Kryptonite
By Danyealle
(fanfiction/MF/HC/Abuse)
Chapter 8
For the first time in a very long time dread curled in his stomach when Edo came into view. Inuyasha knew this time that Edo meant the end of the line and that he and the pack he saw as a family were going to part ways.
He was fully healed from the beating he had taken at the hands of Sesshomaru but he had changed in other ways. Quiet and brooding, he had become very introverted. Honestly, he understood and could appreciate what he had done as well as the fact that it was wrong. Hurting Kagome the way he had was a low, base thing to do and he was genuinely sorry for it, he really was. Even if it took years he would find a way to make it up to her. But he didn’t feel that one mistake should be enough to affect the rest of his life in areas that weren’t related in the way it had. That just plain wasn’t right or fair! But it had. Since that night Sango had announced she was leaving his pack he had tried everything he could think of to change her and the monk’s mind. But it hadn’t worked. In fact they became more and more adamant that they were leaving him. Once he was back to normal they had as little to do with him as possible and spoke to him only when they absolutely, positively had to.
As they approached Kaede’s small hut the hanyou’s heart sank into his feet. ‘End of the line’ was all he could think with a feeling of dread.
As usual, the old miko greeted them warmly then inquired to the whereabouts of the missing miko. When the houshi and slayer stepped into the hut to explain it to her without the whole village hearing it, Inuyasha retreated to a tree at the edge of the village, not wanting to hear his greatest shame once more played out verbally.
A couple hours later the two came out of the hut. After giving the old miko a hug, the monk and slayer were of to the old slayers village, riding on Kirara.
Sighing, Inuyasha watched them until he could no longer see them on the horizon. He had hoped that Kaede would have persuaded them to stay with him but that didn’t appear to be the case.
Though they had left him he had heard enough of the conversation to know Lord Asshole was going to be meeting them at the slayers village so they could join him. Now that hurt! Not only did the fucker have his mate but he now had his pack as well. That was so wrong! But it helped him as well. He was going to be dogging their trail.
For now he didn’t give a rat’s ass about jewel shards or Naraku, he wanted his mage back and for now that was going to be his focus. He was sure that, at some point, the opportunity to get her would arise then he was going to take it. But he was going to have to be cautious. He didn’t want anyone to know he was around because it wouldn’t take a great leap of logic to then deduce what he was up to. That would just make things all the harder.
He hung around Edo until long after dark. Most of it he had spent in Kaede’s hut on the receiving end of a very stern lecture about spousal abuse and consequences of letting your temper get the better of you. He listened with about as much grace as he possessed. Once the village seemed to be asleep for the night he took off, headed towards the slayers village. It would take him a couple days to get there but that was fine with it, it gave him a chance to try to work out first what he was going to do then how to go about it.
~~~~~@~~~~~
The day after Kouga’s arrival at the fortress the apprehension Sesshomaru had about the uncouth wolf demon and his underlings causing havoc and chaos was put to rest.
Yes, true to his nature he was loud, boisterous and over the top about everything he did but he didn’t seem to have any interest in spending the time he was here on one long party like so many who visited the fortress did. Instead, he spent his time trying to woo all the single onnas around or in the gardens with Kagome and the children.
On the first part Sesshomaru was surprised to see that Kouga was very adapt at the art of wooing the female of the species. Young or old, onnas seemed to adore the attention and flattery the ookami lavished them with. Nor did the ookami seem to care about things such as age, looks, weight, etc, he adored them all. Unlike the hentai monk, he didn’t need a line like ‘will you bear my children’; he tailored his to whatever onna he was paying attention to at the time. Within 24 hours it seemed to the taiyoukai that all the single females at the fortress were giggling and blushing every time Kouga was near them. That made the demon lord want to smirk and roll his eyes at the same time. But, he had to admit, he found it highly amusing and entertaining.
But, it seemed, he had the same effect on children as well. Of course he and the fox kit had a good relationship from the get go. Rin, however, wasn’t so easy to win over. She was terrified of wolves because of what had happened to her before she began traveling with Sesshomaru plus she had recognized Kouga’s voice, throwing her into a panic that made her cling to Kagome, completely petrified.
It had taken the ookami a couple hours of real work, once he found out the reason for the child’s terror from Ginta and Hakkaku, but he was eventually able to win over the little girl. Once he had managed that one the sunny child adored him. The feeling seemed to be mutual because Kouga seemed to adore the child as well.
