The Hime Tradition- Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten- The Decision

Kagome brushed away the wrinkles on her haori that were visible to the eye. The texture of its silky material was felt beneath her fingers. Light purple, the color of her haori, brought a glow to her milky skin. Sensing Emiko release the grasp on her onyx hair, Kagome pulled her braid to one side of her shoulder.

"Thank you, Emiko," she said. Looking at Emiko's reflection from the mirror, she saw her bow. Abruptly, the sound of her room door swinging open was heard from behind her. Kagome quickly turned her head to see the intruder.

The whole gang, Etsu, Ami, Hana, and Chika marched towards her. Kagome's eyes widened as she felt Estu and Hana wrap their arms around both her arms. Raising a brow, Kagome silently questioned Chika what the meaning of this was.

A playful smirk plastered on Chika's lips as she said, "We need to steal you for a while, and the scholars told us that this was the best way to do so!"

"Maybe I shouldn't have introduced you guys to the scholars," Kagome mumbled.

"Bring her to my room, girls!" Chika ordered teasingly. Kagome giggled at the de ja vu of being dragged somewhere again. Entering into Chika's room, Kagome sat in the circle her friends were sitting by. She stared at Chika, who was blushing, and waited patiently to listen to what would be said.

"Um," Chika hesitated before explaining, "I wanted to confess something with Lady Kagome present."

Kagome nodded her head to encourage Chika to continue. It showed her support in whatever she was about to confess. Seeing Chika send her a relieved smile, Kagome heard her blurt out, "I'm in love with Hisashi!"

Silence filled the air as Kagome did not realize the tenseness the other demonesses were showing. In her own world, the memory of one 'Tsu' demon angered by the ordeal between the 'Gon' leader and Chika flashed through her mind.

"Oh, are you talking about the silver eyed demon?" Kagome asked innocently, breaking the heavy silence.

Everyone stared at Kagome with wide eyes and exclaimed all at once, "Ehhhhhh!?"

"How did you know, Lady Kagome? Are you a mind reader!?" Ami asked.

Smiling she replied, "No, he was the only demon that seemed angered when Chika was being attacked."

Steadily looking into Chika's eyes, Kagome continued, "I would not have allowed you with any other man."

"But, Lady Kagome, he is only a 'Tsu' rank," Hana informed hesitatingly.

Sharply staring at Hana, Kagome said, "And what did I say about ranks?" Hana looked downwards in shame and replied, "That rank should not prevent you from treating others differently."

"Thank you so much for your blessings, Lady Kagome!" Chika exclaimed excitedly.

"I'm just glad there is still love that can be found in the demon society," Kagome said. She felt like another hidden beauty was slightly uncovered.

Chika said sadly, "No, I was about to give up on Hisashi, Lady Kagome. Lady Kura would never have allowed my relationship."

"Did I hear my name being called?" Kura walked into the room. The room silenced as Kagome noted the others holding their breath.

Kura turned her head to Kagome and spoke sweetly, "Oh my, I did not know you were here Lady Miko. Just the person I wished to see."

Everyone stiffened with tension. Only Kagome raised a brow, amused by Kura's different attitude. She watched as Kura kneeled and bowed.

"Forgive me for being rude, Lady Kagome. I have reflected on my actions for the past few days. And I am prepared for any punishment you see fit for your forgiveness," Kura said.

Kagome felt everyone's eyes on her waiting to see how she would respond. She couldn't tell if Kura was being sincere or not. But she couldn't turn down Kura's request either. Narrowing her eyes, she decided to test Kura's sincerity.

"I will forgive you on one condition," Kagome voiced sternly, "That you give up your position as 'Tsu' leader." She watched Kura closely as her eyes widened in shock.

Kura lifted her head upwards and cried out, "There is no one capable enough to be leader other than myself!"

"Chika is more than capable," Kagome said. She calmly observed Kura struggling to decide.

"As you wish," Kura mumbled, once again lowering her head.

Shifting her gaze to Chika, Kagome said softly, "I gave you this position because I believe you will guide the 'Tsu' rank in the right direction. Use your position wisely, Chika."

Seeing no need to stay in the room for any longer, Kagome left behind a crowd of shocked demonesses. She immediately headed for the gardens and searched for the flower field.

A wide open space covered in white lilies came to view. Lying down in the middle of the flower field, Kagome looked up to the blue sky. Too consumed by her thoughts, she did not care for her un-lady-like appearance. Several strands of onyx hair scattered on the green grass, her silk haori was now dirtied with soil. But her mind could only care for the questions that swirled unanswered.

Did she do the right thing?

Would placing Chika as leader fix the corruption Kura had done?

Was Kura sincere about stepping down so easily?

She felt doubt beginning to spread through her, wondering if what she had done was correct. Taking a deep breath, the scent of lilies washed over her senses. A calming sensation rushed through her, releasing her from any tenseness. A peaceful smile gently tugged on her lips. The smell of lilies always seemed to chase away her worries. Remembering the piles of scrolls in Sesshomaru's study, she wondered if the scent of lilies would help ease the stressful duty. Sitting up from her lying position, she began plucking white lilies.

