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What Was Expected	By : emmaren Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 9828 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 8
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- 10
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND CO, NOR DO I MAKE MONEY FROM THIS.

Thank you to Possessed for beta-ing, all remaining errors are mine alone.

Chapter 9: The Names We Call Ourselves

Kagome stared blankly at the suitcases that had been delivered that morning before she woke. Really, this was a bad dream. In fact, the whole past week had to be a dream or nightmare. There was no way that she was now forced into an engagement that she wanted no part of and that her family had agreed to allow her to live with the groom�s �aunt.� It just was not happening.

What was she supposed to do? Stay here and learn the societal rules from his �aunt,� and while on that subject which society were they talking about? Upper class or youkai? Not to mention she had no idea what she was going to do about school because apparently her schedule was now booked solid. Oh, and then there were her responsibilities at the shrine. Wasn�t money supposed to make everything easier? Apparently, that was the myth, not the existence of youkai.

�Denying reality will not change it into what you want it to be.�

Kagome�s head snapped to the imposing figure of her future husband. Wait, when did she accept that? The meaning of his words seeped through the maelstrom that was her thoughts.

Laughing bitterly, �It is good to speak on things that you know of from firsthand experience,� Kagome bit out.

Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw and fists in an effort not to physically strike out at the sullen female. His research had shown her to be a very intelligent woman, but his current experience was contradicting all the accolades she had been awarded.

�While this Sesshoumaru appreciates your grasp of the irony in his words, our relationship might be better served if you would desist acting like a petulant child.� He enjoyed the twist of anger that pinched her facial expression.

It was an interesting conundrum that Kagome now found herself in. To be insulted and complimented within the same statement did not often occur, and if she had not been so over-taxed by the other thoughts in her head she might have reacted better. However, the �petulant child� responded in a typical fashion by sticking her tongue out.

A single elegant brow raised on the male. �An interesting offer,� he allowed his voice to become deeper with a husky seductive quality. �One that this Sesshoumaru finds himself increasingly interested in accepting.�

He smirked down at the heart-shaped face that was reddening by the moment. The indignation added to the appeal of the moment. Sesshoumaru found it hard not to press the indignant woman by illustrating to her just how easily her body could be manipulated to betray her.

Being honest with himself, Sesshoumaru admitted that he enjoyed physical contact with the miko. The night before he had found that he was coming up with reasons to keep her cradled to his body. Her scent pleased him greatly and the calm that came over her face in slumber was nothing short of soothing.

There was no good that would come of venturing further down that road, so he decided that it was time to redirect her attention. �After you are done preparing for the day, we will be going to your family shrine. There are many things that need to be discussed.�

Kagome�s embarrassed flush quickly changed to an angry one. �I have nothing to discuss with them. They have made it very clear that I am not a daughter but some trinket to be sold.�

While the inu-youkai was not entirely shocked at her reaction, it was unnerving to see her so easily cast aside her family. If her being was truly this fickle then he wanted to know the extent of it now. �So this is the gratitude you offer to the ones that have raised you?�

�There is no gratitude in this. I have done everything that they wished from me, and yet they allow some rich family to buy me for the price of new roof. I never knew that I meant so little. I do not wish to talk to the people who equate my worth to that of a whore.� She had not made eye contact with him throughout the entirety of her speech, instead she returned a blank gaze at the suitcases.

None of this sat well with the stoic male. She had a fire last night that seemed to have fizzled out with sleep. He understood how she could view her family�s acceptance as a betrayal, but that was only if she refused to see many other factors.

Crossing the room so that he could take a seat next to her on the bed, he spoke in quiet tones, �You will have a long time to have the guilt of this grudge plague you. Longer than most humans can even imagine.� While he himself did not believe in such things as guilt, Sesshoumaru had witnessed with his own eyes how the emotion ate at his father�s second mate.

Without turning to look at him, she whispered, �I just need time.�

Growling lowly in his irritation, the silver-haired prince wondered what happened to the fire that had burned so bright in this female the night before. �You do not have that luxury right now. We will be leaving in twenty minutes, be ready.�

Refusing to listen to any reply she might have had for his declaration, Sesshoumaru briskly left the room. Today was going to be long.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

The stone staircase was the last thing she wished to surmount this day. However, her wishes and wants were obviously the last things that anyone around her cared about. So here she was, going to face the family that had sold her. To make it worse, the reason behind this visit was simply to negotiate out the terms of her servitude. Perhaps she was being slightly morbid.

Searching her mind for anything else to think about, a bizarre thought entered her head. If Sesshoumaru was youkai then how could he enter a shrine so easily? Opening her mouth before thinking about how the question would be received, she spoke.

�Should you not be repelled from these hallowed grounds?�

While not an entirely unfounded question, Sesshoumaru had a hard time repressing completely the low chuckle that bubbled in his throat. This was how she decided to start speaking to him after he had ordered her to ready. Yes, today was going to be long.