While sitting in his study watching the children play, Sesshomaru felt a twinge of jealousy towards the ookami lord. From what he saw Kouga was very free and easy with his feelings and emotions. It came naturally to him and allowed him to express what he felt easily. He would hug or kiss the small child with no thought about it. And from the child’s reaction, she adored it.
For those that were reasonably close to the taiyoukai they knew he cared deeply for the human child. He himself would admit to the affection for the little onna. Even the child knew of his affection as well. But he was unable to express it verbally or physically because of the way he was. He could internally feel what he did for her and know and enjoy what he did for him but he just couldn’t express any of it. Quite frankly, he found it extremely frustrating. But he couldn’t force himself to do any of it himself. And he really wanted to. He knew how good the slightest affectionate touch could feel and wanted Rin to feel that but he just couldn’t make himself do such things.
Watching the ookami and how easy he was able to do such things the thought came to him that perhaps he had a chance to change. That chance had a name: Kagome. For whatever reason, probably due to the little onna herself and the way she was, made it easier for him to touch her gently and in more than just a casual way. No, it wasn’t done in public but even if was just privately that was at least a step in the right direction. If he could keep it up perhaps it would come easier and translate to other beings and areas of his life.
The mere thought of her name made him change his train of thought. First thing that came to mind was that there was a great deal of work that had to be done to get her back to where she was even close to what she used to be before the half-breed began using her as his own personal punching bag. The damage done by the abuse was far more than just the physical injuries he had seen. In fact the mental wounds were probably far worse and deeper than anything physical that she had suffered. They were also going to take far longer to heal from than anything physical.
Her trusting nature had probably been the first and worst casualty plus would more than likely take the longest to repair. It had to be devastating to have to trust someone so completely like she did Inuyasha then to have it destroyed so brutally. It’s understandable to then begin to not trust anyone again. If someone that close to you would betray you in such a way then you had to think others would as well.
There was an issue that was related to the trust issue-being touched. Yes, the children, Kouga and himself could touch her without a problem if she knew it was coming. But if any of them were to do so suddenly or if any other being did it she about jumped out of her skin and she would try to pull away, her anxiety level soaring. If someone didn’t get the hint and wouldn’t let her go she would desperately try to yank away from them, starting to panic. When most beings in this world started to panic nothing all that serious would come of it but for the little priestess it was a whole other matter entirely. When she began to her powers started to flair out of control, making her a threat to any being with youkai blood. He had to work on getting her to calm down a bit and not panic so much when touched.
There was another thing that he had noticed that saddened him more than anything else’ the little miko was now wary enough of men that it bordered on fright. He could understand that it was one thing to realistically and logically know that most males would never hurt a female but when you went though what she had a more instinctual survival instinct took over, creating a mistrust that was hard to overcome. The confidence that a being wouldn’t hurt you was gone and in its place as a mistrust that pointed out many things.
In the case of Kagome one of the big ones was readily apparent and easy to see. The miko was small, especially when compared to youkai or hanyou standards. Most wouldn’t need a weapon of any kind to overpower or subdue her because they had a built in weapon: their size. Though the little ningen was strong and could defend herself in most situations but one on one against most males she would have no chance. Her only hope was to get in a stunning blow of some kind then run like the hounds of hell were snapping at her heels. Even then there was no guarantee she could get away.
To be faced, like she was anymore, with so many larger, and sometimes violent, males had to be frightening. Though she was dealing with it he could tell the distrust was there and could feel her anxiety when she was around the opposite sex, especially when there were no other females present.
Still watching out the window, he sighed and rubbed his eyes. There were so many things that needed dealt with that a starting point was hard to find. Though he wasn’t sure if it was the ‘right’ way to go about things he decided, for him, the best way was to work on getting her to trust him as much as she could. His reasoning was that if he could once more build up her trust in him that she would see he would and could protect her from almost everything out there. Once he had that he reasoned that he could work on the others because she would know he was always there to protect her so she could relax.
At least, in this area, he had a jumping off point. He felt that the first things he had to do was prove he could and would protect and keep her away from Inuyasha. Though he was sure she knew he was very capable of both he felt that he should start proving it to her rather than wait for the whelp to make the first move. Plus it had to be more than just his physical and fighting power. He had to prove he was going to prevent rather than just deal with it.
