Before There Were Fairy Tales... by FaeHime

Compromises, Sacrifices and What Must Be Done

Before There Were Fairy Tales...

by Faehime

Chapter Thirteen: Compromises, Sacrifices and What Must Be Done

After a lengthy argument that was more both of them shouting over one another, Izayoi had managed to drag her and Sesshomaru apart long enough to explain the rules of the challenge. Kagome was grateful that her friend had managed to keep her head, and felt bad for allowing her temper to distract her from their goal. She had spent the entire meal so focus on being mad that she had completely forgotten the trick she'd been planning to pull on the pint-sized demon, and she couldn't help but be proud of her friend for coming up with a plan on her own.

'Even if it is the same trick I pulled on her,' she thought to herself with a smirk, sitting down next to Sesshomaru while Izayoi poured four cups of tea full. Picking up the first two cups, the princess looked at Kagome, who nodded her head in understanding. In order to make sure that the runt didn't suspect a trap, she knew she'd have to allow herself to be trapped first. The pressure of the cups wobbled slightly, and Kagome pressed her palms harder against the surface of the table to make them more balanced.

After Izayoi had placed the cups on top of Sesshomaru's hands the princess had stepped back, arms folding as she surveyed her work with a smile. Kagome waited patiently for her to come over and free her so they could leave, gloating triumphantly together, but the seconds ticked by while her friend continued to stand there smirking. When she finally spoke, the young time-traveler felt the blood leave her face.

"Well, I think my work here is done!"

"Izayoi, I think you're forgetting something," Kagome hedged, not wanting to reveal the trick until she had been freed, which was looking less and less likely by the moment. When the princess shook her head, she couldn't help the anger that began boiling inside her. If she had been mad at Sesshomaru before, it was nothing compared to the rage that filled her at the other girl's next remark.

"Sorry, Kagome-chan, but I am probably never going to get another chance like this so... enjoy your time here with the runt-of-the-litter!"

Up until then, Sesshomaru had been looking between them with growing suspicion, but when Izayoi made to leave he called after her, "If you leave, we will be stuck here until a servant finds us!"

Her voice floated back with laughter coloring her tone, "That is where you are wrong, Sesshomaru-sama. I am going to let the servants know that you asked not to be disturbed for any reason!"

She turned back at the doors, moving to slide them shut as she finished her gloating, "Feel free to thank Kagome-chan! She pulled this trick on me, and because of it, I have finally managed to outsmart you, runt!"

With a snap, the doors slid shut, muffling the manipulative princess's victorious laughter and leaving the two children alone in a suffocating quiet. Kagome could see ripples covering the surface of her tea as she trembled with anger, but she did her best to hold still, not relishing the thought of getting the warm liquid all over her kimono. She wasn't going to give Izayoi the satisfaction of her spilling even a drop on herself.

"I can't believe she would--"

"And what did you expect, you foolish girl?"

Obviously, Sesshomaru's temper was more frayed than her own, but his snarled rebuke had her unleashing her own sharp tongue on him.

"We were supposed to be on the same team!" She scowled at him, teeth grinding together when he didn't even look her way.

"Then you are an idiot. Humans are not known for being loyal to anyone but themselves."

"Well then you don't know humans as well as you think you do," she shot back, thinking of her dad and Tsukau, both of them loyal to a fault. "Besides, if you hadn't been such a jerk earlier, none of this would have happened!"

That caught his attention, and the young boy met her eyes with his own angry, golden gaze. Before he could open his mouth, she started in again, allowing her frustration from being tricked by her own friend and her current companion's bad attitude pour out of her all at once.

"I mean, what is your problem with me anyway? I had been looking forward to meeting you after that brat had told me how much you made her angry, and then you just-- just-- blow up and call me names before you even know me!"

She glared back at her trapped hands, resisting the urge to clench her hands into fists. Shoulders shaking, she continued, "You're just like her! I didn't mean to get trapped in the past, and I'm trying to make the best of it, but of course, the only two kids my age I meet, and both of you have to treat me like dirt! Neither of you even gave me a chance, and I--"

Her vision was blurring as tears began to gather in her eyes. Shaking her head, she blinked them away, furious when a single, cold droplet trickled down her cheek without her permission. She was not going to let this mean, rude boy see her cry, no matter what. Clenching her eyes closed to stop any other tears from escaping, her voice was softer, but no less angry when she opened her mouth again.

"All I want to do is go home, but I can't. So, I thought, if I could at least make friends, then maybe I could stand being here until I can go home. But that obviously isn't going to happen."

With a sigh, she opened her eyes and glared down at the cups that kept her hands plastered to the table the same way the missing well kept her stuck in this time. Silence fell between them again, and she started counting in her head, hoping to calm down enough to think of a way out of her own prank. She had almost made it to 1000 when his voice made her loose count.

"Yes."

The unexpected answer had her head shooting up, brown eyes shooting daggers at the boy who had just spoken. Still feeling grouchy, she practically growled, "Yes, what?"

