Kryptonite

By Danyealle

(fanfiction/MF/HC/Abuse)

Chapter 7

…One Week Later…

Hearing the knock on his study door, Sesshomaru sighed and rolled his eyes.  He knew who it was and had told her she didn’t have to knock, she had permission to enter at any time without doing so.  “Come in Kagome.”  He said, leaning back in his chair and lacing his fingers behind his head.

Letting herself in, she walked over to his desk and sat down on a sofa by it.  “You wanted to see me?”

Looking at her, he gave a mental approving nod at the way she was dressed.  I an elegant kimono and matching slippers of green and black she looked absolutely stunning.  Her hair was done and piled on top of her head.  The bruise on her face were almost gone, there were just small patches of discoloration here and there that faded more with each passing day.  He would admit she looked beautiful

Pulling himself back from his musing, he nodded.  “Indeed I did.  Were you with Kuni again?”  Kagome and the youngest daughter of one of the minor lords had taken a liking to each other and spent most of their time together with about five other young onnas.  Despite not intending to, she now had her ladies in waiting.  Plus the young youkai’s were helping her with what she needed to know and protocol.  Of course he approved and told her so.

“Yeah as well as the others.  We were working on etiquette during banquets.”  She told him with a giggle.

“Good.  I’m glad you’ve found some ladies you are comfortable with.

“But that isn’t what I asked you to come here for.  I have a negotiation and was wondering if you would help me with it.”  He told her smirking.

“Sure, no problem.  But how can I help?  I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff.”  She said, bewildered.

“You’ll understand all of it shortly.”  He told her confidently.  “All you need to do is sit there and be yourself.”

Giggling, she rolled her eyes.  “Oh, I think I can handle that.”

They talked quietly until Jaken poked his head in and announced that his appointment was there.

Telling the kappa to show him in, he then stood and motioned for Kagome to do the same.

Standing there, she waited, her curiosity spiked as to who was coming and just how her presence could help.

When the door opened and the male stepped into the room, she understood.  “Kouga!”  She exclaimed happily.

“Kagome!”  The ookami said with a grin.  Moving over closer, he gave his usual bear hug.  When he pulled away he asked, “What are you doing here?  And you look absolutely breath taking!”

“Thanks!”  She replied with a big grin.

“Kagome stays here now.”  Sesshomaru answered simply.  “We’ll discuss the reasons why later on.”  Then he gestured for the ookami to take a seat in front of the desk before he and Kagome once more seated themselves. 

Sitting there, they made small talk until one of the servants delivered the tea.  Once he was served and the servant left Kouga and Sesshomaru began working on a treaty between their two lands.

At first, from Kagome’s point of view, it didn’t seem to be going much of anywhere.  From that she was seeing Kouga was far too distracted by her presence and didn’t seem to be able to focus on anything Sesshomaru was saying.  Instead he just kept glancing at her, a puzzled look on his handsome face.

Looking at the distracted ookami, Sesshomaru gave an internal smirk.  This was what he had been hoping for when he had asked Kagome to help him.  Like most beings that knew the two, he was well aware of how Lord Kouga felt about the priestess.  He also knew that what he said about her staying at the fortress had gotten the ookami thinking.  Like most who where aware of youkai societal law, he knew where Kouga’s thoughts had to be skipping to.  Just what he had wanted.

Stopping, leaned back in his chair then fixed Kouga with a flat look.  “Is there a problem Lord Kouga?  You seem to be distracted.”

Looking back at the taiyoukai, Kouga sighed.  “Sorry.  Yes, I’m a bit distracted right now.  I don’t think I can effectively go on with the negotiations until I get a couple questions answered.”

“What answers do you require?”  Sesshomaru asked calmly.

“Why is Kagome staying here instead of with Inuyasha?”  He asked quietly, looking back and forth between the two.  As the demon lord had thought the first thing his mind had skipped to was the inkling that Inuyasha had hurt her.  Already, at the mere idea of that, he could feel a rage building in him but he clamped down on it.

By now Kagome was used to such questions and they no longer bothered her.  But Kouga asking it made her guts tighten a bit.  She was well aware that the ookami’s feelings for her hadn’t changed, even after her mating with Inuyasha.  She wasn’t sure what his reaction was going to be when he heard.

