Would You? by Opal-Dreams

Maria

Maria

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha or its characters. Say hello to the very talented Rumiko Takahashi who owns him and the entire cast. Hello Rumiko Takahashi. Hehehe! The song 'Maria' belongs to MGM, I think. (It's from a musical).

By: year of the snake (at fanfiction) (aka.) crescentmoon (at mediaminer) And now Opal-Dreams on DeviantArt and Dokuga.

“Absolutely not. We will not have any such occasion at my palace.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, we thought that this would be easier for you, you could see all the eligible ladies we could find and reject them all at once instead of one at a time.” said his adviser, who was a fourth fox slyly.

“He is right!” barked an older adviser, one who had worked for his father as well.

'It would take them some time to find more females once all attendees are rejected.' he thought to himself. “Very well. I will allow the ball.”

“That is the last of the business we needed to bring before you today Your Lordship.”

“You are dismissed.”

All twelve of his advisers bowed as they left.

*

The advisers sighed. This occasion was a failure. Their lord was not interested at all in any of the ladies present. Was it too much to ask that their lord even exchange one sentence with someone here tonight?

The air in the room gradually got easier to breath. A miko must have entered, her presence was purifying the air around her. The stifling heat dropped. That was why the richest and the most powerful demon houses employed low level mikos. The ones whose only powers were basic sensing or healing.

“I thought you said our miko servant was ill tonight.” whispered one of the councilors to another.

“She is. We did invite a few of the more powerful mikos as candidates for his lordship's mate. Perhaps one of them decided to show up.”

“Perhaps.” whispered Hibiki, the part fox, mostly dog demon. All the other councilors turned to him to see his face, but his back was to them. So they couldn't tell if he knew something they did not.

Soon Sesshoumaru was near a young woman they didn't recognize. They began to talk. Her dress was swirling shades of dark blue. The full skirt was embroidered in silver ribbon and jewels showcasing the fairytale of the Weaver and the Cowherd. The heart cut top was sewn with more silver ribbon and jewels to look like stars.

Sesshoumaru's advisers at each other smiled. For all his insistent fighting against their plan to introduce him to potential mates he was finally talking to one of the ladies. While they we not certain who the young miko was the fact that he was showing interest was good enough.

Sesshoumaru talked with a girl all night. She had proved to be quiet intelligent. And she even occasionally poked fun at their conversation, not something many dared to do.

Suddenly the girl stood straight and stiff. “I'm sorry I must go.”

“What?”

“I'm sorry.”

“You must at least give me your name.”

Looking around first she complied. She whispered in his ear, “My name is Kagome.” Then she hurried away.

“Kagome . . .” he whispered. There was something almost magical about her name. 'It is the most beautiful sound I ever heard. Kagome, Kagome, Kagome.' he thought to himself as he walked himself back to his spot on the dais.

“So my lord, who was that beautiful young lady? You talked with her for quite some time.” asked Hibiki with a grin.

“Kagome . . .” answered the Lord of the West.

“Ah, a lovely name. Like all the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word . ..”

“Hmn.” replied Sesshoumaru. The lord closed his eyes. He had no interest in rejoining his guests. 'Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome . . . Kagome!' his mind kept repeating. “I've just met a girl named Kagome.” he answered his youngest adviser again.

“As you say, my lord.” The fox bowed to him with a smile.

'She is so wise, and suddenly that name will never be the same to me.'

“Kagome, huh? I seem to recall a girl by that name. I believe that your brother traveled with one, before he died. Whatever happened to that pour girl, my lord?”

“She returned to her home.” he said, concealing the hurt that her leaving had caused for everyone, even him. He had secretly cared for the girl.

“Ah, that is sad. She would have been glad to meet someone else with her name I'm sure.”

“Hmn. I wish for silence.”

“As you wish, Lord Sesshoumaru.” The adviser bowed to his lord and returned to the others.

*

The next night the festivities continued.

All the advisers were anxious. The 'Kagome' from the night before had yet to show up. Sesshoumaru lacked interest in all the other ladies that flooded the room.

“I hope she shows up again tonight.” whispered Yasu, a young dog-demon.

All the advisers uttered they're fears and hopes for their young lord. All that is except for Hibiki, who always seemed to know something they did not, thus he never showed any worry over anything. Even now he had his calm, near wicked, smile that belied his fox heritage.

“Aren't you worried Hibiki-sama?”

“Me? No. I'm sure our lord will pick a suitable young lady, there are so many here to choose from. I do not envy that task.” he grinned. “I think I shall assist his lordship.” With that the young man strutted off the dais and towards a group of young demonesses.

