Honor Bound by NomDePlume

Marriage

Kagome sat at her small desk in Sesshoumaru's study. It was a beautiful morning, and she couldn't help but stare out the window. Birds were singing and bouncing around in the trees. Maybe she should eat outside for lunch? It felt like such a waste to be stuck inside on such a sunny day.

She leaned forward to rest her cheek against her fist. Her gaze wandered to the grumpy daiyoukai intimidating the room. He sat, lounging behind his desk reading a scroll. One might think he was relaxed, but Kagome knew better. He looked more like a caged tiger, or a bow-string pulled tight; restless and full of tension. She imagined that if he were the type to fidget, then he would be pacing around the room or taping his foot excessively. Instead, he remained still, with his eyes glued to the document in front of him. His aura spoke of a very different demeanor.

She had a feeling it had to do with Rin leaving with Kohaku. He wouldn't admit it, but he worried about her.

"Um...Sesshoumaru-sama, are you alright?"

His gold eyes slowly slid in her direction, but he said nothing.

Kagome grabbed her brush as if to look busy. His gaze was unnerving!

"I...uh..."

The door slid open with a resounding crack. Sesshoumaru scowled and set his paper down to look at his mother.

"Good morning!" Manako said cheerfully.

"Good morning , Gobodo-sama." Kagome answered quietly.

"What do you want?" Sesshoumaru growled.

His mother swept into the room, her long fur and kimono trailing behind her. She stopped in front of his desk. "Sesshoumaru, is that anyway to speak to your mother?" She chided, before turning to Kagome, "Why do you let him speak to me like that?"

Kagome rolled her eyes,. As if she could control anything Sesshoumaru does.

Manako pulled a small folded paper from within her kimono, and held it up.

"I am here to inform you that you are going to attend the Yuudai kitsune wedding tonight."

Sesshoumaru snapped his attention to Kagome. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

A chill ran up her back. She jumped up waving her hands in front of her.

"No, no, no. I declined that invitation!"

"I know. It's a good thing I caught it before it was sent out! It's only for one night, and I have already planned your accommodations."

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "What?! You read all the outgoing mail?"

Manako turned her nose up. "Of course."

Sesshoumaru picked up his scroll again, and ignored her. "I refuse to go." He said gruffly.

"Oh, no. You're going! You have so much pent-up energy that you will bring the palace down around us if you don't do something about it. This will be a good chance to relax. Kitsune weddings are fun!"

"Um...I don't really think now is the best time to attend a wedding. We're waiting on Rin and Kohaku to return. Not to mention that war is practically at our doorstep." Kagome offered.

"Nonsense. I will be here to handle any problem that arises. Yuudai is a vassal of yours, and hopefully an ally when the battle reaches us. His marriage is uniting two very large kitsune clans within our territory. It would be foolish not to pay your respects. "

Sesshoumaru snarled and grit his teeth. He hated kitsune gatherings. They liked to play tricks and annoy the hell out of him.

A sweet floral scent filled the room, drawing Kagome's attention to Sesshoumaru. The poor document in his hands melted from the acid leaking from his hands. Her eyes slid back to Manako.

"Is it really wise to have Sesshoumaru-sama go to an otherwise happy occasion, when he is so clearly..." Kagome trailed off when Sesshoumaru glared at her, waiting to hear her next words. "Ah...not in a generous mood?"

Manako snapped her fingers and smiled at her. "And that is why you are going with him! You will keep him out of trouble, while gaining us allies in the process. Kitsune do not typically go to war, but they can be fiercely loyal if you give them reason to be."

Kagome sat back down on her cushion and crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, I refuse to go."

The murderous gaze left Sesshoumaru face and instead he raised an eyebrow.

"I will not leave Katsurou here by himself."

His mother's peals of laughter filled the room. "Don't be ridiculous, Kagome. Katsurou is not an infant. He will be just fine with me."

'Famous last words', Kagome wanted to say. The two women leered at eachother.

"He's just five. He needs me here." She said firmly.

Manako stalked over to Kagome's desk, and leaned over it.

"Are you saying that I am not strong enough to take care of my grandchild?" Manako asked, her voice dripped with venom. The room crackled with malevolent energy. The other otherwise bright sunny room became dark, as if a storm approached. Kagome shrank back into her cushion, feeling the growing threat of violence in the air.

"Oh no, no, I don't mean that, I just..." She tried to explain.

Manako clapped her hands together and smiled brightly. "Good! Then it's settled. You'll want to get a move on. The ceremony will be this afternoon."

The atmosphere in the room returned to normal, and Kagome could hear the birds singing again. She let go a deep breath. Why did she have to be so intimidating?

Manako turned to leave, but paused at the door. "You'll have fun. Kitsune know how to throw a party. Oh, Sesshoumaru, dress appropriately and don't forget an umbrella."

When the door closed behind his mother, Kagome slowly turned her head to see Sesshoumaru's reaction. She was half afraid that he would flip his desk over, or even chase after Manako. But instead Sesshoumaru sat as still as a statue with his eyes closed.

Kagome wondered if he was trying to rein in his rage, or if he were thinking of all the ways to kill his mother.

She could not help but wonder what Manako had up her sleeve.