Kagome had heard the muffled laugh and immediately felt her anger rise. �I don�t see what is so funny.�

�No, you would not. Let this Sesshoumaru inform you that only thing on �these hallowed grounds� that holds even an ounce of holy power, besides yourself, is the Goshinboku.� Sesshoumaru peered at the woman at his side out of the corner of his eye. He took delight in the rising fire within her sapphire pools.

No one held holy power? No, that could not be true. �My grandfather is the shrine priest!� The statement was more shrill than she would have liked but it got her point across.

Not turning his head, he continued to agitate his intended, �In name only.�

An indignant huff left her lips as she stopped walking to stare at the back of the �man� that would be her husband.

When he sensed her lack of forward movement, he turned. The sight that greeted him was one that he found he enjoyed immensely. There Kagome stood, so frustrated and angered that she did not realize that she was standing there with her jaw hanging open. It took two elegant strides for the tall male to place himself directly in front of the woman. In a movement of fluid grace, a sculpted clawed finger hooked under her slacked jaw and applied enough pressure to gently close the orifice, then the finger slipped away with equal grace.

In a rich baritone, he imparted more wisdom, �It is very unlady-like to try and catch flies in such a manner.� He allowed his mirth of the situation to show through in the small smirk gracing his thin lips.

She growled. In turn, he raised his eyebrow at her. �Come Kagome, our presence has already been discovered.�

Souta had noticed when his sister first arrived at the shrine. She and her future husband had been talking and it was obvious to Souta that whatever was being discussed upset his sister. It was good to see the fire in her stance once more, and if it was this man bringing it out, then Souta was more than happy to give his blessings to their union. Turning to inform his mother of the couple�s arrival, Souta allowed the heavy burden of his sister�s sorrow to lift from his shoulders.

Squaring her shoulders, Kagome brushed past the tall male and made a determined path across the courtyard of the shrine grounds towards her family�s home. She did not knock on the front door, but opened it and walked in. Her shoes were slipped off and placed by the front door facing inwards. Sesshoumaru�s being filled with an odd joy at all the simple acts of defiance that his small female managed without even a word. His expensive dress shoes were placed by the front door facing out and with a quick nudge of his sock-covered foot, Kagome�s shoes were now facing the same direction as his. Perhaps today would not be as arduous as he previously thought.

When Sesshoumaru turned from the shoes, he was greeted by the smiling face of Kagome�s mother. The older woman bowed deep in greeting as she spoke, �I trust your morning has been well, Sato-san.�

�Quite, and there is no need to be so formal. I would be honored if you called me Sesshoumaru.�

Kagome just stood there glaring in between the two that had condemned her future. It took all her strength not to start screaming.

�Thank you, Sesshoumaru,� Hiromi said. �If all goes well I hope that soon you will call me mother.� Hiromi noticed her daughter�s mouth open as if to protest and sent her a look that had always quieted her in the past. �If you would follow me, Sesshoumaru. My father is waiting to speak with you in the living room and then if it does not upset, I wish to speak with my daughter.�

A slight bow of his head, �Of course.�

The three left the entryway behind and with each step Kagome felt the walls closing in on her. It was blurred motion that brought her to sitting on the bed that she had always called her own with her mother across from her. The men were left to discuss �business� downstairs.

Realizing that now could be her only chance, Kagome accused, �How could you?�

Hiromi had known that her daughter was not pleased with the chain of events and yes, in today�s society the decision to marry was left up to the couple. However, the tall businessman downstairs had managed to draw Kagome out from within herself. �It is a good match.�

�For who mama? I have been a good daughter, have I not?� Kagome did not know if she was going to scream or cry. There was a war waging in her heart, in her soul.

�Kagome, you know you have.� It cut through a mother�s heart to see a child look one with such pain and betrayal.

�Then tell me why. Why do I mean nothing more than a new roof? Why would you and grandfather sell me as if I were some whore?� The words had barely left her mouth when a hand made sharp contact with her face. Her world spun. Her mother had slapped her, had hit her.

Hiromi�s heart shattered as she watched her daughter clutch her cheek. Kami-sama she had hit her child, but she could not stop the rage that welled up inside of her as she heard her daughter refer to herself as a whore. Hiromi moved to comfort her baby girl, but stopped at the next words from her daughter.

�Don�t touch me.�

�Kagome, I should not have struck you and for that I am very sorry. However, I will never standby and listen to you refer to yourself in such a disgraceful manner.� The older woman�s eyes stung with the tears she was desperately trying to keep from falling.

�I have never thought of myself as such until my own family decided that I could be sold,� came the venomous reply.

