Bound by Jesaka Karanaka

Chapter 9 – Blood Relations

Chapter 9 - Blood Relations

Retracting her miko powers as suddenly as she flared them, Kagome pulled back as far away from Sesshoumaru as he would allow. The only things running through her mind were questions on his sanity, as well as on her own. She was sure that her head would be neatly separated from her shoulders in milliseconds.

Sesshoumaru watched in poker faced glee as she not only retracted her aura, but stood by in silent horror waiting for his next move. Granted, he hadn't released his grip on the kimono yet, so she wasn't able to back away as far as she liked, but he did allow her a little room. This was going to be enjoyable.

"Are you quite finished being a belligerent little fool, Miko?" She kept the same demeanor, regarding him with extreme caution and silence, until she realized she hadn't answered him.

"I... Uh..."

"I thought so. Keep in mind, miko, that the bond leaves me in complete control, not you. And that, when I ask for something from you, I *will* get it - one way, or another." The look of abject horror and disgust on her face was not lost to him. He'd hit a nerve.

"You must have been a joy as a child - spoiled rotten."

"Indeed. Now," he said, setting her back to her feet and straightening the kimono up, resetting all the essential folds, "the reason I brought you out here is that I had a few questions for you. About the future."

"The what?"

"Think you I do not know of the well? Or of your travels between times? You underestimate me. Your companions used to talk at length about it when you were gone."

"Oh. Ok. Well, what do you want to know?"

"Who rules the four lands?"

"I don't know. Youkai are either in hiding or weakened in my time."

"You mean they've concealed themselves from detection?"

"Yes. I think its because humans have become too numerous for them to be safe unshielded."

"Do you know anything of the building techniques and architecture of your time?"

"A little. My dad, before he and my mom divorced, was an architect, and he used to show me his designs. That was a long time ago, though."

"Your sire built domiciles?"

"Yes, and no. He designed them, and occasionally worked on them, but most of the time, he just drew up the plans and left the actual hard labor to someone else."

"And he was paid for this?"

"Most of the time, yes."

"Perhaps I will have you spend time with me when I draw up the plans for the new palace. You may have some insights that would prove useful," Sesshoumaru replied, looking up to the sky. He then beckoned her, "Come, we will walk the gardens while we discuss a few things."

"Like what?" asked Kagome, voice slightly irritated and shrill, indignant.

"Like what is expected of you. What will be expected of your kit."

"What do you mean?" she replied, following him as he began walking into a particularly beautiful part of the garden.

"My intention of presenting you to all of youkai society last eve did not go as planned. While you were attractive, comely, and did attract the attention of some worthwhile males, my personal behavior led to an inability to procure anything beyond cordial acquaintances."

"Meaning...?"

"Meaning that, while men were interested in you, because of my possessive behavior, I was unable to gain the alliances through you that I had sought."

"Which means you are stuck with me."

"Unless I can convince our hosts to keep you, yes. However, seeing as my father already bonded the north as the allies of the west through treaty, I'm sure there will be no push to reaffirm our alliance. They probably wouldn't even take you as payment for the housing they are providing." He had approached a bench at this point, and in a move that showed volumes to Kagome, Sesshoumaru virtually slumped down on the hard stone seat.

"Thanks. Its nice to know you value my presence so highly, your lordship," replied an unmoved Kagome. She sat down in a huff on the soft grass in front of him, legs crossed in front of her, elbows on knees, and chin in hands. "Might I remind you, Oh Mighty One, that *you* are the one that bonded me away from my friends and family, and that *you* are the one whose behavior was so detrimental last night? I played my part, and held up my end of a deal in which I wanted no part. So what do you plan to do with me now?" He looked up at her, initially irritated that she would dare speak to him like this, but, as he was beginning to sense a pattern of this kind of speech, he said nothing. Sesshoumaru regarded her quietly, thoughtfully, and then answered.

"It would not be too much a stretch to see you as my new retainer. Others have done so with humans before. Were it not for Geddo being bonded into my service this evening, I would contemplate it. The West, however, is in desperate need of a Chatelaine. There has not been one since my mother."

"Chatelaine? What's that?"

"Before my palace was burnt down, I entertained visitors from the West - beyond my lands. They spoke an odd language, but it was easily enough learned. They told me of their history, and of Chatelaines. They were unmarried women who ran households. In the past, I relied on Jaken for this, but it was too much for him to handle, I think. Women in high regard traditionally take on this role. In youkai households, it is usually up to the primary mate of the lord youkai to run the household, but in this case, as you are a highly regarded, and apparently well educated, female, you should serve well."

"I know nothing about running a household - even one in my time, not to mention one five hundred years in my past."

"You will learn."

"It will take me forever - and, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not immortal like you."

"Once you become a servant of my house, your life will extend to the lifeline of the Taishou line. You will live far longer than any mortal previously."

"And what about Shippou? If I am to work my long lived keister off keeping house for you, I am going to demand my kit!"

"And you shall have him. He will be raised from my palace, and I will undertake his training. He can be as much use to me as you."

"So, now that you have your uses for us sorted out, what else do you want of me?" Kagome asked as she got up to leave. Her sarcasm was not lost on the Tai in front of her.

"I will have to give it some thought. After all, I haven't had a concubine in centuries." Her jaw-dropped glare was all the reaction Sesshoumaru needed. A small lopsided smile cracked itself on the left side of his face as he watched her stomp away. Goading her was far too much fun.

