Throw Stones by bookgirl813

Throw Stones

Throw Stones

Warning: Subject matter is domestic abuse. Please don't read this if you are unable to stomach the subject matter. This is not a happy ending.

Edited: 8/1/2015 – I originally posted this as a song-fic based on Paula Cole's "Throw Stones." I've removed the lyrics that interrupted the flow of the story.

Re-posting because I received a kind request to do so.  It is also with great hesitance that I post this for many reasons.

I do not own InuYasha or the characters.

It was always the same. They would go to a business acquaintance's home for a dinner and rub elbows with other major players in the computer technology industry or they would hold one at their spacious estate, catered by only the best.

Sesshomaru was the epitome of courteous businessman as well as loving partner at those functions, something the miko from the past never pictured of the one-time Lord of the Western Lands.

Kagome played her own part as the faithful and silent wife at his side. The only words to come from her were polite responses to direct inquiries. She had learned in the past, in a rather painful manner, to keep her comments regarding his business, or anything, to herself.

Inside, Kagome was dying a slow, painful death. Her fiancée, the powerful Daiyoukai of the past and half-brother of her former love Inuyasha, had truly changed in so many ways over the last 500 years. In some ways he had not, much to her disappointment. But Kagome knew that she would never be able to change someone as old as he was. The dog was just too set in his ways.

oOo

He had found her, quite by accident, two years after she had graduated high school and had been attending college, working towards her degree in History. Kagome had been on a class field trip to the sight of a Feudal castle that still stood to that day. The massive structure was beautiful to behold, built into what looked like a marble mountain, with huge looming walls protected by an enormously wide moat that could only be crossed by the single drawbridge that could be raised for defense.

It was Sesshomaru himself who gave the tour of the grounds pointing out some of the more medieval aspects of the castle, telling of its grand history and of the demon Lord who had once ruled the Western Lands from there. She hadn't realized it was he, Inuyasha's half-brother, who was before her. Her attention had been on listening to the details of the castle's past and looking at the home of the male she had known as the "Killing Perfection," and not on her host.

It had been later when the students had been given an hour to roam the unrestricted areas at their leisure that she found out who he was. She had been in the grand gardens admiring the beauty of the blooming flowers and trees, thinking of how Rin must have loved it there, when he approached her from behind.

"It has been a long time, Miko," he greeted in a familiar baritone from behind her. "It seems that your abilities have declined due to lack of contact with demons. I could have easily removed you from existence had I wanted to."

Kagome froze in her position; her heart beating a mile a minute when she realized who it was behind her. She reluctantly turned around to see a slightly changed Sesshomaru, a little older, shorter hair and no markings. But it definitely was the demon from the past. What threw her for a loop was the smirk on his face revealed a bit of fang reminding her of the animal that he truly was.

"S-Sesshomaru," she barely choked out, her blue eyes widening in reflexive fear. She wasn't as disturbed by his comment about her lack of miko power. It was just weird knowing that the Lord of the manor they stood in still lived. Kagome still held her fear of him and his strength.

oOo

From then on he courted her, relentless in his pursuit of her. Kagome was extremely reluctant in allowing herself to fall for him, feeling that she was betraying Inuyasha. However, Sesshomaru prevailed by wooing her and making her think that she was his whole world.

He was possessive, vicious and yet tender at times. He had even won her mother and brother over with his smooth talk and promises to care for Kagome and to never break her heart like his half-brother had. Kagome felt that had her grandfather had been alive still Sesshomaru would have enchanted him as well.

Everyone was charmed by Sesshomaru's words, and even she had fallen for him over time. Little did Kagome know what being his partner in life would truly mean and that he would eventually break those promises to her mother over and over once he wed her and claimed her as his own.

oOo

Their wedding had been the event of the year even covered by the newspapers and tabloids. Sesshomaru the businessman was well known and was touted as "The Most Eligible Bachelor" in the world. Now he was off the market much to the dismay of many females of the world over.

Kagome had been radiant in white kimono over red; quite the blushing virgin bride while Sesshomaru was in traditional black and white. They contrasted in so many ways almost looking like yin and yang, balancing each other out.

Sesshomaru showed her the pleasures of the flesh, having been her first and tought her what he wanted from her while never encouraging her to tell him what she wanted. He was a selfish being and her naiveté would never allow her to voice her needs over her husbands.

Their marriage had seemed to be perfect when looking from the outside. They lived in the most prestigious part of Tokyo in one of the most expensive homes his money could buy, even though Sesshomaru continued to hold his family estate, he could afford something closer and more convenient to his company.

Kagome had the best in clothing and anything she wanted, even though she didn't want or need much. She had grown up a simple shrine daughter and she was content with the most basic things in life not truly needing all of the things her husband said she had to have. Kagome was reluctant to spend his money on things she didn't need.