�We are not selling you, Kagome. What were we supposed to do? Allow you to remain hollow? No, that was something that none of us could any longer take.�

�This was supposed to be my decision.�

Hiromi�s heart broke further with her daughter�s whispered declaration. She doubted her decision. �Kagome, the last decision you were allowed to make allowed that foreigner access to you,� the older woman held her hand up to silence her child�s protest before she continued. �I know that it was your decision and it really did offer you an opportunity that you might never have had again. I don�t hold that against you, nor do I hold the fact that you did not wait until marriage. You loved him. You listened to your heart and I have always taught you that is the right path to choose. However, Kagome, you cannot wallow in your pain forever. You are too young to be this empty.

�Sesshoumaru is a good man. With him, you will never have to fear about money or your children�s future. He will provide that all for you. Moreover, if the amount of fire I saw burning in your eyes this morning is any indication, then I will never have to fear that you will forget what it means to really live. That man down there has done the one thing that everyone in this family, even your friends, have been trying to do ever since you came back. He has found a way to reach you through your sorrow. It will not be long before you find yourself in love with him.�

Kagome did not know what to say. Her mother truly thought her a whore. Not only that, but the delusional woman thought that she would fall in love with the emotionally constipated ankle-biter. After several moments, her jaw opened and closed in an attempt to form words. The problem was that she did not know what to address first.

�I never knew you thought so little of me. Do you truly believe that the second I went to a foreign land I forgot where I came from? I never slept with Liam or any other man for that matter. You and grandpa ingrained into me that the honorable thing to do was to wait and that is what I did. He even went so far as to ask me to marry him, but I wouldn�t do that without giving my family a chance to approve. Kami-sama forbid that I do something that might bring dishonor to this family.

�As for the man downstairs, I have no idea why you would think that I could ever love that Chihuahua. Do you know me at all, mama?�

�Kagome, how dare you call him that?� Hiromi�s mind was still reeling from the fact that her daughter had not fallen to the pressures so many young people have, and why was she referring to her future husband as a dog?

Kagome face turned from rage to contemplative, �You�re right, Pomeranian would probably be more accurate. I mean he is a fairly pristine male.�

It was Hiromi�s turn to be flabbergasted. Who was this disrespectful girl and where was her daughter? Kagome realized that she was on the verge of ranting to her mother about how she was about hand her over to a youkai. It was tempting, but in all probability not the most efficient method out of this. While the entire family humored the slightly senile patriarch, Kagome knew that she would not be met with any such sympathy.

The best course of action would be to get her mother to leave her alone, yet no matter how mad she was, she did not want the two of them to part with bitterness. �Mama, I am tired and there are some things that I wish to gather up before Sesshoumaru demands that we leave.� It was a quiet voice that spoke to the older woman.

Hiromi stopped her impersonation of a fish and managed to weakly nod. A new fear entered her. What would happen to her daughter if the businessman decided that he did not wish to accept the challenge of such a strong-willed woman? Trying to remove the sickly feeling from her stomach, the woman called �Mama� weakly nodded. At the doorframe, she turned back to her hurting daughter. It could not be left like this.

�Kagome, you know that your family loves and is very proud of you, right?�

Looking into the doe eyes of her mother, �My heart has and will always know.� Kagome watched her mother walk away. All she wanted to do was curl up into the fetal position and cry.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

As Sesshoumaru climbed the stairs to the second floor, allowing her scent to guide him, he reflected on his last few hours. There were very few requirements that her family had asked for, it was obvious that this choice was not about greed. They were desperate to protect or safe one that none of them knew how to save.

At first the grandfather had not been interested in discussing any of the terms of the engagement. Instead, the elderly man had begun a series of carefully worded questions. All this was done in order for the aging priest to learn more about the character of the man who wished to marry his only granddaughter.

The stoic inu-youkai had never been one to allow any other being, his alpha the only exception, such liberties to question his person, honor, and sense of duty. However, considering that this man�s object was to determine his worthiness, Sesshoumaru took the questions in stride. Not present in the conversation was his usual condescension, his scathing stares, or his monosyllabic responses.

As the conversation progressed, the silver-haired suitor became increasingly impressed with the old (it is odd to think of one centuries younger than yourself as old) holy man�s ability to phrase very potentially offensively matter in a truly benign manner. Not only that, but the grandfather did not let the question rest until he was satisfied that the man before had answered it truthfully and completely.

Once the youkai�s, though the priest thought he was speaking to a human, character had met the priest�s standards, the delicate negotiations of terms commenced. To Sesshoumaru�s surprise and relief, the main concern of the grandfather was his granddaughter�s honor and freedom of choice. It was established that while the Yuinou could be relatively soon, her family would not fully bless the marriage until they were sure that Kagome was happy.