Soon they were chatting with the charming demon.

Seconds after he coaxed the females into laughing a chill, fresh breeze swept through the room. Lord Sesshoumaru was dancing a waltz with the young lady from the night before.

They were wonderful, her eyes were always trained on his, to read his future moves in his eyes. Yet she always managed to keep her face turned from one corner of the room.

Hibiki couldn't help his grin as he turned to watch them. All was going splendidly. The little vixen drew Sesshoumaru-sama like a bear to honey. “Be careful of the bees, my lord.” he whispered. “Do not make my lady angry.”

“What was that?” asked one of his neighbors.

“Nothing sweet lady. I was just feeling envious. I wish to dance as well, care to join me?” He bowed to her.

The demoness smiled beautifully. “Certainly!”

He lead her to the floor with a swish and sway of shining orange and yellow silks.

Sesshoumaru took the distraction of his adviser and the lady joining them on the floor to escape the room with the young miko. He took her to a balcony beneath the stars.

Out beneath the full moon her dress of luminous silvery-white practically shimmered under his hand. Her waist was warmed beneath his palm. Her raven hair and blue eyes were set off perfectly by it's color. It had magenta lace around the collar, the bottom of the sleeves and at the edge of the shirt.

They conversed for a few minutes before he asked, “May I kiss you, my lady?”

She lifted her face with a smile. “You may, Lord Sesshoumaru.”

“Kagome!” he whispered as he snatched up her lips before she could have any chance to rethink.

Mere seconds later she pulled away, a frantic look stealing all the wonder of the kiss. “I must go.”

She darted away, through the door, across the ballroom and disappearing around a bend, in a matter of seconds.

“My Lord Sesshoumaru.” A demoness and her two daughters came out of the ballroom. “I am so happy to see you.” she smiled and her girls followed suit.

He bowed to them. “Dame Yumi.” They curtsied in return.

“These are my daughters, Masami and Akane.”

He bowed again, the girls curtsied. “Ladies.”

“It's such a beautiful night, perhaps you would take one of my girls on a stroll?”

“I have no desire to walk tonight.”

“Oh.” Not to be put off Yumi tried again. “Then how about taking a spin around the dance floor, my daughters are wonderful dancers.”

“I am sorry, Yumi-sama. I am no longer feeling well. I will find other dance partners for your girls.” Sesshoumaru did find them other dance partners, much to Dame Yumi's dismay.

“Do you need some care my lord?” she asked through a forced smile.

“No.” he dismissed her.

Clenching her hands she curtsied and left Sesshoumaru alone.

As soon as the demoness left his side Hibiki was at his side. “My lord, you look like you should sit down.”

Sesshoumaru nodded and went to his seat. He seemed to be watching the dancers but he was far away.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, what happened?”

Sesshoumaru turned to look at Hibiki.

“The young lady you were dancing with ran through here like the devil was after her. Sesshoumaru-sama, did something happen?”

Sesshoumaru shook his head. “I've just kissed a girl named Kagome.”

“You kissed her and she ran away?” Hibiki asked aghast.

“She said I could, Hibiki-san.”

Hibiki then smiled. “Then perhaps she wasn't running away from you, but something, or someone else?”

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed from a moment. “You may go Hibiki.”

Hibiki bowed and left him to think.

'Running away from someone else? Perhaps... After all she did seem to enjoy the kiss.' Sesshoumaru thought, the memory of the kiss surfacing.

Sesshoumaru got up and left the ball. He wandered the gardens instead. 'Kagome... And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be!'

“Kagome!” he said. 'Say it loud and there's music playing,'

“Kagome!” he whispered. 'Say it soft and it's almost like praying.'

*

The last night of the ball was beginning. Sesshoumaru greeted his guests and thanked them for coming. Then he sat down on his chair and watched the door like a guard dog.

Hibiki could have laughed at Sesshoumaru. He was completely smitten with a miko!

“Sesshoumaru-sama, are you expecting someone?”

Sesshoumaru gave him a glare and returned his watch to the door.

Hibiki grinned. Lord Sesshoumaru was truly under her spell.

Hours later Hibiki detracted his lord at just the right time. The girl Kagome entered without him noticing. Sesshoumaru didn't notice her until she was nearly at the bottom of the dais.

Sesshoumaru was on his feet in an instant.

As she curtsied to the demon before her her dress caught all the firelight in the room. Tonight her dress looked like it was spun gold with a magenta sash, tied like an obi.