Sesshomaru would have none of it. Kagome would have the best, regardless of her reluctance. His position, and now her own, within society dictated that she have the newest of the new and the best of the best, and Sesshomaru made sure of this. His wife would be the one to set trends, not follow them.

Kagome was not allowed to drive or leave the home without an armed escort. She was also not allowed to go back to school saying it wasn't safe for her. He had many enemies and sure that she did as well for having married him. She had been upset and adamant about continuing her studies and that she had worked too hard to get to the point she had after losing almost a year in the Feudal Era to waste it.

Sesshomaru relented, but only if she took her studies online from their home.

He had encouraged Kagome to befriend his colleague's wives and entertain them like a good little wife. She tried to honor her new husband's wishes but the women were vapid creatures, interested only in hair, make-up, fashion and the latest gossip. It was sheer torture for someone of her nature and intelligence. However, her patience had worn down and instead of continuing their association, she had kindly refused the invitations to further their acquaintance.

oOo

Things began to deteriorate further when Kagome attended a business dinner with Sesshomaru a year into their marriage. Apparently, the function was very important to him and Sesshomaru had gone all out to make sure that Kagome made a good impression.

He had ordered a custom made dress from a top designer and even had it delivered to their home along with shoes and accessories. A hair stylist and makeup artist had arrived at their home 5 hours before he had instructed her to be ready and had scrubbed, spackled and sprayed her together.

On the outside, Kagome was a vision of beauty in a midnight blue silk halter dress. Her hair was pulled up to show her neck, a part of her that Sesshomaru had continued to tell her was his favorite, curls held by sapphire and diamond-encrusted pins.

On the inside, she was a nervous wreck.

Sesshomaru had arrived earlier from work, having showered and dressed in the guest room to allow Kagome the space needed for her preparations. When she walked down the grand staircase to where her husband stood, he looked at her approvingly and grabbed her by the arm and growled into her ear, "You will converse with and be kind to the wives of my colleagues, Kagome. I do not wish to hear more negative things from those I work with because you do not wish to associate with their wives."

Kagome's eyes widened, "W-what?"

"SILENCE WOMAN, or you will know what it is to be disciplined!" the demon roared while his golden eyes flashed red and back to gold. Finally calming himself he spoke, "Come, let us not ruin the evening with trivialities."

oOo

Kagome would play her part that night, a smile for everyone that greeted her and a kind word in return. That was all. She was fearful for a repeat of the earlier outburst from Sesshomaru as his true nature began to emerge.

As Kagome stood next to her husband, she allowed her vision to move around the room as Sesshomaru spoke to his business acquaintances. Her eyes then caught the sight of someone she hadn't seen since High School. She excused herself from her husband, missing the look of displeasure from his face as she made her way across the room.

"Hojo!" she addressed the male from her recent past. She hadn't realized that her possessive male was watching her every move.

"Kagome," he replied as his eyes widened at the vision before him. "It seems like it's been ages since I've seen you. Look at you, such a beauty!" It was hard to miss him looking her up and down.

"Oh Hojo, I'm just the same old Kagome. How have you been? What are you doing here?" she asked him only to be interrupted by a cold voice.

"Hojo is the Senior Planner within my company, wife," he emphasized making sure the male understood he was trespassing on his turf. The dog-demon protected his female, his possession, at all cost.

Before Hojo could reply, Sesshomaru pulled her away from the whelp and into his side, removed her from his presence and gathered her wrap and his coat while excusing themselves for the night.

She felt his fury in the stiffness of his body the entire drive home and his youki made itself known for the first time since they had first met. It had been contained for so long, yet now it was released and fluctuating with her husband's fury. Even though his youki attacked at her, Sesshomaru kept to himself until they returned to their home and then all hell broke loose when they were behind the closed doors of their bedroom.

He was brutal in his verbal onslaught, calling her a whore and accusing her of cheating on him, violating their marriage vows. Even though the demon's sense of smell could tell she hadn't been with any male but him, his insecurity over her love for him and not his half-brother had continued to plague him. He had never really made peace over it, even though Inuyasha had been dead for years.

Eventually he became physical against the woman he loved, becoming even more brutal when she tried to defend herself. With each physical assault a verbal assault followed and Kagome was unable to fight back against him. Once they had bonded, Sesshomaru became immune to her power, but she could still feel his as she discovered on the trip home.

By the time he was done with her, she had black and blue marks all over her arms, her back, stomach and legs, but not on her face. She had appearances to keep up and Sesshomaru would never do anything to mar her lovely face and keep her from playing her part.

One minute he threatened her mother and brother if she would tell anyone of his abuse. The next minute he hugged her close to him and told her and told her he was sorry for having to discipline her. If she wasn't in so much pain, Kagome would have sworn the demon was suffering from a mental disorder.

The physical and emotional brutality would continue.

