How To Escape An Arranged Mating (In Ten Difficult Steps) by Aura Depths
Select a Lover
Notice: A glossary for foreign words is provided on my profile.
Disclaimer: I make no profit from nor claim ownership of Rumiko Takahashi's Inu-Yasha series and/or characters from said series, but I do have rights to my original characters (which anyone may use with prior notification - I just want the chance to see what adventures they go on).
How to Escape An Arranged Mating
(In Ten Difficult Steps)
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Thank you for taking an interest in How to Escape An Arranged Mating (In Ten Difficult Steps)! We will explore the most tedious, most harrowing, and most effective method for breaking off a relationship before matters become official – no matter your species!
These ten steps are not for the weak of heart or mind. In fact, some serious side effects may occur if these steps are undertaken by the emotionally unprepared, or even if they take too long to fulfill. Throughout How to Escape An Arranged Mating (In Ten Difficult Steps), you will be provided with story segments in order to acquaint you with the core values of each step and to ingrain respect for their do's and don'ts.
Should you experience difficulties, please contact us at 1 WE-DONT-CARE. 1 (933) 668-2273. Our free-hire receptionist may seem confused by your inquiries, and may very well speak Canadian French. If so, then please hang up, and don't try again. Rest assured, you should be able to work out the kinks for yourself. For risks and conditions, please take this time to review the last page of this collaboration.
On that note, enjoy reading, and best of luck to you! You will probably need it if you're seeking this type of help...
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Step 1 – Select a Lover
When selecting a lover, keep in mind that they cannot be just any random individual. On your behalf, it is a high priority that you and your lover are compatible. On the behalf of everyone else, your lover must either have strong qualities or they must have a strong image. One or both of these will assure consideration by your future audience, and give credibility and value to your relationship. Be sure that these traits or values unquestionably outweigh the traits or values of your betrothed, or you will put your lover into a difficult position.
WARNING: If you do not have a real lover, and instead obtain a pseudo lover, do be sure that your pseudo lover understands the risks, and that they are fully compliant before commencing with these steps. Having a very good friend for this role is highly recommended.
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Kagome pursed her lips in irritation when her strung bow caught yet again on some undergrowth, jarring lightly at her shoulder. With a grunt of disapproval and a temperamental yank, she freed both her weapon and a prickly branch from the offending autumn bush in a crescendo of dry leaves. Slipping it from her shoulder, she continued on her way while ridding the bow of crackling bits of foliage and inspected it for damage. "This is ridiculous,” she grumbled, picking out stubborn crisps of brown from the narrow nock point of the string and wood.
Absentmindedly plucking, she continued making her precarious way through the woods, moving toward the source of her pressing aggravation. This was the third time in the last week that Sesshōmaru had 'summoned' her, which was the best term she could come up with seeing as the previous two attempts failed to unveil his intentions. The first time she sensed his vague release of yōki, she had faltered in her herb grinding labor and asked Rin if Sesshōmaru was expected to be back again so soon, his clockwork monthly routine in complete disarray with the unexpected visit. As opposed to answering, the young lady bounded straight from the hut in a fit of teenager exuberance without a trace of footwear, the reed door clacking gently side-to-side in the wooden frame for the energy of the departure. Kagome, of course, followed, though much less enthusiastically. Eventually, she found the two standing together in their usual meeting place, which was located some distance from the village and provided a decent bit of exercise. As Rin did her best to ruin Sesshōmaru's hearing with tales of her activities since his last visit a mere ten or so days ago, the inuyōkai in reference looked over the top of the girl’s head and glowered so hard at Kagome that she lost track of her feet and stumbled in sheer shock. Suffice it to say, she offered a courteous gesture of farewell and about-faced as soon as humanly possible, the growing intensity of his ire making her feet move all the faster away from the male.
The second 'encounter' happened a mere four days later. While eating over at Sango's and Miroku's place, with their young family and Inu-Yasha as company, Kagome sensed the entitled reigning lord again and paused mid-bite to ponder the wall. Sesshōmaru was there, standing probably thirty feet away from the structure, and didn’t move. He was waiting. Inu-Yasha kick-started her attention, asking what was up, and after a small startle she threw Sango and Miroku questioning looks, amazed that no one else was picking up on the yōki. Giving herself a shake, she laughed, apologizing over having sampled some medicinal preserves earlier to test for freshness.
