esteemed son once more,” Amaya began. “You travel so much, we miss you here.”

She smiled and looked all the part of the doting mother. “And, I see you have brought little Rin-chan with you again.”

She gestured to one of her chamber maids, who rushed forward to take the small, human girl to her private gardens. Jaken, who had quickly finished his task, ran after them. Ah-Un had been led to a stable area upon entrance.

“We have much to catch up on,” Amaya spoke.

She gestured with her hand for Sesshomaru to lead the way. He did so, ignoring the incessant prattling of the court members as he walked through them.

His personal quarters were in the back of the palace. Not even his mother was allowed access to certain chambers, but there was one room that he would allow her in; a sitting room of sorts. He made for it. They walked in silence until they entered. Two servants waited inside, and Sesshomaru instructed them to bring tea.

He took a seat on the far side of a low table. Important documents had already been stacked there by his advisers (handpicked members of the court). Amaya sat down on the opposite side. Her face melted into anger immediately as the door closed. “I have been hearing horrible rumors, Sesshomaru-dono. They have already spread throughout the lower courts, and the higher courts are hearing about it now. The other Taiyoukai have contacted me; you need to correct it immediately!”

“And what fallacy would you like me to correct, Hahaoya?”

Sesshomaru began sorting through scrolls, scanning each quickly, then placing them (right to left) in order of importance.

“The one that says you have taken a human as a mate.”

There was obvious disgust in her voice; her own memories of her late mate’s actions filtering through her mind.

“I have no intention of taking a human as my mate.”

Amaya relaxed; she even smiled. “That’s good. Now, you should address the court immediately and dispel this rumor right now. Perhaps put a threat out there that spreading rumors that sully your name will not be tolerated. Definitely find the person who started this mess and rid this realm of his existence. It may be a youkai trying to besmirch your good name, or a human trying to elevate their position.”

The doors opened and the servants, sitting in the hallway, bowed lowly. They entered on their knees first, bowed again before standing to carry the trays of tea over to the table their master was sitting at. Once the tray was delivered, they left in the same manner.

Amaya picked up the kettle and poured the tea; first for Sesshomaru, then for herself. She waited for her son to pick up his cup before she did. He, instead, put down his last scroll and looked at her. “Let me clear this up now. I have no intention of taking a mate at all; at least not at this time. However, I have decided that is time for me to produce an heir.”

The woman nodded. “I can find a worthy female for such a reason, but may I strongly recommend making an agreement with one of the other Taiyoukai and taking a mate. It will serve the purpose of a son, and make you stronger through alliances.”

Wanting to roll his eyes, Sesshomaru picked up his cup and drank the contents. His mother continued to prattle on. He waited for her to finish. “I have already picked out a suitable woman, and preparations are currently underway for conception.”

“Prepare how?”

Sesshomaru held up his hand for her to wait. A servant opened the door and entered respectfully. He had a scroll to his right. The Taiyoukai beckoned him to enter. The servant walked over and handed the scroll over with a bow then exited.

Sesshomaru broke the seal, familiar with the Tanuki merchant’s emblem. He had put the youkai in charge of restoring the Momoiro estate. The correspondence inside detailed the work that had been done, the work remaining, and problems that had arisen. Seeing nothing unsettling, Sesshomaru rolled the scroll back up and placed it on the floor. It would be filed away later.

“What are you having built?” his mother asked.

Her sharp eyes had easily distinguished the seal too.

“Not built; re-built. The Momoiro estate has fallen into disarray. I’m having it restored.”

Amaya’s whole frame went rigid, her eyes narrowed, and a sharp growl came from deep in her throat. “What need do you have for that estate? You said you were not mating a human.”

“I said I am not taking a human as my mate, and I am not. I went through a detailed examination of all possible women who make acceptable mothers and have characteristics within themselves that would be favorable for a son. And, after exhausting my choices, I decided upon the miko Higurashi Kagome.”

Amaya exploded. She leaned forward and slammed her hands down on the table. Sesshomaru looked unfazed at his mother’s outburst.

“How could you even think of taking a human? A miko, at that? You want to produce a half-breed heir? The House of Inu will be the laughing stock of the court! It’s unheard of and it’s disgraceful. And, frankly, I will not allow it!”

“What you will and will not allow is not of my concern. You’re forgetting your place, Hahaoya. As my mother, and the first wife of a former Taiyoukai, you are worthy of respect and honor, but that is where it ends. You have no rights to even presume to order me. And, to make you aware, Higurashi-san--and her companions and village--have been put under my personal protection. Any threat to their safety is a threat to me, and I will deal with it unmercifully. Do you understand?”

Amaya sat back, looking sour, but nodded. Then, it hit her: Companions? “I knew I knew that name. This human is the indecent miko who traipsed around the lands with Inuyasha.”

She spat out the hanyou’s name with more venom than any snake could produce. “How disgusting, choosing such a...harlot to carry the future heir.”

Sesshomaru looked at his mother warningly. “You do not know Higurashi-san, so I will forgive such insults just this once, but I will not hear them again.”

“You will hear them a lot, even if not from me. You’ll hear about the disgrace our land will become, and watch as the other Taiyoukai pull their support. You will lose your own power without them.”

“I do not need them to prove my strength,” he interjected.

“You are too proud, like your father was.”