~

"So, that son of a bitch has sought shelter in the northern fortress?"

"Yes, Lord Naraku. InuYasha and the huntress have gone there."

"Kanna, call your sister. I want her to scout out the palace."

Kanna walked slowly away from the wretched hanyou who ordered her around. She wasn't the totally emotionless creature most thought her to be. She was capable of deep, unabiding hate. As a part of Naraku, she couldn't escape Onigumo's humanity in that sense. She despised the creature that tortured her sister, that enslaved them both, and that reanimated the now dead boy. Eventually she'd overtake the foul hanyou, either by force or desire. Right now, while he literally held her sister's heart, she wouldn't. It wasn't her love for the wind-youkai that stayed her hand. It was the thought that, if Naraku took out Kagura before she managed to steal his soul, nothing would bring back the older woman. And then, Kanna would be alone.

And despite being a void demon, the epitome of alone, she did not like the prospect of it.

~

When InuYasha and Sango had finally risen, it was early evening. Apparently, neither had slept well knowing that Kagome was out somewhere with Sesshoumaru, despite the deep bites on both of their necks signifying their mating.

Sango had not presented any signs of becoming youkai or hanyou due to the blood exchange, and while this had disappointed InuYasha initially, he found he was much happier that she had remained human - It meant that his hanyou blood would mean little in the long run, and that their children would be human with some unique gifts - probably in weapons or in demon sensing. They would be able to live the normal life he had never had.

The fact that, even now, she was carrying his first child, left him in absolute awe of Sango. She was so strong, so unencumbered by societal norms. She was perfect for him. He only wished he had seen this side of her a long time ago.

The two of them walked down the main corridors of the palace complex, following InuYasha's nose to the kitchens. When they walked into an apparent side entrance, they were surprised at what they saw.

A dozen children surrounded the table that Kagome was sitting at, and she was entertaining them with stories of InuYasha and their adventures. Most of the children sitting at the table were dressed in royal robes, and three, in particular, caught Sango's eye. They looked like identical triplets, though each was dressed in a different pale shade. All had the darkest black hair she'd ever seen, the elfin ears denoting them as full youkai, and they had the most beautiful dark blue eyes - they almost matched Kagome's gown. They sat very closely, and, under this pile of identical femininity sat a very smug looking and happy Shippou. Kagome looked up at them, eyes softening and a smile forming on her lips - the first in many days.

"Hey there, guys," she said, looking at them. Turning back to the children, she said, "Now, children, this is the Hanyou I was telling you about, and his new mate, Sango." She smiled at the reaction the kids gave - they ran up to InuYasha and inundated him with questions, pulling him to the floor as he began to answer. Sango drifted away from the chaotic scene and soon found her yukata pulled on by a gentle hand.

"Sango, I've missed you both, so much," said a teary eyed Kagome.

"You aren't mad at us, are you?"

"Kami - No! I could never fault you for following your heart!" She squeaked a bit under the intense hug of the taijiya.

"Thank you, Kagome."

"Besides," the miko replied, grunting under the pressure of the hug, "you brought my kit to me and who am I to hold a grudge against a pregnant woman?" Sango pulled back quickly, looking at her sister-friend.

"How'd you know?"

"Intuition. And the fact that most youkai and hanyou matings net a pregnancy - you taught me that."

Laughing, both women watched as InuYasha struggled to maintain his sanity under the onslaught of twelve very curious youkai and hanyou.

~

Later that evening, the five remaining members of the Inu-Tachi sat in the gardens with a lamp, talking. No one knew what had become of Miroku, and this worried Kagome. She knew that the monk was probably upset with Sango and InuYasha, but no one in their right mind just wanders off. Subjects, however, switched quickly to the Shikon. InuYasha still had it, and hadn't made a wish on it yet.

"What kind of wish do I need to make on this thing? You know, if I don't do it soon, we will have to deal with Naraku." InuYasha had Sango sitting in recline on his lap.

"And with Sango expecting, better to be done with it sooner than later," replied an uneasy Shippou. The mated pair made him nervous, but as Kagome had accepted it, so would he with time.

"I don't know. Making a selfless wish is nearly impossible, but the wish, at the least, should do the most good," replied a tired Kagome at length.

"Perhaps we should wish well for an enemy. It does us no good, but instead would harm us. Perhaps that would satisfy the jewel," was Sango's wizened input.

"But which enemy? How do we choose?" asked InuYasha.

"Maybe we should let Kagome make the decision. She is much more schooled than you or I, InuYasha. Besides, she is the miko of the jewel - its protectorate. She is the best judge."

"But whose interest is best served? I mean, InuYasha wanted to become a full blooded youkai. Miroku's wind void will kill him if nothing is done to stop it. You've lost your entire family, Sango. Everyone would be better served on so many levels by the use of the jewel. How do I choose?"

"Perhaps, my vassal, it is best not to choose at this time. The appropriate answer will come to you." No one had noticed the approach of Sesshoumaru. He gave a cursory glance over the group - his miko sitting with her kit in her lap, the huntress sitting in InuYasha's lap, the neko mononoke behind her new master and mistress.

"Sesshoumaru, how long have you been listening?"

"Long enough to know what troubles you. You have chosen well, InuYasha. The child she carries will be an interesting creature." Dumbstruck, InuYasha sat back against Kirara as Sango blushed.

"Kagome, Shippou, come. It is well past a healthy hour for either of you to be awake.