Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

My Woman	By : scattered-dimensions Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Kouga/Kagome Views: 16033 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. This is purely fiction. No profit involved.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Sesshomaru had entered the Eastern Lands at dawn and had kept a steady pace toward the ookami territory. The scent of his ignorant half-breed brother wafted to his nose. He knew the whelp was looking for the Miko, but did he know of her treachery? He could withstand a momentary diversion. He landed directly in the path of the travelers.
“I ain’t got time for this, Sesshomaru. Move your ass!” InuYasha barked.
“As eloquent as always, little brother. You are looking for the Miko.”
It was more a statement than a question. He watched the hanyou’s breath rush out in a heated puff of frustration.
“No shit and we know where she is too. Now move, asshole!”
They knew where she was and still wished to retrieve her? This was most interesting.
“Tell this Sesshomaru what you know half-breed.”
“I ain’t tellin’ you sh…”
The jingle of the houshi’s staff and a heavy thunk was heard. The houshi stepped forward and bowed respectively before the Lord of the West.
“Lord Sesshomaru, we have received word that Kagome is to be mated to Prince Kouga. InuYasha has been invited to her induction ceremony tonight by the Ookami Elder Yorozohu. We are on our way there.” Miroku answered on his friend’s behalf.
“This Sesshomaru was unaware of the Miko’s betrothal to the wolf Prince.”
“She ain’t betrothed to that mangy wolf. He left her ass six years ago, took back his claim on her and eveything. She probably got hurt or somethin’ knowin’ that wench and Kouga’s just taking advantage of her.” InuYasha piped up rubbing the knot on his head.
“I must agree with InuYasha to a point. I do not believe Prince Kouga would ever harm Lady Kagome, but I also cannot believe that she would agree to such a proposal.” Miroku stated thoughtfully. “Lord Sesshomaru, I hate to assume, but would the fact that you are traveling in the same direction as us mean that you have also received word of Lady Kagome’s mating?”
“This Sesshomaru has received no word of a mating, just a simple induction to the ookami pack.”
Miroku stroked his chin with a furrowed brow. InuYasha stayed quiet for once and just allowed the houshi to piece everything together.
“Mama wouldn’t leave everyone like that for a man. She’s got to be hurt or something. Kouga probably saved her like he used to when baka InuYasha couldn’t.” Shippo asserted from his perch on Kohaku’s shoulder.
“Come here ya runt!”
Shippo jumped off of Kohaku’s shoulder and ran in circles around the small group with InuYasha giving chase behind him, spewing a stream of curses. Miroku tipped his staff out and tripped the hanyou who went down face first into the snow. Shippo erupted into a round of gut splitting laughter, but stopped immediately when Sesshomaru looked at him.
“Young slayer, you have been silent. What are your thoughts on this matter?” Sesshomaru asked coolly.
“Well, I, uh, I don’t know Lady Kagome as well as everyone else, but she made a promise to Rin. She seems to think something bad happened to Lady Kagome and I can’t go against what my love believes. I don’t think Lady Kagome would go back on her word to Rin just to run away and get married.” Kohaku answered uneasily under the Taiyoukai’s piercing gaze.
“My thoughts exactly, Kohaku. Was the messenger a wolf named Hiroshi?” Miroku asked, his fingers still attached to his chin.
Sesshomaru nodded in reply. The houshi was coming to the same conclusion he had already made. He allowed the human to work out the details in his own mind. He had obtained more than he had expected from this rendezvous with his halfwit brother and his companions. Sesshomaru was not completely convinced of the Miko’s innocence; however, he was certain that there was treachery of some kind afoot. He summoned his light orb and took to the skies once more.
“Why does he always do that?” Shippo asked befuddled.
“It would seem Lord Sesshomaru knows that we all have been pulled into a nefarious plot involving Lady Kagome.” Miroku said to the small group.
“I knew it! That stupid mongrel can’t be trusted. I shoulda killed him when I had the chance!” InuYasha bellowed, shaking an angry clawed fist.