Sesshomaru looked down and reflected upon his past; of the treatment for Izyaoi because his father feared breaking connections with the other Taiyoukai. “He was not proud enough,” he answered quietly.

Amaya opened her mouth to say more but shut it immediately. A brilliant smile lit her face and she turned her upper-body to face the door. Sesshomaru knew immediately what this particular facade meant.

Haru had returned.

Seconds later another silver-haired inuyoukai entered the room without any decorum. He was all smiles as his mother rushed to him.

Haru’s hair was typical for those related to the House of Inu, but only children of the main family had the hereditary and unusual golden eyes. Haru’s were blue, indicating he was from one of the branch families. He was, however, treated at a much elevated level than any other of branch member due to his mother’s status.

Haru’s reality was that he was treated as a main branch member, but was given no true responsibilities of one. Until Sesshomaru became annoyed and sent him on an expedition west, across the sea. Haru served as an unwilling ambassador first to China, then to India--his expedition continued further and further west until Haru became bored with it all and returned home.

However, liking the attention being different gained him, he adopted the attire of the countries he passed through. His favorite was the style he was wearing currently: a silk, button up shirt that matched his eyes; the sleeves were long but cinched at his wrists; leather trousers that hugged his body, as leather often did; and brown boots, worn over the pants, that came to his knees--which he had the bad habit of wearing regardless of etiquette.

“Your shoes are scuffing my floors,” Sesshomaru pointed out.

“I truly apologize, Aniki,” he replied, obviously not caring either way. “But I just had to rush over and see you. I just came from Inuyasha’s forest.”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes; a low growl erupting from his throat. His mother gulped and looked down. Servants in the hall scurried out of the way. Their master was angry.

“Quiet a catch,” Haru whistled undeterred by Sesshomaru’s warnings. “I couldn’t figure out who could possibly tame you but she is quite a looker.”

“Haru-chan,” Amaya chided. “Leave your brother alone.”

“But aren’t you curious, Hahaoya? About the woman who is going to bear your grandson? Though, I’m surprised; you just allowed her to go through a ceremony to seal her powers away, and yet--you’re here.”

“I will be joining her shortly.”

“Yeah, well, in the meantime there are six males around her constantly, three of which are youkai, one hanyou, and one a complete lech,” he leaned in to stage whisper scandalously. “He was watching the two women bathe!”

All of the sudden, a strong, controlled blast of youki was unleashed from the room; destroying the walls. Sesshomaru’s eyes were pulsing red. “And how,” he began, his voice feral. “Do you know of that?”

Haru’s smile had faded, but still showed no fear of his brother. He lived to goad his perfect brother. “Well, of course I watched as well.”

There was a rush of wind as Sesshomaru shot forward, grabbed Haru by the neck, and then continued to dash until they hit a wall—two rooms over. It cracked and began to fall from the impact.

Haru coughed, but didn’t wince. If he had been a hanyou, he would have some bruises for a few hours; if he had been a human, he would be dead.

“You stay away from her,” Sesshomaru growled. “Or I will have your throat.”

He bore his teeth to push home his threat. Haru nodded, though he had no intention of doing so. Anyone who could get his brother so riled up was worth further investigating.

Some other...contacts had also expressed interest in the young miko.

“Would you two stop?” Amaya scolded. “You’re really going to allow a human to weaken you like this? You’re fighting with your own brother.”

Sesshomaru let Haru go by tossing him to his side. He took out two rice paper dividers in the process. “Haru is just as much my brother as Inuyasha,” he pointed out.

He knew that wasn’t relevant, but felt it needed to be said. What no one had spoken, but was at the forefront of everyone’s mind, was that even with his authority, Sesshomaru’s child could be rejected by the family as the heir.

But, as Inutashio had taught his eldest son as his second was growing in his mother’s womb, the youkai world was one based off of strength and no one could overrule that. Power through alliances was one thing, but personal strength provided that no one could boss you around.

Though, it couldn’t stop, post mortem, your first mate throwing the second out--son and all.

Sesshomaru was determined to make sure no one ever questioned his son’s authority and rights, hanyou or not. And he would need Inuyasha’s assistance to do so.

Higurashi’s own power and skills were only part of the equation that led to his choice (though certainly the most important factor). Another part was in the company she kept. The people that would keep her safe.

Though, Sesshomaru didn’t like the knowledge that more youkai males had been added to her group. “I will leave tomorrow morning. I want this all rebuilt by the time I return.”

“And when will that be?” Amaya asked.

“I will return when I do.”

Haru laughed, several rooms over, not yet getting up from where he had been tossed.

“I will leave this task to you, Haru,” Sesshomaru spoke, not trusting the other inuyoukai to his word.

He hoped giving Haru a task would hold him here at the palace, instead of sticking his nose where it did not belong. But he doubted it. Haru had a plethora of lovers--male and female; youkai and human--and he could probably con them into overseeing the project.

Sesshomaru knew his brother was quite intelligent, and his cunning was on the same field as himself; however, Haru chose to waste his hours seeing on just who he could romance into his bed.

Sesshomaru stopped. He was making his way to his bed chambers, a few scrolls of importance in hand. Of anyone he knew, Haru was the most experienced in the realm of emotions.

^“Haru, join me. I have something I need you to advise me on.”
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Unexpected Endeavors