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The Hime Tradition- Chapter Twenty-Seven

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Chapter Twenty-Seven – Madness

Strands of black hair splattered across the bed. Her arms tangled in the mountain of sheets. A soft snore sounded past her slightly widened lips. Kagome appeared sound asleep, but the faint twitch of her eyelids gave away that she was in fact wide awake.

Upon hearing the sound of his footsteps nearing her bed, Kagome consciously let out a louder snore. She felt his hand brush away her locks of hair and soon was carried away to caressing her cheek. Already feeling her cheeks beginning to burn red, she let out a tired groan in order to shake him out of his distraction. He finally left a gentle peck on her forehead. At the sound of her room door open and then close, blue eyes shot open. A silly grin tugged her lips caused by his sweet kiss and touch. But quickly remembering her mission, she scrambled to change her clothes and leave the room before Sesshomaru returned.

Thud Thud Thud.

Blue eyes snapped towards the door as she heard footsteps approaching her door.

'Crap, crap, crap,' Kagome cursed in surprise. Charging towards her bed, the sound of the door creak open was followed a crashing sound.

"Kagome?" she heard a voice that did not belong to Sesshomaru. Sighing in relief, the fear of being caught vanished.

"What in the world are you doing?" Inuyasha barked in a dumbfounded tone. Kagome lay scrawled on the floor along with a pile of blankets and pillows. Raising her head, she let out a nervous laugh to hide her embarrassment. Not wanting to let Sesshomaru know she was awake made her forget how bouncy beds could be. So the moment she jumped onto her bed, the position Inuyasha found her in was the result of her forgetfulness.

"Lady Kagome! Are you alright?" Blue eyes widened in shock as she saw Inari walk into the room with a worried expression.

"Who are you?" Kagome breathed out.

Inuyasha noted Inari flinch at his friend's words and explained, "She's just surprised your acting all concerned all of a sudden."

With a light blush tinting his cheeks, Inuyasha grabbed Inari's hand and looked away from both women in the room.

"Kagome, I'm going to mate Inari," he blurted out.

Blue eyes remained locked onto the intertwined hands. Recalling all the memories she had of Inari, she wondered how the sudden change of events could have occurred.

Noticing Kagome's confusion, Inari confessed, "I thought you were really Inuyasha's intended mate. I didn't know it was for pretend and for his sake. I was just so jealous, Lady Kagome!"

Realization flickered past her blue eyes causing the cloud of confusion to clear away. Getting up from the floor, Kagome smoothed out the wrinkles on her kimono.

"Inari told me she wants your blessings," Inuyasha said in a softer tone.

Ever since he returned to the Western Castle, his amber eyes were hardened and glaze with ice. She saw none of that anymore. Instead, amber eyes were painted with warmth; warmth she could never have brought out. Seeing her dear friend so happy, she couldn't find the hatred to reject Inari. Kagome glanced to see the nervous glint in Inari's features. Releasing a light giggle, she replied, "You have my blessing and gratitude, Lady Inari."

A bright smile flashed across Inari's lips as she tightened her grasp on her intended mate.

"Sorry to cut this short, but I am in a rush to meet someone before Sesshomaru finds out I am awake," Kagome said. She raised a brow at Inuyasha and sent him a look that demanded he tell her the whole story later. Then leaving the couple behind, she made her way towards Ryou's room. She continued to bang on his door until she heard the lock click. The door opened to reveal Ryou's confused face, "Lady Kagome?"

"We need to talk," Kagome said sternly. Noting Ryou's expression change into a doubtful look because it was inappropriate for a lady to enter a male's room alone, Kagome pleaded, "Please?"

A defeated sigh escaped his lips as he invited Kagome into his room. Motioning her to sit down on a chair, he said calmly, "Thank goodness you are well, Lady Kagome. What brings you here?"

Unwavering blue eyes stared into his as she asked, "Who asked you to fight me during the time I was challenged for my 'Sho' rank?"

She knew the question was random. However, last night while recalling certain events, she realized something. The time Chika was harassed by the previous 'Gon' leader, she remembered him state that Kura was the one who allowed it. She doubted Kura lent fellow rank members to demons that did nothing for her. This meant that the 'Gon' leader held ties with not just the Northern Lord, but also Kura. Then, Sesshomaru told her that the 'Gon' leader held many business affairs with the Northern Lord, but that meant any affairs with Kura would automatically be signed under the Northern Lord as well. Therefore, the 'Gon' leader's 'Master' also included Kura.