Sesshomaru's golden eyes were looking straight at her, his expression unreadable but no longer filled with the anger or contempt that had previously been there.

"You asked if I had to be such a jerk," he explained. She blinked at him, still confused for a moment. Once her brain caught up with what he was saying, she leveled him with a look of disbelief, one dark eyebrow arching high as she pursed her lips.

After a moment she asked, "And your answer is yes?"

At his nod, frustration and confusion battled for dominance as she wondered why he couldn't simply explain what he meant without her having to ask. Secretly, she began to wonder if she wasn't being an idiot, as the look he was giving her made her feel like his reasons should be obvious.

Curiosity winning over her wounded pride, Kagome asked, "Why?"

Keeping a straight face, he asked seriously, "I am guessing from your claim of friendship with her that you have spent time talking to the princess of Setsuna, correct?"

When she nodded, he deadpanned, "Then you have your answer."

It took a few minutes for it to sink in, but once she realized what he meant, Kagome couldn't help but burst out laughing. The demon stuck with her had just admitted to being rude simply to avoid having to talk to her new found friend, and the idea was simply too funny. A splash of cold liquid brought her back to her senses, and she calmed herself quickly to avoid spilling anymore of the precariously balanced tea still weighing her hands down.

Grinning at her reluctant companion, she gave him a conspiratorial wink before saying, "She can be a bit much, huh?"

His expression didn't really change, but his eyes seemed to soften as he hummed in agreement. Another silence fell between them, but this one was much less tense. An idea on how to get free had formed in her mind, but she stalled, wanting to see how much more she could get out of Sesshomaru while she had the opportunity.

"Sooo... not to sound stupid again but," she paused before blurting out, "How is your hair longer?"

He didn't look at her as he answered softly, "I am a demon."

When he didn't elaborate, Kagome prompted, "Okay, I knew that. Does that mean your hair grows super fast or something?"

Golden eyes flashed with amusement as he agreed, "Or something."

Realizing she probably wasn't going to get more information out of him on that subject, the young girl switched gears, refusing to give up so easily. Her father's words echoed in her mind again, and she took them to heart this time. If she could manage to make friends with Izayoi, then she was even more determined to make a friend of this difficult boy.

'Sometimes the thing we want the most is the thing we didn't even know we needed.'

"So why do you cut it?"

He looked at her in surprise, and she gave herself a cheer when after a moment he smirked at her with mischief. His response had her giggling again, as it reminded her of some of the things she had done to defy her own parents.

"My mother likes it long."

She noticed that he was no longer referring to himself by his own name, and took it as a good sign. Thinking of what to ask next, she was surprised when he took the initiative, asking his own question.

"You were looking forward to meeting me, even though you are Izayoi's friend?"

There was caution in his voice, one that made her wonder if he didn't believe her claims. Remembering exactly who she'd originally been looking forward to meet, Kagome felt her cheek heating with embarrassment. She had pictured Sesshomaru as a tall, good looking teenager or young adult, and even though it had only been a mental image, part of her had already developed a crush on the fantasy she had created. Not that it had been completely her fault- Kuenai and Izayoi had deliberately misled her with their descriptions of Sesshomaru, and she added the Lady of Setsuna to her mental list of people she needed to get back at.

'It will be harder with a grown-up, but I'll think of something.'

Clearing her throat when she noticed Sesshomaru was still waiting for her answer, she flushed further when she realized that she had blatantly told him that she had wanted to meet him. She refused to take it back though, and so she met his gaze when she answered, wanting him to believe her no matter what.

"Of course! You think you're the only one she annoys?" Smiling, she giggled at the confused expression on his face. "How could I not want to be friends with someone who can help me keep that brat from being so full of herself? I mean, look where we are now!"

When she pointed out their current predicament, a moment passed before a real smile bloomed on Sesshomaru's face, and the young girl felt happiness fill her at the sight. This demon seemed much more reasonable than the princess had been, and she could only hope that after they were free he didn't turn on her again.

'And speaking of getting free...'

Crinkling her nose with a crafty smirk, Kagome bent over one of her hands until her lips had latched onto the edge of the cup on top of it. Ignoring etiquette, she started slurping the tea up, gulping mouthful after mouthful. Once it got so low she couldn't reach the tea anymore, she carefully grabbed the cup in her teeth and lifted until her hand was clear. With one hand free, she downed the rest of the tea before moving the other cup off her still-trapped hand.

Smiling victoriously at her comrade, she reached over and plucked the cups off both of his clawed hands, thrilled at the amazed look he was sending her. Standing to stretch out the kinks in her back, she waited for him to do the same before asking the most important question of all.

"So, any ideas on how to make Izayoi pay?"

~O~

'Soutozu, what a mess you've left for me.'

Tsukau was dutifully reading over documents he had read dozens of times already, looking for anything that he might have missed that could help him. Before his death, the Lord of Setsuna had confided many secrets to his trusted diplomatic adviser, information about events that had happened, were happening and that had yet to happen.

