Supreme Conquest
By Danyealle
(MMF/FanFiction)
Chapter 9
Once in the house Kagome grabbed herself a soda then helped her mom fix and serve tea to everyone else. Sota had grabbed Inuyasha, someone he had come to hero worship a bit, then dragged him off to his room, telling him he was going to teach him how to play video games. Knowing what was coming, and not wanting to be around for what could easily turn ugly, the hanyou allowed himself to be commandeered.
Once Kagome finished her soda then helped Togaou tell her mother about how he returned to the world of the living after so long she excused herself, saying she wanted to take a nice, hot bubble bath. Though she really did relish the thought of a soak surrounded by the wonderful smell of bubbles she also didn’t want to be around when it hit the fan in the kitchen. She, better than anyone, knew what her mom was like when it came to her and didn’t want to be there when she would blow because she was sure that was what was going to happen when she found out about Togaou and Sesshomaru’s plans for her. After a promise to show the two youkai around and explain all the weird things they were seeing she vanished up the stairs, glad to be getting out of there.
When Kagome left the room Togaou and Sesshomaru exchanged brief, uncomfortable glances, remembering what the little onna had said about her mother. Togaou felt his hackles rise a bit but he decided that it was best to grab the bull by the horns and jump right into the topic. He was fairly certain that it was going to take time to deal with this so it was for the best to start quickly.
Sitting the delicate teacup he had been sipping from down on the table, he then relaxed a bit. Focusing on the older onna he tried to turn on every ounce of charm he had. No, that alone wasn’t going to win her over but it couldn’t hurt was his thought on the matter. Looking at her, he said, “I can now see where your daughter gets her beauty from.”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Higurashi said, bowing her head a bit. But she was also on her guard. She sensed that there was something going on that involved her daughter that she didn’t know about. Already her motherly instincts were tingling, making her apprehensive.
Yes, the older onna was smiling at him but it didn’t reach her eyes Togaou noticed. That was something that made him more than a bit wary and told the older daiyoukai that he needed to proceed slowly and with caution. Unsure where to even start, he decided that he was going to need to know how much she knew about youkai and the era he was from before he could really find a true jumping off point. “From what Kagome has told me this era is far different than the one we’re from about so many things.”
Nodding, Mrs. Higurashi replied, “Oh yes, it’s far different than the feudal era. In fact, it’s even changed a great deal since I was a child.”
“Do you know much about the time where we’re from?” He inquired.
“A bit. But it’s mostly from when I was in school and what I learned about it then from various documentaries I’ve seen about that time period. How accurate those things are I don’t really know. History, after all, is written by the victors and who is in charge so it isn’t always an accurate account of what went on.”
“Very true,” Togaou admitted with a nod. “But you have at least a basic knowledge of how things were from it.” No, he wasn’t really sure what school and documentaries were but at the least they had given her some of the most basic of things from the sounds of it.
“I think so, yes,” she agreed with a nod.
“Very good. On a related topic: how is your knowledge on youkai and their society?”
“I will have to concede that I don’t know much about that. Most of what I’ve learned has come from religious teachings. Since Kagome has been traveling back and forth through the well I’ve found out much of it is inaccurate, that it was probably based on fear and superstitions.”
No, that wasn’t what he had hoped for but at least a most basic of knowledge was there to build on. Now he was going to have to fill in the gaps of her knowledge on youkai society and correct any inaccurate information. “Understood,” he said with a nod. “Really, we aren’t that much different from upper level human society though our rules are a bit more stringent and stiff. Honor is taken far more seriously as well. No offense meant but honor among humans seems to be subjectable at times.”
“No offense taken,” she told him with a wave of her hand. “Unfortunately, it’s still that way, sadly.”
“Humans aren’t the only ones that way, sadly. There are youkai that are like that was well. But that’s a whole other story to be discussed at another time.”
“When Kagome aided in my return to the living world she left me with a debt to pay her, a very large one. My sense of honor won’t allow me to dismiss that.” He explained to her.
“I doubt that my daughter wants any kind of repayment.” The older woman said.
“Indeed, that’s what she said when it was mentioned to her. But my sense of honor and duty won’t allow me to dismiss such a thing out of hand. Even if I, personally, were to allow such a thing slide our society wouldn’t allow me to do such a thing. If I were a common or lower-level youkai such things could be ignored. But, because of my title and standing, that’s not possible for me to do.”
”On a related topic; because of the magnitude of what she did there are very few things I could do to replay her for it.” After a bracing breath he then launched in and explained what the plan was and how her daughter was involved in it.