It was possible that the Northern Lord partnered with his daughter, Kura, in attempting to assassinate Inuyasha and her. The only factor that proved Kura's involvement in the assassination was the answer she just asked Ryou. Kagome thought that it had been under the 'Gon' leader's order for Ryou to fight her. But thinking back, it didn't make sense for the 'Gon' leader, who is in a lower rank than Ryou, to order a 'Sho' leader around. It was either the Northern Lord or Kura that asked Ryou to fight her. The fight was meant to strip her of her rank and prevent Inuyasha from mating someone with a higher rank. So if Kura was the one that ordered Ryou, then she was definitely the Northern Lord's partner in crime.

"You heard the person who asked, Lady Kagome. It was the previous 'Gon' leader," Ryou said coolly.

"Was it the Northern Lord or Kura?" Kagome blurted out. Ryou's calm features tensed and she caught the slight change. From this, she knew that it was either one of them.

After a long pause, Ryou stated, "Lady Kagome, no one forced me to fight."

Blue eyes searched for the truth and could only see honesty shine through his eyes. It didn't make any sense. She remembered the disgust he felt for himself while fighting her. He did not wish to fight her. So why did his eyes portray truth?

If it was not by force, then…

A favor?

No.

Respect?

No.

Studying him in confusion, the softened look in his eyes was not missed. For a second, she saw a similarity to Sesshomaru's soft glances. Kagome felt her breath hitch from shock. Whispering as if she was sharing a secret, she said, "No way…it's because you love her."

His secret had been exposed.

A pained look ripped the calm mask Ryou wore. He answered with a sad smile, "It would have been easier if I could just hate her."

Silence rested between the two.

Kagome remained astonished at the revelation.

Ryou held a strained expression as if reminiscing the past.

"Why are you curious about the past all of a sudden?" Ryou croaked.

"Because I thought I knew who poisoned me," Kagome said dejectedly.

"Thought…" Ryou noted the past tense she used. Kagome observed the way Ryou relaxed and continued sorrowfully, "Now I know for sure who poisoned me. You've confirmed my suspicions."

Though a flinch visibly shook his figure, Ryou voiced calmly, "Why are you telling me this? I could kill you right now to protect her."

"You won't," she spoke confidently. Suddenly feeling a painful grasp around her right wrist, Kagome saw Ryou squeezing her with his hand. She bit her lips to hold in the pain. Though she could no longer feel blood flowing in her hand, she refused to give in

Ryou voiced darkly, "I've done all sorts of things to protect her."

His words held truth, but Kagome still saw the disgust flicker in his eyes; disgusted by his own actions. Blue eyes held confidence that told him without words that she knew he would not hurt her.

Ignoring the pain, Kagome said, "I want you to tell Sesshomaru that Kura is involved."

Ryou looked at her as if she was crazy.

"Don't you want to save her?" Kagome asked.

Ryou's strong grip on her wrist released. His eyes widened a fraction. More than anything…he wished to save her. He had struggled all this time…to try and save her. He had struggled until desperation was the only thing left.

"I'm sorry…"

Hiding his eyes with a hand, Ryou clenched his jaw. Kura did not always walk the path of darkness. No, during their courtship, their love for each other had been pure. It was his fault that Kura began her corrupted ways.

When he was offered the rank of a Daiyoukai, he found that Kura's ambition to gain power began to grow. He rejected the offer for her sake, but she understood it as being rejected by him. No matter how many times he tried to explain his reason, she never stayed to listen to him. After that incident, her greed to become more powerful in rank only grew to fill in the hole he had created. It was he who ruined her.

"I'm sorry," an apology was all he could say.

"You can save her, Ryou. Sesshomaru is bound to find out who poisoned me anyways. So why not tell him the culprit in exchange for her life to be spared," Kagome whispered gently. She knew how dangerous it might be for Ryou to request Kura's life to be spared. It would be safer for her to just confront Sesshomaru about it. It would definitely spare Kura, but it wouldn't save her from her corrupted ways. Only the one who truly cared for her deeply could save her.

