Rebuilding Dreams

Chapter Three – Meeting the Betrothed

Inuyasha growled at his brother. “You can not be serious! This well is supposed to take us to that wench’s house? Now I know this is some sort of a sick joke.”

Sesshoumaru sighed and before Inuyasha could say anything else he shoved the half-breed down the well. He quickly followed after him. They fell for what felt like an eternity, both intensely aware of the magic surrounding and engulfing their bodies. Then it just stopped, and they both found themselves to be standing upright at the bottom of the well. Only it was very different. Where had been clear open sky was now dark, and covered by a building. Sesshoumaru looked over at Inuyasha who looked quite startled and easily leapt out of the well, following by the still gawking half-breed.

The doors to the building slid open and an old priest stood before them, bowing deeply. “Good afternoon, my lords.” Inuyasha growled, but Sesshoumaru brought his fist down on the top of his head, bowing back slightly to the human. That alone nearly caused Inuyasha to pass out. The old man cleared his throat slightly. “If you will just follow me; I will take you into the house.”

Mrs. Higurashi was staring out of the window watching the three men apprehensively as Souta bounded up the stairs to tell his sister to hurry up. His small feet carried him quickly to the bathroom door; he pummeled it impatiently with his fist. There was a muffled sound on the other side of the door that might have been a response to his pounding. A second later the door opened. She had done a fairly decent job at covering her bruises, though unless she wanted to look like a slut there was no way to hide it all together.

Souta had chosen a black blouse with a lacy material gathered both at the neck and wrists. The pants were black jeans that were loose and rode almost dangerously low on her hips. Both items were far too big as of late. She had brushed her hair and let it hang loose about her shoulders. Her eyes were accentuated with a powder blue eye shadow, and her lips coated in a shimmering pale pink. She took a deepath ath then nodded and placed her hand in her little brother’s, allowing him to lead her down the stairs.

Kagome looked around somewhat shyly as Souta stepped in front of her and opened the doors to the din. Her mother and grandfather both sat there along with two men who she didn’t know, though one of them looked eerily familiar. She stepped further into the room at her mother’s bidding and bowed humbly before the two men. Her eyes widened as she realized the second had dog-ears on top of his head.

Upon first seeing her Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru both did a quick assessment. She had long hair that cascaded down her back to the base of her spine. Her face looked pale, though it was covered with copious amounts of make up. The outline of her black eye was still visible. Her clothes seemed to bag, the blouse looking close to falling off her shoulder. Inuyasha wondered if they were so poor they could not afford the proper sized clothing, seeming not to notice Kagome was the only one whose clothes did not fit properly. Her eyes while they looked curious; also looked dim, almost dull. He wondered if she were dim-witted.

“Kagome. This is Lord Sesshoumaru; he is the Lord of the Western lands.” The dog-eared one snorted. “And this is Inuyasha, his younger brother.”

“Half-brother.” They corrected in unison, causing them both to scowl at the other.

“Sesshoumaru…” Kagome repeated his name somewhat wonderingly, then walked over to the bookshelf and withdrew an old photo album, flipping through it almost absently.

Mrs. Higurashi frowned at her. “Kagome what on Earth has gotten in to you, child?” She didn’t answer. Finally, she found what she was looking for and withdrew a small photo from the album then took it over to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru stared as the girl knelt between them, holding the picture out for them both to see. It was an old picture. Sesshoumaru could barely remember it; but in it was a sight that made even him smile. Kagome’s father, Kaemon, and Sesshoumaru were standing side by side, and Sesshoumaru’s father stood behind them, his hands resting on their shoulders. Sesshoumaru was smirking, his father had his usual cold expression, Kaemon, however was positively beaming. In his arms he held a tiny bundle. The cover was just barely pulled back, revealing a small, somewhat scrunched face. He was holding Kagome.

Kagome now spoke for the first time, and to Inuyasha her voice sounded harsh and halting, as though she was unaccustomed to speaking. “Papa, he used to tell me stories all the time. About growing up with Sesshoumaru, and how Sesshoumaru’s little brother would try to follow everywhere they went.” Inuyasha growled at that.

“I most certainly did not. Why would I want to follow around someone that hated me?” He snarled

Kagome shrugged, bowing her head so that her curtain of hair hid her face. Sesshoumaru frowned at him. “You must forgive my brother. He can be somewhat petulant at times. A fact that you will have to get used to, I’m afraid.” She simply nodded without comment.

“Kagome, why don’t you go and get us all some nice lemonade and perhaps something to eat? I sat out a platter of sandwiches on the countertop.” Kagome nodded and rose to her feet, walking silently out of the room. There was a slight sway to her movements but Souta seemed to be the only one who noticed as he jumped up and hurried to help her.

Mrs. Higurashi knew her son well, and knew also that he would persuade his big sister to eat something herself before she brought the out out to the others. She turned her full attention to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. “What do you think? When can you take her away?”
Sesshoumaru seemed inclined to want to laugh at the look on Inuyasha’s facenuyanuyasha was frowning, his ears flicking in agitation. “Is the girl that bad that you want rid of her so desperately?”