Before she rose from her curtsy Sesshoumaru was at the bottom of the stairs. Two seconds later Sesshoumaru had the girl in his arms again, dancing her around the floor like they were the only two on it.

Soon Kagome forgot all about shielding one side of the room from her face. She was too entranced with the man before her.

Dame Yumi's fury spiked when she recognized the woman with Sesshoumaru-sama's arms about her. She marched towards the couple. Only to be haulted by Hibiki. “Out of my way mutt!”

“I am sorry Dame Yumi. Sesshoumaru-sama is busy right now and is unable to hear your complaint. Please feel free to air your issue with me.” He smiled calmingly. It didn't work, but it did distract her from the barrier he put up around them. No one would hear their conversation.

“That miko,” she spat, “is my servant! You can't possibly allow Sesshoumaru-sama to dance with one so unworthy!”

“I'm afraid if Sesshoumaru deigns to dance with her, that that makes her worthy.” Hibiki said.

“What?” she asked murderously. “I brought that wench along to show off my power as to bring Sesshoumaru-sama's attention to my girls, not for her to steal it!”

Hibiki fought a smile. “Where did she get the dresses my lady, surely you did not provide them.”

“Certainly not!”

“Then apparently she has a wealthy sponsor who thinks she is worthy.”

“Or who is trying to make a fool of everyone! A weak miko has no place with his lordship!”

“I'd hardly call the Shikon Miko weak.”

Yumi's jaw dropped. “The Shikon Miko, her?”

“Yes. I would know her anywhere. I heard she had taken a job for a demon, what better place to hide, than in plain sight?”

“My miko is the Shikon Miko?”

“Yes, my lady. I made sure your daughters got this second chance with Lord Sesshoumaru in the hopes that you would bring her along.”

“What?” she turned pale as cream.

“I have been searching for Kagome-sama for some time. Come you need to sit down.”

After he got her settled he hurried over to the pair who were now talking on the sidelines. “Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Kagome.” He bowed to them both.

While he made an illusion that made everyone, even Sesshoumaru think that her was talking to Sesshoumaru he talked to Kagome. Frantically he said, “Hurry Kagome, Dame Yumi knows. Soon she will recover from her shock, you must leave before she does. Go to the room I have prepared for you. I will fetch your son.”

“Alright.” she nodded.

“Sesshoumaru-sama,” she whispered in his ear, “I must go.”

Then she hightailed it, but she tripped on one of the stairs out of the ballroom. Because she could feel Dame Yumi's ire coming for her she took off without one of her shoes.

Minutes after she made it to her new room her worry was relieved when Hibiki brought his young cousin to her.

“Shippo!” she hugged the red haired boy, “Thank goodness!”

Kagome popped and Hibiki's fox magic dissolved. Kagome's glorious gown returned to her miko grab.

“Thank you Hibiki-san.”

“I'm just killing two birds with one stone.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Hibiki left before he could answer her.

*

When Sesshoumaru found that he couldn't sniff out Kagome he went into a rage. It was Hibiki who calmed him down.

“Sesshoumaru-sama. The girl has lost her shoe. Surely we can use it to find her.”

“I already told you that I can not smell her anywhere.”

“Lord Sesshoumaru, she may be able to block her smell, but there is no way she could block your vision of her. I propose that we not allow any woman to leave the palace without trying on the shoe. And if the shoe fits, you will mate the girl. She will have to try it on eventually.”

Sesshoumaru looked at the gold shoe his councilor held. “That shoe could fit many girls.”

“Ah, not a shoe like this. I have already examined the shoe. It has been made with fox fire, shoes made with such a technique will only allow themselves to have one wearer. Observe.” Hibiki called over a serving girl, “Ayako-san come here for a moment.”

When the female arrived she curtsied to her superiors. “My lords.”

“Ayako-san, try on this shoe.” Hibiki handed it to her.

“It's lovely!” exclaimed the demoness. Sitting down she took off her own shoe to put the gold one on. As the shoe neared her foot it shrunk to a baby sized shoe. “Oh!” She dropped it and it clinked on the floor, back to it's original size.

“Thank you Ayako-san. You may go.”

When the girl had her own shoe back on and left Sesshoumaru addressed his advisers. “I will mate none except she whom this shoe fits.”

All the councilors hung their heads, how could they find what their lord could not. Hibiki just bowed to Sesshomaru-sama and said, “As you wish Sesshoumaru-sama.” His bow hid his smile well.

*

After letting a few days go by in a fruitless search, just to watch all the ladies steam and scream, and his fellow advisers despair Hibiki told Kagome of Sesshoumaru's search.