Forgiven for doing her duty, her absentminded glances to the wall were overlooked as the adults ate and discussed matters in the village. Sesshōmaru didn't move, not even after she forced herself to go to sleep alongside Rin and Kaede. Really though, there was no way she was going into the woods at night, and certainly not with Inu-Yasha trailing her straight to his half-brother. Sleeping under the hanyō's supervision, wondering all the while what was up, Kagome was actually a touch surprised that by morning the yōkai had given up, a practice that he was not well known for.
Two days later, and she found herself armed and alone, walking toward the yōkai and worrying over his past expression and insistence, both of which she had audaciously decided to garnish with an airheaded outright refusal to see him. On the bright side, just for that scowl she could justify her actions. "And label myself as very immature, and easily intimidated…” She sighed, slinging her bow back to where it belonged, contemplating how Kikyō had ever mastered the delicate art of bow and underbrush, wondering if her feeling of guilt for her actions meant that she really was guilty for something. “… Oh, whatever, he can deal with it.”
It took another two minutes before she spotted his vibrant attire through the trees, vivid white spots of sunlight slowly dancing across his figure as the chilled autumn breeze teased the rustling treetops. Sunlight glared off his hair and armor, but not even its brightest glints could outdo his expression.
"Sorry I'm late,” she attempted lightly, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot. Then again, she only had two feet to work with as it was, so on that note her chances for a good encounter were slim. "What are you here for?"
"Miko, what do you know of arranged matings?"
The question was sudden and precise, obviously well thought out on his part, and it struck her like a bucket’s worth of cold water. Balking to a standstill, amazed, she stared for a few seconds and processed his question. It was the realization of her mouth hanging open that got her clearing her throat and regaining some ground. "Not much, I'm sure. I know of arranged marriages, but the customs are bound to be different."
"Explain your tradition.” The command was delivered with expressionless poise, which itched a bit under her skin. The guy was so far removed from the norm of her usual conversational partners that dealing with him was a bit alienating. Mix that in with the sensation of talking to a most lethal brick wall, and that about summed up her pleasure of discussions with him. Not to say that they spoke to one another on a regular basis, of course. Most of their interactions were via glances and nods of the head, the latter completely her doing. Him speaking to her, let alone asking a question, was quite mind boggling.
"Well...” She wasn't sure where to start; with a list of facts, or pondering over his reasons? A thought for his limited patience with anything that was not Rin made the decision for her. "We don't practice them in the village, but I know that they are agreements between two families in regard to their children and who they will wed.” She studied him for a reaction, but he merely waited, a stoic prince blessing her with his mere presence let alone his attention span. "So, two sets of parents matching their children up. Um, I know this can happen young, usually before the child has a right to choose their own partner. And... Usually the parents do this to seal agreements or bonds between their whole families or companies, assuring a healthy future for their wealth, I think. … I know that sometimes the kids don't even meet one another until they're at the ceremony, which is horrible. That's a very big decision for someone else to make, no matter how they claim they have more experience and authority, and no matter what tradition has to say. I’m sure that some families just do it because of that – tradition, that is.” Pausing, she was displeased to find that he was waiting for more, which was something that she did not really have to offer. There were only so many movies she could rely on for her response. “… I may be able to answer questions, if you have any?"
That arrogant chiseled chin lifted ever so slightly. "You know all of this through stories?"
"Well, sorta. I've studied other cultures a lot, and those were just the basic stereotypes on arranged marriages.” Her own words reached her ears, and she winced inside, hoping she didn't reveal too much. "But yes, I've heard stories, too."
He studied her a moment. She fingered her bow. What she planned to do with it by any effective means was beyond her knowledge, but it was a nice and hollow comfort just knowing that she still had it.
"Have you heard of a means to terminate such an arrangement?"
The first thing to come to her mind involved Rin, and so Kagome hoped that he wasn't planning on setting his ward up in an arranged marriage. The girl was still a little too young by Kagome's standards. Besides, there would be no gain for her suitor to marry an orphan studying to become a miko. Maybe he just wanted to make sure that Kagome would not be able to give Rin the 'wrong' advice. "I've already said I don't approve of it.” That was enough to keep her uncensored. What would happen would happen. "Yes, but I'm not sure if any of the stories are true.” No reaction was offered, so she sighed again and shifted to a more comfortable stance. "Hmm... Well, one of the two can run away, or just die or fake their own death. One family can fall toward poverty and the well-off family can cancel their plans. Other than that, I think that one of the kids just needs to take a stand and suffer the consequences of not going through with things. Some reasons aren't bad, either. There could be various financial paths to take, or another person they love, making their promised partner jealous or disgusted so they break things off, or they see a better future by other means."