Reaching out, he picked up a small box that had been sitting on his desk. Opening it up, he looked down at the beautiful necklace inside it. Though the chain was nothing special the charm on it was. Made of silver it was shaped like a dog’s paw with the claws made from jade. Though the necklace was stunning and would make most women wear it with pride its beauty wasn’t the reason he had commissioned it. Entwined in the metal was a spell and a special talisman that would block her from Inuyasha via his end of the mating bond, much the way his powerful aura hid her from the whelp. If she wore it she wouldn’t need to be around him to be hidden. At least that was how it was suppose to work. He wouldn’t know for sure until they encountered the whelp and found out his reaction to it. But, from what those who had researched it from him told him, it would work and was proven to do so.
Hearing Jaken hurrying by, he called to the kappa.
“Yes Milord?” The kappa asked after he poked his head in the door.
“Go ask Kagome to come here. Tell her I wish to see her.”
“Right away!” The kappa chirped then hurried off.
~~~~~@~~~~~
Curious, Kagome hurried up to the taiyoukai’s study, wondering what he wanted to see her for. After a perfunctory knock, she let herself in. Walking over, she plopped herself down on the sofa next to his desk. “You wanted to see me Sesshomaru?”
“Indeed I did.” He said with a smirk. “I have something for you.” He told her then stood and walked over to where she was seated. Motioning her to stand, he handed her the box. “I had that made for you.”
Standing, she took the box then opened it. When she saw the necklace her eyes widened and a hand flew up to her mouth. “It’s beautiful!” She told him in an awed whisper.
“I’m glad you like it.” He said taking the box from her. He took the necklace out of the box then fastened it around her neck. “You’re to keep this on at all times.” He told her gently.
Putting a hand over the charm, she looked up at him. “Why?”
Quickly, he explained to her what it was supposed to do.
“Does it really work?” She asked quietly, looking up at him imploringly.
“From what the people who did the research for me say it should. It has in the past. But we won’t know for sure until someone hears about it from the whelp. I’m fairly certain that if it’s effective then he’s going to be vocal about it.” Sesshomaru said with a smirk.
“You’re right.” She replied with a giggle. Gazing up into those golden eyes of his. “Thank you Sesshomaru, for everything you’ve done.” Standing on her tip-toes, she gave him a soft peck on the cheek.
Slipping an arm around her waist, he gave her a bit of a hug. “You’re very welcome Kagome.” He replied quietly. That gentle peck had set off a riot of sensations in his body. It had been years since any being had touched him in such a way. He had to admit it felt good.
But the moment was ended when Jaken poked his head in and told him his next appointment was there. Pulling away he looked down at her. “Why don’t you go back down to the gardens and go back to babysitting the children and Kouga. When I’ve finished for the day I’ll come get you and we’ll take a walk. How does that sound?” He inquired.
“Works for me!” She told him with a smile. “I don’t know who needs watching more: the kids or Kouga.” She giggled then headed back to the gardens.
~~~~~@~~~~~
Stopping cold, Inuyasha was wide-eyed. Suddenly any input he got from the mating bond with Kagome was gone. Yes, the bond was still there, he could feel that but he could feel nothing at all from it. Usually he could tell when Sesshomaru was close to her because it would block most everything but he could still feel her. Whatever had just happened cut it all off completely.
Plopping down on a nearby log, he put his hands over his face and rubbed his eyes with his fingertips. He didn’t like this, not at all. The way she saw it was that if Lord Fuckhead, and he was positive that this was his doing, would do something like then he knew the fucker was dead-ass serious about breaking the mating bond. Somewhere in him he had hoped that this was all just a stunt to teach him a lesson or just to drive him insane. But the asshole had gone to lengths to figure out a way to black toe make so that told him he was going to end up breaking it completely.
If that wasn’t bad enough, at least in his mind, he was pretty damn certain that the asshole was planning on not mating her off with another demon but taking her as a mate himself. Yes, he was sure honor was the main reason and societal law but he was also sure the fucker was doing to tweak him as well. The fucker just had to make sure he rubbed his nose in things, especially when he screwed up. It was like a compulsion or something, the fucker couldn’t help himself.
Sighing, the hanyou got up then found a tree to perch in. He needed to take a break and do some serious thinking, not something he liked doing and avoided at all costs normally, but it was needed this time.