“Because of the half-breeds actions I was forced to step in and remove her from him.  He has forfeited his mate by youkai law.”  Sesshomaru stated ambiguously in a quiet but firm voice.

Though the western demon lord hadn’t given any kind of detail what he said had a clear enough meaning for Kouga.  Almost instantly a red flush so dark it was almost purple infused his face and his blue eyes swiveled to Kagome.  “Did Inutrasha hurt you Kagome?”  He asked gently.

“Yes.” She told him simply, not sure if she should elaborate or not.

“It had been going on for some time.”  Sesshomaru added quietly.

Snarling, face darkening even more, the blue in Kouga’s eyes began to show red lines in them.  “That pathetic ass!”  He hissed though clenched teeth.  “Tell me you’ve made him pay for this!”

“Indeed, I have.  The whelp chose to argue with me when he was informed I had removed his mate.  Of course, he lost.”  Sesshomaru informed him with a smirk.

“Good!”  Kouga ground out through tightly clenched teeth.

“As you can clearly see, the miko is fine and being well cared for.  While she’s under my care and protection I can assure you she will never be hurt in such a way again.  Nor will she ever want for anything ever again.  She will be protected and cared for to the best of my ability.”  He assured the ookami.

Nodding, Kouga began to calm down.

“Let’s get back to the negotiation, shall we?  We’ll go over the rest of what has come to pass after we’ve finished.  Is that acceptable to you?”  Sesshomaru asked the ookami, one eyebrow arched.

Leaning back in his chair, Kouga took a few deep breaths and nodded.

~~~~~@~~~~~

In the end, Sesshomaru got pretty much what he had wanted and it would be mutually beneficial to the both of them.  Koga, on the other hand, got something he wanted that Sesshomaru had been reluctant to agree to:  he and part of his pack would be traveling with the taiyoukai and miko. 

Though the taiyoukai had no problem with help trying to rid Japan of Naraku but with the personality of the ookami and his underlings he was sure they would easily get on his nerves quickly.  It would probably take a great deal of time to get used to the situation.

But he could deal with it.  If nothing else it would prove useful when it came to Kagome’s protection.  He was aware how protective of the little priestess the ookami was so he had no doubt Kouga would defend her with everything he had.

Much to Kouga’s chagrin, Sesshomaru had insisted he stay for the formal gathering that would introduce Kagome to youkai society.  In face it had been a serious sticking point in the negotiations.  In the end it was Kagome herself that resolved that issue.  When it was getting really hot and heavy and looked as though the raised voice stage of things would be imminent, she injected herself into the verbal fray.  Quietly, she had asked Kouga to attend for her sake.  She explained that though she was acquainted with several that were going to attend she knew him well and considered him to be a friend.  Being that it would make her feel better if she had him there.  Of course, he couldn’t refuse a request like that from her.  The only upside for him when it came to that was, at least that he saw anyway, was that he and his men would be saying at the fortress for the next couple days until the party.  It was a luxury he and his men weren’t used to so they would enjoy it immensely. 

Once the party was over he would head back to his tribe to let them know about the treaty and changes that were to be made.  After that he would head towards the old slayers village where the three separate factions of Sesshomaru’s new pack would be meeting up.

                                                           ~~~~~@~~~~~      

After the meeting and Kouga had left, Sesshomaru asked Kagome to stay behind.

When he was sure Kouga was out of earshot he told her, “Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome.”  She said with a giggle and grin.  “A bit of manipulation there Sesshomaru?”

Smirking, he shook his head.  “No, nor was that my intent.  I just knew things would be a touch easier if you were around because of the way Kouga sees you.”

“Sounds like manipulation to me!”  She replied, grinning bigger.

“Perhaps.”  He smirked.  “But I do appreciate what you said about your introduction party.”

“I meant all of it.  Although I like all the members of court I’ve met it isn’t the same thing as having a friend around.

“Kouga might be goofy and way over the top on almost everything he does but he’s a good friend of mine and I adore him as such.”  She explained.

“I understand.”  He replied with a nod.  Standing up, he held out his arm for her to take.  “Come... Let’s go for a walk in the gardens for a while.  Then you can take a nap before supper.  How does that sound to you Kagome?”

Standing, she linked her arm through his then smiled up at him.  “Sounds good to me.”