As she listened to the plans that had been laid out for her daughter, Mrs. Higurashi couldn’t believe her ears. How dare he make such plans! Kagome wasn’t old enough to marry let alone agree to anything he had proposed. The more that was imparted the angrier she became. When he got to the part about sharing her with his oldest son she couldn’t believe her ears. Then her temper began to climb to levels she didn’t think was possible. But she was suddenly focused on something else.
Sitting beside her, her father began to sputter and make angry noises. Knowing him the way she did she assumed he was about to interrupt then go on a tirade. Though she could understand why he felt the way he did she wanted to hear everything first then deal with it. Putting a hand on her father’s arm, she gave it a firm squeeze, hoping to quiet him down.
It worked. The old priest quieted down and continued to listen but his temper and anger didn’t abate. Because of what he was he had an innate distrust of youki in general. Then to sit and listen to what two of them planned for his granddaughter was almost more than he could take! But he would remain silent until he heard the whole thing. Then he would have his say and make his disapproval clear.
When Togaou laid everything out as clearly as he could he stopped. Now was the time to hear what they had to say on the matter then work with things from here. Already he could feel their ire buffeting him and realized that the whole thing upset the both of them a great deal. Though he knew the old priest was very upset by the whole thing he wasn’t his main concern. The miko’s mother was. In his time onnas didn’t have the power to make the decision he was talking about but they appeared to be different here. Apparently it was her he was going to have to win over and convince. Though he was sure that he would be able to convince her to agree to the same thing Kagome had he knew it wasn’t going to be as easy to do as it was with her.
Focusing back on the older onna, the daiyoukai said, voice quiet and respectful, “I understand, from what Kagome has told me, things such as this are no longer done and that onnas no longer mate or marry at a young age so I assume there are problems that have to be worked out before we gain your permission. What will it take for us to obtain that?”
Leveling her gaze with the older daiyoukai, she said nothing. Honestly, she was trying to calm herself down and order her thoughts on what he had said before she replied.
Seeing the look in the ningen onna’s eyes made the hair on the back of Togaou’s neck stand up. Even Sesshomaru looked at her with eyes a bit wider than normal. For Sesshomaru, he had been in many battles over his lifetime but nothing or no one had ever made his skin crawl like the little ningen now was. In fact, he had to fight the urge to keep himself from backing away and finding an exit.
Once she felt that she had her emotions sufficiently under control she looked at the older daiyoukai then said, though her voice was no louder than it normally was, it had a bite to it, “Now, I understand that what you said is the way things are done where you are but that is not how things are done now. Arranged marriages in our culture are a thing of the past for the most part. Even if I were to consider such a thing it’s me that should have been consulted first, not Kagome. If I remember right that is how tradition is suppose to go. Kagome, in this time, is not considered old enough to be an adult and make such decisions for herself. Nor should she be asked to do so.” She stated, voice quiet but distinctly frosty.
“Understood,” Togaou said with a nod. “But…” he didn’t get to finish, interrupted by her.
“There is no but about it!” She stated emphatically but in a cold voice. “Even in your time, if I remember correctly from history class, that was the way things were done.”
“True,” Togaou admitted, “but in Kagome’s case I thought that she was a special…” Once more he wasn’t able to go on as she cut in.
“No, she isn’t a special case!” Mrs. Higurashi stated emphatically. “Kagome should be treated the same as anyone else in this matter! But since you decided to ignore your own traditions we’ll have to work from there.” She said quietly but there was a hard bite to her voice. Standing up, palms flat on the table, she shot both inus a fiery look then said, voice as unyielding as the hardest steel, “Now, since you have gone that route I’m going to go speak with my daughter about this. I want her stance on things and her perspective of things before I make any decisions. While I do that you can discuss the situation with my father.” After shooting both inus a dark, hard look she swept out of the room and headed towards the stairs.
Once his daughter had left the room, the old priest took a sip of his tea, glaring at the two inus over the rim of his cup. There was so much he wanted to say to them that he wasn’t sure where to even start. But he planned to have his say before his daughter came back.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
Kagome was relaxed in the hot, bubbling water with her eyes shut when there was a soft knock on the door. “Who is it?” She asked, sitting up.
“It’s mom dear. May I come in?” The muffled voice said.
“Sure, come in mom,” she told her pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around her shins.
Letting herself into the bathroom the elder Higurashi shut the door behind her then locked it. Walking over to the bathtub, she then sat down by it on the floor. Picking up the wash cloth, she soaped it up then began to gently wash her daughters back. “Apparently this last trip through the well was a really stressful one for you from some of the things I was just told. How are you doing dear?” She asked her daughter gently.