After marrying Kuenai, The Lord of Setsuna had been gifted with a vision of his own death, and once he realized he would not be able to influence what was to come, he had charged Tsukau with making certain that specific events were set upon the correct paths to ensure the future.

It was a task he did not relish, and the amiable man had even tried a few times to defy what was to come, but to no avail. Now though, with the missive he'd received informing him of the arrival of an emissary from the continent, Tsukau knew that all he could do was fulfill his Lord's last request and order.

'You could have left me better prepared though,' he thought sardonically, knowing that his friend had done his best to do everything he could before he had fallen ill. Despite his reluctant role in all that was about to happen, Tsukau was determined to do what was needed. Rubbing tiredly at his eyes, he stood, knowing that there was no more he would be able to do this night at least.

Stomach rumbling unpleasantly, he belatedly remembered that he had skipped dinner to make preparations for the arriving emissary and the contingent of soldiers from the continent. Deciding to go and scavenge himself something to eat before he went to bed , the tall man grinned mischievously as he contemplated the scolding he would get tomorrow from the old cook that ran the shiro's kitchen. She was always put out when he skipped meals, and after an incident where he had accidentally consumed a special dish she'd set aside for a visiting dignitary from the south during a late night raid, the spry woman had banned him from her domain for good.

'I just hope she doesn't whack me with the ladle again,' he thought with a wince, remembering the knot she'd given him the last time she'd caught him sneaking food.

Feeling devious, he was making plans to rearrange on of the pantries when a flash of red caught his eye. Turning to see what it was, Tsukau found himself looking at the drawing where he had first met Kagome. Grey eyes dulling as seriousness reasserted itself, Tsukau allowed his fingers to trace the outline of the smallest of the figures on the large image.

Worry filled him, along with the urge to go back to his rooms and look through all the documents on his desk again. It was true that no one knew who any of the figures on the battlefield were, beyond a vague speculation concerning the warrior's relation to the Lord of the West's line.

No one, except for Soutozu... and him. And with the Lord of Setsuna dead, Tsukau was now the only one who knew the identity of a single figure in the image, and his heart ached with the knowledge. The former Lord had told him that he'd had a vision of a young girl arriving at the shiro shortly before someone from the continent would arrive with an offer of marriage for his daughter.

"I don't know who she is, or where she is from, but she will come seeking aide. The child will not find what she is looking for here, and her stay will be short as a result."

Soutozu sighed, running an ink-stained hand lovingly across the image even as his expression filled with disgust. Tsukau was aware of the conflicting feelings the older man had for the visions he was granted, in particular the visions surrounding the battle depicted in this drawing. He waited patiently for his long-time friend and Lord to continue, and was quickly rewarded when his deep voice rumbled through the room again.

"I have seen her, brief flashes, in many of the other events that will come to pass leading to this battle. Only her most of the time, and never who she is with, which leads me to believe that whoever this girl is traveling with will be central to the outcome of the war to come," he said, frustration coloring his words. Intelligent eyes the color of tilled earth focused on him, the intensity of his gaze emphasizing the importance of his words.

"She is central to what is happening, and her fate has already been decided. I know not the outcome for anyone else who will be caught up in the battles to come, except for her."

Tears began to drip down the older man's cheeks, and Tsukau found himself asking, "And what is the child's fate, Soutozu-sama?"

For a moment, the older man didn't respond, his watery gaze locked on something only he could see. The tall man could imagine that perhaps he could see the mystery child's face in his mind's eye, and was lamenting what he saw in her future. At length he replied, his voice resolute and unforgiving.

"She is going to die before she reaches her eleventh summer in this world."

Silence rang around them, and the tall man allowed his eye to linger on the small, shadowy figure of a girl he had never met, sadness in his heart for a child who would die in the fighting that would come. His mouth opened before he could stop himself, and he asked his solemn companion if he had seen how she died.

"I have, and that is what grieves me most. For you will want to do everything in your power to change it, but will fail to do so," he whispered, hand clenching over the drawing as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Drawing in a breath, he looked at Tsukau with pained eyes before speaking, the Lord's next words stealing the warmth from his heart.

"She is going to die protecting you."

Ears ringing as desperation raced through his veins, Tsukau felt tears rolling down his own cheeks as he remembered his friends words. They echoed through his soul, calling for him to do something, to defy all the plans they had put in place and try to save this innocent girl who was going to die for him. Grey eyes closing as a soft sob dropped him to his knees, the normally optimistic man hung his head in despair, knowing that he couldn't do anything to stop what was to come, no matter what he wanted.

~...her fate has already been decided.~

No longer feeling hungry, Tsukau stumbled back to his feet, turning to go back to his rooms with one final, lingering look at the shadowed figure of a child in the midst of a battlefield. Swallowing heavily, he headed back to his rooms, only one thought on his mind.

'I won't let Kagome die.'