~~~~~@~~~~~
When the minor lord finally left the study, Sesshomaru let out a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair. At the rate this was going by the time he and Kagome left on the spider hunt again he would have had every single male in the fortress in his study asking about becoming the little priestess’s mate. Because he hadn’t announced that he would be taking her as his all the younger males were going to give it a shot and wanted to be in the running if there was a race for it.
Sighing again, he made a mental note to make sure he told Kagome that at her introduction ball he was going to make the official announcement that she would be his mate. Because, quite honestly, he couldn’t take much more of it and Kagome sure as hell didn’t need all those males sniffing around her, trying to woo her. It was too soon after the debacle with Inuyasha for that. She needed time to lick her wounds and heal not to be pressured by males wanting her as their intended.
Now his only problem was how Kagome was going to react. Yes, she was well aware that was his intent but it was another thing entirely to announce it to the world.
Well, no sense trying to guess at it, he needed to talk to her as soon as possible then deal with her reaction when it came. Because of the way she was it was all but impossible to calculate her reaction to it.
Not being one to put off unpleasant things he decided he would talk to her about it when they took their walk.
After making sure he had nothing left to attend to he went to go find the miko.
~~~~~@~~~~~
With her arm linked though his, she walked with him through the private gardens near the family wing of the fortress. It was always quiet and peaceful here because only family and invited guests were allowed.
After their usual slow walk around and discussion of the events of the day they sat down on one of the benches to relax.
Once settled, he jumped into what he needed to talk to her about. “As you well know I plan on taking you as my mate at some point in the future, correct?” When she nodded, he pressed on. “I want to make you aware that the night of your party I plan on announcing that to everyone.”
“Alright.” She said slowly. “But why? I kinda’ assumed that everyone knew that already.” She said, a confused tone in her voice. No, it didn’t bother her, she was just curious as to why.
“Because I’m tired of the endless stream of males asking my permission to either court you or take you as a mate.” He told her.
“What?!?” She asked, totally astonished.
“Because I haven’t made my intent to take you as a mate clear others wanted to step in and make sure it’s known they wish to declare their intent.”
“But… but… but… why?” She asked, truly astonished and not at all understanding why others would want her as a mate.
“Because you’re beautiful, kind and powerful in your own right. Plus there is your connection to me. Many see you as the perfect mate.” He explained.
“They’re delusional!” She spit out automatically. “Beautiful? No way!” Kind and powerful she would buy but she was well aware what she looked like and that the words plain and ordinary fit her to a T.
“You’ve been traveling with the half-breed for far too long and listened to what he had spewed about you.” He told her gently, looking down into her face. “Because I can assure you that beautiful is a very apt description of you. If anything it may well be understated.”
Looking at him, the only thing that came to her mind was a question: did he really think she was beautiful?
“If Inuyasha could not see that or thought otherwise that was his failing.” He told her quietly.
Feeling her face heat up, she knew she was blushing. Quickly, she decided to change the subject and think about what he had said later when she was alone.” “Were there really a lot of them?” She asked with a giggle, eyes sparkling a little bit.
“Oh yes.” It has been like an endless stream of them.” He told her a bit dryly but his eyes were sparkling with amusement. He was also pleased by her reaction.
Firstly by the ego stroke it seemed to have given her. Kami knows that after the half-breed she probably needed a bit of a boost because there was little doubt that it her ego had taken a good beating.
Secondly, because she had voiced no adverse reaction to announcing his intent to society. He had thought she may voice some kind of adverse reaction or, at least, have all kinds of question. But that didn’t seem to be the case.
Eyes sparkling, she giggled more, grinning from ear to ear, looking at him.
“I have enough to do without having to fight off hoards of your would-be suitors.” He told her, smirking. Then he looked at her, a serious expression sliding across his face. “You have no objection to this?” He asked.
Shaking her head, she told him, “No, I don’t have a problem with it. I assumed it was going to be announced sooner or later before we left. So there’s no objection from me.”
“I will probably also be a general announcement sent out the day after as well. I want to ensure that my intent is clear to all.
“That’s fine with me.” She said with a nod, feet swinging back and forth idly.
Sliding an arm around her shoulders, he gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “Rest assured, this won’t change anything Kagome.”
“Other than amounts of traffic to your study?” She asked giggling.
“Right.” He deadpanned back, smirking.
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