~~~~~@~~~~~

That night Kagome joined Sesshomaru, Kouga and a few others in the dining room rather than take her meal in her room like she usually did.  It had been a great deal of fun for her.  Kouga laughed and joked around with her like he usually did.  Even Sesshomaru seemed to enjoy it from the look on his face.

After eating she retired to one of the parlors with some of the other ladies for a while.  As usual, they sat around talking and gossiping a bit, having fun.  It also allowed her to get used to the personalities of those that were always around the fortress.  It all went well until one of the older ladies joined them.

From what Kagome had been told, Lakuni had been around since the time of Sesshomaru’s mother and one of the few old ones that had survived the taiyoukai’s purge.  Kagome, from their first meeting, hadn’t really liked the older inu woman but she wasn’t really sure why that was.  It had just been a feeling she had, nothing more than that.

As one would expect, the topic of conversation had turned to Kouga.  Mostly there was a lot of giggling and talk about him and the stories he told.

Sitting in the corner, Lakuni was working on a piece of needlework, mostly just listening to what was being said.  Well, until Kouga was brought up that is.  With a disgusted snort, she shook her head.  “Lord Kouga is disgusting and a barbarian just like all the ookami’s I’ve had the misfortune of meeting over my lifetime.”

Hackles rising over the insult to her friend, Kagome shot the inu-onna a dirty look then said, quietly, “That may well be but he’s a good friend to me.  He’s a real sweetheart and quite kind.”

“One would expect you to say something like that Lady Kagome.  You traveled with that vile hanyou for so long that your taste has been compromised.  I suppose after what you’re used to a beast like Kouga is the ultimate in class.”  Lakuni replied automatically without looking up.

That statement was met with dead silence from the other ladies present.  Kagome glared at her, feeling her infamous temper beginning to spike.

The older inu thought nothing of what she had said.  She was used to saying what she felt like and nothing ever came of it.  It wasn’t until she heard nothing for a couple minutes that she glanced up.  One look at the face of the little priestess told her that she should have kept her mouth shut.  The look on the miko’s face made it clear that not only was she insulted but angry as well.  “No insult intended Lady Kagome, I assure you.”  She added hastily.

“Intended or not, I’m offended!”  Kagome hissed through clenched teeth, standing up, eyes flashing angrily.  Miko powers threatening to flair, she glared daggers at the older onna.  “I suggest you retract what you said then adjourn to your chambers for the night.”  Kagome ground out.

“I will not!”  The older woman replied evenly.  “Why should I take back the truth?”

~~~~~@~~~~~

Out in the gardens, Sesshomaru and Kouga were sitting around with a group of men, just listening to them bullshit, when both felt the tickle of Kagome’s powers as they flared.

Looking back over his shoulder, Kouga said, “Uh oh…  It feels like someone lit the fuse on Kagome’s temper.”

“Indeed.”  Sesshomarus said, standing.  As he well knew, Kagome angry and her miko powers would equal nothing good.  Another more powerful flair got him moving towards the source with Kouga hot on his heels.

Quickly they found her in the parlor, her and Lakuni facing off, glaring at each other.  All the other onna’s were plastered back against various walls, eyes wide.  Why was quite evident.  A hot pink glow, almost flame-like, was surrounding the priestess, a testament to just how angry she was.

“I will not allow you or anyone else to insult my friends or myself in that way ever again!”  Kagome snarled, eyes flashing. 

Seeing Lord Sesshomaru in the doorway, Kuni pulled herself off the wall and hurried over to him.  In hushed tones, she quickly explained to him what had triggered the current problem.

When she finished, he nodded then had her and the other ladies leave.  Sighing, he gave himself a mental kick in the ass.  Lakuni was one of the beings he had thought about when he did the initial ‘housecleaning’.  He had decided on a wait and see approach with her, hoping that she would get the hint as to what was going on and straighten up.  Now he realized he should have gotten rid of the sharp-tongued old gossip then.  Stepping forward, he put a hand on Kagome’s shoulder.  Her miko powers made his whole body tingle and they danced across his skin in a weird, although not unpleasant, way. Glaring over her head at the older inu, he snapped, “I suggest you retire to your chambers for the night Lady Lakuni.”

Though she was loathe to let the little miko get the better of her, she also wasn’t going to argue with the taiyoukai.  That, as she well knew, was something she couldn’t win.  Bowing, she grabbed her sewing things, she swept out of the room, head held high, nose in the air.

Kagome glared at her as she left and let out an angry snort when she was gone.  “Stupid idiot!”  She ground out.  Then she sighed deeply and looked at the floor.  “I’m sorry Sesshomaru.  I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”  She told him quietly.

Giving her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, he said, “I’m not upset with you.  You had every right to get angry with the old windbag.  I do not ever expect you to stand by and be insulted like that then do nothing.  Besides, what you just did will serve as a lesson to everyone in the fortress.  By tomorrow what you did will have been heard by all and should make them think twice about insulting you.  Plus, it has demonstrated that you have your own power and are not the weakling ningen some may think you are.”

Smiling, she looked back over her shoulder at him.  “Thanks Sesshomaru.”

“You’re most welcome.  Now… Come, I’ll escort you to your chambers so you can take a nice soak in the hot springs and relax.  How does that sound to you?”  He was well aware that she liked to soak away her problems in the bubbling water and usually felt much better afterwards.

“Sounds great!”  She said with a smile.

After telling Kouga to meet him in his study, he escorted her to her room, her arm tucked through his so that anyone that may have seen them would know that he was no upset with her and it was her side he had come down on, not the older inu’s. 