“You did not know it! You thought Mama was going to mate Kouga!” Shippo yelled, his tiny fists clenched at his side.
“I knew we were being tricked you fur ball!” InuYasha yelled back.
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
Shippo was shaking with anger and let loose a ball of foxfire, lighting up InuYasha’s red hakama and burning his bare feet. The hanyou yelped and bounced on one foot cradling the other in his hands.
“You did not!”
Shippo stomped off to stand beside Miroku, his arms crossed. InuYasha recovered and made his way over to the kitsune at Miroku’s feet, but before he could land the punch to Shippo’s head, Miroku stopped him with his staff, thrusting it against his chest.
“Now is not the time for petty squabbles. I do not think Kouga knows of the letters that were sent out and I, also, do not believe they were sent by the Ookami Council either.”
“There’s one thing that doesn’t make sense, Miroku. If Kagome is in danger than why were we and Sesshomaru-sama led right to her?” Kohaku asked quietly.
“Good question. I understand InuYasha’s involvement, but why involve Lord Sesshomaru? I fear that will only be answered when we arrive and question the culprit ourselves. It may be best to hurry before your brother finds him first, InuYasha.”
“Half-brother. What are you just standing around for, houshi? Let’s get a move on.”
InuYasha took off, following the direction of his half-brother’s orb. Miroku shook his head and motioned for the others to follow.

Sesshomaru’s superior hearing picked up the events of the proceedings in the Ookami Council’s judgment chambers before he landed outside the den. There were no guards stationed outside the Elders’ den. Wolves were such fools. He stood in the moonlight, flipping his stray silver locks behind his shoulder as he listened to an unknown voice address the wolf that delivered the message to his gates.
“I found Kagome tied to a tree and nearly dead. She did not have a fair chance against her enemies. They did not treat her honorably, just like they treat us in such a way, kidnapping and devouring our young, and attacking our hunting parties. It would take a demon some time to heal from the injuries she sustained. She is human and cannot heal the same as we can, but she overcame all that by sheer will alone. She could have given up and died, but she fought the darkness and returned to the land of light. This is another testament to her strength.”
Sesshomaru was aware of the renegade snakes attacking the wolves’ new faction. They were formidable opponents when properly organized. If the Miko had indeed come across these demons, no matter her training, she would not have stood a chance. She was only human. From the description the faceless ookami gave, Sesshomaru was surprised the little onna had survived at all. Other voices drifted out to him as he listened intently.
“Her strength you say? If her will is so strong, then why did she not return to her own village after she recovered? Does she not have duties to perform there? If she were so strong, then how is it she could turn her back on her own honor so easily?” The messenger said.
Now that was the question that plagued him, that had sent him into a fit of rage like no other. What reasons would a seemingly honorable lady, human or otherwise, so callously throw away her promises? Sesshomaru felt his molten anger rise, but quelled it, waiting with practiced patience for his query to be answered. The Miko’s very life depended on it.
“Kagome awoke during the attack from Ayame, who is being judged this day. When she awoke, she was unable to sit alone or even feed herself. Humans cannot remain immobile without sever detriment to their muscles. She was too weak and malnourished to leave. It has taken her this many weeks just to be able to get back to her normal self and even now she is still not as strong as she was before she sustained her injuries. It was necessary for her to stay here to recover and also to stay for the hearing of Ayame, by the command of the Elders. When the weather warms, I have agreed to take her back to her village. I feel it will take her that long to be able to withstand the trip without further harm to her. She has not turned her back on her own duties. She holds them above all else, but how can she be expected to perform what is required of her if she is unable to make the trip home? Would she be able to fulfill her duties dead on the road?”
Sesshomaru could hear no lie in the Prince’s voice. He had assumed the Miko callow and was wrong to do so. She had been attacked and gravely injured to the point of death, which was the only acceptable excuse for her unexplained absence. His original trust in the human woman was restored. The Killing Perfection he may be, but perfection did not warrant unjust murder. The Miko was innocent of wrong doing. However, there was one or many who would pay for this malfeasance against the Great and Terrible Lord of the West.