"A lover?"
Kagome blinked, wondering when she had begun to ramble. "Yeah, I suppose, but lovers don’t usually qualify for marriage. For the guy in the arrangement it's not too unthinkable that in his sexual prime he'll go out and find a girl on the side until he's forced to get married. Depending on the culture, there's no real reason for the guy to even be celibate before marriage, though bastard children entitled to inheritance are frowned upon.” It was her turn to study him a moment, worry mounting ever so slowly. "I hope you don't plan to set Rin up with a boy. She's still young, and should be able to make her own choices." A phenomenal thing to say, really. If Kagome were left to her own choices at Rin’s age, she probably would have married Inu-Yasha immediately after wishing the jewel away. To think that Rin had grown up so quickly, and that Kagome had gone through all of that turmoil during such tender years.
Seconds passed, and she could hear her heart pounding in her ears as he stared unwaveringly at her. Finally, he glanced away, casual and even aloof. "Such intentions do not exist."
A heavy exhale escaped her, and she grinned. "Ah, good. I was worried for a minute.” Now her curiosity streamed on an insistent current through her thoughts, one that was strong enough to completely override her self-ridicule for using a modern term. "Why the interest?"
"Such inquiries are not yours to ask."
In an instant he was gone, as though his presence was never endured, and she flinched for the suddenness of her solitude. The walk back was full of unanswered questions, and an overflow of cursing over someone’s general lack of common courtesy was unavoidable.
Throughout the day chores were accomplished, a traveling wagon merchant came for supplies and made business before he moved on in the afternoon for the next village, the rice fields were checked up on, and night fell on their well-to-do village of full pots and decent bedding, some of which was freshly bought.
Kagome slept easily with Rin separating her and Kaede on their futon bedding. That is, until Sesshōmaru came back. His yōki woke her with a startled snort, and she lay there blinking with heavy eyelids and a light heartbeat, contemplating what time it was and whether her weariness outweighed the price of her insolence.
A good fifteen minutes later, once her clothing was in order and the dabble of drool cleansed from the edge of her mouth, she crept from the hut and walked out of the village, through the rice fields as a lone miko figure amongst reflective pools of water. The moonlight was cold on the sides of her neck, her hair bound back as per usual, but inside she was warming to a simmer. Sesshōmaru was not in the direction she pursued, but she preferred to cross paddies and climb a small hill for the Well in search of solace rather than pick her way through dense woods with a waning moon to go by.
He stubbornly remained where he was, of course. Kagome genuinely expected nothing else, and used his stand for dominance as time to check on the Well. She visited it about once a week these days, in idle hope that it would work. The last time it functioned was three years ago, after sealing her away from her proper era. Three years before then, it had isolated her from the feudal times for her high school years. She had come to the past expecting it to never work again, and accepted its continued inactivity as a simple fact of life. Then again, all those years ago she had jumped down the Well expecting to land in the arms of the love of her life.
"Being over twenty and perpetually single sucks..."
Sesshōmaru began closing the gap much sooner than expected. Impressed, she sat on the rim and plucked a waist-high piece of field grass growing alongside it, twisting its firm and dried yellow length around her finger and feeling the thin stalk bend into edges as it encircled her digit.
"I can't break my neck meeting with you,” she offered when he was within earshot, which she assumed was about a stone throw away and closing. "My vision was barely good enough to get here, and I know the way pretty well.” He approached at a walk, unhurried to begin any conversation. His behavior would have made her laugh if her sense of humor was as dry as the well she sat upon. "I've given it some thought. You're stuck in an arranged mating, aren't you?"
He stopped a couple paces away, and she finally looked up. Everything about him was cast in shades of gray and black with the lacking light, and the weather decided to make it worse, with misty clouds stretching across the bright waning wedge in the sky, filtering the small amount of illumination already offered.
"You are not from this time, miko."
Kagome nearly fell down the dry well. Gripping the edges firmly with her legs, she slowly lowered her hands to her sides and stared up at his shadowy face. "What makes you think that?"
"Your mannerisms and speech do not belong in this era."
She frowned. "That can't be the only reason to suspect time traveling.” A suspicion clicked perfectly into place, and with a sigh she crossed her arms, a touch upset. “It was Rin, wasn't it.” A shift where his head was in the night indicated a nod, and she bit the inside of her cheek but relaxed. There was nothing she could do about keeping that secret from him now, and since he didn't seem fazed by it then she shouldn't be, either. "Is that why you wanted to talk to me about arranged marriages? Or arranged matings?” That thought had bugged her. Why would he, a lord who most likely had near a thousand years of experience behind him, tutors at his disposal and advisers of all sorts, come to a tiny village to ask a human female about such an intricate matter? She figured that officials would leak details of his hesitance to his mother, if Rin's stories about her were true, and that would keep him from them. But why her in particular? She had gone down a very long mental list of pros and cons several times and still wound up clueless, but this little confirmation changed several things.