"Why do you care for her?"

"Poor Kura, she will probably feel forced to complete her Father's plans to harm Inuyasha because he had to die like that. We need to save her," Kagome said sadly.

Ryou's eyes darkened for he knew that Kura's involvement in her Father's plans were much more corrupted. Though Lady Kagome was wise, she still did not understand how evil one's soul can become. He doubted Kura did anything for her Father's sake, let alone care that he was dead.

"Thank you," Ryou uttered truthfully. Lady Kagome had astounded him since their first encounter because of her wisdom. Now, he only grew to respect her more for her pure heart. Her belief in him amazed him. He, who could so easily strike her down, was trusted by her.

"Good Luck".

Lady Kagome's last words said to him repeated in his head as he headed towards the Western Lord's study. Ryou did not quite understand the word 'good luck', but he knew the words were said with good intentions. Assuming it was used amongst humans; Ryou shrugged off the foreign word.

Standing before the grand doors to the study room, Ryou paused. Lord Sesshomaru was highly respected and feared by all, he was not excluded from this. His figure remained calm while a sprout of fear stirred his heart. He had considered several times to do what Lady Kagome had advised. It was fear that pushed the idea aside. He also doubted that Lord Sesshomaru could possibly understand him. But with Lady Kagome's push, he believed that Lord Sesshomaru would listen to his request. He would die trying at the very least.

"Come in," he heard a cold voice order. As his shoulders tensed, Ryou obeyed and pushed open the grand doors. He bowed low before his Lord the moment he stepped two steps forward.

A hollow voice echoed in the silent study, "What brings the 'Sho' rank leader here?"

Clearing his throat, Ryou responded, "I know the culprit behind Lady Kagome's poisoning."

Alarm flickered past golden eyes as Sesshomaru stared at the bowing demon. The 'Sho' leader was one of the few that gained his respect and knew that the 'Sho' leader only spoke the truth.

"I am willing to inform you of the name in exchange for one request," Ryou managed to say calmly. Golden eyes immediately narrowed as Ryou dared not raise his head to meet with Sesshomaru's eyes.

"Speak," Sesshomaru ordered. For his calculating character, it was a rash decision to accept the 'Sho' leader's conditions. But, he needed to know the culprit for her safety. Her safety was more important than anything the 'Sho' leader could possibly ask for.

Hesitating, Ryou felt his pulse drum through his veins. His lips fell open and close several times before he finally answered, "Kura, my Lord."

A sudden pulse of Sesshomaru's power slipped past his guard causing Ryou to suffocate at the amount of power.

A violent growl rumbled.

His claw clenched into a fist in frustration. He had overlooked the possibility Kura held of being the mastermind in all of this.

Ryou tensed as the sound of Sesshomaru's growl ceased.

"Were you not in love with this traitor?" a chilling voice resounded. Recalling the time Ryou rejected the offer of becoming a Daiyoukai rank, he had to explain to Lord Sesshomaru the reason why. Only Lord Sesshomaru knew of his love for Kura.

"That is why…my request," Ryou trailed off. Sesshomaru closed his eyes knowing what would be requested.

"Please spare her life, my Lord!" Ryou pleaded desperately. Still positioned with his head lowered, Ryou clenched his eyes shut and awaited for an answer.

Silence.

No, he wished to say for he thirsted for the blood of all who harmed her.

Yet, Sesshomaru couldn't seem to utter a rejection.

The 'Sho' leader did what he would not have done; confess the crimes his loved one had committed.

Never.

The pulse of power began to fade.

Golden eyes steeled with control.

"Very well," his voice dripped with acid, "But know that she will not be unharmed."

Ryou held in a sigh of relief. He knew very well that this would be the outcome. Unlike Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru knew very well how evil Kura's intentions had been. Before leaving, Ryou said gratefully, "Thank you, my Lord."

However, just as Ryou walked past the grand doors, he heard a stoic voice ask, "Did you meet with Kagome…today?"

Every muscle stiffened on Ryou's body. He understood what the question meant. Lord Sesshomaru was asking if it was Lady Kagome who advised him to plead for Kura's life. Unable to lie, Ryou replied, "Yes, my Lord."