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the tricky demon. “That sounds awfully familiar. But I don't recall telling you that story.” She turned to Shippo.

Her adoptive son just grinned. “It's a good story mama. I may have told him it while we were playing a few days back.”

“Why do I get the feeling you two are trying to get me to mate with Sesshoumaru-sama?”

“Because that is what you want it to be. Actually, I control the magic of the shoes and have the perfect mate picked out for Sesshoumaru-sama. I just thought you'd like an update before I let the shoes fit Masami-sama.” He was thankful that Kagome couldn't smell lies like Sesshoumaru-sama could.

“What! Are you crazy!?! Masami-san would destroy your lives and weaken Sesshoumaru's lands. I can't let you do that!”

“I'm afraid that it's happening right now.”

“Oh no it isn't!” Kagome's miko powers exploded the barrier that made the room invisible. She stormed out the door followed by two cousins celebrating with high-fives and thumbs up.

Kagome burst into the room where she could sense Sesshoumaru and low and behold Dame Yumi and her two daughters Masami and Akane. The younger two were there to try on the shoe.

Masami dropped the shoe when she felt the extreme power flowing from the miko, the same miko who was their servant.

“Give me my shoe.” growled Kagome.

Masami dropped down and picked up the gold shoe. Then she rushed over to Kagome and gave it to her. “Here Aoi-sama!” The demoness then fled. She joined her sister behind their mother. All three demonesses huddled together.

By this time Sesshoumaru was leaning forward in his chair. A small smile graced his face from his excitement. This had to be the girl!

Kagome kicked off her right shoe. Everyone in the room held their breath as the gold shoe neared her bare foot. Her toe touched the gold rim, then she slid her entire foot into the shoe.

It fit like it had been made on that foot.

“Everybody leave.” Sesshoumaru said.

Everyone turned to go.

“Not you Kagome-sama.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Once the door closed behind Hibiki and Shippo Kagome was once again in Sesshoumaru's arm. “Kagome-sama, you will be my mate.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I can tolerate you.”

Kagome raised an eyebrow. “How romantic. You should know me well enough to know I have to refuse.”

“I will not let you refuse.”

“I can't mate you Sesshoumaru-san. I promised someone on his deathbed that I would only marry... mate, someone who loved me, because of me. I can't mate you.” Tears were in her eyes, “But I wish I could.”

Sesshoumaru let her go. “Then I will accept your refusal. The woman to whom I gave my love,” he turned away, “she returned to her home, or died when my brother died.”

“I'm surprised that you still don't recognize me, Sesshoumaru-san.” She pulled on the chain around her neck and the Shikon no Tama rolled into her hand. “Inuyasha was the one who made me promise not to mate without love.”

Abruptly she was in his arms again. “Kagome!” he said into her hair with a kiss. “Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome!”

“Sesshoumaru-san, I'm here, you don't have to keep calling for me.”

“Kagome,” he kissed her cheek, “I'll never stop saying Kagome!” He kissed her jawline, just once. “It is the most beautiful sound I ever heard. Kagome.” He kissed her lips.

“You will become my mate.”

Kagome smiled for joy.

*

The advisers and Shippo had been listening at the door. “Hibiki-sama,” said the oldest one. “Why did you set this up.”

Hibiki smiled. “Shippo-kun's father took me in when I lost my parents. Shippo-kun would not give up his new mother. So I had to find a way to bring her here.” Hibiki's smile turned into a grin, “Besides Sesshoumaru-sama needed a mate.”

Shippo said, “Mama already loved Sesshoumaru-sama.”

“If you ask me,” Hibiki began, “they deserve each other. Kagome-sama was too stubborn to mate me and Sesshoumaru-sama was too stubborn to mate any of the women we found for him. Now they can be stubborn together.” He leaned back against the wall with a satisfied smirk.

The End

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AN: I changed the name Maria to Kagome in the song.

Please enjoy. Please let me know what you think of it! Thank you!

This is for Sandreline's Musical Challenge at dokuga http://www.dokuga.com/forum/29-challenges/73698-sandrelines-musical-challenge#73717 .

This was the prize at the end of the last one-shot. A person who goes by the name; Izzy at dokuga won this. The answer was: Les' Miserables.

PRIZE: The first person to review with the musical this song came from will be allowed to request another Sesshoumaru/Kagome song-fic, using a song they choose, from a musical. (Must be a logged in user so I can contact them.) PS. The person who won this prize cannot answer the question, so someone else has a chance, you can't win twice in a row. But I will allow previous winners to enter again, they can win every other time. Thank you.