"Such a detail did not serve to discourage a conversation.” A tickle had her rubbing at her nose as she asked what he was there for that night, stating as well that she had already delivered everything she could think of on the topic. His reply sounded bored, in a slightly peeved manner which screamed the fact that it took a mastery of patience to answer her inquiries at the sacrifice of his precious time. "Your insights on human customs were superficial and irrelevant.” A pause lasted just long enough for her to feel the weight of that insult. "However, your views on the matter and vague knowledge help in making you a decent candidate. You are not hideous, your age is ideal, and your profession would be an appalling bonus."
Kagome could feel the gears in her mind trying to feed that thought through; like an old vending machine swallowing and regurgitating a ragged bill. "My... age is ideal? What does- My profession?” Appalling? She shot to her feet. "What on earth are you babbling on about?"
"Your suggested solution."
She stared, at a loss. "... My what?"
"Your innocence will also serve us well,” he continued, and as her vision seemed to darken she felt a warm touch on her cheek. Recoiling as if burned, a blush nearly lit her on fire as she finally registered how close he stood to her, his figure blocking out the sight of the field and stars after having moved in an instant. Backing up, her calf hitting the lip of the well, she felt his grip on her upper arm, keeping her stable in lieu of the life-threatening alternative. "I would have to do very little to inspire the proper responses."
"What the hell, Sesshōmaru,” she demanded, getting annoyed and only partially at him. With more emphasis than strictly necessary she yanked her arm from his hold, mindful of the well this time. To blush over such a miniscule display of affection, a fake one no less, was humiliating to say the very least. "I told you that men didn't have to save themselves for the woman all the time, but that doesn't mean you have to go around touching every girl you're alone with."
"You will experience much more.” That unnerving blasé confidence clearly stated that he would not condone argument. "Pretending to be a lover would come naturally to such a prolific race."
A sarcastic wind moaned across the surrounding forest canopy before teasing through the sea of dry grass. The breeze barely nudged at the thick and course fabric of her miko garb, but Sesshōmaru’s fine silks danced on it along with his ridiculous hair, creating a bit of a display in what minimal light there was to work with.
His expression devoid face was still merely a handspan away from hers when she spoke. “You must be joking.”
“Do I seem humorous to you?”
“No. Insane.” Matters were only becoming increasingly preposterous. “If you are suggesting- If you even think, that I would ever-” It was still difficult to process that ragged bill in her head, and she caught herself stealing glances at his mouth and fixated her gaze to that cold golden glint of his gaze. “… Are you really out of your mind right now?”
"On the contrary, I am perfectly sincere."
"Oh, yes, and I'm the whore who started up the red-light district,” she lied to prove her point, shifting to skootch aside and away only to find his hand on the rim, stopping her thigh. “Listen, even if you were, I'd never do it. Ever."
"Explain."
"… Really? Well...” she began, looking to the stars for guidance, she crossed her arms for both warmth and a much-needed sense of security. She did not do well being so close to males, human or yōkai. "For starters, we wouldn't be able to pull it off. I wouldn't be very good at acting, and... Well, I doubt you'd play the part willingly.” Finding her nerve and fixing him with a stubborn look, she shifted her shoulders, uncomfortable being so near him and wishing he’d release her upper arm. "Anyway, I have no desire to even pretend to be your lover. You'd want to whisk me away from the village that depends on me, treat me like an... indulgence, and take me to a place where I'd be treated kami-knows-how. There's absolutely no appeal to it, not even your good looks, and there is no reason for why I'd willingly suffer through your personality issues, either. In fact, if she didn't kill herself before things became official, then I would admire and cherish that female you're being set up with.” Fed up, she rolled her shoulder back, and he got the hint and released her, only to hold the rim of the well near her other thigh. “Will you back off already? With this level of social awkwardness you probably require a mate to be found for you as opposed to hoping one will willingly fall for just your title and appearance.” To her immense relief he did, standing a mere foot away from her knees but enough to let her feel like she could breathe and not have him know what she ate for breakfast. “Furthermore, I'd only want to be touched in any loving manner by someone I love, not the regal half-brother of the guy I had a crush on as a kid six years ago.” To think she was already twenty-one… Time really had a knack of flying by, however, it certainly didn't feel like six years when she stopped to think about it. Nodding to herself, she decided to wrap things up and get some sleep. "Besides, I'm a miko. I think that nature has provided a very evident barrier between us, one I will not even attempt to pass.” Standing, she leaned to pass him on one side. “My best wishes go with you, Sesshōmaru."