Kagome felt a cool breeze pass her causing the flowers in her hand to rustle in the wind. Seeing that she had plucked just enough lilies, she headed towards Sesshomaru's study.

Sesshomaru paused as he heard light footsteps nearing his study. The scent of lilies reached his sensitive nose and silently drank in the smell. Invisible to the eye, Sesshomaru's shoulders slightly shifted in relax.

"Come in," Kagome was slightly taken aback when she heard his voice gentler than usual. Pausing for a second, she blinked away the odd feeling. Soon, a warm smile made its way onto her lips. Pushing the door open, she saw the piles of scrolls stacked on his desk again. Kagome walked towards the window and replaced the old lilies with the new ones she had plucked today.

Glancing Sesshomaru's way, Kagome locked eyes with his. Surprised that he was suddenly looking at her, she did not notice that his eyes were narrowed.

"Miko," she heard the chill in his voice, "What did they do to you." Kagome was confused by his comment and tilted her head to the side in question.

"What do you mean-" Kagome asked as she was cut off by his sharp words.

"I can smell their scent of thick perfume and you are covered in soil," his words came out frustrated.

Clueless blue eyes stared down at her clothes and widened at what she saw. Grass stains and soil smeared across the silk material, while wrinkles appeared everywhere. She really looked like she had been in a fight of some sort. Realization dawned upon her as Sesshomaru's words clicked in her head.

He thought the 'Tsu' demonesses she had met a while ago had caused her messy appearance.

Though she found the situation hilarious, the warmth that flowed through her at the thought of Sesshomaru's worrisome behavior won against the laughter that wished to escape.

She sent him a sheepish grin as she rubbed the back of her neck, "Sorry, I was rolling around in the flower field."

Sesshomaru silently let out a sigh. The anger that was directed at the 'Tsu' demonesses vanished. He had assumed the demonesses betrayed the respect he had seen them direct towards the Miko. Yet, he did not understand why he felt relieved that his assumption was incorrect.

"Rolling around in the flower field," Sesshomaru echoed backed the Miko's words.

Crimson color flushed her cheeks as she heard how silly she sounded. Seeing Sesshomaru's eyes flicker with amusement, her blush deepened.

"And I met with the 'Tsu' girls and Kura," Kagome blurted out quickly to escape his stare.

Noting his expression return stoic, she explained, "She greeted me with a totally different attitude and asked for my forgiveness."

His expression darkened.

"And you believe her?" he questioned. He remembered that demoness bad mouthing the Miko to him not too long ago. It was most doubtful that she was sincere about her plead for forgiveness. But seeing the Miko's conflicted expression, he wasn't surprised that she would give that demoness a second chance.

Hinting his doubtfulness, Kagome reassured, "I will keep an eye out for her, Sesshomaru."

"Hn," he tried to ignore the tight feeling around his chest.

Her decision to strip Kura's position and place Chika as leader sank into her head. She had felt uneasy about this decision because she knew there would be consequences. Kura had already created connections with several unknown demons. By replacing Kura, that would anger the unknown demons that favoured her.

"I replaced Kura's position and entrusted the 'Tsu' rank with Chika," Kagome voiced boldly with determination.

Sesshomaru felt his blood turn ice cold the moment the Miko had told him of her actions; dangerous actions. Golden eyes hardened to conceal the mixture of shock and anger that coursed through his body. A heavy silence filled the study room. Beginning to feel the chill behind his stare, Kagome diverted her gaze.

"You should have stuck with just gaining other's respect," he voiced coldly. Why wouldn't she just remain silent and go about things silently? Why was she so determined to fight anything and everything that was seen as wrong in her eyes? His mind raced with predictions to calculate the amount of danger she had placed upon herself. But no matter how he looked at it, she had willingly placed herself in a vulnerable position and created many enemies due to her actions.

His anger and frustration managed to slip past his control.

"Now you tread too far, Miko," a snarl escaped. Sesshomaru was unaware of the shiver that trembled through her body at his cold words. He was only aware of the growing sensation of threat; the threat of her own safety.

Kagome felt slightly shocked by his coldness; his harsh words. But, she would not back down on her decision. Any consequences from her choice would be hers to deal with. Confused by his odd behavior, Kagome tried to observe his reason.

"Leave," he said stoically with a hint of anger. Slightly jumping from the order, Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru one last time before exiting the study.

Sensing her aura distance, Sesshomaru slowly closed his eyes to rein back control in his body.

Panic.

His hand clenched.

Why did he even care?

Golden eyes blinked open. The emotions that raged past them had now calmed as if tied to a conclusion. In the empty study room with only the inuyoukai, an unforeseen decision was made.

The Miko was no longer a stranger or like the rest.

The inuyoukai grudgingly admitted that she held some importance.

So if any demon attempted to harm the Miko, he would step in.

She was, after all, the future intended of the Western Land Prince.

Unknown to the inuyoukai, a small seed had been planted within his heart. A seed that acknowledged her importance to him alone; a seed he ignored.

Author's Note: I hope you are enjoying the story so far. From here on…things should get more interesting.

Thank you for reading,

Your reviews are cherished.