To ensure this end, the Higurashis would not accept any financial help from the Satos until after the marriage. The family also expected her to spend one day a week on the shrine�s grounds. Sesshoumaru agreed to this as long as one member of his family was allowed to accompany her. Finally, the grandfather insisted that at no time before the marriage was he, Sesshoumaru, to spend the night alone with Kagome. The grandfather did not wish for her honor brought into question, especially if she decided that she could not go through with the marriage.

Sesshoumaru bristled at the elderly human telling him that he was not allowed to have access to his intended, but in the light of what he had overheard of Kagome and her mother�s conversation upstairs it became increasingly obvious that the grandfather rightly believed that his shrine maiden was still chaste. It was with the self-control that he had learned centuries ago that the stoic inu-youkai held back his retribution for the insults levied against him.

The priest believed that it was superior negotiating skills that granted him all of his demands, yet that was not the case. Sesshoumaru agreed to all because his pack�s need was that great. He wondered if he had sealed their doom by allowing Kagome the right to deny them. Shaking his head, he would not doubt his ability to woo the female.

This thought carried him forward to the door from which her scent was emanating the strongest. When he pushed the slightly ajar door open, another faint scent became known. The sight that greeted him was not one that did anything to calm his irritation.

There was Kagome in the middle of her floor with what looked to be a shoebox, and it was from said shoebox that the faint scent of kitsune was wafting. He also noticed that she had not done anything in the way of packing. It was obvious that she had been wallowing in her heartache because the sorrow that hung suffocating in the air.

Making no effort to repress the disproving growl, Sesshoumaru strode forward to the small woman. He welcomed her startled look, but not the physical attempt she made to protect the box. His cool baritone broke the silence. �This is why no one is willing to give you time. You do nothing with it but sink further into the blackness.�

�That is not fair; you don�t understand what I am going through.� Her voice was hoarse, whether that was due to the fact that she was trying to cover her pain or the fact that she had not spoken in a while he did not know.

There was also the part of him that did not care. He knew loss far better than most, and to be accused of such a crime was more than his ego could take. �This Sesshoumaru has lost mates and pups. The pain of losing a lover is nothing compared to the pain of losing an offspring. However, I will give you the benefit of my experience. In mourning their passing you do not honor their memory by killing the person they knew.�

�And what is that supposed to mean?�

�Woman, it means that this shell I see sitting on floor crying over mementos is nothing compared to the fiery Kagome I saw last night. The one last night stood up to a room full of powerful youkai to proclaim her worth, and now she allows a shoebox full of memories drain her life away.� His voice never reflected the disappointment he felt at this sight.

For some reason having the elegant male in front of her echoing her mother�s sentiment made Kagome truly ashamed of her sorrow. No, she would not allow this to happen. None of them understood. None of them had even tried to understand. She was the one who was being wronged, not doing the wrong.

�How did my auction go?� Her tone held ice in it.

Sesshoumaru was not going to play into her game. �Very well. Since there were no other bidders your price was quite low.�

She moved to slap him but he caught her hand. Refusing to let go, he brought her closer to his form. �If you do not wish to be referred to as property or a whore, then desist in alluding to yourself in such a manner.�

�Why you. How dare you call me that?� They were mere inches from each other�s faces.

Her defiance added to the faint scent of a rival was more than his control could take. Sesshoumaru closed the distance between them and sealed his lips over hers. The movement of his lips, the he way allowed her no space of her own, spoke of the kiss' need to prove domination. If he had not been pressed so far this day, he would have realized that this would do nothing to help in his quest to secure her loyalty.

However, those thoughts were far from his mind. What he knew was that the curvaceous female pressed against his form was denying him his place. Therefore, he pressed further for a reaction by scraping his clawed hand up her spine.

Kagome did not want this, but as the thin lips moved over hers with more fervor, she could not ignore the heat building within her. She tried to tell herself that it was out of anger and not desire, but even she could see the falsehood in that statement. As the claws moved up her spine through her shirt, she gasped in surprise. This one forced reaction was her downfall.

His tongue darted in to taste her bounty. The moan that left the feminine throat was met by a masculine growl of approval. Her hands hand had yet to pull him closer but no longer were they pushing him away. It was his victory, and he knew he had to end it before his body heated too far.

Both were breathing heavy as they parted but the male managed to hide it. When her world came back to reality, the full brunt of what happened hit her. Could he really manipulate her that well? No, she would not stand for it.

�You can never replace him.�

Not the response he was looking for. �No, this Sesshoumaru plans to exceed him.� He stood and walked toward the door. �We are leaving now, and the box is staying here in your past.�

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Yuinou: the formal engagement party of the couple.

The signifigance of the shoes is from what I have been able to find that in your own home your shoes face inwards, toward the inside of the home, while a guest�s would face outward.

I know that it is considered a social faux paus to have physical contact between individuals in public, but the whole closing her mouth thing was too much to resist.

Thank you for reading and I hope you find the time to review.

emmaren

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What Was Expected