She got no further than half a step before he flung an arm out in front of her, making her jostle to a stop. "You are free to name a price."
"Is this guy desperate? Maybe I was right, and he doesn't stand a chance in finding a real lover…?” What an awkward consideration. "You can't buy love, Sesshōmaru. Plus, this village is not doing poorly, so we will survive with ease without any financial aid."
"There is always room for improvement. How old is your family's shrine? Can you amount enough money yourself to build it?"
Memories of her grandfather rambling on about the shrine drifted about her head – along with his ever-flowing stream of history and mythological stories – but there were no certain records as to when it was first built. Hundreds of years ago, yes, for the outdoor stonework at the very least, but how many hundreds was a key question. She never really determined exactly when in time she was, either. Was it in her lifetime there that the shrine would be built, or would she have to rely on fate to have it built?
"I'll never be as great as Kikyō... She had the village flourishing, rich beyond reason. Then the shrine exploded, thanks to Inu-Yasha, the fire spread everywhere, and she died... The villagers won't even go near the ruins of the walkways and staircases she began building on this hill.” Already facing Kaede's village, Kagome slid her eyes toward the right, thinking remorsefully of the leaf and earth littered grand staircases and paths hidden behind her on the hill face they never used. They were quite beautiful. Now they were unattended, scorched from ancient soot and left to rot into dust. They would not make it to her era, but the idea of so much progress going to waste really saddened her. "Can I assure my own future by myself?"
"As for the acting...” Her attention snapped forward again when that out-flung hand grasped her shoulder, and she hiccupped with shock upon seeing his shadowy face looming before hers. "That will be the easiest part."
Almost violently she shoved him away, cursing her racing heart. If Inu-Yasha had any romantic interest in her – if he didn't act like a fifteen-year-old boy all the time! – then she probably would have been onto her second child by now instead of single and getting red over every little hint of contact.
"Don't touch me,” she practically growled, angry over the situation. “I'm not helping you, so forget it."
"Your price, then?"
"Too high for you to pay,” she scoffed, stepping around him and walking for the village. "I'm sorry. Good luck with the romance in your li-!” There shouldn't have been a rock there. In fact, there should have been a dirt trail she had worn down herself over the course of three homesick years, so she was pretty sure that it wasn't a rock that she had tripped over. In fact, it was likely a foot, though the thought of such a childish act from him was mind boggling. Whatever it was, the end result was her catching herself hard on a knee and both of her palms, the contact sudden and jarring in the night, making her disoriented while pained and nearly biting her tongue off as curses tempted it.
"You may name the cost of your compliance,” Sesshōmaru stated as she finished rolling to her bottom, hissing over certainly bleeding spots on her body and holding her kneecap, "or you will be forced to survive without it. Either way, you will assist me, miko."
"Can't you take 'no' for an answer?” she snapped at him, still brushing dirt off her palms as spots of blood began turning it into mud.
"No."
Kami, her knee throbbed... "Well, nor can I, not in this situation. I think I'd rather die."
"Then you might as well.” A distinct shade of green glowed at her eye level. "I have no qualms with killing a useless creature."
Angry, she lashed out her ki, her miko energy, and the green glow reappeared a good distance away. Finally, room to breathe. "You're such a spoiled brat, Sesshōmaru!” It hurt to stand, but she managed and winced, favoring one leg to compensate. She'd have to keep a wet cloth over that knee of hers for a time, and elevate it most likely. Sango would know what to do. "I said 'no.’ Have some more self-confidence and go find someone else willing to sell herself. Or himself, I don’t care! At least then you'd have someone who will put out for you, and not just put up with you.” She'd get the village back on its feet herself, despite the regional wars which began to decimate it in the first place. By herself, and personal safety be damned! Stubborn, she looked away from him, keeping his location in check with her senses still, and started to walk for the village. The first step on her bad leg had her nearly kneeling, but she stood, and could only imagine finally getting back and seeing it the size of a grapefruit. "Did I land on it funny?"