-Kagome's Room-

Kagome paced back and forth across her room. Biting her nails, she wondered how Ryou was doing. She believed Sesshomaru would listen to Ryou and not kill him, but would Sesshomaru accept Ryou's request? Upon hearing footsteps near her door, Kagome excitedly grabbed a scroll and pretended to look like she was busy reading. Her back was turned away from the door as she heard it open. Knowing it had to be Sesshomaru she asked innocently, "Where were you?"

Not hearing a response, blue eyes glanced at his reflection on the window. She noticed that his eyes were on her, but couldn't clearly make out his expression. Kagome turned to face him wanting to know the result of his meeting with Ryou.

Blue eyes met with hardened gold ones.

Claws fisted tightly.

His lip thinned into a straight line.

His brows furrowed.

She did not have to look past his mask to see that he was angry. She should have known he would be angry. Her excitement disappeared as worry sank in. Though she knew the reason for his anger, she still asked, "What's wrong?"

"Do not act like you know nothing," he snapped.

Kagome placed down the scroll and inched closer to him.

"Do you know what you did!?" he voiced hopelessly.

It was safer to kill all those who threatened anyone precious. The deaths of all traitors were a warning to those who plotted to do the same. She knew this.

But…

She wanted him to understand why she did it.

She wanted him to see what she saw.

Grasping one of his fisted hands, Kagome replied desperately, "Sesshomaru, I had to do it. Kura shouldn't be killed. Ryou loves her so much!"

The moment her last sentence was said, she felt a gust of air press against her. Kagome noted that her back now pressed against a wall, while the hand that held his was pushed against the wall. Hearing a low rumble, blue eyes looked into his red tinted ones.

"You knew that he loved her," Sesshomaru snarled.

"You knew," he echoed again with an anguished voice.

"Did you not think for one second that Ryou could have killed you for knowing that Kura was the culprit?" His voice rang with an unknown emotion.

Shocked by his heated reaction, Kagome replied breathlessly, "I trust Ryou. He wouldn't do-"

"You don't know that!" he roared. Unable to respond or fight back, her lips were left slightly open in shock. Trying to restrain the surge of emotions clouding his thoughts, he tightened his grasp on her captive hand.

She was driving him crazy.

How could she be so careless for her own safety?

How could she walk straight into the room that belonged to the murderer's lover?

The more he thought about it the more fear strangled his heart. She could have died. Had he been in the 'Sho' leader's position and Kagome was the one who committed a crime, he would no doubt have killed anyone that found her to be the culprit.

To protect her from harm, he would have done worse.

Blue eyes stared into his golden ones that held a dark glint.

Eyes that looked as if his soul was ready to be given to the devil.

Kagome flinched in pain as Sesshomaru placed more pressure on the area Ryou had hurt. Sesshomaru caught the pained expression and glanced at the hand he held captive. Slowly using his other hand, he tugged on her sleeve.

A dark bruise twisted around her wrist.

A wound that was recently inflicted.

Gold was replaced with crimson as a murderous look gleamed.

She wanted him to understand her…but instead, she failed to understand him. Feeling the tremor in his hand, she finally shook out of her shock. Kagome saw his body slightly shaking. Blue eyes softened. Slowly raising her other free hand, she gently cupped his cheek.

She had worried him.

She worried him too much.

With a loving voice, she promised, "I will never follow Kura's footsteps."

As her fingers brushed across his smooth cheek, Kagome tucked a strand of his silver hair behind his ear tenderly.

"Because I never want to be the one that makes your eyes clouded with darkness," she finished in a whisper.

The trembling in his hands seemed to cease.

His anger caved.

His eyes returned to gold, but still held worry.

He held her close.

Embracing her fragile form, he was tempted to lock her up somewhere where no one could see her.

Lock her up so that no one could harm her.

Indeed, she drove him mad.

Thank you for reading,

Your reviews are cherished.
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Xepher06's avatar
Oh Kagome...Sesshomaru only wants no more harm come to you. It was kind of foolish what you did but only you would do it. :)
So super nervouscited about the next chapter!! What will Kura do when she finds out that she has been found out...that sounded alot better in my head.
DUN dun DUNNN!!!!
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