~~~~~@~~~~~

Once Kagome was safely in her chambers and being attended to by the staff he had assigned to her, Sesshomaru made his way back down to his study.  After sending Jaken to fetch Lakuni’s mate he settled down then told Kouga what had been said about him, making the ookami roll his eyes and snort in an amused way.

Kouga was used to that kind of crap and it didn’t bother him but he felt a swell of pride in his chest when he found out that it was him Kagome was defending.  Once again she had proven what a true friend she was to him.

Quickly, Lord Minisuh, Lakuni’s mate, was in the taiyoukai’s office.  Standing in front of his desk the minor inu-lord was pale and shaking slightly, probably already having heard what his mate had said to the being that was to become the Lady of the Western Lands.

Actually, Sesshomaru felt a twinge of sympathy for the older inu male.  Despite having a mate that was a sharp-tongued, spoiled the male was actually quite soft spoken and kind.  He had just been saddled with a nightmare of a mate because of an arranged political maneuver.  “I suppose you have heard what transpired?”  Sesshomaru said sharply, glaring at the male.

Sighing, the older male nodded, looking down.  “Indeed, I have.  And you, Lady Kagome and Lord Kouga have my most sincere apologizes for what my mate said.  It was an insult and not something I would ever condone.”  He said quietly.

“Indeed it was and Lady Kagome is not at all happy.  If I hadn’t stepped in she may well have purified your mate.”  Sesshomaru warned him.

“I understand and it would have been warranted.”  He nodded.

“You do know banishment from court is the usual punishment for such things.  I will not brook any insulting behavior towards Kagome or Lord Kouga.”  Sesshomaru said softly, eyes hard. 

“Again, I understand and such a thing is warranted.  But I would ask you to not take such a drastic step.  My mate would deserve such a thing but my daughter…”  He trailed off giving Lord Sesshomaru a pleading look.

Sesshomaru knew what he was talking about.  The couples youngest daughter, Anikia, was at the fortress as well and Lord Minisuh was in the middle of negotiating a mating with one of the other lords that would greatly elevate his status in society.  The inu knew what his mate was like and had spent many years putting out fires started by her sharp tongue but his daughter was a kind-hearted sweet onna that was a pleasant youngster that hadn’t inherited her mother’s bad qualities.  A compromise was in order, he felt.  Looking at Kouga, he asked, since the ookami was the insulted party.  “Would letting the Lord and his daughter stay at the fortress and banishing the mother be acceptable to you?”

Kouga looked at the sweating and pale inu then back to Sesshomaru.  “Fine with me.  I just don’t want people around Kagome that would speak to her that way.  I’m a big boy and it doesn’t bother me but she doesn’t need that crap.”

Looking back at Lord Minisuh, he asked, “Then so be it.  Your mate will be gone in the morning but you and your daughter will be allowed to stay.  That is my word on the topic.”

Looking relieved, Minisuh nodded.  “As you wish Lord Sesshomaru.  And once more your have my apologies for what was said.  I assure you it won’t ever happen again.”  Bowing, he then exited the study.