He pushed his aura out, the chamber doors were slung open under the power as he stepped into the arena. The Miko stood before him to the right. The ookami Prince and another were in front of her, crouched in a protective stance, two more wolves flanked her in the same defensive position. He ignored the others to his left for now and strode uncaringly to the Elders standing on the raised dais, and inclined his head in greeting.
“Lord Sesshomaru, it is an honor to receive your presence among our tribe. However, the Council is in session. If there is any business to be discussed it will have to wait until after this assembly has come to a close.”
“Elder Yorozohu, it is this Sesshomaru’s understanding that this meeting is to ascertain whether or not Miko Kagome will be accepted amongst the ookami pack. As her Alpha, this One’s presence is required.”
Sesshomaru kept his placid mask in place as he took his place beside the Miko. There was a loud rumble of disbelief filling the chamber, making his sensitive ears throb. He flared his aura, effectively silencing the offending spectators. He felt a tug on his sleeve and cast his eyes sideways at the Miko.
“Sesshomaru-sama, what are you doing here?” She asked quietly, knowing he could hear her.
The ookami Prince and the other wolf were staring at him, intently listening for his reply. So they did not know of the treachery. He turned his eyes to look upon the opposing wolves across the chamber. The one called Hiroshi stood in the forefront, his eyes darting about. Fear radiated off his person in waves. He was obviously too cowardly to hatch a scheme on his own. Where was the one who orchestrated the entire ploy and what was the reason? He smirked devilishly, never taking his cold, golden gaze off the nervous ookami, as he bent to the Miko’s ear speaking so the ones around him could be the only ones to hear his words.
“There is much to discuss, Miko. However, there are proceedings we must attend to first.”
He rose to his full height, the promising smirk falling away, but the threat still reflected in his eyes.
“This Sesshomaru believes it is your turn to speak, wolf. Make your useless point.”
Hiroshi cleared his throat and squared his shoulders attempting to stand tall, trying in vain to ignore the burning sensation of the Taiyoukai watching his every move.
“The human has not proven her intentions of completing her duties. If she were to become a part of this pack, who is to say that she will not turn her back on her brethren like she has her own kind? This is an esteemed position, one not taken lightly. Many of our own kind have not succeeded. This human wishes to find a place among us as a sister, but what are her true intentions?” Hiroshi continued as if there had been no interruption.
“This Sesshomaru will speak on the Miko’s behalf if permitted by the Council.”
“Your voice will be heard as the recognized Alpha of Miko Kagome.” Elder Tsunenaga answered the Taiyoukai.
“Miko Kagome has made a promise to my young ward and my half-breed brother, had she not been injured on your lands, she would have already fulfilled her obligations. As for her other duties, they are the same as any Miko, to eradicate evil and to help the downtrodden. They are not promises to any one individual. She acts according to her own beliefs when such opportunities present themselves. She is strange for a human, stranger still for a Miko. She willingly followed my half-brother in the quest to complete the Sacred Jewel and fought by this Sesshomaru’s side during the battle against the vile hanyou, Naraku. She landed the killing blow and completed the Shikon no Tama, correcting her mistake. She has adopted an orphaned kit as her own son and has treated him no different than one born from her very flesh. She has stood bravely against this One when her life was in jeopardy. She is now this One’s pupil and has excelled in her training. These oddities may have given her the appearance of weakness, but she is anything but. She has proven her strength and worth to any who have come across her path.”
Sesshomaru spoke as if the very subject were nothing more than a change in the weather. The chamber was deathly silent, everyone glued in stupefied awe at the Lord of the Western Lands’ words of praise. He had openly acknowledged her as pack, had stood within close proximity of her, and had defended her honor verbally. It was known to all his opinion of humans. He thought them dumb and, to put it lightly, a waste of space, but this one he spoke of as if her mortality meant nothing to him. All of this was not lost on Kagome either. She stood their gaping, her jaw slack and hanging in a most unlady like fashion.