Over time, Kagome lost the glow of happiness and the love for her husband, slowly shrinking away from her family and from the public eye as well. The household staff was concerned for their lady who had at one time been so happy and lively, always having a kind word for them. Unfortunately, they were unable to do anything but watch, knowing their Lord would not be pleased if they tried to intervene on the girls' behalf. They just stood by as he continued his abuse and she slowly faded away becoming a shadow of her former lively self.

Sesshomaru always apologized for having to discipline her. He told her she was an unruly pup and that she had spent too much time in the presence of his half-brother and learned his bad habits. Sesshomaru felt he needed to 'train' her and break those habits.

After a particularly bad night, Sesshoumaru had beaten Kagome to the point that she had internal bleeding. Sesshomaru had left her in their rooms after the thrashing to calm himself by soaking in the onsen on the back of his property, never realizing that he had damaged her. He was usually careful, but this time he was especially brutal.

It was one of the maids who had checked on her in concern. The wolf-hanyou had smelled more blood than normal coming from the girl and called in the healer, who was also the grounds-keeper.

The elder rabbit youkai was appalled by the condition of his lady and was visibly angered with his Lord for what he had done to the gentle soul who was Kagome. It had been weeks since the elder youkai had seen Kagome and what greeted him now was an emaciated little thing, covered in black and blue and purple.

She had lost so much weight that her bones were sticking out, her face gaunt and haggard. It enraged the healer but he knew there was nothing he could do about it except try to help her without further angering his Lord. He checked Kagome over, noting that she had suffered internal injuries and that they were fatal.

By then, Kagome had already taken her last breath.

oOo

Word around the house spread like wild fire angering the beings that had had been loyal to the Lord for many a century, making them rethink their loyalty.

When Sesshomaru returned to his room to find his mate surrounded by the help he was furious. "What is the meaning of this?" he roared. "Why are you all in my domain?" He had not caught the scent of death coming off of his wife.

His staff scattered, leaving the healer and their lady alone with the being they had lost faith in. They would all quickly pack their things and leave him to deal with his actions. Alone.

Sesshomaru saw that his healer stood next to his wife and wondered why he was there. Kagome usually dealt with her wounds on her own, her miko powers having re-emerged since their marriage. She had been able to heal herself fairly easily.

"Well, what is going on?" he barked not noticing the look of dismay and sadness on the hare youkai.

"Milord," the elder began. "Your wife has suffered fatal internal injuries from your...discipline." Taking a deep breath and looking into the eyes of the being he had watched grow up from a small pup and sneered, "Your attentions have killed her, Sesshomaru." And then he got up and left the pup to rot in the hell he had dug himself into. He would follow the others lead and leave the dog behind.

Sesshomaru was stunned by the elder's words. It was only when he finally took in the scent of the room did he realize that the miko, his wife, was truly dead.

Panic set in as reality hit him and he ran to the dojo where he kept Tenseiga hanging on the wall, hoping against hope that it would bring his wife, his mate, back to him. He grabbed the healing sword and flashed back to the room they shared and unsheathed the blade, practically commanding it to show the beings of the underworld so that he could slay them and bring her back.

He stood at her side as she lay there without motion, the sword not pulsing with its life-giving force, no imps of the underworld showing up. She was already gone. He was too late.

He roared out in his loss and anger, realizing what he had become and what he had done, the roar ending in a whine of pain.

He had killed the only one that had loved him and he threw it back in her face by abusing her because she was being herself and he was being selfish. He had never really taken the time to get to know and accept her the way she had accepted him.

He had murdered his wife and lost his honor. The once Lord of the West was ashamed. He had done something so against his nature that it hurt him inside.

He knew what he had to do. It would not restore his honor but he had hoped it would give closure to those that he had hurt by hurting Kagome.

He gently changed the clothing on his little female, putting her in a similar kimono to the one he wore in the Feudal Era made specifically for the mate of the Lord of the West and then changed into his matching kimono. He picked up Kagome and carried her into his dojo. He kneeled and laid her down on the padded floor gently and then stood and walked to the wall where the long-dormant Bakusaiga hung.

He knew his was the only sword that could do what needed to be done and he gently pulled it off of the wall. He carried it to where his deceased wife lay and kneeled down next to her. Taking the blade from the scabbard, he looked to Kagome and spoke gently, "This Sesshomaru has dishonored himself by his actions towards you as mate. It has taken death to make me realized the wrongs that I have committed against you. May the Gods take you and place you safely within their fold." He stopped and leaned over her, kissing her on the forehead.

"I am so sorry my love."

oOo

It would be some time before their bodies were found. Sesshomaru had committed Seppuku.

There was no note but it was obvious by Kagome's injuries what had happened.

AN: Any kind of abuse should not be tolerated. Having been in a similar situation, there are ways out. Talk to someone or get help. Nobody should feel they deserve such treatment.