Since her mother had left in the kitchen with the two daiyoukais she was fairly sure what she was talking about. “It was really stressful and I really didn’t know how to deal with some of it.” The younger woman admitted quietly.
“My poor dear,” her mother said sympathetically, rubbing her back gently. “I heard from Togaou what they have planned out when it comes to you but I would like to hear it from your point of view.” Sensing her daughter’s apprehension about the topic, she gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry Kagome; I’m not upset with you about anything. Just tell me what happened.”
With a deep sigh, the young miko started with the events that led up to them entering the tomb then launched into the story.
When she was finished with the narrative she answered the bevy of questions her mother had then sat quietly as she said nothing to her.
Gently rinsing her daughter’s back off, the older woman thought about what her daughter had just told her. Then, after several minutes of quiet contemplation, she asked, “You only agreed to allow them to try to win you over? Nothing more at this time?”
“Yeah, that’s all. I’ve given them a year then any decision will be made after that. I didn’t see any problem in agreeing to that. The way I saw it was that it was a bit like dating.” Kagome babbled on a bit, not really sure what to say on the topic. She could sense that her mother wasn’t at all happy about the topic. Though her mother had assured her that it wasn’t her she was upset with Kagome was still a bit on edge about the whole thing.
“True,” her mother conceded with a nod. “How do you feel about the whole thing Kagome? The two men as well as the whole situation?” She asked quietly.
“I’m really not sure mom. I mean, I don’t even know Inuyasha all that well but I really like him. So far I like Togaou a lot. He really treats me well and is easy to be around. Sesshomaru I’m still not sure about yet. Honestly, he scares me a bit. Well, more than a bit. But Togaou promised that he would make sure he wouldn’t do anything to me.”
“As for the situation… That I’m not sure about either. Right now I’m still a bit freaked out by the whole thing and not really sure what to do really. But I did agree to give it a chance and I can’t go back on my word. Plus, I’m spending so much time in the feudal era and I kinda’ have to go a bit by the way things are done there.”
“But, on the upside of it, both Sesshomaru and Togaou are going to help us find the shards. That’ll be a big help.” She offered as a bright side to the whole mess.
Nodding, her mother thought over what her daughter had just told her as she splashed warm water across her back. “They gave you their word that if, at the end of the year, you don’t want to do this you won’t be forced into anything?” She asked quietly.
“Togaou gave me his word of honor and I believe him.” Kagome told her. Resting her head on her bent knees, she looked at her mother.
Seeing her daughter look at her the older woman gave her a soft smile and an affectionate rub on the head. “Are you comfortable with giving them a year to try to win you over?” She asked gently.
Nodding, Kagome replied without even thinking about it, “Yeah, I am. A lot can happen in a year’s time. Who knows what will go on between now and then?” Looking at her mother, she asked, “Are you willing to let this happen?”
Looking at her daughter, the older onna smiled a bit. Really for the first time she realized how old her daughter was and how much of an adult she had become. She was not only motivated enough to push herself to keep up with her schoolwork but also to follow the path the Kamis had set for her even thought it was among the hardest things she had ever done. Though, biologically, she wasn’t an adult yet she acted like one more than some real adults she came into contact with on a regular basis. As she well knew her daughter had no real adult supervision in the feudal era so she could very easily cut loose and do anything she wanted. But she didn’t. She was a good girl with a level head on her shoulders. In this area she should, because she knew the parties involved better, defer to her judgment. With a bit of a sigh, she finally said, “I’m willing to let them have the year since you told them you would do that. Of course I will have conditions of my own for that. At the year mark we’ll sit down and discuss it once more. How about that?” She asked, smiling at Kagome.
“Works for me mom.” Kagome said with a nod and a smile.
Leaning forward, her mother gave her a kiss on top of the head. “Why don’t you add some more bubbles and relax a while. I have to talk to your suitors a bit. After that it should be about lunch time. OK dear?”
“Works for me. Thanks mom.” Kagome said with a bit of a smile.
Watching her mother leave the room, Kagome sighed deeply, feeling bad about bringing this whole mess home and dumping it on her family. Then she pulled the plug on the tub and let it drain about halfway out. After re-plugging it, she turned the hot water on and poured in some more of the bubble bath in. Relaxing back, she let out a soft sigh then let her eyes slide shut.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
When the older woman reappeared in the kitchen all was quiet though she did notice both youkai looked a tad uncomfortable and her father looked downright furious.