“Attempting to catch flies, little one?” Saburo whispered, amusement written across his handsome features.
Her mouth snapped shut audibly and she averted her eyes from the side of Sesshomaru’s face. Saburo chuckled lightly at her, but was silenced immediately when Kouga stepped forward.
“Lord Sesshomaru is right. She has proven her worth many times over in my eyes and the eyes of my original pack.”
There was a conglomerate of agreeing heads bobbing up and down along the wall behind them.
“She has proven her worth in the eyes of the Taiyoukai of the West, who has surpassed his Great and Terrible father in power, one who out shadows us all. What further proof do you need brothers and sisters?”
Kouga’s words broke the spell cast upon the room. The voices were hushed compared to their previous outbursts. There was much debate going on between the once united crowd, the seeds of dissention spread by Hiroshi, were slowly dying in the minds of the pack.
“What will her place be here among us, Prince Kouga? Will she be a healer, a protector, or your mate?” Hiroshi asked, a sly smile appearing as the conversations stopped abruptly at the mention of mate.
“It is no secret that it was your personal chambers she was brought to instead of the female’s den when she arrived injured, nor is it a secret that you told your Beta that you will not abandon your mate…again.”
Hiroshi’s smile widened when Kagome’s head snapped to look at Kouga. The silence in the room spurred him on, knowing he had everyone’s undivided attention.
“It was the claim over this human that spawned Ayame’s attack. Her attention was not focused on our Alpha, but on the Miko standing behind him. Ayame’s only goal was to protect our way of life, our very bloodline. It is a claim that cannot be denied. Prince Kouga has even marked the human in his scent.”
The crowd murmured and Kagome gasped, clearly surprised.
“Tell me Miko, did you know of his intentions?” Hiroshi asked, focusing his attention on her.
“No, I thought…He never told me that he had placed another claim on me.” She stammered out, still looking at Kouga who was shaking with fury.
“Did you hear that, brothers and sisters, another claim! So this was not the first? Do you think the rest of us ignorant enough to except a human as Alpha female like your original pack mates?”
“That’s enough, Hiroshi! This is about Kagome’s worthiness to be recognized as pack, as she once was considered, not about who our Alpha chooses as his mate!” Saburo yelled, taking a threatening step forward.
Kouga’s original pack erupted in protest about being called ignorant. They waved their hands and yelled in an incoherent buzz of melded voices, one undistinguishable from another. Hiroshi’s smile was shimmering, fangs blazing.
“Indeed it is about her worthiness, but our great leader’s personal gain has much relevance in the matter. Was she originally considered pack, Prince Kouga, because of her ability to see the Jewel shards or was it because she saved the pack mates you could not?”
“My claim on Kagome originally was because of those things and because she showed no fear before a group of man eating wolves. I believed her strength of character and will to be an asset to our race and I still hold true to those beliefs, though my reasons have changed.” Kouga bit out between clenched teeth, the crowd behind him quieting to discontent grumbles.
“You believe a common human to be worthy enough to bear your cubs, to provide your heir and mingle them with the generation that will lead our race into the future? When has any half-breed been a blessing? You are a Prince and you would be willing to dilute the great blood that flows in your veins? You bring shame upon us all.”
“I have never accepted Kouga’s claim, not then and not now. His reasons for his claims bear no weight on my desire to be a part of this pack. He is my friend, something I am very proud of. He has protected me, defended my honor against you and many others and he has saved my life multiple times. I agreed to fight for the right to be a part of this pack, not because I am willing to become Kouga’s mate, or to besmirch the ookami way of life with my humanity. It’s because I have found friends among you all that I care for dearly. Saburo, Ginta, Hakkaku, Natsuki, and Kouga, just to name the few who stand with me today. I am honored to have so many others stand in my defense as well. I have nothing to hide, no ulterior motives and, as far as I am concerned, Kouga has done nothing but act with honor befitting a true Prince.” Kagome retorted, her voice rising in volume over the murmurs of the crowd.