He moved, and before she even registered where his new location was her upper arm was grasped, and something firm and narrow smacked painfully into the upper side of her neck. The sensation shot down her arm and through half of her chest, but she didn't even get to gasp before-
Her stomach hurt. That random sensation had her snapping her eyes open, only to see black booted heels steadily walking along a nigh invisible trail through the woods.
"… No damned way did this happen!” Trying to get up, planting her indeed injured palms on the armor on his back, she lost her grip when he jostled her and landed hard on his shoulder again. It did not help her stomach in the least. "Ack, damn you! Put me down!” He stopped moving, but she didn’t, to her yelp inducing dismay. The ground was not a gentle landing, but it would have been preferred over the durable embrace of a bush that could have easily hidden three horses. Creating quite a commotion with her sounds of vexation and shifting against jabbing and scratching twigs, the rest of her soon plopped down to join her heels on the dirt.
Mumbling out a string of profanity tied directly to the audacious male – he had no qualms with watching her clambering – she picked herself up with as much dignity as possible and pinned him with her most favorite glare of plotting demise as she brushed herself off.
The amount of care he had for her indignation was so little that it could float for longer than the sky above the ocean… After he looked her up and down, extremely unimpressed, she was surprised over his decision to speak. “You will carry yourself from now on as we travel on foot.”
Anger vanished for a moment in shock, and she applied more weight to her injured knee. The only thing she felt now was the scrape. Putting that aside, the conversation at risk of losing sight of its destination, she planted her fists on her hips and confronted him. The last forty or so seconds since opening her eyes had her floundering for something to say, and her amazement was making it even more difficult to think. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Insisting on your compliance."
She blinked. Several times. Her mouth opened and closed as well, trying to function through bewilderment. "You... can't do that!"
"I assure you that I can.” That cold, calculating expression in the morning light said that arguments would be futile and not tolerated. Noting that it was indeed morning, she began wondering how long she was out for, and what he had done to render her so. She remembered a smack on the neck, but that only numbed up her shoulder area. Sango would probably know the technique.
Rubbing ruefully under her jaw, Kagome quickly modified the sour gesture into tucking her hair behind her ear, then caught herself mid yelp at a sharp throb. Something really stung on the upper part of her ear. Really badly, too. She felt at it, and flinched again before exploring more gently at the area. Maybe it was a bad bug bite, or maybe-
Her fingertip smoothed over thick flakes of something before nestling in a sore, tender, punctured out hole in her ear.
A hole.
In her ear…
"Sesshōmaru,” she began firmly, her words far calmer than she felt, "what is this?"
The discovery was received well by him. "That is a traditional lover's mark."
Silence reigned for a few moments. "There is a hole in my ear."
"Clearly."
"... Sesshōmaru.” “The nerve…! The utter audacity! The thing is huge, like a paper hole puncher decided to time travel and bite me- He bit me!” While her thoughts rampaged, the only outward signal of her wrath that she noticed was the widening of her eyes to compliment her growing incredulity. “I am going to kill you."
"Your attempt would be amusing.” The bastard actually smirked down at her.
Attempt? No, she was going to singe his arrogant ass, and then she was going to- Her grasping for ki had her grabbing nothing, as though it never existed and she was just a normal human woman. Her blue eyes bulged in horror as she sensed a very faint amount of yōki around her, and in her. The sensation made her want to empty her stomach. Why hadn't she noticed that before? "What did you do?” Why wasn't it killing her?
"The answer is evident."
Beginning to snap, she reached out to choke him, but he grabbed her wrists easily. "You arrogant asshole, what did you do to me!"
"I will have your compliance, one way or another.”
His words slid down her back like ice, and she shuddered despite herself, suddenly a touch worried that he held her restrained in more than one way. Taking an angry inhale, she seethed up at him, her hands balling into fists where he held them halfway to his neck. "This won't work out.” One way or another? Why was he so hell-bent? "If nothing else, everyone will see the bluff instantly, and I'll be sentenced to death knowing my luck."
"You need not worry for your personal safety."
She stared, flabbergasted. The guy was genuinely serious. Was this really happening? "… Why a miko?"
He drew her closer and leaned in a bit, maneuvering her wrists down and behind himself and pulling her to him until their faces were inches apart. The futility of her struggles to not be that close almost had her seated on the ground again, but even that likely would not have stopped him invading her personal space. Then again, considering their… pose, maybe he could endure someone treating him as a lover. “If I am to go through with this at all, then it will be with the additional intention of making a certain bitch die due to organ failure."
… As sad as it was, Kagome really hoped that he was referring to giving his mother the heart attack.
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