After pouring everyone some more tea, she sat down. Taking a sip of the dark liquid, she sat the cup down and once more looked at both youkai. Though her face showed the same expression it had all along, her eyes seemed to be on fire a bit and when she started to speak her voice had a hard, cold timber to it. “I’ve spoken to Kagome and gotten her side of the events. Taking the whole thing into account I’ve come to a decision. I’m willing to give my consent to the courtship only, with some of my own conditions to it of course. We’ll get to those soon. At the year mark we’ll revisit the issue and I’ll then decide if I’ll give my consent to the mating. Yes, I’ll take Kagome’s feelings on the subject into account but the final decision on the matter will be mine. Understood?” She asked, looking at both Sesshomaru and Togaou for confirmation.
Both youkai nodded to let her knew they understood and looked a bit relieved. Togaou then said, “Understood and that’s acceptable to both of us. Now, about these conditions….” He trailed off.
Though her father was sputtering, trying to voice his objection to what she had just said, she ignored it and pressed on. “Just so you know ahead of time, none of what I’m about to say is negotiable. If you can’t accept it then the whole thing is off. Understood?” When she saw them nod she pressed on. “First thing is probably obvious; I want an assurance that Kagome will be protected to the best of your ability. I understand you can’t guarantee that 100% but I want to know she will have the best protection anyone can give her.”
“Absolutely! She will be given the best protection anyone could ever need.” Togaou said with a firm, confident nod. “We will ensure that.”
“Good.” She said with a bare nod. “Next: I want a promise that any very serious injuries or illnesses she may get will result in her being brought here for treatment. Yes, I will accept basic treatment there to sustain her until you can get her here but the injury or illness will be fully treated here.”
“Father and I have the best healers in the whole of Japan. I can assure you that if she were to be treated by them she would get the best care anyone could ever provide for her.” Sesshomaru told her quietly. No, he wasn’t trying to argue with her but he was bristling a bit at being told how things would be done by a mere ningen onna. The way he saw it was she should be grateful that two beings as powerful as he and his father wanted her daughter for a mate. Not to mention the superior care she would receive in all areas, including her health.
Eyes swiveling towards the younger of the two youkai, the woman said, “I’m sure that you have the best of the best when it comes to everything but the realism is that many humans during your time die from things that can quickly and easily be treated in this time. Our medicine is far more advanced than yours so I want serious health problems dealt with here. Understood?” Though it was phrased as a question, really it was a statement she wanted them to agree to.
“Understood,” Togaou said with a nod then shot Sesshomaru a look that he hoped would shut his oldest pup up and not make things any worse than they already were.
Though he was bristling and mentally grinding his teeth at the whole thing and having to basically kowtow to all this ningen onna’s whishes, Sesshomaru nodded in agreement as well.
“Next: Kagome has school she has to deal with. That is something that’s a requirement in this time. I want to ensure that she has time each day to study and do what homework she has. Also, there are times that she’s going to have to come home for exams. I can ensure that you know when those are but you will have to assure me that she comes back for them on time.”
“That’s acceptable. I will do everything in my power to ensure both.” Togaou told her confidently with a nod.
“I want a promise that when it comes to the whole issue of mating and anything that goes along with it that no pressure will be put on Kagome to accept it. That she and she alone will make the decision by what she feels is right for her, not because she feels pressured or obligated in any way to do so.” She said next.
“I’ve given Kagome herself that assurance and I will give it to you as well. At the one year mark the decision will be hers and hers alone to make. No pressure or coercion will be applied by Sesshomaru, I or anyone else to make a decision in our favor. I plan to find someone at court to act as a surrogate father for her so her interests are looked out for. They will make sure things are done right by her.” The older daiyoukai explained.
“Alright, that’s fine.” Mrs. Higurashi said with a nod. Then her face, for really the first time, hardened and her eyes blazed like the fires of hell themselves, a look that only a mother could muster up when it came to their child and what was best for them. Jaw clenched tightly, she hissed out in a low, deadly voice, “And my daughter will not get pregnant before she is mated, married or whatever you want to call it. Do I make myself clear?” She told both of them, eyes flickering back and forth between the two.
Both youkai once more felt their hackles rise and every warning signal in their minds go off. Somehow or other this tiny ningen onna could be as intimidating as any of the most powerful youkai either had come across in their lifetimes. Neither of them said anything but the did nod to let her know they message had been understood and was clear.
Eyes hard, face stony, she glanced back and forth between the two as though to make sure they understood that she was deadly serious about the whole thing then her normal, happy expression slid back into place. “Well, I should start lunch. I told Kagome I would have it started when she finished her bath.” With a smile she then stood up and started to pull things out of the refrigerator and talked a bit with everyone as though nothing had happened.
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