“A human Miko professing to understand the honor and traditions of demons? The madness. You are covered in his scent. The act, whatever it may have been, is the very definition of the defilement of our time honored traditions that you claim Prince Kouga has upheld. Yet you claim to not reciprocate his wishes to become his mate. Are your morals that loose, woman?”
Kouga’s snarl silenced everyone in the room. His clenched fists dripped blood from his claws biting into his curled palms. His last shred of control disintegrated. He rushed forward intent on ripping a hole in the wolf who dared sully his woman’s reputation. He reared his fist back, preparing to strike the cowering Hiroshi when a streak of red barreled into him and sent him flying into the stone dais.
“What the fuck have you done to her ya fuckin’ flea bag?!” InuYasha yelled as he unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
Kouga stood and shook of the stone chips in a very canine manner. He rolled his head to each side, popping the vertebrae back into place and the flexing his clawed hands, cracking them threateningly.
“What are you doing here you worthless mutt? This doesn’t concern you.” He asked in a forced calm, trying desperately to regain control of his good senses for Kagome’s sake.
“Like hell it doesn’t. You even got my asshole brother here. What’s this shit I hear about you’ve marked Kagome with your scent? There’s no way she’d lower herself to rut with the likes of you!”
InuYasha raised Tetsusaiga and swung it at the ookami Prince. The blade collided with Bakusaiga, sparks of energy battling against one another.
“You truly are a fool, little brother.” Sesshomaru’s cool voice stated without any emotional inflection.
Kagome moved to break up the fight, but was stopped by Saburo, who shook his head in the negative and kept his hand firmly in place on her shoulder. InuYasha pushed off his brother’s fang and landed a few feet away. He rushed Sesshomaru, who waited poised and patient on the predictable attack. Their blades collided once again, but Sesshomaru twisted and landed a masterful punch across the hanyou’s cheek, breaking his nose and sending him flying. Kagome shrugged Saburo’s hand off and took off in a full run.
“InuYasha!” She screamed as she ran to her friend’s slumped, unconscious form.
She fell to her knees at his side and turned his head to survey the damage.
“Do you see the trouble she has brought upon us, in the very heart of our Elders’ domain no less? Is this the type of being you would want to call sister? Is she what this pack needs in its ranks? She has bewitched the mind of our Alpha and, what’s worse, has abandoned his side for that of the very perpetrator that threatened the sanctity of this den and our leader’s life! She has proven her unworthiness. I leave the decision in the hands of the Elders.”
Hiroshi had the final say after the violent display. He feigned exasperation and sadness at the disrespectful events, but inside he was doing back flips in his mind. There were a few kinks in the plan, but it had transpired beautifully. He had effectively disgraced Kouga and the human has sealed her own fate by siding with the half-breed so publicly.
The silence was deafening, all eyes on the Elders who were deliberating amongst themselves in a small huddle on the dais. InuYasha was now standing, holding a rag to his bleeding nose. Kouga was back in his place beside Saburo and Sesshomaru appeared instantaneously beside Kagome. They all watched enraptured as the solemn faced Elders turned. Elder Yorozohu stepped forward, meeting Kagome’s apprehensive chocolate eyes.
“Our decision is made. Miko Kagome step forward.”
Kagome swallowed hard and did as she was told, the foreboding feeling rising, threatening to consume her with every step she took.
“The evidence presented and the actions of those present have been most compelling. We feel that the company you keep, Lord Sesshomaru excluded, is a threat to the overall safety of our pack. Hiroshi has posed many interesting questions. Questions that we feel have not been answered to our complete satisfaction. Do not misunderstand what I am saying, Miko, you have proven your honor beyond a shadow of a doubt, but we cannot allow the danger that surrounds you to become intermingled within our ranks. We are denying your membership into the Eastern Ookami Tribe.”