Mrs. Higurashi and Grandpa both jumped to their feet, surprising Inuyasha who nearly fell over. “How dare you talk about our girl like that? You may be her betrothed but for Heaven’s sake don’t be so judgmental!”

Inuyasha blinked rapidly several times as Sesshoumaru politely smacked him upside the head. “I wasn’t being judgmental! I just don’t understand. It seems like you want rid of her.”

Mrs. Higurashi sighed and sank back down on her seat. “It’s not like that. We would love it if Kagome could stay. This is breaking our hearts, but we have to do it for Kagome’s own good. If we don’t then there is no way to keep her safe, and that’s all we want, is for her to be safe.” She paused, listening to make sure she could hear her children talking in the next room. “Certain events have been taking place, and the only way we could come up with to keep her safe was to initiate the betrothal. I’m sorry if it’s an inconvenience.”

Inuyasha looked ready to say something to that but a look from Sesshoumaru silenced him. “We assure you, it is no inconvenience. After all, this was set up between our father and your husband, Mrs. Higurashi. Inuyasha is glad to honor our father’s last wish. Though, I do feel the need to ask, what kind of danger is there that you would go to such extremes to protect her?” What could be so bad here that you have to send her back to Feudal Japan for her protection, he added in his mind.

At that moment though Kagome and Souta both reentered, carrying their trays of food and drink. Kagome quietly placed the platter of sandwiches on the coffee table, then stepped away. Souta however grabbed two and sat down next to his sister, glaring at her until she took one and began to nibble at it.

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. “Events have been taking place that worry us about Kagome’s well being.” Kagome choked, her eyes growing round as she turned her attention to her mother, almost unable to believe what she was saying. “Someone has been… hurting… her for some time now, and we’ve been unsure of what to do. But then the other day, I was going through Kaemon’s old files, and I found the betrothal agreement.” She turned her attention to Inuyasha, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “Please. Don’t make her stay here and be hurt anymore.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, looking at the hanyou with a half raised eyebrow. “Fine.” It sounded like the word was drug out of his mouth. Souta immediately burst into tears and wrapped his arms around Kagome’s neck. Kagome was in shock and couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

Sesshoumaru stood. He wasn’t entirely sure what was going on as far as Kagome’s endangerment went, but it felt wrong to allow the girl to stere ere now that it was agreed upon. “It’s settled then. You will come back with us, now. The sooner you are within our time realm, the sooner you will be away from the hurt this person is causing you. Inuyasha will guard you as a mate, and I will watch over you as I do my ward.”

Kagome looked around somewhat hopelessly as she stood. “Mama?” She was quickly embraced and hugged tightly. Souta didn’t seem to want to let go.

“Don’t worry, baby girl. Somehow we’ll figure out a way for you to come visit without being in danger, we promise.”

Inuyasha was still scowling, though his ears twitched as a door slammed outside. Kagome and her mother broke apart, both wide-eyed. “He’s early.” Mrs. Higurashi breathed. “Kagome, go to your room now and pack some clothes.”

“But – ”

“Now!” Kagome turned and hurried off up the stairs to her roSoutSouta on her heels to help her.

They could hear the drawers in her room opening and shutting as they hurriedly stuffed whatever was in reach into a suitcase. The front door opened. A man stood there, who looked vaguely familiar. His eyes were black, his skin a sallow white. Long strands of black hair were captured at the nape of his neck in a leather thong. He stared around at them all before thundering, “Just what the Hell is going on here?”

Sesshoumaru merely stared at him, as face as blank and devoid of emotion as ever. Inuyasha was hard pressed not to growl. Kagome’s mother stared at the man who had inserted himself into their lives. “We were meeting Kagome’s betrothed, Inuyasha, and his brother, Sesshoumaru. She will be returning with them to their home today.” Her voice was cool, except that anger laced each word.

The man stared. “Kagome’s what?” He roared. “Kagome is not betrothed to anyone, and she is not going anywhere.” He made to step forward to strike Mrs. Higurashi but found his wrist gripped easily in a clawed hand.

“I would not advise you to take such action. It would not be wise to strike the mother of my betrothed.” Inuyasha’s voice was low, growling. Just then Kagome and Souta reappeared in the doorway. The scent of her fear assaulted the demons’ noses. One hand was clutching the suitcase; the other had a death grip on her little brother’s hand as she stared up at the man in front of them.

She bowed again before entering the room, standing between her mother and Inuyasha. They could see that she was visibly shaking as this man turned his attention on her. Inuyasha released the man’s wrist in disgust and stepped back to Kagome’s side while Sesshoumaru took the other. Mrs. Higurashi and Souta followed them outside to the well while Grandpa kept Yukio occupied. Souta gave Kagome one final hug, trying hard not to let the tears escape his eyes. Mrs. Higurashi then hugged her daughter as well and whispered in her ear, “We’ll be safe,” and with that the two demons’ and Kagome disappeared down the well.