Kagome’s shoulders fell, her head dropped in defeat. The dam inside her was cracking, but she held back the flood. She would not show further weakness in front of those who had turned her away for her inadequacies.
“You’re reputation has been preserved among us and we will allow no other on our lands to sully it. However, we cannot allow you to remain within these borders. You must leave. Your companions are more than capable enough to see you safely to your village without Prince Kouga’s assistance. To make everything final and official, I Elder Yorozohu, Ookami Council Representative, speaking on behalf of the rest of the Council members do hereby decree that you, human Miko Kagome have no place among our race, nor our lands. You are to depart immediately. Due to this decree, Prince Kouga’s claim and any further claim on you will not be recognized by this Council. You are dismissed.”
He waived his hand in addition to his words. Kagome turned, her heart heavier than it had been in a very long time. As she passed the line of her ookami supporters, they bowed in reverence to her. She felt the pressure build behind her eyes with each lowered head she passed. Ginta and Hakkaku grabbed her in a double hug.
“You are still our sis, no matter what.” Ginta said sadly.
“Yeah, can’t nothing stop that.” Hakkaku said reciprocating his brother’s sorrow.
“Thanks guys. I’ll miss you both.” She said weakly, her voice not her own.
They squeezed her painfully in unison before letting her go. She came to Natsuki who embraced her tearfully.
“I just don’t have the words, ya know? I’m going to miss you, girl.”
Kagome was losing the control she had keeping her composure intact. She hugged the female with all her weak human strength before releasing her and moving on. Saburo held his arms out and she stepped into his comforting embrace. She felt the traitorous tears escape her eyes against her will.
“Do not forget what I said. I am proud of you, little one. We will see each other again, do not worry. Take care, sister.”
He placed a kiss on top of her trembling head and stepped away. It took Kagome a moment to compose herself enough to get her feet to obey. When she finally did she wished she hadn’t. Kouga was the last in line, watching her. His atmospheric eyes were filled with pain and remorse. Her bottom lip trembled and she flung herself into his arms, rocking him almost off his feet, and sobbed unabashedly into his armor clad chest. His strong arms encircled her in their safety and warmth. Her sobs increased into tiny wails of unrestrained agony. She couldn’t stop even if she wanted to.
Kouga had been in a daze since Elder Yorozohu had handed down the Council’s decision. He refused to believe what they had said. How could they see Kagome as a threat? How could they deny him the right to call her family, to one day call her mate? Then he saw her dejected, tiny form say her goodbyes to his friends and he felt something inside crumble into dust. The next thing he registered was Kagome in his arms, gripping him with astonishing strength, like he was her life line, crying convulsively. It felt like déjà vu. He tugged her closer to himself and buried his face in her twisted, ebony hair. His own tears fell as he hid his face from view. He wanted to comfort her, wanted to take away the pain and dry her tears. He wanted to see her happy, to smile again, but he couldn’t make his mouth move; he couldn’t will his arms to release her long enough to wipe away her tears. This was not how it was supposed to be. He held her until her sobs turned into hiccups before he let her go. He found the strength to dry her damp cheeks with his fingers, but not the composure to speak. Her held her delicate face between his palms and placed a kiss to her forehead. Her dainty hands gripped his wrists as he allowed his lips to linger on her soft skin. He inhaled deeply, filling his senses with her scent.
“I love you, Kagome.” He whispered as he pulled her forehead to meet his.
Her plump lower lip began to tremble again, signaling another wave of anguish. He couldn’t curb his craving to taste her lips one last time. He would take the punishment later. He tilted her swollen face and enveloped her lips with his, her taste bitter with the salt of her tears. She returned his motions with her own, new moisture trails sliding down her flushed cheeks. She broke the kiss and backed away. With one last look into his eyes, she turned and followed the Inu brothers out the judgment chamber doors. Kouga’s soul died in that moment.
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My Woman